Samra Habib's queer Muslim memoir "We Have Always Been Here" has won CBC's Canada Reads contest.
Actress Amanda Brugel made the winning case for the Toronto-based writer, photographer and activist's debut book in the broadcaster's annual literary showdown.
The battle of the books enlists five high-profile panellists to argue for their favourite title to be crowned Canada's best read. The debates were held from Monday to Thursday after being postponed because of COVID-19.
CBC says this year's competition marks the first time the winning book was both authored and defended by a woman.
"We Have Always Been Here" follows Habib's global journey of spiritual and sexual self-discovery from her upbringing in Pakistan under threat of religious persecution, to finding refuge with her family in Canada only to face a new set of prejudices.
The contest's runner-up was "Son of a Trickster" by Eden Robinson, as endorsed by Canadian actress Kaniehtiio Horn.
Other titles in contention were "Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club" by Megan Gail Coles, "Radicalized" by Cory Doctorow and "From The Ashes" by Jesse Thistle.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2020.
The Canadian Press
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly said the runner-up was "Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club" by Megan Gail Coles.
