Get ready for a thrilling literary journey as we dive into the world of Canada Reads 2026! This year's edition promises an exciting debate, and we're thrilled to have musician and writer Tegan Quin as one of the champions. But here's where it gets controversial... she's advocating for a book that explores a queer love triangle, and it's a period piece to boot!
Canada Reads is an annual event where five Canadian celebrities each select a book they believe the entire nation should read. Over four days, they passionately debate their choices, with one book eliminated each day until we crown a winner. This year's theme, "One Book to Build Bridges," couldn't be more fitting for the diverse range of contenders.
Among the contenders for Canada Reads 2026 are:
- Filmmaker and actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, championing A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt
- Hockey YouTuber and podcaster Steve "Dangle" Glynn, advocating for Searching for Terry Punchout by Tyler Hellard
- Our very own Tegan Quin, promoting The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor
- Broadway actor and kids' TV host Josh Dela Cruz, supporting Foe by Iain Reid
- BookTok star Morgann Book, backing It's Different This Time by Joss Richard
The debates will be hosted by Ali Hassan and broadcast daily at 10 a.m. (11 a.m. AT, 1:30 p.m. NT) on CBC Radio, with live audio streaming and podcast recaps available on CBC Listen. You can also catch the action live on CBC Gem, CBCbooks.ca, and YouTube at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT, or on CBC TV at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. AT, 2:30 p.m. NT). Don't miss out; tune in live or catch the replay on your preferred platform!
Now, let's delve into Tegan Quin's story and her connection to The Cure for Drowning. Tegan, along with her twin sister Sara, forms the beloved pop-indie duo Tegan and Sara. With a remarkable career spanning over a decade, they've released ten studio albums, including hits like "Closer," "Where Does the Good Go," and "Walking with a Ghost." Their success has earned them numerous accolades, including Juno and GLAAD awards, a Governor General's Performing Arts Award, and nominations for the Polaris Music Prize and the Grammys.
But Tegan and Sara's talents extend beyond music. In 2019, they ventured into writing with their joint memoir, High School, and the middle-grade graphic novel duology Tegan & Sara: Junior High, illustrated by Tillie Walden. Their commitment to supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community led them to establish the Tegan and Sara Foundation, for which they received the Humanitarian Award at the 2024 Junos.
The twins have always had a passion for books, sharing their recommendations on a book blog since the early days of their career. Tegan explains, "We've always used social media to talk about books and what we're reading." She believes in the power of reading to open up a special world for people, especially those who may not have been encouraged to explore it.
And now, Tegan is bringing her ultimate book recommendation to the Canada Reads audience - Loghan Paylor's novel, The Cure for Drowning. This historical fiction, set in 1939, follows Kit McNair, born Kathleen, from an Irish farming family in southern Ontario. After a near-drowning incident at age ten, Kit struggles to fit into the expectations set for them. When Rebekah, the daughter of a German Canadian doctor, arrives in town, she, Kit, and Kit's older brother, Landon, find themselves in a love triangle that tears their families apart. As they separate to join different war efforts, they eventually return home, facing the challenge of coexisting and moving forward from their complex past.
Tegan, who shares a close bond with her sister, was initially drawn to The Cure for Drowning because of its powerful portrayal of sibling relationships. She says, "The sibling relationship can be so tiresome and difficult, but in moments of conflict or peril, you would do anything for your sibling. You'd carry them home in a blizzard."
But what truly sets this novel apart for Tegan is its exploration of queer stories from a time period where such narratives were rarely told. She reflects, "As I'm thinking about defending the book, I'm struck by how little representation we have from that time period in history. It's poignant and thrilling to imagine it like that. It's so rare to see that kind of representation."
Loghan Paylor, a queer trans author, wrote The Cure for Drowning partly for their younger self, as they felt the need for such a story to exist. They also wanted to pay tribute to their queer forebears, showcasing the full, interesting, and complex lives they led beyond the footnotes of history books. Paylor was determined to write a story where queer and trans people thrive, challenging the tragic portrayals often seen in media.
The setting of The Cure for Drowning, a farming town in southern Ontario, also captivated Tegan. Growing up in Calgary, she has fond memories of visiting her grandparents' farm in rural Saskatchewan and hearing her mother's stories. She explains, "There were parallels to understanding my family history, but I also added a queerness that I don't hear from my parents' or grandparents' generations."
Despite its intricate setting and historical context, Tegan commends the novel for its accessibility. She believes it has the potential to become a classic, saying, "This is a beautiful, visual book, but it's also very readable."
So, what do you think? Will The Cure for Drowning capture the hearts of Canada Reads 2026? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments! We'd love to hear your opinions on this unique and thought-provoking novel.
