[by Erin Galloway, reference librarian]
I know, I know, it’s a big week for America, but this Canadian librarian’s heart is with Canada today. Why? It’s Canada Day! Canada Day celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation, which occurred on July 1, 1867. On that day the British North America Act was passed, which united three separate provinces (the United Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick) into a single dominion within the British Empire called Canada.
When I was a kid, we called this “Dominion Day”, but in 1982 the Canadian Constitution was patriated by an Act of Parliament that granted full legislative independence from the UK and Canada Day was born. So, like Americans, Canadians annually celebrate independence, and in a similar style… you know, fireworks, parades, and a dozen or so butter tarts.
Enough history! Why not celebrate Canada this month by checking out some great Canadian literature. Grab a double-double, put on some Tragically Hip, and open a book. Below are some of my favorites, and here’s a long list of other Canadian titles.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.
I can’t NOT include this book on my list. I’ve read this prescient Atwood classic more times than I can count, and it gets a little more chilling every time. It’s sharp, unsettling, and totally gripping—a dystopia that feels way too close for comfort, with a narrator you won’t forget.
Fifth Business by Robertson Davies
Part small-town gossip, part spiritual quest, this first book in the Deptford Trilogy unravels what happens when an errant snowball hits the wrong kid and sets off a lifetime of guilt, saints, magic, and theatre. Robertson Davies serves up Jungian psychology with a wink, proving that no Canadian childhood trauma is too big to turn into great literature.
Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
This is a beautifully written, character-driven historical novel with a strong sense of place and a touch of adventure. The story follows an eleven-year-old boy’s journey from slavery to freedom, taking him across continents and into unexpected scientific and emotional territory. It’s thoughtful, atmospheric, and full of heart
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Part survival story, part spiritual fable, this is a genre-defying tale that’s thrilling, thought-provoking, and oddly funny. The storytelling is bold and imaginative, blurring the line between truth and fiction in a way that leaves you questioning everything—right up to the final page.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
No, this is not just for kids. Anne is a Canadian icon; full of spirit and stubborn optimism, imaginative, and forever getting into (and out of) trouble after being accidentally placed with a pair of siblings who wanted to adopt a boy. Anne’s story is cozy, funny, and quietly profound; you’ll laugh out loud and maybe even cry. There’s something for everyone in this book.
So if you’re like me—a Canadian who misses home on Canada Day (and all the days, really)—get lost in a great Canadian novel. I’ll bet you a loonie (and a toonie) it will bring you some joy.
