College instructor’s book makes Top 10 on Canada Reads

Angie Abdou, English and creative writing instructor at College of the Rockies, is also a well-known author. Her books, The Bone Cage and Anything Boys Can Do, have received excellent reviews and brought her international acclaim. Now, Abdou has received another major accolade; The Bone Cage has vaulted from the Top 40 list into the Canada Reads—the Essential Top 10 Canadian Novels of the Decade list.

Canada Reads is an annual "battle of the books" competition organized and broadcast by CBC Radio 1. During Canada Reads, five personalities champion five different books, each champion extolling the merits of one of the titles. The debate is broadcast over a series of five programs and at the end of each episode the panelists vote one title out of the competition until only one book remains. This book is then billed as the book that all of Canada should read.

“This is such an honour,” Abdou said. “I’m still giddy and it hasn’t really sunk in yet; it’s so huge!” Abdou will fly to Toronto for a gala event on Wednesday, November 24 where the top five books to be debated on Canada Reads will be announced.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting the other authors, Lawrence Hill, Yann Martel and Joseph Boyden in particular,” Abdou said. When asked how her novel being considered as one of the Top 10 Canadian books of the decade will affect her, she replied: “This is such a great opportunity to connect with new readers from all across the country and even other countries.”

The Bone Cage is a novel that explores, and at times questions, the fundamental ideals of the Olympic Games. Abdou noted: “In a lot of ways The Bone Cage is a celebration of sport. But I did want to call into focus the problems associated with setting up the Olympics as the pinnacle of sporting achievement. I especially wanted to question our relentless obsession with medals as the sole measurement of success.”

On how her successful literary career has affected her teaching style at College of the Rockies, she explained, “I feel my experience with writing, editing and publishing has made me a better instructor and my students benefit from insights I’ve gained through my involvement in the world of Canadian publishing. I’ve also developed a good editorial eye from reviewing my students’ work, so I learn from them and from my teaching experience as well.”

For more information on Canada Reads and the Top 10 list click here.