The CBC Bookie Awards 2012

Last year, CBC Books introduced Canada’s newest book award, the CBC Bookie Awards, the "people's choice" of Canadian literary awards. Readers across the country voted for their favourites in categories such as science fiction, mysteries, graphic novels, literary fiction, short stories and more. One year later, and the Bookies are back and bigger than ever!

The finalists in each category are chosen by staff at CBC Books, Canada Reads, Writers & Company, and The Next Chapter. Consideration is also given to the titles suggested online by devoted readers. With the exception of the two new International categories, the titles are all Canadian and published in the last year.

Amongst the category choices are Literary Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Fantasy or Speculative Fiction, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Short stories, International Fiction, International non-fiction, and my personal favourite Thriller, Mystery or Crime (* see below).

There is still time to vote in one or all of the categories if you haven’t already done so. . You can vote once per category per day. The polls close at 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31. The winners will be revealed on Thursday, April 5. –CBC

For further information and to cast your vote go to http://www.cbc.ca/books/2012/03/the-second-annual-cbc-bookie-awards.html.

And by the way, when was the last time you saw a cuter or more Canadian trophy?

*FYI, here are the nominees in the Thriller, Mystery, or Crime category:

A Trick of the Light (M)
by Louise Penny

The Water Rat of Wanchai (M)
by Ian Hamilton

The Guardians (M)
by Andrew Pyper

The Beggar's Opera (M)
by Peggy Blair

A Red Herring Without Mustard (M)
by Alan Bradley