We’re heading into the last week of February, and at Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries (NLPL) anticipation is building for the grand finale of NL RadsS 2020, to be held at the A.C. Hunter Public Library in St. John’s Thursday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 pm.
If you haven’t yet called 737-3950 to reserve your seat, it’s time to pick up the phone and do so. Space is limited and this year’s Grand Finale is shaping up to be the most exciting one yet!
If you are not familiar with NL Reads, it is a provincial public library program inspired by CBC’s annual Canada Reads competition, and has been organized in partnership with CBC Newfoundland and Labrador annually since 2018.
So, how does N.L. Reads work, and why is the grand finale such a big deal?
During the past four months, four outstanding books by Newfoundland and Labrador authors have been competing for the title of our province’s “must-read” book of 2020.
Last fall, a committee of NLPL librarians selected four books from the pool of excellent fiction and nonfiction titles published by local authors in the previous or current year, with the reading public deciding ultimately which book deserves the title of top Newfoundland and Labrador read. Since November, with promotional help from CBC NL, we have featured one nominated book each month and offered special programs, Think Outside the Book displays, and unlimited simultaneous digital access through our elibrary.
N.L. Reads would not be complete without our reader-advocates.
These four passionate defenders will come together to debate which title deserves the N.L. Reads crown at the grand finale. The winning book will be the one that receives the most votes, combining in-house audience ballots with four months’ worth of votes collected online from readers throughout all of Newfoundland and Labrador.
This year we are thrilled to welcome Zach Goudie, CBC reporter and video producer (as well as loyal public library patron) as host of this year’s grand finale.
The enthusiastic public response to our N.L. Reads 2020 selections is gratifying. Don’t forget to use #LOLA and #NLREADS in social media.
November’s featured title, Kevin Major’s “One for the Rock,” (Breakwater Books), is a murder mystery set in contemporary St. John’s. With twists and turns to rival the East Coast Trail, this entertaining crime thriller is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. The reader-advocate for “One for the Rock” is public library patron Lori Shortall.
December’s feature was Tom Moore’s “The Sign on My Father’s House,” (Flanker Press), a lively, humorous and insightful coming-of-age story set in late 1960s Newfoundland, exploring the tensions between modern and traditional ways, and a population’s love-hate relationship with Joey Smallwood. The reader-advocate for “The Sign on My Father’s House” is John Griffin, NLPL employee and local history buff.
In January, our N.L. Reads feature was “The Luminous Sea” by Melissa Barbeau (Breakwater), a work of magical realism set in fictional, yet familiar, outport Newfoundland. Filled with beautiful imagery, “The Luminous Sea” explores questions of power and humanity’s relationship with the natural environment. Its reader-advocate is acclaimed local author Trudy Morgan-Cole, graciously returning to N.L. Reads after winning last year’s competition, and the inaugural Margaret Duley Award, for her novel “Most Anything You Please,” (Breakwater).
Rounding out this year’s nominated titles is our February feature, Tshaukuesh Elizabeth Penashue’s memoir “Nitinikiau Innusi: I Keep the Land Alive,” edited by Elizabeth Yeoman (University of Manitoba Press). First written as a diary in Innu-aimun, this book relates stories of Tshaukuesh’s daily life as well as her activism in defence of Labrador Innu land and culture. Beautifully illustrated, this book is a gift to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, as well as a legacy for the Innu Nation. The reader-advocate for “I Keep the Land Alive” is award-winning CBC writer and producer, Angela Antle.
If you haven’t yet cast your ballot and are unable to attend the Grand Finale, you can still vote for your favourite N.L. Reads 2020 title online until 12:30 pm NST on Feb. 27. The link to the survey button, along with more information about this year’s nominated books and reader-advocates, can be found through the N.L. Reads feature on our NLPL home page (https://nlpl.ca/). Some public libraries outside St. John’s will be live-streaming the event, so please check with your local branch about this option.
While excited by the upcoming N.L. Reads grand finale and speculation about which book will be named this year’s “must read,” NLPL is celebrating other local authors and books as part of our annual Love Our Local Authors (LOLA) month.
During February, branch libraries throughout the province have been displaying local books (for children as well as adults), hosting author visits, and running contests. Regular programs such as story times and book clubs have made a special effort to feature Newfoundland and Labrador titles and themes.
For everyone who follows us on Twitter (@NLPubLibraries) or Facebook, there has been a special LOLA treat this year: daily posts celebrating local authors past and present, complete with photos and book covers. Continuing until the end of February, this program will highlight the work of 29 different authors from Newfoundland and Labrador.
At Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries, February is all about loving our local authors and celebrating local books and publishers. While we are totally worked up about the N.L. Reads grand finale, we are also endlessly enthusiastic about the wonderful storytellers that live and work in our province all year long.
Keep reading, and loving, our amazing local books.
Bonnie Morgan is Newfoundland and Labrador Collections and Reference Services Librarian with Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries.