It’s almost time for the biggest event on any Canadian book lover’s calendar: Canada Reads! The annual Battle of the Books began in 2002 and is hosted by CBC. Five celebrity advocates each choose a book to argue for in a series of knock-out debate rounds, until one title is chosen as the winner.
Canada Reads is meant to be accessible, appealing to a broad audience, and hopes to draw in new readers. The celebrity advocates for the books help the program reach audiences who may not have picked up that title otherwise. They also each choose the book they’re representing, and their passion for the story comes through in how they defend it. Most years, the only restriction is that the book be by a Canadian author, though some years have had more narrow themes. In 2012, for example, all contenders were non-fiction.
While the winner of Canada Reads does not receive a cash prize, appearing in the program generates a lot of buzz for the authors selected. Bookstores across the country put up displays for the featured books as soon as they are announced, and sales jump, especially for winners. Take by Frank Parker Day, narrated by James Banning, for example. Before it appeared on Canada Reads in 2005, it sold roughly 200 copies a year. After it made the shortlist, it sold 7,000 copies in a few months.
Alongside the English language version of Canada Reads is Le Combat des livres, which airs on Radio-Canada Première and features French Canadian authors. Most years, one of the five titles will be an English book in translation, just like most Canada Reads competitions include a Québécois French book in translation. Lawrence Hill is the only author to have won both Canada Reads and Le Combat des livres with (Aminata in the French translation), beautifully narrated by Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah.
Last year, the winning book was by Catherine Leroux, translated by Susan Ouriou and narrated by Karie Richards. It was represented by the author Heather O'Neill. O’Neill’s own novel won Canada Reads in 2007, making 2024 the first year someone had won Canada Reads both as a writer and an advocate.
In 2025, the theme for the debate is books that “change how we see, share and experience the world around us,” and the advocates are Maggie Mac Neil, Olympic gold medallist in swimming; Shayla Stonechild, actor and wellness advocate; Michelle Morgan, producer and actor in Heartland; Linwood Barclay, thriller writer; and Saïd M'Dahoma, a neuroscientist and pastry chef.
The debates will air between March 17 and March 20 on CBC TV, CBC Radio and CBC Books. If you’re not sure who to root for yet, here's an introduction to each of the books and their celebrity advocates, .
Be sure to tune in March 17-20 to see which of these five books is named the winner of Canada Reads! Regardless, each of these books is well worth a listen, and you can expect them to be taking over Canadian book clubs from coast to coast.
