Residents in Stratford, Ontario, can now vote for the book they want the entire community to read together in 2026. The Stratford Public Library is inviting locals to help choose the winner for the annual Perth County Reads program, with voting open from March 2 to March 24, 2026.
The Perth County Information Network has selected five books by Canadian authors for this year’s shortlist. Readers can choose between The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar, One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune, The Queen’s Spade by Sarah Raughley, Liberty Street by Heather Marshall, and How to Survive a Bear Attack by Claire Cameron.
Patrons can cast their vote using an online ballot to help decide which title will be featured in upcoming library displays and community events. The winning author will eventually visit the area in person to discuss their work with local book clubs, schools, and residents.
This is the third year for the county-wide reading project, which previously featured Finding Larkspur by Dan Needles in 2025 and Cold by Drew Hayden Taylor in 2024. The program aims to bring people together from both rural and urban areas through a shared interest in Canadian stories.
