The competition (featuring Essex County as the first ever graphic novel selection) will determine the essential Canadian novel of the decade, and airs February 7, 8 and 9 on CBC Radio One.

In preparation, Canada Reads just celebrated Jeff Lemire Week! The celebration includes a video from Essex County‘s celebrity champion, indie rocker Sara Quin, testifying to her love of the book, an essay from Jeff explaining the genesis of Essex County and his feelings about revisiting that world, an interview with the great Toronto comic shop The Beguiling about what makes Essex County so great, an essay from CBC book blogger Brian Francis offering his opinion of the book’s strengths, and Sara’s appearance on the Canada Reads podcast to discuss her battle strategy!

Whew! By the way, all this interest in Essex County has sent us well into a new printing — which is in stock now, so by all means grab a copy of the book if you haven’t read it yet. And let’s all cheer Jeff, Sara, and Essex County in the on-air Canada Reads competition, February 7-9!

LUCILLE by Ludovic Debeurme

— $29.95 (US)
— 544-page deluxe softcover graphic novel with french flaps
— ISBN 978-1-60309-073-5

Winner of the René Goscinny Prize and the Angoulême Essential Award!

After years of acclaim in Europe, graphic novelist Ludovic Debeurme makes his English-language debut with a book of quiet grace and staggering emotional power.

This rich and intimate story follows two teenagers, Lucille and Arthur, as they struggle with the complex legacies inherited from their families: legacies of illness and pride, of despair and hope. Somehow two lonely misfits form an instant connection, and with the intoxicating boldness of youth, they journey together across Europe, discovering each other, discovering themselves, and hoping against all odds to make their own destiny.

Lucille is more than a story about anorexia, alcoholism, and adolescence. It’s a story of love amidst tragedy, full of the halting awkwardness of life and the operatic grandeur of teenage emotion.

LIAR’S KISS by Eric Skillman and Jhomar Soriano

— $14.95 (US)
— 120-page deluxe hardcover graphic novel
— ISBN 978-1-60309-070-4

Cynical and lazy, Nick Archer is a joke of a private detective — but considering the scam he’s pulling on a millionaire client, he’s laughing all the way to the bank. Once a week he sends Mr. Kincaid photographic proof that his lovely wife is faithful… leaving the rest of the week free to enjoy his dishonesty with Mrs. Kincaid.

But when the millionaire turns up dead, suddenly nobody’s laughing. Kincaid’s cheating wife is the prime suspect, and now it’s up to Nick to clear her name. But he’s in way over his head, and with the police closing in, Nick’s digging up secrets that might be better off buried…

Eric Skillman’s writing debut is a fresh spin on classic noir tropes, with intricate plotting, dialogue to die for, and charm to burn. Jhomar Soriano brings the tale to life with an elegant combination of bold chiaroscuro and gorgeous ink washes. Altogether, it’s an irresistable trip to the dark s