Read Canadian Award Winners Challenge

December9

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I’ve been trying to incorporate more Canadian writing into my 2012 reading list so I’ve decided to spotlight winners of Canadian literary prizes.

Read Canadian Award Winners 2012 Challenge I’ve chosen what I think are the most heralded of Canadian book honours: the Governor-General’s Award for Literature and the Giller Prize. Because the Giller hasn’t been around all that long, I’ve added in the prestigious Canadian Authors’ Association Literary Award. I’ve picked the main fiction category in all of those.

In addition, the Amazon.ca (formerly Books in Canada) First Novel Award is widely-known and, over the years, has brought to the forefront many who have become major players in Canadian literature.

Finally, I can’t host this challenge and not promote my adopted home, Nova Scotia, so I’m also drawing attention to the Atlantic Book Awards’ Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize.

Here’s the scoop on the ways you can enter:
Toe-dipper: one book from the list of award winners of each of “main” prizes: the Governor-General’s Award, the Giller Prize, and the CAA Prize. (Total 3 books)
Chance-taker: one book from each of the “main” lists plus one from the Amazon.ca First Novel Award winners. (Total 4 books)
Bluenoser: One book from each of the “main” lists plus one from the Atlantic Book Award winners. (Total 4 books)
CanLit Lover: one book from each of the five lists. (Total 5 books)

Here’s a list of the prize winners:
Governor-General’s Award for Literature
Canadian Authors Association Award for Fiction
Giller Prize
Amazon.ca First Novel Award
Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic Fiction Prize

And here’s MY reading list for 2012 (I’m a CANLIT LOVER):
Governor-General’s Award: A Jest of God by Margaret Laurence (1966) Completed Sep 2012
Canadian Authors Association Award:The Colony of Unrequited Dreams by Wayne Johnston (1999) Completed May 2012
Giller Prize: Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan (2011) Completed Mar 2012
First Novel Award: Crow Lake by Mary Lawson (2002) Completed Sep 2012
Atlantic Fiction Prize: The Divine Ryans by Wayne Johnston (1991) Completed Oct 2012

To sign up & get the code for the button, please go to the sign-up page. I’m looking forward to reading with you next year!

TO ADD YOUR WRAP-UP POST, visit this page.

posted under Reading Challenges 2012

6 Comments to

“Read Canadian Award Winners Challenge”

On December 10th, 2011 at 1:42 am Amy Says:
What a fantastic challenge! Not sure if I’ll officially join but I’ll definitely be watching what people read and reading a bunch of titles myself 🙂
On December 10th, 2011 at 10:21 am Debbie Says:
Thanks, Amy – your approval means a great deal to me! I read your reviews avidly and admire your eclectic tastes in books – and I know you are a CanLit lover as well! 🙂
On December 10th, 2011 at 1:32 pm Barbara Says:
Good idea. Perhaps because I live in the States, I never hear about Canadian writers except Margaret Atwood. Long winters, lots of snow – you must have many, many thoughtful authors worth reading.
On December 10th, 2011 at 2:46 pm Debbie Says:
We have many great authors, Barbara, but I recognized that many outside Canada may not be familiar with a lot of them. That’s why I started the challenge at only 3 books.

If you’re ever interested in dipping into CanLit, I’d be happy to recommend something for you. 🙂
On February 2nd, 2012 at 8:04 am Jules Says:
I’v entered the challenge and finished it already. Just wanted to thank you for a great challenge, and wish you luck with yours!
On February 2nd, 2012 at 9:05 am Debbie Says:
You’re welcome, Jules – I’m glad you enjoyed the challenge and hope you found some new favourites.

You put me to shame by being finished already – I haven’t read even one book for this challenge yet.