The theme for Canada Reads this year is ‘Starting Over’. The debates air March 21-24. You can get the quick low-down of the books and panellists here. Here are the 5 books in the order of when I read them:
1) The Illegal by Lawrence Hill, defended by Clara Hughes, six-time Olympic medallist
I read The Illegal before it showed up on the Canada Reads longlist. You can read my full review here. Through Keita’s story, The Illegal brings our attention to the plight of refugees and displaced people. Their reality of having to leave their homes with the knowledge that they may never be back, fits in nicely with the theme of ‘starting over’. Lawrence Hill won the Canada Reads competition with The Book of Negroes. Will he be able to do it again?
2) Birdie by Tracey Lindberg, defended by Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, the largest travel adventure company in the world
I read Birdie as soon as I saw that it was on the longlist. You can read my full review here. Birdie is a beautifully written book with many layers to delve into and discuss. It fits the theme nicely, and has important things to say about Indigenous issues as well as issues that are universal. I think Birdie has a very good chance of winning the debates, and I would be happy if it did.
3) Bone & Bread by Saleema Nawaz, defended by Farah Mohamed, founder and CEO of G(irls)20, a global platform that empowers girls and women around the world
Bone & Bread is engaging and extremely readable. Two sisters grow up together in a Montreal neighbourhood, above a bagel shop. From the beginning we know that the younger sister, Sadhana has died, and 6 months later, Beena is making trips back to Montreal to clean out her apartment.
If you listen, you can almost hear the sound of my son’s heart breaking. In the backyard, under the drone of the lawnmower, there’s a dull clanking, a sick rasp of metal like iron on bone, the chafing of something serrated. It could be a falling branch from the lilac bush or a stray rock caught against the blade, but from where I sit looking out the kitchen window, the muted noise of the mowing comes through like a throbbing ache.
Alternatively, we hear the story of their life together and that they are no strangers to heartache. When they are young, they lose both of their parents (at different times), and have their Uncle move in with them; he is critical and suffocating to live with and doesn’t understand how to take care of two young girls. When the older sister is 16, the two girls both miss their period at the same time; Beena is pregnant and Sadhana is anorexic.
After the birth of Quinn, the sisters move out from under the critical eye of their Uncle and squeeze themselves into their own small apartment. While there, they help each other finish school while taking care of a child and trying to stay healthy and keep eating.
My sister aimed to succeed in everything she undertook, and in being sick, she surpassed everyone’s expectations.
Sadhana proves hard to live with after years of close proximity. Beena is tired of keeping watch over everything she eats, while having a strip torn off her whenever she says or does something Sadhana doesn’t like. She also feels protective of her relationship with Quinn; she feels that Sadhana may have too much of an influence on her nephew. When Quinn is 8, Beena decides it’s time to start her own life, and she moves to Ottawa.
Quinn’s nose was running down onto his lips so he could taste his own sorrow, and as I tugged down his zipper and held him, stiff and unwilling in my arms, I wanted to tell him that emotion was like a carnival ride: its heights and depths might stagger and astound, but after the first time, he would know that he could walk away when it was over, legs shaking but still alive. But it was a non-transferable kind of truth, in both conveyance and meaning. I couldn’t bring myself to say it. And not everyone, I supposed, was able to walk away.
The sisters continue to keep in touch, and Beena continues to feel responsible for Sadhana’s illness. When Sadhana dies, Beena replays their last visits (and arguments) trying to find clues as to how Sadhana lived her last days.
If Sadhana’s a ghost, I haven’t seen her. I haven’t spotted any signs of her shading my footsteps or tracing my name across a rain-soaked window. In a way, though, I’m not surprised. I spent so many years watching her disappear, little by little, that it is impossible for me to believe that there could be any of her left over.
… the work of getting closer, of loving harder, is the work of a whole life.
There are many times in the girls’ lives when they are ‘starting over’ after some sort of tragedy or big event; the death of their parents, Sadhana’s illness, the birth of Quinn, moving away, and finally Beena having to move on without her sister in the world.
4) Minister Without Portfolio by Michael Winter, defended by Adam “Edge” Copeland, actor and retired professional wrestler
I have been wanting to read one of Winter’s books for a while now, so Canada Reads gave me the nudge I needed to finally do it. I loved many things about this book, but it was the one I found the hardest to focus on while reading. I’m going to guess that it was his writing style that made my mind feel sticky. But the more time that has gone by since reading it, the more it has grown on me and stuck in my head.
