Canada Reads is returning in 2026 with a focus on finding a book that can bridge divides. The longlist for this year’s competition has been unveiled, showcasing a diverse range of titles that highlight the power of storytelling to connect and inspire.
In Canada Reads, five notable personalities select one book each for Canadians to read. These books are debated over four days, with one book being eliminated daily until a winner is chosen. The 2026 edition of Canada Reads will be broadcast from April 13 to 16 on various platforms including CBC TV, CBC Radio, CBC Listen, CBC Gem, and CBC Books. Additionally, the event will be available on YouTube and as a podcast.
The longlist for 2026, released by CBC Books, includes a variety of genres such as romance, thriller, historical fiction, and more. Some of the featured titles 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 will champion will be revealed on January 22. This year marks the 25th edition of Canada Reads, with past winners including “In the Skin of a Lion” by Michael Ondaatje and “A Two-Spirit Journey” by Ma-Nee Chacaby.
Notable Canadians who have participated in Canada Reads in the past include former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Olympians like Donovan Bailey and Clara Hughes, and actors like Jay Baruchel. To learn more about past winners and contenders, visit the CBC Books website.
If you are interested in nonfiction writing, submissions for the 2026 CBC Nonfiction Prize are open from January 1 to March 1. Winners will receive a cash prize from the Canada Council for the Arts, a writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and publication on CBC Books.
For more information on the 15 books featured on the Canada Reads 2026 longlist, visit the CBC Books website. Accessible formats of the books are available through The Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA) and National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS).