Georgian Bay Reads was a night to remember as participants from five local libraries competed against each other, arguing over which is the best Canadian book. Over 130 people attended the third annual event, held this year at the Collingwood Public Library on Saturday, October 22, 2011. Representatives from the Meaford, Blue Mountains, Collingwood, Clearview, and Wasaga Public Libraries presented their case for five different extraordinary Canadian books.
The defenders promoted their books with humour enthusiasm, and passion. Writer Frank Dabbs defended Life of Pi by Yann Martel on behalf of Meaford Public Library; Reporter Erica Engel defended City Wolves By Dorris Heffron for the Blue Mountains Public Library; Library board member Joyce Smith defended Lost in the Barrens by Farley Mowat for the Clearview Public Library; Author Christine Cowley defended The Holding by Merilyn Simonds for the Collingwood Public Library; and radio news director Mariane McLeod defended Fall on your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald for the Wasaga Beach Public Library.
Each gave a short talk on their book, highlighting its merits and reasons it should be considered the best book of the all-Canadian group. After each round, the defenders themselves voted off one book, and the defences continued until only one remained. In the end, Mariane McLeod emerged victorious winning on behalf of Wasaga Beach Library with MacDonald’s Fall on your Knees.
Georgian Bay Reads is an initiative of our five local public libraries to help celebrate October as Library Month and to bring book lovers together for a fun-filled evening of good natured debate and dialogue on great Canadian books.
Next year’s event will be hosted by the Wasaga Beach Public Library.