The votes are in! The 17th annual Georgian Bay Reads literary event was held in Springwater Township last Saturday night where Cecily Ross fiercely defended her choice of Canadian literature on behalf of Clearview Public Library. She chose The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A People’s History of Afghanistan by Lyse Doucet. This a intimate portrait of the story of the luxury Hotel Inter-Continental Kabul which is actually a collection of stories from a remarkable group of Afghan hotel workers who have endured half a century of destruction and disruption. If you are of a certain age (like I am), you will recognize the history - good, bad and bloody - from events that took place in 1971 (palace coup) to 2021 (re-emergence of the Taliban) and wonder in amazement at the resilience and work ethic of these waiters, cooks, cleaners and bellboys.
On the stage and in contention with this captivating memoir were four other equally worthy Canadian titles. After a fierce fight of “words,” Liberty Street by Heather Marshall (Wasaga Beach Public Library’s choice) was voted to win both this year’s People’s Choice and the GBR Awards. This is the fictional tale of one young journalist’s harrowing journey into an infamous real-life 1960’s women’s prison located in Toronto and the detective who uncovers her story decades later. This editorial assistant at Chatelaine bravely went undercover as an “incorrigible” which in Canadian law primarily refers to the historical Ontario Female Refuges Act (enacted in 1893/1913 and repealed in 1964), and this law empowered judges and police to arrest and detain women and girls aged 16-35 who were deemed “uncontrollable,” “immoral,” or “incorrigible.
Once again, if you are of a certain age (like I am), you will recognize the 1960’s attitudes, the “modern” life choices and local geography and once again wonder in total fright at the resilience and perseverance of these characters.
All five books in this year’s program of Georgian Bay Reads (www.georgianbayreads.ca) are available to borrow from the Creemore branch of the Clearview Public Library. The sisterhood of five libraries located around Southern Georgian Bay are proud to present and promote this collection of great Canadian Reads – a collection of 85 titles – as we look forward to next year’s event to be held in October, during Ontario Public Library Week, at the Wasaga Beach Public Library.
Michele McKenzie is deputy CAO of Clearview Public Library.
