CBC’s great Canadian book debate, CANADA READS, returns for its 24th edition, Monday, March 17 through Thursday, March 20. Ali Hassan will host a panel of celebrity advocates championing Canadian books that speak to this year’s theme, “One Book to Change the Narrative.” Each day of the competition, one book will be eliminated by the panellists until a winner is declared Canada’s must-read book in 2025. The CANADA READS 2025 debates will broadcast each day at 10 a.m. (11 AT, 1:30 NT) on CBC Radio, with a live audio stream and podcast recap on CBC Listen. Watch live at 10 a.m. ET/ 7 a.m. PT on CBC Gem, CBCbooks.ca and YouTube, or at 1 p.m. (2 AT, 2:30 NT) on CBC TV.
The five books to be debated and their champions for CANADA READS 2025 are:
- Watch Out for Her (Simon & Shuster) by Samantha M. Bailey, to be championed by Olympic gold medallist, Maggie Mac Neil.
- A Two-Spirit Journey (University of Manitoba Press) by Ma-Nee Chacaby, with Mary Louisa Plummer, to be championed by podcaster and wellness advocate, Shayla Stonechild.
- Etta and Otto and Russell and James (Penguin Canada) by Emma Hooper, to be championed by actor, filmmaker and star of CBC’s hit series Heartland, Michelle Morgan.
- Jennie’s Boy (Knopf Canada) by Wayne Johnston, to be championed by bestselling thriller writer, Linwood Barclay.
- Dandelion (Arsenal Pulp Press) by Jamie Chai Yun Liew, to be championed by pastry chef and neuroscientist, Saïd M’Dahoma.
Ali Hassan, who also hosts CBC’s stand-up comedy show Laugh Out Loud, returns for his ninth year as host of CANADA READS to moderate the debate between the five panellists, who will champion their chosen Canadian books.
“I’m very excited for this 2025 panel to introduce many of us to new authors, beautiful and thought-provoking writing, and fresh perspectives about the world around us,” said Hassan. “This year’s shortlisted books have the power to change how we see, share and experience the world around us and remind us that humour books and thrillers can be profound. No pressure, of course…..but if anyone can do it…this panel can!”
CANADA READS finds new ways each year to raise awareness for a range of Canadian books and authors, and has influenced the way Canadians talk about and consume books. For the past nine years, every CANADA READS finalist has appeared on the Canadian bestseller lists following the announcement of the shortlist, and many titles have spent months on these lists.
For more information, please visit CBCbooks.ca or follow @CBCbooks on TikTok and Instagram using the hashtag #CanadaReads.