County Reads debate April 16 launches annual Author’s Festival

Back row, from left, are this year’s defenders: Penny Morris, Dorothy Speirs, Shelagh Hurley, Judy Kent. Front, Janet Kellough (moderator) and Carlyn Moulton.

Cheer on five County residents as they defend their chosen Canadian books at the 2026 County Reads event, for the first time moderated by local author and storyteller Janet Kellough.

The event opens the County Library Author’s Festival – a celebration of the written word through several events organized by the library with a committee of volunteers.

The County Reads is inspired by the CBC’s Canada Reads, and is a lively in person event where the local residents each share the one Canadian book they think everybody should read this year. At the event, the audience members vote for your pick with one champion to be declared at the end.

The debate is set for Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, Picton.

Shelagh Hurley will defend “Book of Lives” by Margaret Atwood.

Dorothy Speirs will defend “Fourteen Days” edited by Margaret Atwood & Douglas Preston.

Penny Morris will defend “13 Ways to Kill Your Community” by Doug Griffiths.

Judy Kent will defend “What Strange Paradise” by Omar El Akkad.

Carlyn Moulton will defend “Starry Starry Night” by Shani Mootoo.

Janet Kellough will take on moderation of the event. The professional storyteller has written and appeared in numerous stage productions featuring a fusion of spoken word and music. She is well known for tragic tales and outrageous gossip combined with fascinating history of the County.

Following County Reads, the County Library Authors Festival will host a series of Canadian author talks.

The festival kicks off with Jennifer Iacono, speaking at 8 a.m. at the Picton Branch Library to pre-registered classes of children from Grades K to 2 about her book The Monsters No Grownup Sees.

Next is Andrew Coyne, considered one of Canada’s most esteemed political thinkers, at St. Mary Magdalene Church Friday, April 18. He is well-known for contributions to publications including Maclean’s, the National Post, the Globe and Mail, or CBC’s The National, where he’s a member of the At Issue panel.

His book, The Crisis of Canadian Democracy is described as a “powerful exposé of the nation’s crumbling democratic institutions. With characteristic wit, insight, and rigor, Coyne dismantles the comforting myths Canadians tell themselves about their political system, revealing a parliamentary structure eroded by unaccountable leaders, disempowered MPs, manipulated elections, and systemic dysfunction.

Marianne Ackerman will present her novel Oyster on Saturday, April 18 at 1:20 p.m. at the Picton Branch Library. In this satirical family drama, a bestselling author struggles with writer’s block until she reconnects with her ambitious niece at a funeral.

Ackerman was born in Prince Edward County and is the author of three novels, two collections of short stories, and dozens of plays.

There’s no question that the state of healthcare is on the minds of many people. On Saturday, April 18, at 3 p.m. Dr. Brian Goldman is to be at the Picton Branch Library to discuss his book, The Casino Shift.

He’s a veteran emergency room physician as well as the host of CBC’s White Coat, Black Art – a long running podcast. The book is an hour-by-hour account of a healthcare system at a critical inflection point. Dr. Goldman argues for innovative solutions to survive the “perfect storm” of modern medicine. He’ll bring his hands-on experience and thoughtful understanding of the greater system to the event that you won’t want to miss.

Click here for more information and tickets or visit any branch of the library.