The book is about Henry. Henry tries hard to have a good life, but things just keep falling apart. He goes through a painful break-up, tries desperately (and embarrassingly) to win her back, then tries getting away by going to Afghanistan to work with a couple of his buddies. While there, a bomb goes off and kills his friend; he ends up feeling partly responsible for the death.
The friend that died owned an old abandoned house on the coast of Newfoundland. Partly to make amends, Henry decides to start fixing it up. As he works on it, he runs into one problem after another. At one point, while dumping some garbage into the incinerator, he falls in and feels himself starting to cook. After being rescued, he feels like he has a new lease on life. In an interview, Winter talks about how this very thing happened to him and that everything in his novel is true; it has all happened to either him or someone he knows.
Despite all the hassle of fixing up a century old house, he finds himself enjoying the work and his life starts taking on a new shape; a good one.
They were into it now. He and Martha were pursuing Tender’s ambition. It astonished him and made him feel guilty. That he was enjoying her. He was supposed to be bearing a cross but this was an ambush of joy.
The book felt very Newfoundland-y to me (a good thing). The descriptions of the area and the people felt Wayne Johnston-like and Michael Crummey-ish. The whole thread about going away to find work to support yourself and your family feels very Atlantic Canadian. And the connection the characters have to the land feels strong.
He was not happy to be leaving his family again for work in Alberta. But he was also eager to do it. Embrace the suck, is what they say in the army, and the truth is both compulsions exist in us: to stay and to leave. It’s for the family, John said, which makes leaving some kind of commitment to stay.
Henry stepped down into the cellar that pointed out to sea. My secret place, Henry said aloud – so it wasn’t a secret he kept from the land. He wanted the land to know.
The ‘starting over’ theme in this book is solid. After the death of Tender, Henry and Tender’s girlfriend find a way to start again without him, through their grief and guilt.
The snow drifting against the house sheltered the bass of the party and allowed the people who were recovering from the mourning of Tender Morris to really let loose. The heat was turned down for the rooms were hot with bodies. This was not a summer party. It was a party that requires grim conditions, the short days and the bitter cold and a death in the family and a dark night and very few reasons to go on but you do go on. Having kids was not enough. A party like this was necessary and John Hynes knew it. If life were to continue on this bald rock in the ocean, if a laugh were to be had, then this party at John and Silvia’s was the dream that disturbs hibernation, that wakes you into a spring thaw.
(In the Acknowledgements, Winter tells us that there was a poem on his fridge that he read every day of writing this book; Love by Czeslaw Milosz. Read it; it’s beautiful.)
*Thank you to the Random House Canada for sending me a copy of this book.
5) The Hero’s Walk by Anita Rau Badami, defended by Vinay Virmani, writer and star of the 2014 hit film Dr. Cabbie
The Hero’s Walk drew me in from the very beginning with vivid descriptions of life in India as well as the family members and neighbours involved in the story. The characters were so well-drawn that I wanted to know more about every one of them.
… people were like trees, they grew and changed, put out new leaves that you forgot to count, and when you weren’t watching, they even died.
The plot of the book is driven by the death of Sripathi and Nirmala’s daughter who has been living in Canada for 9 years and has a 7-year-old daughter, Nandana. After the death of Nandana’s parents, she has to move to India to be with her mother’s family, but for her it is a whole new world.
This is an obvious ‘starting over’ for Nandana, as well as for the family who welcomes her to their home. But, the main character of the book is actually Sripathi, disappointing son of Ammayya, stubborn husband of Nirmala, discouraged father of Maya and Arun, and neglectful brother of Putti. His life is so full of regrets and disappointments, financial and societal pressures, that he has a hard time seeing past these things to what is really important. The death of his daughter has filled him with guilt and regret, the wish to be able to change the past, and anger. He struggles with control over his emotions, and longs for forgiveness. Many of his reactions and decisions made me mad, but mostly I felt for him, and hoped he would be able to find a way to forgive himself and enjoy his family.
He had forced himself to forget his daughter’s betrayal, for that was how he regarded her marriage, the life she had chosen for herself. It was true that it was he who told her never to come home, who had refused to reply to her letters or her phone calls, but by dying she had stolen from him the opportunity to forgive and be forgiven.
*Thank you to Random House Canada for sending me a copy of this book.
———————————————————————————————————-
I liked all of these books. In the past there have been a couple of stand-outs for me to get behind, but this year I would be happy for any of these books to win. They are all good and I loved them for different reasons; they all fit the theme and stand a good chance at winning. We’ll see if I can be swayed in any kind of direction by the panellists’ arguments over the next few days.
