Canada Reads 2026 has returned with a diverse selection of books aiming to connect readers through storytelling. The longlist for this year features a range of genres, from romance and memoir to historical fiction and horror, showcasing the depth of Canadian literature.
Canada Reads involves five Canadian celebrities each selecting a book for all Canadians to read. The panellists engage in debates over four days, eliminating one book daily until a winner emerges. The 2026 edition will be broadcast on various platforms, including CBC TV, CBC Radio, CBC Listen, CBC Gem, and YouTube, with podcast availability.
Some notable entries on the longlist are “A Minor Chorus” by Billy-Ray Belcourt, “Celestina’s House” by Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez, “Crossroads” by Kaleb Dahlgren, “Everything Is Fine Here” by Iryn Tushabe, “Foe” by Iain Reid, “Heated Rivalry” by Rachel Reid, “It’s Different This Time” by Joss Richard, “Julie Chan Is Dead” by Liann Zhang, “Never Been Better” by Leanne Toshiko Simpson, “Oxford Soju Club” by Jinwoo Park, “Restaurant Kid” by Rachel Phan, “Searching for Terry Punchout” by Tyler Hellard, “Slice The Water” by PP Wong, “The Cure for Drowning” by Loghan Paylor, and “The Hunger We Pass Down” by Jen Sookfong Lee.
The panellists and the books they champion will be revealed on January 22, marking the 25th edition of Canada Reads. The competition, which premiered in 2002, has seen past winners like “In the Skin of a Lion” by Michael Ondaatje and “A Two-Spirit Journey” by Ma-Nee Chacaby.
The longlist features authors Loghan Paylor and Iryn Tushabe, who have previously made the CBC Nonfiction Prize longlist. For those interested in nonfiction writing, the CBC Nonfiction Prize is open for submissions from January 1 to March 1, offering a chance to win $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and publication on CBC Books.
Readers can explore the 2026 Canada Reads longlist in various accessible formats provided by organizations like CELA and NNELS. The books offer a diverse range of stories and perspectives, inviting readers to engage with Canadian literature in new and exciting ways.