Hello, readers.

What a week it was. Just seven days ago, I was anxiously anticipating the outcome of Canada Reads 2010. I surveyed the field before me, trying to get a read on our panelists. Who was the toughest cookie in our panelist platter, I wondered? Who would storm the studio and take their book all the way to the end? I was so sure I had it all figured out! But as it turns out, I was completely mistaken about how the week would play out.

Though I lost a toonie in the unofficial office pool, I came away with the knowledge that in these matters it's so much more fun to be wrong than right. Who needs smug satisfaction when there's surprise to be had? Come to think of it, $2 is a pretty cheap fare for the rollercoaster ride that was Canada Reads 2010.

I wish I could say that I had some inkling of what was to come. But truthfully, I was knocked for a loop by the first vote, the second, the third — in fact, all of them. The moment that Ann-Marie MacDonald's Fall on Your Knees got the boot, things got very "bouncy" indeed, to borrow a term from Rollie Pemberton.

Hello, readers.

OK. This time I really mean it. If you haven't seen or heard today's show, then you must do so here. I don't want to be a surprise-spoiler — not today.

Giddy is the term I'd use to describe the overall mood in the "green room" (I feel very cool, very backstage groupie — in a good way — when I use that word) this morning. Fuelled by caffeine, adrenaline and complimentary carbohydrates, the panelists were all smiles and nervous laughter. There was talk of books they were reading now, or couldn't wait to read when Canada Reads was over. When War Child Canada's Sam Nutt tells you about the book she read while in Afghanistan recently, you start to feel a little silly complaining about how your new puppy keeps you from picking up a novel, you know?

Spirits were high, and I think the events that marked the last debate were partly responsible for the jovial atmosphere. If yesterday saw the demise of Fall on Your Knees, one of the most beloved books in Canadian fiction, what would today bring? So many twists and turns, I'm still shaking my head in disbelief.

Hello, readers.

Spoilers ahead. So if you haven't heard or seen today's show, please do so here.

On this, the fourth day of Canada Reads, the boardroom that acts as informal green room for the panelists was eerily calm. Pleasantries were exchanged; Simi Sara won compliments for her boldly coloured sweater, but no one discussed yesterday's debate. Almost everyone kept their eyes on their mini-muffin. In retrospect, I think it was one of those "calm seas before the storm" kind of mornings.

And then there were three

Each day of the debates brings with it another big surprise. Today's stunning news: another literary heavyweight has bitten the dust. It took only two votes, but Ann-Marie MacDonald's Fall on Your Knees was the second book to be bounced out of contention. It's official: the big books of CanLit are out of the running for Canada Reads 2010. The field is wide open. Good to a Fault, Nikolski, The Jade Peony — one of these three books will be the winner of Canada Reads 2010.

Shock and awe

That's a fairly accurate description of the response in the control room when Fall on Your Knees was officially taken out of consideration. Eyebrows were raised, mouths agape. Even the panelists seemed surprised by the unexpected turn of events. This isn't Survivor — there are no tribes — each panelist votes alone. No one was more taken aback than FOYK's enthusiastic advocate, Perdita Felicien. True to form, she went after the panelists, charging them with voting strategically rather than on the book's merits. I love Perdita's candour and her fearlessness. I think that's what makes her such an impressive athlete and a remarkable, refreshing literary defender. Not a beat later, however, she admitted she voted against The Jade Peony as "payback" for Sam Nutt's vote against FOYK in the first round of voting. Who says hypocrisy isn't funny?

A blow is struck for the little guy

Simi Sara, who cast the deciding vote, has been consistent in her belief that Canada Reads should be a competition for lesser-known novels, and she stuck to her guns when Jian asked her why she voted off FOYK. For Simi, the former Oprah pick doesn't need the boost or the publicity that the competition provides. That's very true. But if I may be so bold, I'm going to put forward a pretty simple counterargument: if FOYK weren't suited to Canada Reads, it wouldn't be a part of the contest in the first place. What I'm saying is that no one can control what a panelist chooses to put forward when they enter this competition — but they can affect the outcome with a vote. Don't you love how frustratingly democratic the whole process is?