What is the Canadian Book Challenge?
Created by John Mutford at the Book Mine Set and hosted by him for its first 10 years, the Canadian Book Challenge is an annual online reading challenge in which participants from Canada and around the world aim to read and review 13 or more Canadian books in a one year span: Canada Day to Canada Day. Reviews must be posted online and participants are asked to share links to their reviews with other participants.What constitutes a Canadian book?
Canadian books can include any genre or form (picture books, poetry, novels, non-fiction, plays, anthologies, graphic novels, cookbooks, etc), can be written by Canadian authors (by birth or immigration) or about Canadians. Ultimately, participants must decide for themselves whether or not something fits the description of Canadian.
See the FAQ sheet for more information.
One of the nice things about this challenge is that it runs from July 1 (Canada Day) of the current year to June 30 of the next year. Thus when other challenges are ending, this one still has 6 months to go.
I have a lot of Canadian books already in my TBR stacks to read. In September, I found a Canadian book I have been looking for at the Planned Parenthood book sale, and I have already read it (The Water Rat of Wanchai by Ian Hamilton). This month I also read the fourth book in Gail Bowen's Joanne Kilbourn series. So I have a two book start once I get my reviews written.
And the challenge gave me a push toward finding a copy of a book I have been wanting to read for two years now: The Tin Flute by Gabrielle Roy. I have ordered a copy and it is on the way to me. I have several mysteries by Margaret Millar I want to read, and three novels from the Ricochet series of vintage noir mysteries published by Véhicule Press: The Long November by James Benson Nablo, Hot Freeze by Douglas Sanderson; and The Keys Of My Prison by Frances Shelley Wees.
All of the books mentioned in the previous paragraph were recommended by Brian Busby, editor of Ricochet Books and author of the blog: The Dusty Bookcase (A Journey through Canada's Forgotten, Neglected and Suppressed Writing).
23 comments:
Good luck! I must admit I am tempted...
There are many good Canadian authors to read, Cath, for both mystery fiction and non-mystery. But I will mostly be sticking with mystery authors.
Glad to here you are doing this challenge!
There is much to discover in Canadian literature that
rarely is in the spotlight!
I was thinking that I'm halfway through Louise Penny's Armand Gamache series so the rest of those would count. I want to read more by Mary Lawson too, plus I own Original Highways by Roy MacGregor about Canadian rivers. And I'm certain I must have more Canadian books somewhere. I will think on it.
May I suggest Margaret Laurence if you want to read something other than a mystery. I especially liked STONE ANGEL.
I'll give a couple of suggestions - Peter May's book, ENTRY ISLAND, is set mostly in Canada with a bit on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland. Also Vicki Delany's Molly Smith series is set in Trafalgar, British Columbia. Hey, I should join, right?
Oh, I hope you'll enjoy the challenge, Tracy. There is so, so much out there for you to explore.
I will look out for your reviews of these books - your choices sound interesting.
Oh yes, so it is, Kay. I've started a Canada shelf on Goodreads and added Entry Isalnd. Also book #6, Wash this Blood Clean from my Hand, in Fred Vargas's Insp. Adamsberg series is set in Quebec. And Kelley Armstrong who writes werewolf books and the Casey Duncan series is Canadian. Yes, you should most definitely join! I'll probably be doing so over the next couple of days.
Welcome north of the border. I have read several of the books mentioned. I am very glad Gail Bowen is a part of your reading. I will be interested in your thoughts on The Tin Flute. It is almost 50 years since I read Gabrielle Roy. She was a very accomplished writer.
Cath, I had forgotten about Louise Penny's books, I have read the first three and have the two that follow. I will check into the other authors you mention also.
Kay, ENTRY ISLAND is already on the list, I just got a copy of that a few months ago. I have read the first Molly Smith book and I like the setting. I will try to find more of those books.
You were inspiration to me to go ahead and join in, Nancy. Thanks so much.
I had not heard of Margaret Laurence, Patti, but I will look into her books. I did check out STONE ANGEL and it sounds good.
Yes, there are many good authors to read, Margot. I prefer to read books set in Canada too, but I have some series by Canadian authors set in the US or the UK.
I think they will be good reading, Moira. And a variety of books too.
I haven't done much reading in Canada in a while, Bill, until this month. I now have my copy of The Tin Flute and I am very happy with it, a very nice copy. Haven't started the book yet but it won't be too long.
Good luck, Tracy! My reading of Canadian fiction is negligible, so I'll be looking forward to the books you read and review.
I hope to read a variety of Canadian fiction, Prashant, even some graphic novels, but probably the emphasis will be on crime fiction, as usual.
Good luck. I have my own sidebar Canadian challenge going on which I'm a bit behind on.
You have read some interesting books by Canadian authors, Col, and you keep me up on the darker, more violent fiction from that country such as books by Dietrich Kalteis and Sam Wiebe.
Yes, Louise Penny, and I'm currently reading Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand by Fred Vargas set in Quebec (the series is normally France based). That'll be my first book for the challenge. I've asked a FB friend to rec some of her favourite Canadian authors so I'll pass on any that she recs. I'm quite keen to read something set in the less well known provinces too... will have to do a bit of research or look at the links supplied in the sign-up post. I think this could be a lot of fun. :-)
Cath, I do have Have Mercy on Us All by Fred Vargas, and have read the first two books in the series. So I will be on the lookout for a copy of Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand also.
Please do pass on more suggestions as you find out about them.
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