Omar El Akkad

Tareq Hadhadis defendingWhat Strange ParadisebyOmar El AkkadonCanada Reads2022.

Canada Readswill take place March 28-31.The debateswill be hosted byAli Hassanandwill be broadcast onCBC Radio One,CBC TV,CBC Gemand onCBC Books.

• Meet theCanada Reads2022contenders

About Omar El Akkad

Omar El Akkad is a Canadian journalist and author who currently lives in Portland, Ore. He is also the author of the novelAmerican War, which was defended onCanada Reads2018 by actor Tahmoh Penikett. El Akkad was born in Cairo, Egypt and grew up in Doha, Qatar before moving to Canada with his family. He is an award-winning journalist and author who has traveled around the world to cover many of the most important news stories of the last decade. His reporting includes dispatches from the NATO-led war in Afghanistan, the military trials at Guantnamo Bay, the Arab Spring revolution in Egypt and the Black Lives Matter movement in Ferguson, Mo. He is a recipient of Canada's National Newspaper Award for Investigationsand the Goff Penny Memorial Prize for Young Canadian Journalists, as well as three National Magazine Award honourable mentions.What Strange Paradisewonthe 2021 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

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Books by Omar El Akkad

TheCanada Reads2022 contenders

• Christian Allaire championsFive Little Indiansby Michelle Good
• Malia Baker championsScarboroughby Catherine Hernandez
• Tareq Hadhad championsWhat Strange Paradiseby Omar El Akkad
• Suzanne Simard championsLife In the City of Dirty Waterby Clayton Thomas-Mller
• Mark Tewksbury championsWashington Blackby Esi Edugyan

Interviews with Omar El Akkad

18:05Omar El Akkad on What Strange Paradise

Omar El Akkad in conversation with Shelagh Rogers about his novel, on What Strange Paradise.

Book trailer: What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad

3 years ago

Duration 1:09

Omar El Akkad's novel will be championed by Tareq Hadhad on Canada Reads 2022.

Watch the 2018 Canada Reads panellists & authors in conversation with Gill Deacon

7 years ago

Duration 1:07:45

The Canada Reads defenders and authors took the stage in Toronto to discuss the five books that will be championed on CBC's battle of the books from March 26-29, 2018. Here and Now's Gill Deacon hosted the event in the Glenn Gould Studio.

CBC Books5:56Omar El Akkad on Afternoon Drive with Chris dela Torre

Omar El Akkad talks to Chris dela Torre about his Canada Reads shortlisted novel, American War.