Watch the 2018 Canada Reads panellists & authors in conversation with Gill Deacon

The Canada Reads defenders and authors took the stage in Toronto to discuss the five books that will be championed on CBC's battle of the books from March 26-29, 2018. Here and Now's Gill Deacon hosted the event in the Glenn Gould Studio.

The Canada Reads 2018 contenders are:

• Mozhdah Jamalzadah, defending The Boat People by Sharon Bala
• Tahmoh Penikett, defending American War by Omar El Akkad
• Greg Johnson, defending Precious Cargo by Craig Davidson
• Jeanne Beker, defending Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto
• Jully Black, defending The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Each of the authors got a chance to share the stage with their defenders to discuss their books and start making the case to Canada that their book is one that will "open your eyes" — the 2018 theme of Canada Reads.

Watch the 2018 Canada Reads panellists & authors in conversation with Gill Deacon

5 years ago

Duration 1:07:45

The Canada Reads defenders and authors took the stage in Toronto to discuss the five books that will be championed on CBC's battle of the books from March 26-29, 2018. Here and Now's Gill Deacon hosted the event in the Glenn Gould Studio.

Subsequent events featuring Canada Reads panellists and the authors whose books they're defending will take place in communities across the country, so be sure to stay tuned to CBC Books for details.

Each year, Canada Reads features five high profile Canadians defending five great Canadian books. Recent winners include YouTube star Humble The Poet defending Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis, Olympian Clara Hughes defending Lawrence Hill's The Illegal and TIFF artistic director Cameron Bailey defending Ru by Kim Thúy.

• Explore all the past Canada Reads contenders