PENDER READS

Pender Reads is a fun take on CBC's Canada Reads “Battle of the Books.” For the first time ever, we’re thrilled to bring that same spirited format to Pender with our dynamic panel, Susin Nielsen, Becky Johnson, Matt Adolf and Bryce Woollcombe. Each will champion a book they believe every Pender Islander should read, making their case in a lively, head-to-head debate. After each round, the panellists vote to decide who to eliminate and who should move on to the next round until one standout book is crowned the winner! Additionally, at the very end of the night we will be calling on the audience to participate and pick who they think should win an audience choice award. This event is meant to be fast paced and fun. You won't want to miss it!

 

Chris Wakaluk • HOST

Chris loves of a good contemporary fiction novel or biography, and enjoys folding the corners of the pages... he believes the books love it too.

You can find his work interviewing many of the wonderful people from Pender on YouTube: @thestoriesthatbroughtyouhere

 

SUSIN NIELSEN is a novelist and screenwriter who has penned seven young adult novels and written over a hundred hours of television. She created the hit TV series Family Law, which is about to air its fourth season in Canada. SNAP is her first “grown-up” novel. 

BECKY JOHNSON is an actor, writer and improviser with over thirty years experience in the Canadian and international performance landscapes. She is an alumna of Second City Toronto’s MainStage cast as well as a Canadian Screen Award winning comedy writer (for Baroness von Sketch). You can also see her on TV and movie screens if you look really hard. 

MATT ADOLF is a local visual artist. Most recently he won the viewers choice award at the 2025 Saltspring National Arts Prize. When not making art he can get found talking to customers about food at Southridge Country Store.

BRYCE WOOLLCOMBE successfully escaped an idyllic childhood in Trinco only to wash up on the shores of Schooner Way years later. He is an unsuccessful novelist, failed professional bungee jumper, and enthusiastic music enabler who currently inflicts good writing skills and a taste for improvisational chemistry on the students of Pender Island.

For those of you who want to prep beforehand and keep up with the debate, here’s more info about each of the books our panelists chose :

  • Susin Nielsen - “Nothing but the Truth” by Marie Henein. Learn more HERE.

  • Becky Johnson - “Fifteen Dogs” by Andre Alixis. Learn more HERE. 

  • Matt Adolf - “Even the Good Girls Will Cry: My 90s Rock Memoir” By Melissa Auf der Maur. Learn more HERE.

  • Bryce Woollcombe - “This is How You Lose the Time War” by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone. Learn More HERE.