June 25, 2022
Rebecca and Tara welcome author David Giuliano, who is a Spiritual Guide, Writer and Speaker. He is an award-winning writer of fiction and nonfiction books, essays, and poems. The Undertaking of Billy Buffone is David’s first novel and the one under discussion. His collection of essays – Postcards from the Valley: Encounters with Fear, Faith and God - was a Canadian Best Seller. It’s Good to Be Here: Stories we tell about cancer, is a spiritual memoir about his 20-year journey with cancer to which he brings fierce honesty and humour in a conversation about the metaphysics of medicine and the power of story to heal.
Website: https://www.davidgiuliano.ca
June 20, 2022
Rebecca and Tara step outside of Canadian Literature for a moment to chat with author Kelsey Ronan who grew up in Flint, Michigan (as did Rebecca). Kelsey's first novel, Chevy in the Hole, is a love letter to Flint. The story chronicles the lives of August (Gus) and Monae and their path to one another. Kelsey's work has appeared in Lit Hub, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Kenyon Review and elsewhere. She lives in Detroit and teaches for InsideOut Literary Arts.
Instagram: @k_j_r__
https://insideoutdetroit.org/
May 31, 2022
Tara talks to poet Jennifer Mariani about her new collection of poems, All Forgotten Now. Jennifer was born and raised in Zimbabwe and currently lives in Calgary, Alberta. In this collection, she explores the reality of growing up white in post-independence Zimbabwe and struggling to belong elsewhere as an adult.
Twitter and Instagram: @zimballerina
Publisher Instagram: @offtopicpub
https://offtopicpublishing.com/books/
![Interview - Ian Kennedy and On Account of Darkness]()
May 12, 2022
Rebecca and Tara are excited to chat with Ian Kennedy regarding his debut non-fiction title, On Account of Darkness: Shining Light on Race and Sport. This is a fascinating read for sports fans as well as others interested in the impact that systemic racism has had on great BIPOC athletes of the past.
A resident of Erie Beach, Ontario, Ian Kennedy is an educator and journalist with a passion for storytelling. He is currently a writer for The Hockey News, as well as Yahoo Sports, and has been writing about sports for the past decade for the Chatham-Kent Sports Network, a sports media outlet he founded in 2011. His stories have also appeared in the Globe and Mail, Outdoor Canada, and Canadian Horse Journal.
UPDATE on the Chatham Coloured All-Stars: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/article-trailblazing-chatham-coloured-all-stars-make-it-to-canadas-sports-hall/
Instagram/Twitter: @iankennedyck
https://www.tidewaterpress.ca/on-account-of-darkness/
https://www.cksn.ca/
April 30, 2022
Rebecca and Tara welcome Mark Tewksbury back to wrap up the 2022 CBC's Canada Reads debates AND answer their five Reader Repartee questions.
Mark references The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand and The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop by Karen L. Maness and Richard M. Isackes.
Be sure to view Bookworm Adventure Girl's "Calgary Central Library Tour with Mark Tewksbury and Rob Mabee": https://youtu.be/2F9CDYOFgdM for insight into Mark's process for the debates.
April 24, 2022
Rebecca and Tara interview author Michael Blouin, who is a two-time recipient of the ReLit Award for Best Novel in Canada. His fifth book, 2019’s Skin House, will land on the moon with NASA later this year and with SpaceX in 2023. His new novel, I Am Billy the Kid has been named “Most Anticipated” by Quill and Quire and launches in just a few weeks.
Michael references The Collected Works of Billy the Kid by Michael Ondaatje and The True Eventual Story of Billy the Kid by bpNichol.
Website: https://www.michaelblouinwriter.com/
Instagram: @knowwhoyouowe
Twitter: @MichaelBlouin11
April 10, 2022
Rebecca and Tara launch a new monthly feature, Reader Repartee, in which they will ask a guest five questions:
1. How did you become a reader?
2. What book do you wish you could read again for the first time?
3. What is your favorite opening sentence?
4. What is your favorite book cover?
5. Which author, living or dead, would you like to meet in person and why?
Tara is Rebecca's first guest and she highlights The Tent Peg by Aritha van Herk and Fall on Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald.
If you would like to be a future guest, please DM Rebecca or Tara on Instagram at:
@canadareadsamericanstyle or @onabranchreads
March 30, 2022
Rebecca and Tara go it alone on DAY THREE of CBC's Canada Reads wrap up and both are terribly sad about the outcome. Listen along for their suggestion for a new book club. :)
Rebecca's Instragam: @canadareadsamericanstyle
Tara's Instagram: @onabranchreads
March 28, 2022
Rebecca, Tara, and guest Larissa take turns sharing their opinions on the performances of the 2022 Canada Reads defenders on DAY ONE of the debates: Tareq Hadhad, Suzanne Simard, Malia Baker, Christian Allaire, and Mark Tewksbury. They all agree it was a fantastic first day!
Please make sure to follow Larissa (the.bookmom) via her links below:
March 14, 2022
Rebecca and Tara have *the best time* chatting with Mark Tewksbury about his defense of Washington Black by Esi Edugyan for the 2022 CBC's Canada Reads debate which airs March 28-31.
Mark is a leader, an advocate, an Olympic gold medalist, and a motivational speaker to name just a few of his many talents and successes. With insight, passion, and laughter, he challenges Rebecca and Tara to rethink this year's winner, and they conclude that he may just have what it takes to take home the "gold"!
The debates are hosted by Ali Hassan and available on CBC Radio One, CBC TV, CBC Gem and on CBC Books.
https://www.marktewksbury.org/
Instagram and Twitter: @marktewks
March 6, 2022
Rebecca has the distinct pleasure of chatting with Tareq Hadhad, the defender of What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad in the 2022 CBC's Canada Reads competition, which runs from March 28-31.
Tareq is an entrepreneur, a public speaker, a Syrian refugee, and a Canadian citizen. Reading What Strange Paradise has enhanced his sense of "home, humanity, identity, and belonging".
The debates are hosted by Ali Hassan and available on CBC Radio One, CBC TV, CBC Gem and on CBC Books.
https://www.tareqhadhad.com/
https://peacebychocolate.ca/
https://www.ted.com/talks/tareq_hadhad_what_did_two_years_in_canada_teach_me
Instagram and Twitter: @tareqhadhad
