In the last week before our Civilians Read debates, we’re sharing the interviews our panelists did with this year’s slate of authors. Yesterday Natalie St. Pierre interviewed Jeff Lemire, and today Sarah Labrie is talking with Ami McKay, author of The Birth House.
SL: Describe what the Canada Reads experience has been like for you. Is it like Survivor, cut-throat and strategic, or are you just watching it all play out?
AM: It’s not my game to win, so there’s no sense in my getting all Jerri Manthey (for all the old-school Survivor fans out there) about it. Most of the “fight” and strategic planning in my life happens while I’m trying to get what’s in my head down on the page.
I plan on just shutting up; sitting by my laptop and listening to the panelists go for it.
SL: This year’s competition is between an eclectic mix of books. In what ways do you think The Birth House stands out?
AM: The Birth House has been known to take many readers by surprise. A lot of people read it (or avoid it) thinking that they know exactly what it will be. They immediately put it [...]
