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.
