Frequently Asked Questions

•  Where can I get the books?
•  I hear the publishers donate books to libraries. How does that work?
•  Where can I get one of those great Canada Reads tote bags?
•  How are the books chosen?
•  Can I nominate a book for Canada Reads?
•  Who picks the panelists?
•  I don't like one of the books this year. Why would you even consider it?
•  What if I'd like to listen to the books?
•  If I love Canada Reads, what else is there for me on CBC Radio?
•  How can I participate in Canada Reads?
•  How can I hear (or see) Canada Reads?
•  Who benefits from Canada Reads?
•  I heard about a great book on CBC Radio but I didn't catch the title. Can Canada Reads help me track it down?

Where can I get the books?

Buy them at a discount at the CBC Shop, which adds a free Canada Reads book bag (value $14.95) if you purchase all five titles. You can also buy the Canada Reads books at bookstores, or look for them at your local library.

For those who use the CNIB Library, some Canada Reads titles are available in alternative formats, such as Braille and audio books. The CNIB is a not-for-profit, national organization that offers library and information services to Canadians living with vision loss.

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I hear the publishers donate books to libraries. How does that work?

The Canada Reads team distributes the books to the main library organization in each province and territory. Sorry, we're not able to respond to requests from individual libraries.

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Where can I get one of those great Canada Reads tote bags?

The Canada Reads book bags are available from the CBC Shop at a cost of $14.95.

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How are the books chosen?

The panelists pick them.

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Can I nominate a book for Canada Reads?

No. The panelists select the books they want to champion.

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Who picks the panelists?

The Canada Reads production team selects each year's panel. We look for a mix of passionate readers from different backgrounds and from various parts of the country.

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I don't like one of the books this year. Why would you even consider it?

We don't expect you to love every title on our short list, any more than we expect the panelists to love them all. Books are a matter of personal taste, and each one has its detractors and its fans.

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What if I'd also like to listen to the books?

We'll be posting short readings by this year's panelists and authors on our audio page , along with author interviews and CBC archival clips. So stay tuned!

Between the Covers will broadcast an abridged reading of the winning book starting on March 15.

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If I love Canada Reads, what else is there for me on CBC Radio?

Visit the CBC's book portal to find out what's happening in the world of books on CBC Radio, and join our online Book Club.

Be sure to check out Q, Jian Ghomeshi's national daily arts and entertainment show, on CBC Radio.

Listen to the weekly Between the Covers podcast for great readings of Canadian fiction.

Other CBC Radio One book shows are Writers & Company and The Next Chapter .

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How can I participate in Canada Reads?

Click on Your Say [link to page] and send us an e-mail. Or go to Get Involved [link to page] to find out how to participate.

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How can I hear (or see) Canada Reads?

The half-hour debates will air on CBC Radio One from March 8 to March 12, at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (3 p.m. and 8 p.m. NT) as well as on Sirius 137 at 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. You can also listen to the debates online or via podcast.

We also videotape the shows for airing on CBC's digital channel bold, from March 8 to 12 at 6:00 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. NT, 3:00 p.m. PT). They'll also be posted on on our site and on YouTube, along with behind-the-scenes confessionals with the panelists.

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Who benefits from Canada Reads?

Canadian authors, publishers, librarians and teachers have told us this program has greatly increased interest in Canadian fiction.

The publishers of the five contending Canada Reads titles donate books to libraries across the country. Extra copies of the winning book are also donated to libraries.

In addition, Canada Reads works with the publishers to support literacy. This year's publishers are Douglas & McIntyre, Freehand Books, H.B. Fenn and Random House of Canada. The publisher of the winning book also makes a significant donation to a national Canadian adult literacy organization. This year our literacy partner is Frontier College.

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I heard about a great book on CBC Radio but I didn't catch the title. Can Canada Reads help me track it down?

While we love nothing more than to help connect people to books, you should check directly with the show where you heard about the book. A list of our program websites is in the CBC Program Guide.

If you don't remember the name of the program, call your local CBC station and ask to speak with someone in Audience Relations, or send an e-mail via the CBC Contact Us page.

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