I shared the shortlist of books for CBC Canada Reads 2022 in January. I then set out to read them all. Thankfully, I had read one of the nominees in 2021, so I did not need to read that one. Surprisingly, I managed to complete the reads just in time for the show to narrow the five books to one. Each book told a different story, but each was about community and family. So are you curious to know the CBC Canada Reads 2022 Results?
Of the five nominated books, each has become a best-selling book this spring, with one spending several weeks on the top of the list in Canada. One has been adapted into a limited-release movie and has earned several accolades from critics. Another has been optioned to be made into a limited series with filming to start this year.
You can find the episodes for each show on YouTube; search for CBC Canada Reads 2022. Each episode is about an hour-long, but they are fascinating to watch. Every book has its champion, and they have a round-robin discussion. At the end of each episode, they vote for the book they would like eliminated. The champion whose book was eliminated still gets to participate in the discussion the rest of the week and get a vote.
I’ve got you covered if you don’t want to watch the videos and know the results! Each link will connect to my review of the book, and I will list the books in the order they were eliminated. The images will take you to Goodreads.
Day 1: Life in the City of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Müller
Life in the City of Dirty Water is Clayton Thomas-Müller’s story of growing up Indigenous in Canada. Published in August 2021 by Allan Lane, Life in the City of Dirty Water is a memoir of healing and self-discovery.
Day 2: What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad
Omar El Akkad’s most recent book, What Strange Paradise, was first released in July 2021 by the Knopf Publishing Group. What Strange Paradise introduces readers to Amir, a young refugee trying to survive.
Day 3: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
Washington Black is a multiple award-winning novel by Esi Edugyan. It was first published in August 2018 by Harper Collins. Washington Black is a young black boy in 1830s Barbados; sure he would live and die on the plantation he has known his entire life. Then, one day, two brothers from England arrive, and Washington’s life is forever changed.
Day 4: Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez
First released in May 2017, Scarborough by Catherine Hernandez has made the CBC Canada Reads 2022 shortlist. Published by Arsenal Pulp Press, Scarborough is a look into a low-income, culturally diverse neighborhood east of Toronto.
Winner: Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
Michelle Good’s Five Little Indians offers an honest look at the struggles of many residential school survivors. First published in April 2020 by Harper, it follows five survivors from the 1960s to the 1990s.
I will admit that I am not surprised with the book that won. Why? Because the past year has been an emotional one in Canada concerning the residential school system. Many people don’t know or understand what happened in these schools. I feel that Five Little Indians is a great starting place to learn and understand history.
And that is the CBC Canada Reads 2022 Results. Have you read any of these books? Will you read any of them? Please let me know below. I would love to know your thoughts on these books.
Looking for some more ideas to read? Check out my monthly reading wrap-ups and bookish lists.
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I’ve read a little bit about the horrors of the residential school system in Canada, but not enough. I’m glad Five Little Indians won this one.
A lot of people don’t realize those schools were in the US as well. There was so much trauma inflicted by them, and Five Little Indians discusses some of that, and how it has trickled down through the generations.
I haven’t read any of these books, but I’ve seen enough news out of Canada to not be at all surprised that Five Little Indians won. Of the shortlist, it’s also the one I’m most likely to pick up and read.
It is a great book, but definitely not an easy read.