Key Takeaways:
- The 2026 edition of Canada Reads is looking for one book to build bridges and inspire Canadians.
- Five Canadian celebrities will debate and vote on their chosen books over four days.
- The debates will be hosted by Ali Hassan and broadcast on CBC Radio, CBC Gem, and YouTube.
- The five books in contention are A Minor Chorus, Searching for Terry Punchout, The Cure for Drowning, Foe, and It’s Different This Time.
- The winner of the debate will be announced on April 16.
Introduction to Canada Reads
Canada Reads is back for its 25th edition, and this year’s theme is all about building bridges through storytelling. The great Canadian book debate is looking for one book that can inspire, connect, and grow Canadians together. The collection of titles for 2026 showcases the power of storytelling to bring people together and promote understanding and empathy. On Canada Reads, five Canadian celebrities each select one book that they believe all Canadians should read, and they debate their choices over the course of four days, voting to eliminate one book every day. The last book standing is the winner.
The 2026 Contenders
The 2026 contenders are A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt, Searching for Terry Punchout by Tyler Hellard, The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor, Foe by Iain Reid, and It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard. Each book has been chosen by a Canadian celebrity, including Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Steve "Dangle" Glynn, Tegan Quin, Josh Dela Cruz, and Morgann Book. The debates will take place from April 13-16 and will be hosted by Ali Hassan, who has been the host of Canada Reads since 2017.
The Host and the Debates
Ali Hassan is an actor, touring comedian, and host of CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud. He has been nominated for Canadian Screen Awards for his roles in the CBC shows Sort of and Run the Burbs. Hassan is also the author of the comedic memoir Is There Bacon in Heaven? The debates will be broadcast on CBC Radio, CBC Gem, and YouTube, and will also be available as a live audio stream and podcast recap on CBC Listen. The winner of the debate will be announced on April 16.
The Books and Their Champions
A Minor Chorus is a novel that follows an unnamed narrator who abandons his thesis and returns to his hometown, where he has a series of conversations that bring modern queer and Indigenous experiences into focus. Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers is championing this book, saying that it’s a reminder that we need to speak to each other across the divide and have real conversations with people who may not come from the same background as us. Searching for Terry Punchout is a novel about a sports writer who returns to his small Nova Scotia hometown to write a profile of his estranged father, a notorious hockey goon. Steve "Dangle" Glynn is championing this book, saying that it’s a hockey book that isn’t necessarily about hockey, but about building bridges between people and their past.
The Other Contenders
The Cure for Drowning is a historical fiction novel that follows Kit McNair, who was born Kathleen to an Irish farming family in Ontario, but doesn’t fit in with the expectations set out for them. Tegan Quin is championing this book, saying that it’s a poignant and moving story that shows queer representation from a time period where it’s often lacking. Foe is a speculative thriller that takes place in an old, isolated farmhouse in the not-so-distant future. Josh Dela Cruz is championing this book, saying that it’s a perfect blend of contemplation and entertainment. It’s Different This Time is a romance novel about an actor who returns to the New York City brownstone where she used to live, only to find that she has to live with her former roommate for four weeks while they finish the paperwork to inherit the property. Morgann Book is championing this book, saying that it’s a feel-good novel that explores the idea of two people reuniting and seeing if things could be different.
Conclusion
Canada Reads is a celebration of Canadian literature and the power of storytelling to bring people together. The 2026 edition promises to be an exciting and thought-provoking debate, with five incredible books and their champions vying for the top spot. Whether you’re a book lover, a fan of Canadian literature, or just looking for a great story, Canada Reads has something for everyone. So tune in to the debates, follow the conversation on social media, and join the discussion about the books that can build bridges and inspire Canadians.
