Get ready for a thrilling literary journey as we dive into the world of Canada Reads 2026! This year's edition promises to be an exciting battle of books, with a unique twist. Tegan Quin, the talented musician and writer, is stepping up to champion a novel that will leave you captivated and eager for more.
On Canada Reads, five renowned Canadian celebrities embark on a mission to find the ultimate book that the entire nation should read. Over four intense days, they debate, discuss, and ultimately vote to eliminate one book each day, leaving us with a winner that will resonate with readers across the country. This year's theme, "One Book to Build Bridges," adds an extra layer of intrigue.
Among the contenders for Canada Reads 2026 are some notable names:
- Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, a filmmaker and actor, champions "A Minor Chorus" by Billy-Ray Belcourt.
- Steve "Dangle" Glynn, a hockey YouTube personality and podcaster, puts forward "Searching for Terry Punchout" by Tyler Hellard.
- Tegan Quin, the musician and writer we're focusing on, selects "The Cure for Drowning" by Loghan Paylor.
- Josh Dela Cruz, a Broadway actor and kids' TV host, recommends "Foe" by Iain Reid.
- Morgann Book, a BookTok star, chooses "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 streams and podcast recaps available on CBC Listen. You can also catch the action live on CBC Gem, CBCbooks.ca, and YouTube, or tune in to CBC TV at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. AT, 2:30 p.m. NT).
Now, let's delve into Tegan Quin's choice, "The Cure for Drowning." This novel is a captivating historical fiction that explores themes of romance, sibling bonds, and untold queer stories, set in the year 1939. It follows the life of Kit McNair, born Kathleen, an Irish farm girl from southern Ontario, whose life takes an unexpected turn when they drown in the river at age ten. The arrival of Rebekah, a German Canadian doctor's daughter, complicates matters further as she, Kit, and Kit's older brother, Landon, find themselves entangled in a love triangle that tears their families apart.
Quin, who has a close relationship with her twin sister, was initially drawn to the novel's portrayal of sibling dynamics. She emphasizes the depth and complexity of these relationships, stating, "The sibling bond can be exhausting and challenging, but in moments of crisis or danger, like when Kit goes into the water, you'd do anything for your sibling. You'd carry them home for miles in a blizzard."
But here's where it gets controversial... Quin also highlights the novel's representation of queer stories from a time period where such narratives were rarely told. "I'm fascinated by how little representation we have from that era in history. It's powerful to imagine it like this. It's so rare to see such representation."
And this is the part most people miss... Loghan Paylor, the queer trans author of "The Cure for Drowning," wrote the novel partly for their younger self, a story they needed but didn't exist. Paylor wanted to showcase the full, interesting, and complex lives of queer forebears, beyond a mere footnote in history.
"I was tired of seeing transgender people portrayed as tragic or incomplete, denied the joys of family and love," Paylor explains. "I wanted to read a story where queerness and gender non-conformity are sources of strength and courage."
The setting of the novel, a farming town in southern Ontario, also captivated Quin. Growing up in Calgary, she has fond memories of visiting her grandparents' farm in rural Saskatchewan and hearing her mother's stories. "It connected me to my family history, but I also added my own queerness, which I don't hear from my parents' or grandparents' generations."
Despite the intricate setting and historical context, Quin praises the novel's accessibility. "I don't want to call it a classic yet, but books that stand the test of time are readable by anyone. This book is beautiful and visual, yet easy to read."
So, what do you think? Will "The Cure for Drowning" be the ultimate book to build bridges in Canada? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments!
