Every year on August 12th, it's traditional to buy a book from Quebec
On August 12th, Quebec will once again celebrate its rich literary culture with the annual Buy a Quebec Book Day. This tradition, first initiated in 2014 by authors Patrice Cazeault and Amélie Dubé, aims to promote local literature and support local bookstores.
Since its inception, the event has inspired similar initiatives like the 12th of September for local wines, "Buy a Quebec Ticket Day" on February 12th, and "Buy a Quebec Product Day" on June 12th. The day encourages readers to discover and purchase Quebecois books, but there is no centralized or official "top book" list publicly announced in advance.
Last year, sales of Quebec literature were 17 times higher than usual, indicating the significant impact of the event. This year, no specific or predicted “top books” list for Buy a Quebec Book Day 2025 is available from the sources retrieved. However, publishers, bookstores, and Quebec literary organisations usually announce their favourites closer to the date, or after the event based on sales and popularity.
One anticipated release this year is "Amiante" by Sébastien Dulude, which led the literature charts in 2024. In the "Other" category of the BTLF report in 2024, "Rue Duplessis" by Jean-Philippe Pleau dominated the top spot.
The Raffin bookstore at Plaza Saint-Hubert in Montreal will host big names like Anais Barbeau-Lavalette, Patrick Senecal, Michel Rabagliati, and Lea Clermont-Dion for signings and meetings throughout the day.
While the tradition of August 12th has evolved to celebrate local literature more broadly, some criticism was noted last year, with authors expressing concerns about it resembling a popularity contest and fostering negative feelings. Nevertheless, the event has been successful since its creation and is expected to continue in 2025.
In a separate context, "Buy a Quebec Product Day" aims to promote local consumption in a context of commercial war with the United States, where a patriotic surge is observable among many Canadians and Quebecers. The first "Buy a Quebec Product Day" was celebrated on June 12th.
As for other news, no new information about "Love at a late hour" was provided, and there have been no mentions of any book recommendations lists causing controversy in this year's Buy a Quebec Book Day. Monica Seles, a former tennis player, has spoken out about suffering from severe myasthenia, a neuromuscular autoimmune disease. No new information about the hospitalization of the three individuals injured in the Times Square shooting was provided.
In conclusion, Buy a Quebec Book Day 2025 is an exciting time for book lovers to discover and support Quebecois authors. Keep an eye on publishers, bookstores, and Quebec literary organisations for their favourite picks closer to the event.
On this year's Buy a Quebec Book Day, readers can explore a wide variety of local lifestyle options, such as food-and-drink pairings and entertainment events that often accompany book launches. Additionally, the day presents an excellent opportunity to delve into a diverse selection of books, including best-sellers like "Amiante" by Sébastien Dulude and "Rue Duplessis" by Jean-Philippe Pleau.
