Canada Reads 2010
December 1, 2009
CBC’s Canada Reads 2010 website is now live. Yay!
The contenders (and their champions) are:
- Good To A Fault by Marina Endicott, championed by Simi Sarah
- Nikolski by Nicholas Dickner, translated by Lazer Lederhendler and championed by Michel Vézina
- Generation X: tales for an accelerated culture by Douglas Coupland, championed by Roland Pemberton (aka Cadence Weapon)
- The Jade Peony by Wayson Choy, championed by Samantha Nutt
- Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald, championed by Perdita Felicien
I haven’t read any of these books, which is hardly surprising because I’ve never really read a lot of Canadian literature even when it’s really good. I have a dilemma. I’m not thrilled by the Coupland. People love Coupland and people will love him whether or not he wins. It’s a bit of a…well, boring pick for me. The Jade Peony and Fall on Your Knees are both the type of books I’d expect to see on a Canada Reads (or Canadian Lit list) list. Which means I should be rooting for Nikolski or Good to a Fault.
But I’m torn between The Jade Peony and Fall on Your Knees. Ann-Marie MacDonald is wonderful in person. As a person I like her a lot and I’d have no problem championing anything she’s written (even if I’ve never read her, a sad but true fact). But I have a soft spot for Wayson Choy too. I’ve also never read any of his stuff but I’ve listened to him read from some of his stuff and well, I kind of wanted to put him in my pocket and take him home with me.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
The only one I’ve read is Fall On Your Knees. Plus it’s set in Cape Breton so I’m behind that one.
Chris@bookarama´s last blog ..Basil by Wilkie Collins: Review
[Reply]
sassymonkey Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:13 am
Yes, I can see how that can sway the balance in MacDonald’s favour.
[Reply]
December 1st, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I haven’t read Fall On Your Knees, but I did read her other book (The Way the Crow Flies) and LOVED it! Off to move Fall On Your Knees to my nightstand…
Les in NE´s last blog ..Album du Jour
[Reply]
sassymonkey Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:14 am
I know I need to read her books. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them.
[Reply]
December 1st, 2009 at 10:47 pm
The only one I’ve read is Nikolski (I liked it). I’ve tried reading a couple of the others and just couldn’t get into them. Guess I’ll see if the debates spark any interest for me, but they do seem like predictable choices.
[Reply]
sassymonkey Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
Yes, predictable choices – there’s no “Fruit” this year. It’s a bit disappointing because Canada Reads has been a bit unpredictable in the past and I don’t know that I’m really surprised by any of the choices. The list is lacking in quirkiness.
[Reply]
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 am
OMG no, not Fall On Your Knees. Anything but that. (OH wait, I’m not Canadian. Why do I care? lol)
Denise´s last blog ..Fade
[Reply]
sassymonkey Reply:
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:30 am
lol that’s never stopped you from caring about Canadian literature (or Canadian lit awards) before.
[Reply]
January 30th, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Firstly, WICKED banner!
Secondly, I’m looking for people to comment on my first blog question about The Jade Peony, if you would like to weigh in!
http://www.cbc.ca/books/MT/2010/01/the-jade-peony-and-waysons-use-of-voice.html
[Reply]