Amanda Brugel & Samra Habib discuss Canada Reads and their love of books
Watch The Handmaid's Tale actor interview the debut author in an event to celebrate independent bookstores
Canada Reads 2020 took place July 20-23 and actor Amanda Brugel won defending We Have Always Been Here by Samra Habib.
In support of Canadian Independent Bookstore Day on Aug. 29, Brugel and Habib were featured together in a pre-recorded online conversation.
Organized by We Have Always Been Here publisher Penguin Random House Canada, Brugel and Habib spoke about their respective Canada Reads experiences, shared book recommendations and chatted about what an independent bookstore run by Habib might look like.
Canadian Independent Bookstore Day is an annual celebration to encourage people to visit their local independent bookstores, either online or in person.
This year's event was previously rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Habib is a journalist and photographer based in Toronto.
Her winning memoir, We Have Always Been Here, tells the story of her early childhood in Pakistan, her experience with religious persecution, her arrival to Canada as a refugee and her journey of coming out as a proud queer Muslim woman.
Brugel is best known for roles in TV shows such as The Handmaid's Tale and Kim's Convenience.
Brugel's win on Canada Reads in 2020 marks the first time that a book written by a woman has won with a female defender.
"It was so wonderful to find out what went into Amanda's preparation for the debates. I loved learning about her process," said Habib.
"It is always a gift to talk with Samra," said Brugel.
Brugel and Habib's virtual event was part of an ongoing initiative by Penguin Random House Canada to support and highlight independent bookstores across the country.
"I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone how very important local, independent bookstores are to our community; they are safe places where we can gather together and explore new ideas, and celebrate and share art with one another," said Brugel.
