Canadian Bookshelf Announces Amazon.ca as Lead Sponsor and Rebrands as The 49th Shelf

Canadian books are getting a well-deserved boost today. Canadian Bookshelf announced Amazon.ca as its lead sponsor for 2012, and that the book community website will now offer expanded features and book listings under the new name The 49th Shelf. Since its launch in June 2011, the website has steadily gained a following of book readers keen to discuss Canadian fiction and non-fiction, post recommended reading lists and discover new books among the 50,000 titles to be found on this uniquely Canadian book site. The 49th Shelf’s extensive listings of Canadian fiction, graphic novels, children’s books, and non-fiction is the largest public collection of Canadian books ever assembled. The site is edited by Kerry Clare, who presents a weekly selection of great reads and, together with host and producer Julie Wilson, publishes guest posts, book recommendations and interviews with notable Canadian authors such as Charlotte Gill, Elizabeth Hay, Lawrence Hill, Marina Endicott, Margaret MacMillan, Alison Pick, Kevin Chong and Michael Winter. Amazon.ca’s sponsorship is a great complement to the important public-sector funding the book community website has received from the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the Department of Canadian Heritage. Kerry Clare, The 49th Shelf’s editor, said of the project’s momentum: “It’s been exciting to see book fans discovering the site for themselves over the past few months, and we’re looking forward to providing them with still more ways to engage and to find books that they’ll love.” Many Canadian authors have contributed to the site since its launch eight months ago. Clare listed recent fan favourites as:

• Author and CBC Radio host Jamie Fitzpatrick’s post on Hockey Bums and Hockey Novels

• Award-winning poet and novelist Alison Pick’s list, Books That Made Me Realize I Needed to Be a Writer

• New star Kathleen Winter’s list, Books That made Me Laugh Out Loud in Public

• Lit blogger and teacher Janet Somerville’s list, Recommended Books for Older Teen Boys

The announcement today also marks the introduction of new features on the newly enhanced 49thShelf.com including:

• Expanded listings for Canadian eBooks

• More original content from bestselling authors and rising stars

• Book giveaways that allow readers to sample the most anticipated books of 2012

Beth Bruder, Project Chair, commented: “If you consider how people discover books, the Internet has been a game-changer. The 49th Shelf is about recognizing this and using the web to help readers discover the vast array of Canadian books—there is literally something for every kind of reader on the site.” About The 49th Shelf Fuelled by the largest collection of Canadian books ever assembled, The 49th Shelf makes it easier to find your next great Canadian read. (http://49thShelf.com) Think of The 49th Shelf as an interactive, intimate virtual library stocked with Canadian books by authors both world-renowned and up-and-coming, writing in every genre. But not just a library: The 49th Shelf is also a community of avid readers who share the books on the site by making reading lists and book recommendations. On The 49th Shelf, you’ll find books you’ll never forget, meet people whose lists and reviews you’ll admire, and learn more about the authors who intrigue you. The 49th Shelf is produced by the Association of Canadian Publishers in association with the Canadian Publishers’ Council with funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ontario Media Development Corporation.