Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud Revealing the 2026 Canada Reads books and champions
Jan 22, 2026
This week features Tegan Quinn, half of Tegan and Sarah, who champions Logan Paylor's heartfelt novel, The Cure for Drowning. Josh De La Cruz dives into Ian Reid's gripping family drama, Foe, blending horror and sci-fi. Elamaya Tailfeathers highlights Billy-Ray Belcourt's A Minor Chorus, exploring its bridge-building themes. Lastly, Steve Dangle discusses the cultural storytelling in the hockey novel Searching for Terry Punch-Out. The group shares strategies and reflections on their reading habits, building anticipation for the upcoming debates!
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Episode notes
Canada Reads Format And Cultural Role
- Canada Reads brings five celebrities to champion Canadian books in a weeklong debate to pick one book for the nation.
- The reveal highlights diverse genres and the show's role in promoting reading and national conversation.
Tegan's Reluctant Reader Trick
- Tegan Quinn read 15 books sent by Canada Reads and kept returning to The Cure for Drowning as her top pick.
- She framed it as a gripping queer wartime love story she'd slip into a reluctant reader's bag with two Negronis.
Josh's Night Terror Metaphor
- Josh De La Cruz called Faux by Ian Reid concise and terrifying, likening it to fighting to wake from a night terror.
- He emphasized the book's blend of horror, sci‑fi, and family drama and its emotional urgency.
