We couldn’t be more thrilled with the Canada Reads big reveal!

CNN correspondent Ali Velshi announced that he would defend Terry Fallis’ The Best Laid Plans!

“This is a funny book that could only have been written by someone with firsthand knowledge of politics in Canada, including its occasionally absurd side. This is a great read for anyone thinking of running for office, and especially reassuring for those who have decided not to” - The Hon. Allan Rock, former Justice Minister and Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations

Corner Gas star Lorne Cardinal announced that he will defend Carol Sheild’s Unless!

“Unless” is a signal word, curious, a warning and a sign. As this is a signal novel, profound and resonant, written with the virtuosity and understated brilliance that is distinctive to Carol Shields. Quite simply, Unless is a masterpiece. Brava! Brava!” — The Ottawa Citizen

Decorating guru Debbie Travis announced that she will defend Ami McKay’s The Birth House!

“From the beginning of Ami McKay’s debut novel, The Birth House, we know we’re in for a bit of magic…. The Birth House is compelling and lively, beautifully conjuring a close-knit community and reminding us, as Dora notes, that the miracle happens not in birth but in the love that follows.”

—The Globe and Mail

We were also pleased to hear that Essex County by Jeff Lemire will be championed by Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara. Athlete and activist Georges Laroque chose The Bone Cage to round out the top 5. You can follow all the Canada Reads action on CBC.ca

We can’t wait for the debates to air in March. Happy reading, Canada!

To celebrate the launch of Bobby Flay’s new cookbook, several adventurous bloggers got into the Flay spirit and hosted some “throwdowns” of their own.

They were issued a challenge to pair up with a fellow foodie, and prepare two versions of a dish: the Bobby Flay version and a favourite family recipe. But the kicker was that they didn’t get to pick a winner: they had to leave it to their family or friends to decide. Sounds like fun, right? Yes, it was.

Mary at Bons Bons et Chocolat prepared Bobby Flay’s pumpkin pie and brought it to work to be judged by her coworkers! Find out which pie took the prize. MORE…

One of the reasons I love to read is to lose myself in a great story, and be transported to another place. I’m also drawn towards authors who write about the things they fear the most. In my opinion, there is nothing more interesting (and challenging) than imagining the unimaginable, and working through it in a story. Robert J. Wiersema’s second novel, Bedtime Story, is preoccupied with both of these themes, and it raises so many interesting discussion points, I asked Rob to take part in a week-long blog tour so we could enjoy an extended conversation with him. MORE…