Becoming Canadian one podcast or book at a time

Recently, I announced our upcoming move to Canada by year’s end, which has me bubbling with anticipation. Yet, for many Germans, Canada feels more distant than the U.S., both geographically and in terms of our awareness. News from Canada trickles in infrequently, leaving gaps in our understanding of its politics and history.

My window to the world has always been literature and audio narratives. Hence, I’ve been enriching my playlist and bookshelf with Canadian content. Here’s my current collection, and I’m really looking for your recommendations too:

Podcasts:

1. The Big Story — Spanning a plethora of topics that resonate with Canadians, this podcast reminds me of The Daily from the NYT, albeit with a more laid-back vibe.
2. This Matters— Presented by The Toronto Star, a leading name in Toronto’s media landscape, this podcast has a vibe similar to The Big Story, though the subjects often vary, making them complementary.
3. CBC News: The World at Six — CBC’s primary daily news bulletin, it offers insights into both domestic and global happenings. I occasionally tune in.
4. Front Burner — Another show from CBC, this podcast goes into Canada’s significant news stories.
5. CANADALAND — An independent media portal and podcast platform, CANADALAND frequently offers a scrutinized take on Canadian news and media. I don’t know what to make of it yet but it does feel refreshing.
6. The Current — From CBC Radio, The Current looks into contemporary issues and cultural dynamics in Canada and globally.
7. The Secret Life of Canada— Focusing on Canada’s rich history, a domain I’m eager to get deeper into.

Books:

1. ”In the Skin of a Lion” by Michael Ondaatje — A picturesque portrayal of early immigrant life in Toronto, emphasizing those behind the city’s foundational structures.
2. ”Fifth Business” by Robertson Davies — The inaugural book in the Deptford Trilogy, it narrates the life of a small-town Ontarian.
3. ”Alias Grace” by Margaret Atwood — Inspired by real events, this novel delves into the life of a young woman indicted for murder in 19th-century Canada.
4. ”The Book of Negroes” by Lawrence Hill — An introspective into the journey of Black loyalists in 18th-century Canada.
5. ”Obasan” by Joy Kogawa — Sheds light on the plight of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War.
6. ”The Jade Peony” by Wayson Choy — Set in the heart of Vancouver, this narrative orbits a Chinese-Canadian family in the tumultuous 1930s and 1940s.
7. 500 Hidden Secrets of Toronto by Erin FitzGibbon — This book tries to prove that theres so much more to Toronto than the CN Tower and Niagara Falls.
8. 111 Places in Toronto That You Must Not Miss — I own the equivalent book about the city I live in currently, Frankfurt, and I loved it. My hope is that it will help me falling in love with Toronto faster.
9. The Complete Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery — This is a book literally every Canadian knows and that brought my wife and me to visit Prince Edward Island. In Germany literally no one knows the story (except for my wife that is… uhm… and now, me ;-) )

Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash