Canada Reads American Style

Reader Repartee with Mark Tewksbury

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.

 

 

 

Interview - Michael Blouin and I Am Billy the Kid

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

 

Reader Repartee with Tara

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

 

2022 CBC’s Canada Reads FINALE

Rebecca, Tara, and returning guest Jolene sum up the finale of CBC's Canada Reads 2022 debates!!  They also offer their preferences for future defenders and titles.  Who knows, maybe CBC is listening!

 

Be sure to follow Jolene on YouTube and Instagram (@bookwormadventuregirl):

https://www.youtube.com/c/BookwormAdventureGirl

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormadventuregirl/

 

Rebecca's Instagram: @canadareadsamericanstyle

Tara's Instagram: @onabranchreads

2022 CBC’s Canada Reads DAY THREE Wrap Up

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

2022 CBC’s Canada Reads DAY TWO Wrap Up

Rebecca, Tara, and guest Jolene discuss the various criticisms posed during DAY TWO of CBC's Canada Reads debates.  Are they valid?  Do some go too far?

Please be sure to follow Jolene's popular content on YouTube and Instagram (bookworkadventuregirl):

https://www.youtube.com/c/BookwormAdventureGirl

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormadventuregirl/

 

 

2022 CBC’s Canada Reads DAY ONE Wrap Up

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:

https://thebookmom.wixsite.com/thebookmom

https://www.instagram.com/the.bookmom/

Interview - Mark Tewksbury, CBC’s Canada Reads Defender

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

Interview - Tareq Hadhad, CBC’s Canada Reads Defender

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

 

 

Interview - Omar El Akkad and What Strange Paradise

Rebecca and Tara have the distinct honor of interviewing Omar El Akkad, author of the 2021 Scotiabank Giller Prize winner and the 2022 CBC's Canada Reads contender, What Strange Paradise.

Tara reminds us that she predicted What Strange Paradise will win.  While Rebecca had to confess that she said it will go out on the second day because it's a top contender.

The debates are hosted by Ali Hassan and available on CBC Radio One, CBC TV, CBC Gem and on CBC Books.

For a more in-depth discussion with the author, check out the Free Library of Philadelphia Author Talk:  https://youtu.be/K3Lk4_sx7Po

Website: https://www.omarelakkad.com/

Twitter: @omarelakkad

Instagram: @oelakkad

Interview - Barbara Black and Music from a Strange Planet: Stories

Rebecca and Tara are thrilled to present their first author interview for 2022!  Barbara Black's debut book, Music from a Strange Planet: Stories, is a compelling collection of 24 stories with over 70 unforgettable characters.  Rebecca and Tara thank Caitlin Press for the gifted e-book for review.  

Also, Tara references the following interview Barbara gave to Mandy Eve Barnett, which includes a picture of the "teeny-tiny Moleskin writing journal".  https://mandyevebarnett.com/2021/05/20/author-interview-barbara-black/

 

2022 CBC’s Canada Reads Winner Prediction

Rebecca and Tara predict their winners for the 2022 CBC's Canada Reads competition!  Because all five titles are so strong, they both cheated and picked two titles out of the shortlist options below:

• Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (defender Christian Allaire)
• Life in the City of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Müller (defender Suzanne Simard)
• Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez (defender Malia Baker)
• Washington Black by Esi Edugyan (defender Mark Tewksbury)
• What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad (defender Tareq Hadhad)

Rebecca also announces an exciting author interview coming up in late February!!

 

CBC’s Canada Reads 2022 Shortlist Predictions

Rebecca and Tara share their shortlist predictions from CBC's Canada Reads longlist.

Tara's picks:

• Driven by Marcello Di Cintio
• Satellite Love by Genki Ferguson
• Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez
• All the Quiet Places by Brian Thomas Isaac
• What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad 

Rebecca's picks:

• Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
• Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez
• All the Quiet Places by Brian Thomas Isaac
• Life in the City of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Müller
• We Two Alone by Jack Wang

Rebecca also mentions 2019 Canada Reads contender Brother by David Chariandy.

 

 

Review of A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson

Rebecca and Tara were so excited to chat about A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson that they forgot to provide a synopsis of the novel.  Their discussion does contain some spoilers.  

From Goodreads: the brilliant and emotionally radiant new novel from Mary Lawson, her first in nearly a decade--opens on a family in crisis: rebellious teenager Rose has been missing for weeks with no word, and Rose's younger sister, the feisty and fierce Clara, keeps a daily vigil at the living-room window, hoping for her sibling's return.

Enter thirtyish Liam Kane, newly divorced, newly unemployed, newly arrived in this small northern town, where he promptly moves into the house next door--watched suspiciously by astonished and dismayed Clara, whose elderly friend, Mrs. Orchard, owns that home. Around the time of Rose's disappearance, Mrs. Orchard was sent for a short stay in hospital, and Clara promised to keep an eye on the house and its remaining occupant, Mrs. Orchard's cat, Moses. As the novel unfolds, so does the mystery of what has transpired between Mrs. Orchard and the newly arrived stranger.

New Year - New Co-Host

Rebecca is excited to welcome Tara as co-host as the New Year kicks off!  They start with introductions, discuss their best reads of 2021, and finish with their reading goals for 2022.  

Rebecca also begins the New Year as editor of the podcast--be kind, she's a newbie! lol

Tara's titles:

A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson

Astra by Cedar Bowers

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Rebecca's titles:

The Reason You Walk by Wab Kinew

The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson

Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden