Georgian Bay Reads 2015

Seven years ago, three Georgian Bay area libraries celebrated the end of Ontario Public Library Week with a gala literary event to promote Canadian literature. Called Georgian Bay Reads, because of its similarity to the CBC contest called Canada Reads, the event now includes five local libraries, who duke it out for the Georgian Bay Reads Trophy and the People’s Choice Award.

Here’s how it works. Libraries choose representatives to “defend” a Canadian book that they feel strongly about and believe should be read by all Canadians. A moderator gives the defenders set questions and time frames to impress the audience with their knowledge of and passion for their chosen book, as well as the ability to convey their thoughts in a timely manner (and bells start clanging if the allotted time is exceeded). With each round of questions, a defender is eliminated until the winner is determined.

This year, Georgian Bay Reads took place on Saturday, October 24 at the Station on the Green in Creemore. It included the following libraries, defenders, and books:

• Clearview Public Library: Beth Crawley defending Unless by Carol Shields
• Collingwood Public Library: Susie Saunderson defending Still Life by Louise Penny
• Meaford Public Library: Cindy Lou LeDrew defending The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay
• Springwater Public Library: Linda Collins defending Emancipation Day by Wayne Grady
• Wasaga Beach Public Library: Ian Adams defending No Relation by Terry Fallis
• 2014 Georgian Bay Reads winner and moderator:  Lorraine Gruzuk

Although they defended their books with well-reasoned explanations and spirited debate, Susie Saunderson and Beth Crawley were voted off in the first half, with Ian Adams succumbing in the third round. Linda Collins and Cindy Lou LeDrew were both passionate regarding the value and meaning of their books, but Cindy Lou LeDrew was the victor, winning both the Trophy and the People’s Choice Award.

Because of Cindy’s win, Meaford Public Library will host the 2016 Georgian Bay Reads event.

-- Dorothy Gebert

Left to right: Susie Saunderson, Linda Collins, Cindy Lou LeDrew, Ian Adams, Beth Crawley, Lorraine Gruzuk