“In case you haven't been challenged enough lately, here's another to
add to your compulsive need to push yourself to your limit: The Canadian Book Challenge.
The
rules are simple: read 13 Canadian books (books by Canadians and/or
about Canadians) before next Canada Day (That's July 1st for you
non-Canadians in the audience). Make sure to blog about each one!
Participants will have their name entered in for some kick-ass prizes.“
I'm on the right track – I just finished the autobiography of noted Canadian philosopher, Chris Jericho this weekend and am halfway through the biography of Tommy Douglas by Dave Margoshes (who won “Book of the Year” at the recent Sask Book Awards for a different book.) One of the next books on my reading list is “Pumped: Everybody's Guide to the Oil Patch“. So I'm a quarter of the way there!
Oh, and well I'm talking books, I don't think this one is Canadian but I thought I'd put it here since it has one of the most apt titles for a book I've ever seen. 
(via the always illuminating Shelf Monkey)
[Edit: I've been added to the blog roll for the challenge so will endeavour to write a brief review of the Canadian books I read here.]
Jason's Canadian Book Challenge – Canadian Books I Read Up To July 1, 2008
1. A Lion's Tale: Around the World in Spandex – Chris Jericho
I was a big wrestling fan as a kid watching Stamped Wrestling every Saturday and I still follow the sport (yeah, I know – we can have that debate another time) a bit. So it was fun to read this autobiography from one of the sport's top stars who grew up in Winnipeg and had many of the same experiences I did when he was young (other than he became a world-famous wrestler and I'm a librarian. Go figure.) This isn't a WWE-sanctioned book so this one has a bit less whitewashing than those ones tend to have. Plus Jericho studied for a year to be a journalist before becoming a wrestler at 19 so that training helps makes this book a cut above the rest.
2. Tommy Douglas: Building the New Society – Dave Margoshes
This is a biography of Tommy Douglas targeted at young adults, part of a series of books on notable Canadian figures published by XYZ editions. Although this makes it a quick read, it's very thorough, covers all the major highs and lows of Douglas's life and still provides great insight.
3. 100 Greatest Hockey Arguments – Bob McCown & David Naylor
Excellent addition to the world of hockey books because of its unique take – instead of focusing on the game in general or a specific player, team or event like most hockey books do, this book has 100 short chapters on all manner of common arguments around the game (“Gretzky or Orr”, “Most Underrated Players”, “Best Draft Years”) with solid arguments presented for each case including some that might make you re-think your own positions (“Should there be fighting in hockey?” McCown makes a solid case for the 'no' side.) I especially enjoyed the chapter on why Saskatchewan is hockey's hotbed.
4. Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling – Bret Hart
As with the Chris Jericho book, this was another one that told the story of a Stampede Wrestling star's eventual rise to the top of the world of professional wrestling. But even more than Jericho, Hart has an engaging, amazing and heartbreaking life that makes for gripping reading – from being “stretched” as a child by his dad, Stu Hart, in their family home's basement “dungeon” to the death of his brother Owen in a pay-per-view stunt gone horribly wrong. This book has a special connection for me because when we were living in Calgary, Bret Hart had a stroke and ended up in recovery on the floor that Shea was working on. She took in some old programs I had from my childhood to show Hart and he signed a poster I had of him from when he was just starting out. He was also working on the book at this time and there is even a bit about his time at the Foothills hospital – though Shea doesn't get a mention.
5. Future Greats and Heartbreaks – Gare Joyce
A behind-the-scenes look at the top-secret world of NHL scouting by a reporter who managed to gain access to the Columbus Blue Jackets' scouting group during the 2006 season. The book details his experiences and insights as he follows top prospects in junior league games and international tournaments. An interesting read that would be even more interesting to read in a few years when more of the players discussed have (or haven't) made it to the show.
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