You can watch all 5 book trailers here.
Here, Canada Reads authors describe their book in one sentence.
Canada Reads starts tomorrow (March 21) and runs until March 24. I’ll be sure to let you know which book is the winner!
———————————————————————————————————
Updates:
Day 1 – Minister Without Portfolio has been voted off. I’m okay with that. Vinay has convinced me that I don’t want to see The Hero’s Walk go, and it was so close.
Day 2 – Bone & Bread has been voted off. After hearing what all the panellists had to say about this (or not say about it), I am okay with the decision. The Hero’s Walk and Birdie live to see another day!
Day 3 – Today was tougher for me. I was sad to see Birdie go, and for reasons I still can’t quite figure out. It was a good day for debate, though. There were a few tears from me as I listened to the panellists say lovely things about all the books (even the ones that were not their own). And now we are down to The Illegal and The Hero’s Walk; very different from each other. Will they vote for the best story/writing, or will they vote for the one that best fits the theme? I have an inkling which it will be based on the debates today, but you never can tell what’s going to happen…
Day 4 – The Illegal is the winner of Canada Reads 2016! Yes, I was sad to see The Hero’s Walk eliminated (very sad, but not as sad as Vinay appeared to be), but it’s kind of cool to have a writer win the Canada Reads competition twice for the first time. A very good one – Lawrence Hill. Really, I have to go read some more of his books.
It was a good year with great panellists, interesting debates, and wonderful books. Now I’m ready for Canada Reads 2017!
Consumed by Ink 
Wait, wait, wait: you read all 5 books and you’re not going to tell us which one you liked best? Great post : by the way, on Canada Reads. Or is there one you liked best, but another you think will win? I have not read any of these yet, but the Michael Winter book and the Hero’s Walk novel have me especially curious. I will stay tuned for the winner, thanks!
I know, I know! I tried hard to have a favourite, but I just don’t. They are all good, and they all fit the theme. Each book felt like a favourite while I was reading it, but now I just can’t choose. I’m hoping the panellists will be able to sway me one way or another. I can only tell you that I don’t think The Illegal will win (but, I could be wrong about that!).
Thanks for letting us know the results of Canada Reads. I was a bit bummed the Lawrence book won, as you didn’t seem to like it as well. I’d rather read his Book of Negroes book. which is on my long list.
Yes, go for The Book of Negroes!!
Clara Hughes did a fabulous job in the debates.
The Hero’s Walk sounds great, but your review of Birdie was excellent!
Thanks, Cathy! I would really have loved to write full reviews for all the books – there were other things I wanted to say, but time was catching up to me!
My favourite review of all of these was Bread and Bone; the excerpts you chose were so thoughtful and tender (especially that one about Beena trying to comfort her son with “a non-transferable truth”. What a great phrase.)
I loved that quote, too (obviously). I think if you liked the excerpts from the book, that you would also love the book. It’s the longest one, but it didn’t feel like it at all. The story just flew by!
I agree with Elle that Bread and Bone stood out the most!
Great post. There are some really tantalising choices for my Around the World in 80 books challenge here, but which to go for? hmm, this will require some thought, and with a TBR list already out of control, some serious willpower! 🙂
I think that since Canada is such a large country that you should have to include more than one Canadian book in your Around the World Challenge. You might need several to really get a feel for the whole country. 😉
So, so jealous that you all do this. I love that there are so many different types of books, but they all seem like such solid, extremely interesting choices. Birdie calls to me most, but it sounds like there are several that could win!
That’s exactly the problem! It kills me to have any of them voted of.. But, it has to happen… 🙂
Right now, after listening to the first round of debates, I’m rooting for either Birdie or The Hero’s Walk. But, that could change tomorrow!
I never think I neglect Canadian books until I see your lists and realize I haven’t read any of them!
Get reading, Kay! 🙂
Ha, ha!
🙂
I’m very curious to see which book will win. They all sound like good choices to me, although when I looked into the books a little closer a while back, Bone and Bread appealed to me the most. I did see The Illegal on the New Book library display the other day and was happy to recognize it, but I have to say it’s not high on my To Read list. I remember your positive review of it, but the cover just doesn’t appeal to me that much.
If you’re going to read Lawrence Hill, I would recommend one of his other books over The Illegal. The Book of Negroes is so good, and I’ve heard the same about Any Known Blood (I really have to read that one!).
Bone & Bread is good – I think you would like it. But I also think you would like Birdie and The Hero’s Walk. 🙂
Any Known Blood is SO GOOD. I loved it. And this was when I still had a hard time with CanLit.
