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The second day of Canada Reads came as a total shocker as Thomas King’s The Inconvenient Indian was voted out of the competition.

Each of the remaining books: Ru, And the Birds Rained Down, When Everything Feels Like the Movies and The Inconvenient Indian received one vote against them. It all came down to the defendant of When Everything Feels Like the Movies, Elaine “Lainey” Lui, who did not hesitate to vote for The Inconvenient Indian.

Craig Kielburger, who ferociously defended the book, provided important statistical evidence to illustrate why The Inconvenient Indian was “the book to break barriers.” Despite the fact that one in three Canadians blame Indigenous peoples for the country’s economic problems, the book, which addresses discrimination against Aboriginals in Canada, was not considered groundbreaking enough.

To me, this seemed like an attempt to gang up on a worthy competitor, knocking out The Inconvenient Indian before its time was truly up. I wasn’t the only one who was shocked, as the studio echoed with gasps from the live audience. 

Although the seemingly obvious frontrunner was voted out of the competition (and I’m a little salty about it) at least we got the hashtag #50ShadesofMarthaWainwright out of it. I know I will be using it gratuitiously throughout the remaining two days of the competition.

I will be listening to the CBC podcast for day three of Canada Reads tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET, when those of you at home will be watching on your television. 

 

Follow me at @laurenscawt and use the hashtag #RabbleReads to join the conversation and tell me what you think of Canada Reads so far!