2019 Toronto Book Awards short list announced

The City of Toronto and Toronto Public Library (TPL) have named the five 2019 Toronto Book Awards shortlisted titles. This year's shortlisted authors reflect the diversity and depth of Toronto's literary talent. Their stories, inspired by the city, will leave an indelible impression on readers. 

The titles selected for the 2019 short list are:
● Be With: Letters to a Caregiver by Mike Barnes (Biblioasis)
● Reproduction by Ian Williams (Random House Canada)
● The Student by Cary Fagan (Freehand Books)
● Theory by Dionne Brand (Knopf Canada)
● This Country of Mine by Didier Leclair (Deux Voiliers Publishing)

Shortlisted authors are scheduled to read from and discuss their books at the Word on the Street book and magazine festival at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 22. Finalists will also participate in a reading at the TPL - Albion Branch, 1515 Albion Rd., on September 25 at 7 p.m.

The winner of the 2019 Toronto Book Awards will be announced on October 2 at the TPL's annual awards event, hosted by CBC Metro Morning's Matt Galloway. Members of the public are welcome to attend the Awards at the Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., 2nd floor, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and will be available at http://www.tpl.ca/appelsalon/ on September 11 at 9 a.m.

This is the 45th year of the Toronto Book Awards. Established by City Council in 1974, the awards honour books of literary merit that are evocative of Toronto. The annual awards offer $15,000 in prize money. Each shortlisted finalist will receive $1,000, with $10,000 going to the winner. This year's Toronto Book Awards Committee comprises volunteer members Sarah Hagi, Canisia Lubrin, Vicky Mochama, Damian Tarnopolsky and Daniel Viola.

More information about the awards is available at http://www.toronto.ca/book_awards and on Twitter at @TOBookAwards and #tobookawards. 

(Source: City of Toronto)