I’ve finished reading all the Canada Reads 2021 contenders and just in time as the debates kick off today. While I haven’t finished writing up reviews for them all, I’ve got a break down of my favourites of the five as well as what I think will win the debates this year. Let’s start with my favourites.
Favourites:
1. Butter Honey Pig Bread – Francesca Ekquyasi
A possible contender for one of the best books I’ll read this year. Outstanding story and writing that made for a book I couldn’t put down and that I thought about for days after. I highly recommend it.
2. Hench – Natalie Zina Walschots
Know the TV show “The Boys“? This plot has a similar setup in that it shows that sometimes the superheroes aren’t always the good guys. Really captivating read with interesting characters.
3. Midnight Bargain – C.L. Polk
I was expecting to hate this novel and I didn’t. It was an engaging and fun story that brings up relevant feminist issues. Think of a Jane Austen story but with a magical twist and you’ve got Midnight Bargain. It was an enjoyable read and while there isn’t anything overly literary about it definitely transported me.
4. Jonny Appleseed – Joshua Whitehead
It pains me to rank this book here as I loved it, just not as much as the others. It’s an interesting story that discusses difficult topics while also highlighting beautiful aspects of humanity.
5. Two Trees Make A Forest – Jessica J. Lee
I thought I’d love this novel and I really wanted to like but there were just a few too many missing aspects. Memoirs are a tough genre and this one read more like a journal making it difficult to connect with.
Predicted Ranking:
So this year’s theme is One Book to Transport You and based on that this is how I think the books will stack up in meeting that theme:
How would you rank this year’s reads? Who do you think will win? Looking forward to the debates!
The debates will take place March 8-11, 2021.
They will be hosted by Ali Hassan and will be broadcast on CBC Radio One, CBC TV, CBC Gem and on CBC Books.
The Pluviophile Writer 
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