I think that Birdie will ultimately win – it is extremely topical and it’s been so well received. I haven’t read it yet but if it wins, I definitely will.
I really liked Bone and Bread – I’m a sucker for a sister story. The Hero’s Walk was ok for me – I normally love books that take place in India and I was really excited for the ties to Canada but this one…I think I just didn’t like Sripathi enough.
I haven’t tuned in yet today (west coast) but I had a pretty good feeling that Winter’s book would go first. It just doesn’t seem to have the same feeling as the others.
Would you believe that I’m hosting a Canada Reads discussion at work as part of a diversity and inclusion movement??? It’s true!
Yay to your CR discussion! So much fun!
I know, I know, I really want to read Any Known Blood. If it’s as good as The Book of Negroes, then I know I will love it!
I also loved Bone & Bread, but not sure if it will win. I have my money on Birdie as well, but you just never know with CR. I ended up loving The Hero’s Walk, and got very nervous when it was almost voted off today. Really, I don’t want any of them to go. 🙂
I think they started with the easiest one to cut for sure.
Canada Reads is such positive and uniquely Canadian experience. I love it. Unfortunately, it is upon us and I still haven’t read two books.
The good thing is that it’s fun to watch even if you haven’t read all the books! 🙂
Where in Canada are you from?
Nova Scotia!
Nice! My grandparents used to spend a lot of time there and in Newfoundland during the summer.
I got to know about ‘Birdie’ through you. It’s in my TBR already. Now, I am allured by ‘The Hero’s Walk’. I love the premise, and the beautiful cover. Thank you, Naomi. 🙂
The Hero’s Walk is also very good. I didn’t know much about it before I read it, but I ended up loving it! I hope you get to read it sometime!
I wasn’t familiar with Canada Reads until now, so thank you for exposing me to it. The books all look excellent! But the one I MUST read is Birdie. I love the concept, the cover is beautiful and the trailer was great too, so I hope it wins.
It’s definitely a favourite for me, too. I keep going back and forth between the 3 I like the most. But, I would definitely be very happy to see Birdie win. It would be an excellent book for all of Canada to read (as well as everyone else!).
The Hero’s Walk is one I read since recommending those books to you. I think you could add it to your list! 🙂
Yes, I had already added to my Goodreads list as well but I may not get around to it anytime soon. I’ll be searching for Birdie during my weekly visits to the bookstore, though!
I love the Canada Reads idea. So cool. And these are great reviews!
Thanks!
I’ve been reading a lot about the Canada Reads competition this week! All the books look good, but without having read any of them, I’m mildly pulling for The Hero’s Walk, just based on synopsis alone. Uninformed opinions by Jenny! :p
That’s a good choice! 🙂
I can never visit your blog without adding books to the TBR list! You’re a bad influence. Today it’s Birdie and The Hero’s Walk…and maybe also Minister Without Portfolio, because I love reading anything set in Newfoundland.
Yay! I love being that kind of a bad influence. 🙂
Now I’m curious to know what you’ve read set in Newfoundland? I might have a couple more for your list!
The two that come to top of mind are Sweetland and The Shipping News. I’d love to hear some suggestions! 🙂
Oh, good, you’ve already read Sweetland. That one’s at the top of the list! But I would also recommend his other three novels, Galore especially. The Colony of Unrequited Dreams and The Custodian of Paradise by Wayne Johnston are good. And, February by Lisa Moore is wonderful!
Oh yay! Off to add more books!
I completely missed Canada Reads this year, so great to read your post and get a summary of the event. I only read The Illegal and it was a good book, but I kind of wish another book won just so a lesser known author could receive some recognition.
I feel the same way. Birdie and The Hero’s Walk were my top choices. But Bruce has made me feel better by buying up 10,000 copies of Birdie and giving them out to Canadian high schools. And, Vinay has bought the film rights to The Hero’s Walk, so soon you can watch it! 🙂
http://10000birdies.com/
Amazing! I’m moved by how passionate they are about the books they defended and how much they want others to enjoy the author’s work. I feel even more persuaded to read the books now.
I love that part of it, too. They are genuinely heart-broken when their books are voted off. They put so much into it. I’m not sure if I could do it – I think it would be the end of me!
Agreed! I would be devastated.
Bone and Bread sounds interesting! I really like books were the main relationship isn’t a couple, largely because that seems so rare.
If you like sister books, then you would like this one. It does a good job of showing the strong bond between sisters, but also that it can be stifling. Especially when one feels responsible for the well being of another.