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Welcome to Open Book: Ontario, your connection to Ontario's literary scene! Fresh & Local: our fresh daily content includes news, profiles, interviews, features and event listings from across the province. We also invite you to explore Ontario's Literary Landmarks and our seasonal online Magazine. Ontario is a vibrant publishing and culture hub, and Open Book is committed to showcasing the people, places, writing and happenings of our literary scene. Enjoy!

Recently on Open Book: Ontario

Freedom to Read Week: A Snapshot of a Challenged Book - The Wars

Every year, Freedom to Read Week reminds us about the essential and divisive value of intellectual freedom. It encourages conversation around the concept of banning books due to content deemed objectionable, particularly in the context of school syllabi and school and city libraries.

To celebrate FTRW, Open Book takes a look at one frequently-challenged Canadian classic, why it has been banned in the past and why we should continue to read it today.

Freedom to Read Week: The Wars by Timothy Findley:

WHY IT WAS CHALLENGED

Special Feature! Books Lovers Ball Guest Authors Dish on Favourite Reads, Going Black Tie & More!

You can't swing a streetcar in Toronto without coming across someone sporting a Toronto Public Library t-shirt or totebag. With its importance to families, children, students, new comers, job seekers and, of course, book lovers, Toronto's library system (one of the busiest in the world) is amongst our most beloved public entities, despite its constantly embattled status at City Hall.

Writers' Trust Announces Finalists for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing

The Writers' Trust of Canada has announced the five finalists for the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. The prize, now in its fifteenth year, is awarded annually to a book of literary non-fiction that eloquently captures a significant subject in Canadian politics with the potential to shape or influence thinking on Canadian political life. This year's finalists were selected by a jury comprising of author Denise Chong, author and Ottawa Citizen columnist Terry Glavin and The Globe and Mail Atlantic bureau chief Jane Taber.

CBC Announces Canada Reads Line Up with New Host Wab Kinew

This year's CBC Canada Reads theme is "One book to break barriers", so it makes sense that the show's new host is activist and broadcaster Wab Kinew (who also happened to champion last year's winning book, The Orenda by Joseph Boyden).

This morning, Candy Palmater, guest host of CBC's Q, announced the celebrity panellists and their chosen books for the 2015 edition of the popular literary battle.

CBC Canada Reads 2015 panellists and books:

  • Cameron Bailey, artistic director of the Toronto International Film Festival, defending Ru by Kim Thúy (translated by Sheila Fischman)
  • New Poll! What is Your Favourite Format in which to Read a Book?

    Maybe your tiny hands can't support the weight of a hardcover, or maybe you love reading by the subtle light of an e-reader so as not to alert the enemy to your nighttime location. Whatever the case, all book lovers know that the method in which you read a book can add to your reading enjoyment.

    So tell us your favourite! Are you a paperback promoter? A e-reader evangelist? Do you only read unbound manuscripts? Tell us how it is by answering our newest poll, and if you've got more to say, share with us on Twitter at @openbooktoronto.

    And most importantly, happy reading!

    2015 RBC Taylor Prize Shortlist Highlights Modern Memoir Writing

    Non-fiction fans have a great new recommended reading list today with the announcement of the shortlist for the 2015 RBC Taylor Prize. The prize, which rewards the finest non-fiction writing in Canada, consists of a $25,000 prize purse for the winner and $2,000 the remaining finalists. 2015 will mark the 14th iteration of the award, which was founded by Noreen Taylor in honour of her late husband, Charles Taylor.

    Call for Submissions: The Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Young Adult Literature

    From our friends at The Burt Awards:

    The Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature is now open for submissions! Eligible manuscripts and books published between 15 February 2023 and 14 February 2023 must be submitted by publishers no later than 15 February 2023.

    Established by CODE in collaboration with the Literary Prizes Foundation, the Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature is given annually to English-language literary works for Young Adults by First Nations, Métis or Inuit authors.

    A First Prize of $12,000, a Second Prize of $8,000 and a Third Prize of $5,000 will be awarded to the authors and translators (if applicable) of the winning titles.

    Call for Submissions: Spring Pulse Poetry Festival's Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest

    Submissions are now being accepted for the Dr. William Henry Drummond Poetry Contest, a component of the annual Spring Pulse Poetry Festival, taking place in Cobalt from May 21-23, 2015.

    The contest features cash prizes totaling $1,200 for first, second and third place, as well as categories for honourable mentions and judge's choices. The winners will also receive a complimentary anthology, a trophy and will be recognized at an award ceremony during the festival.

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