Canada Reads from CBC Radio: Recent Episodes
CBC Radio
The CBC's great Canadian book debate returns. Five prominent Canadians have each selected the one book that they believe all of Canada should read. After each day's debate, they will vote to eliminate one book, until only the winner remains.
Historical fiction novel The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor, championed by Tegan Quin, is the winner of Canada Reads 2026. The novel is set during the Second World War and follows a nonbinary protagonist named Kit as they navigate wartime, a love triangle and sibling rivalry on their family farm in rural Ontario.
After the Canada Reads finale wrapped, Tegan and Loghan spoke with Elamin Abdelmahmoud on Commotion to look back on the week of debates and talk about why this book has resonated with readers across the country.
It's the final showdown! Two contenders go head to head, and one book will be crowned the winner of Canada Reads 2026!
The great Canadian book debate heats up as three champions make the case to get their title into the final round. Which book will be eliminated next?
Four books are still in the running in the great Canadian book debate. Which title will be knocked off the shelf next?
The great Canadian book debate kicks off! Each of the five panellists champion the book they think is the one book all of Canada should read and vote to eliminate the first title.
The great Canadian book debate is back! The star-studded cast of Canada Reads 2026 is revealed on Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, along with the five books they think all of Canada should read. They also discuss debate strategy and reading outside of their comfort zones. The debates take place April 13 to 16. All the details for Canada Reads can be found at cbcbooks.ca.
CBC Books announced the fifteen Canadian books on the longlist for the annual great Canadian book debate. Jamie Chai Yun Liew is an author who knows exactly what having your book chosen for Canada Reads means. Her novel Dandelion was the runner-up on the show last year and she joined All in a Day host Alan Neal to talk about that experience and some of the books on this year's longlist.
The winning Canada Reads panellist and author sit down with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, host of Commotion on CBC Radio, for a victory lap.
It's the final showdown! Two contenders go head-to-head, and one will be crowned the winner of Canada Reads 2025!
The great Canadian book debate heats up as three champions make the case to get their title into the final round. Which book will be eliminated next?
Four books are still in the running in the great Canadian book debate. Which title will be knocked off the shelf next?
The great Canadian book debate kicks off! Each of the five panellists champion the book they think is the one book all of Canada should read and vote to eliminate the first title.
Find out this year's panellists, and the one book they think all of Canada should read , by checking out the big reveal, as heard on Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud. Catch all this year's panellists and authors on upcoming episodes of The Next Chapter. All the details for Canada Reads can be found at cbcbooks.ca.
The great Canadian book debate is a highlight on any bookworm's calendar! This year's showdown took place in early March, but if you missed it, do not worry! We have all the highlights from this year's show in a one-hour recap special, hosted by Ali Hassan.
The winning panellist and author joined Elamin Abdelmahmoud on Commotion to discuss the roller-coaster week and what it's like being on the great Canadian book debate.
It's time for the final showdown! Two contenders go head-to-head, and one will be crowned the winner of Canada Reads 2024!
Canada's annual book battle heats up as three champions fight to get their title into the final round. Which one will be eliminated next?
Four books are still in the running in the great Canadian book debate. Which title will be knocked off the shelf next?
The battle of the books begins! Five celebrated Canadians champion their book as the one book all of Canada should read and vote to eliminate the first title.
The great Canadian book debate is taking place March 4-7. Get a crash course on the 2024 contenders with this special pre-show podcast episode.
Alycia Pirmohamed speaks with Airplay host Dave White about winning the 2019 CBC Poetry Prize and her new poetry collection Second Memory.
Three books left. The champions talk about themes of home, love and fortitude on the third day of debate.
Four books remain in the great Canadian book debate. Which title will be voted off next?
The 21st edition of the great Canadian book debate begins! Host Ali Hassan asks the five panellists to find the One Book to Connect Us. One of the five titles will be voted off on the first day.
It’s the 21st edition of Canada Reads, CBC’s great Canadian book debate. If this is your first time following along, listen to learn more about the show’s format and history.
In this introduction to the novel Five Little Indians, discover what the book is about and why Ojibway author and fashion writer Christian Allaire chose it for Canada Reads 2022.
In this introduction to the novel Scarborough, discover what the book is about and why actress and activist Malia Baker chose it for Canada Reads 2022.
In this introduction to the novel What Strange Paradise, discover what the book is about and why entrepreneur and former Syrian refugee Tareq Hadhad chose it for Canada Reads 2022.
In this introduction to the novel Washington Black, discover what the book is about and why Olympian and 2SLGBTQ advocate Mark Tewksbury chose it for Canada Reads 2022.
In this introduction to the memoir Life in the City of Dirty Water, discover what the book is about and why author and forest ecologist Suzanne Simard chose it for Canada Reads 2022.
We're celebrating the great Canadian book debate's 20th anniversary! Host Ali Hassan looks back at some of the most dramatic and unexpected moments in the show’s history and speaks with past authors and panellists to find out what their Canada Reads experience means to them.
It's time for the final showdown! Two contenders go head-to-head, and one will be crowned the winner of Canada Reads 2021!
Two books down, three left standing. The remaining champions will have to dig deep to get their book to the Canada Reads finale.
Four books and their champions are left on the second day of this title fight. Which book will be knocked off the Canada Reads shelf next?
It's time for Canada Reads 2021 with host Ali Hassan! Five celebrated Canadians champion their chosen book as the "one that will transport us" and vote to eliminate the first title from competition.
If you've never listened to Canada Reads, never fear! Host Ali Hassan walks you through what the great Canadian book debate is all about.
An introduction to the fantasy novel The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk and its Canada Reads champion, Olympian and broadcaster Rosey Edeh.
Olympian and broadcaster Rosey Edeh is championing C.L. Polk's fantasy novel The Midnight Bargain on Canada Reads.
An introduction to the memoir Two Trees Make a Forest by Jessica J. Lee and its Canada Reads champion, singer-songwriter Scott Helman.
Singer-songwriter Scott Helman is championing Jessica J. Lee's memoir Two Trees Make a Forest on Canada Reads.
An introduction to the novel Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead, and its Canada Reads champion, actor and filmmaker Devery Jacobs.
Actor and filmmaker Devery Jacobs is championing Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead on Canada Reads.
An introduction to the novel Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots and its Canada Reads champion, Kim's Convenience star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee.
Kim's Convenience star Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is championing Natalie Zina Walschot's novel Hench on Canada Reads.
An introduction to the novel Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi and its Canada Reads champion, chef and TV host Roger Mooking.
Chef and TV host Roger Mooking is championing Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi on Canada Reads.