The Canada Reads 2026 longlist is here
CBC
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Canada Reads is back. This year, the great Canadian book debate is looking for one book to build bridges.
Stories connect us to different people, places and perspectives. The collection of titles for 2026 showcase the power storytelling has to inspire, connect and grow — together.
On Canada Reads, five Canadian celebrities each pick one book that all Canadians should read. They debate their choices over the course of four days, voting to eliminate one every day. The last book standing is the winner.
This year's edition will air April 13 to 16 on CBC TV, CBC Radio, CBC Listen, CBC Gem and CBC Books. It will also be on YouTube and available as a podcast.
Every year, CBC Books reveals a longlist before the final contenders are announced. Ranging from hockey romance and memoir to historical fiction and horror, the 2026 longlist showcases the breadth of what Canadian literature has to offer.
The 2026 longlist is:
The five panellists and the five books they choose to champion will be revealed on Jan. 22.
The year 2026 marks the 25th edition of Canada Reads.
Canada Reads premiered in 2002. The first winning book was In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje, which was defended by musician Steven Page.
Last year's winner was Shayla Stonechild, championing A Two-Spirit Journey by Ma-Nee Chacaby, with Mary Louisa Plummer.
Other past Canada Reads winners include The Future, by Catherine Leroux, translated by Susan Ouriou, Ducks by Kate Beaton, Five Little Indians by Michelle Good, The Illegal by Lawrence Hill and Ru by Kim Thúy.
Notable Canadians who have been panellists include former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Jeopardy! star Mattea Roach, who is now the host of Bookends, Olympians like Donovan Bailey, Mark Tewksbury, Clara Hughes and Maggie Mac Neil, actors Paul Sung Hyung-Lee, Jay Baruchel, and many more.
You can see a complete list of past winners and contenders here.
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