Wow. I had heard that 2014’s Canada Reads was going to better than ever and I didn’t think it was possible … until now. I missed Jian‘s announcement of this years books and celebrity panelists, but I’m not going to let that stop me for weighing in.
First up: Stephen Lewis defending Margaret Atwood‘s The Year of the Flood. Can it get any better than this? No. I mean, it’s Stephen (freakin’) Lewis defending Margret Atwood and a book about human folly leading to the end of times! I love this. Lewis is one of the greatest humanitarians, thinkers, and diplomats this world has ever seen. I admire him greatly. And Margaret Atwood is Margaret Atwood. Also a mental giant, fabulous writer and admirable soul. Combined, I like to believe that they are unstoppable. The Year of the Flood is my favorite of the MaddAddam trilogy, and it is definitely a book all Canadians should read. Lewis is a great orator and he can convince me of almost anything. And he may get some pointers from his son, Avi Lewis who defended Lawrence Hill‘s The Book of Negroes to win in 2009.
Next up, Wab Kinew defending The Orenda by Joseph Boyden. I am not familiar with Kinew, but from what I’ve read he appears to be another heavy hitter. Musician, broadcaster, journalist, intellectual. I think he is going to do a commendable job, but it shouldn’t be too hard. He’s defending The Orenda after all. I haven’t read The Ordena yet, but if it anything like Boyden’s other works it will not only be a good read, it will be an important read. And that is what Canada Reads 2014 is all about. Boyden’s novel Three Day Road was chosen in Canada Reads 2006, but did not win. Will this be his year?
Announced third was Donovan Bailey defending Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan. I haven’t read Half-Blood Blues yet, though I would like to. It comes with high acclaim, but I can see one slight draw back with it – it is not set in Canada or about Canadians so to speak. Sometimes in Canada Reads debates this can pose a problem. On the other hand, Bailey is a competitor who is not used to losing. From what I can remember he is quite well spoken, but will he be able to hold his ground against the likes of Lewis and Kinew?
Before we start taking ourselves too seriously let’s look to Samantha Bee defending Rawi Hage‘s Cockroach. I don’t mean to imply that Bee is a lightweight or that the other panelists are not funny, but let’s face it, Bee is most widely known as a comedian. She is witty, smart and humorous and that may win her some points. I don’t know much about Cockroach, although it received a lot of acclaim when it came out in 2008. Set in Montreal, it may gain the favor of listeners/ readers from la belle provence.
And finally, Annabel by Kathleen Winter is being defended by Sarah Gadon. I know absolutely nothing about Gadon except that she is an actress who has been in a number of David Cronenberg movies and appears to be a rising star. Annabel, on the other hand is a book I have read and enjoyed. Set on the East Coast, it is a novel dealing with sexuality and small town life. It is riveting.
So there we go. As you can probably tell I’m gunning for Stephen Lewis and The Year of the Flood to win, but realistically the book that I find most deserving never wins Canada Reads. I have yet to read three of the contenders, so perhaps my opinions will change. Who do you think will win? Only time will tell.
52 books or bust 
I LOVED Annabel!!! It was one of Barnes & Nobles Discover New Writers books a while ago. And I have to say, too, that the cover you have is much more apt to describing the book than the “creepy” one . . . have you seen the other one with the guy on the cover? Creeeeeeepy but not an accurate description for the book in my opinion.
Yeah, I saw the creepy cover but opted for this one since it is the one that is actually available in Canada. It is a great book, but the other contenders are good too. I can never predict the winner. I guess we just have to wait until March to see how things unfold.
Crazy and perhaps for shame, but ALL of these books need to be read by me still! I DO really want to read The Orenda. I have it, so I’m going to crack it open very, very soon. Cockroach looks interesting and will now also get to Annabel. I continue to scratch my head about with Half Blood Blues? Surprised it made the Top 10, shocked that it made the Top 5. Haven’t read it, but there were others on the Top 10 I thought would have made it over that one. Changing Canada? I just don’t see it. But those are just my thoughts….;-)
I need to read Half Blood Blues too. I don’t know if it fits the CanadaReads criteria all that well, but I don’t doubt that it is a good book. You haven’t read The Year of Flood? Get on it girl! I think it is one of my favorites. Will you be reviewing/ discussing CanadaReads on Literary Hoarders?
The Year of the Flood is the 2nd to Oryx and Crake right? Elizabeth read that one and didn’t like it as much. I’m not a huge fan of dystopia, but I’ve seen a few other reviews for YOTF and they’ve said good things. Fine. Add to the list! 😉 I’m pretty sure in some manner we’ll be discussing CanadaReads somehow on LH — I DO SO really want to get to The Orenda so I’m sure the other titles will follow along….
I’m not a fan of that whole dystopian thing either, but man can Atwood write. I think you have to read it in the name of patriotism or something.
What a great selection! I’ve read all of these (apart from Atwood who I don’t seem to get) and deciding between them is tough. I think I might have to go for The Orenda, but I could be swayed by a good argument. I’ll be interested to see who wins this one!
So far the 3 out of 5 that I have read have been great! But it’s hard to say who will win. I love them all for different reasons. I’m just glad I’m not the one who has to decide. I agree with you about The Year of the Flood, but I just read The Orenda and it blew me away. I also loved Annabel, but in a more quiet way. I liked these 3 so much, I can’t imagine the other 2 out-doing them, but you never know… Great post, by the way! I just discovered your blog, and when I saw this post, I had to weigh in.
Thanks for checking in. I haven’t read The Orenda yet, but from what I hear it will blow me away. And Boyden usually tackles issues that Canadians should be more aware of, so he may be a strong contender. Stay tuned for more in the new year as i read and review each of the books!
I listened to and read Half Blood Blues. What a fantastic book! Cockroach and Annabel are both on my reading list! I can’t wait to find out which book wins.