I Read Canadian! Do you?

Today is the inaugural I READ CANADIAN day! I'm proud to say that as a Canadian, and a Canadian author, I DO read Canadian, all the time. 

Here's a link to more info about the day: I Read Canadian Day

The idea is that today, February 19, 2020, each of us will spend 15 minutes reading a Canadian book, and tell someone about it. Tell a friend, write a review, tell the world.

Why? Because the Canadian publishing industry needs you. Sales of Canadian books have dropped by more than 44% in the last 10 years. Read more in The Toronto Star Here.

But even if I wasn't a Canadian, or a Canadian author, I'd be reading Canadian books anyway. Why? Because they're fantastic. Canadian authors are some of the best in the world.

There are Canadian writers of adult fiction who you probably already know: Margaret Atwood, Michael Ondaatje, Yann Martel, Esi Edugyan, Alice Munro, Mavis Gallant, Miriam Toews, Lawrence Hill and so many more ...

But I Read Canadian day is the brain child of another fantastic Canadian author, Eric Walters, a children's book author. He's written over 100 kids' books, been awarded the Order of Canada, and supports literacy and reading efforts all over the world.

He specifically wanted to shine a light on all the terrific CHILDREN'S books written by Canadian authors. Here's the Toronto Star article again, about why: How Eric Walters plotted to Create a Day to Push Canadian Books

Some of my favourite (with a "u") Canadian kids' authors? Monica Kulling, Rebecca Upjohn, Lena Coakley, Leah Bobet, Cary Fagan, Kevin Sands, Kevin Sylvester, Susin Nielsin, Teresa Toten, and on, and on and on. Check out more great authors at the Canadian Children's Book Center.

So take 15 minutes today to show some love to the Canadian publishing industry. Read a book by a Canadian author, review it, buy a copy as a gift, tell a friend. We all have stories to tell, and Canadian authors and the Canadian publishing industry need your support to keep telling those Canadian stories. Join us, and read, enjoy, and support Canadian authors today!