Literary Road Trip Destination: Talking about Prince Edward County's "County Reads" Festival with Barbara Sweet

There's more than wine, bike tours, and golden beaches in Prince Edward County. Fast becoming a centre for the arts in Ontario, one highlight of the County's jam-packed arts calendar is the County Reads Festival, which gets underway in just a few days, running from April 25 to 27, 2019.

The events make the most of the many talented authors living in the area as well as visiting writers, with events including the titular Canada Reads-style "County Reads", where five book-loving County residents will go to bat for a chosen book. The debate is moderated by author (and former Open Book writer-in-residence!) Ken Murray.

Additional events round out the festival's programming, from readings to panels and more, and we got to talk to Barbara Sweet, CEO of the County of Prince Edward Public Library and Archives, about programming the festival, the unique County literary community, and the future of County Reads.

You can check out the full festival programming online, and you still have time (until April 29!) to enter for a chance to win a set of books by County authors - click here for further contest details. 

Today Barbara tells us about the history and inspiration behind the festival, the warmth and growth she's discovered in the local Prince Edward County literary community, and the passion and preparation the County Reads panelists bring to their chosen book. 

Open Book:

Tell us about how County Reads first started and its history up to this point.

Barbara Sweet:

County Reads was started 11 years ago by Anne Preston. Anne and her husband were travelling listening to Canada Reads. They enjoyed it so much that Anne decided to organize a local, County version. Anne is a retired teacher with a strong interest in early literacy. She also started County Kids Read in Prince Edward County and with the growth and success of that program she felt she could not continue with County Reads. About three years ago the library took it over.

OB:

For the April 25 event, what are the books in the competition and who will be defending them? How were the books selected?

BS:

The defenders choose their books. We just ask that they be fairly current and Canadian.

Bernie Finkelstein will be defending Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga; Sally Keefe Cohen will be defending Dear Evelyn by Kathy Page; Trevor Brookes, Women Talking by Miriam Toews; Bill Roberts, A Matter of Malice by Thomas King; and Elizabeth Etue, Too Dumb For Democracy?: Why We Make Bad Political Decisions and How We Can Make Better Ones by David Moscrop.

OB:

For the reading and panel events, what are you most looking forward to? Can you tell us a bit about this year's programming?

BS:

We held a press event late last month to announce the participants and their book choices. I have to say that we have five very eloquent, interesting, and interested speakers. The defence promises to be strong and compelling and the questions after the defence with Ken Murray moderating – should be lively.

OB:

What is unique about the County literary community? What are some of its strengths that you've observed?

BS:

I find that the County literary community is constantly growing. Writers are generous with their time in support of programming at the library and also I have noted in support of each other. We often will have a reading at the library that brings out a number of writers in support of the event and each other. 

OB:

When programming County Reads, what are you looking for? What makes a great literary event in your opinion?

BS:

Of course first off we are looking for individuals with good speaking skills, a sense of humour (because we want it to be fun!), and people from different walks of life all across the County. 

We think it is important for the defenders to choose the book they want to defend, because we want it to be a subject or work that they are passionate about. That makes for a great literary event – people inspiring people about literature!

OB:

What do you see for the future of County Reads?

BS:

We hope that it keeps growing. County Reads has been a success right from the beginning. It has continued to draw larger crowds every year. I am always so impressed by the preparedness of the defenders. They put a lot of work into their 5 minute talk. Every year I think we can never repeat this and yet we find people who a) are willing and b) put their all into the defence of their chosen book.

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For more information about the County Reads Festival, visit their website