The representative from Collingwood Public Library was the winner of the 2016 Georgian Bay Reads contest in Meaford, Saturday night.
Julie LeBlanc was one of five contestants taking part in this year’s event, held in the Meaford Opera House.
LeBlanc was defending The Manticore by Robertson Davies.
In the same contest, Michele McKenzie was named the People’s Choice winner.
McKenzie, the representative for Clearview Public Library, was defending the book They Left Us Everything by Plum Johnson.
The other three contestants were Mike Gennings (Wasaga Beach Public Library), Katy Austin (Springwater Public Library), and Helen Solmes from Meaford Public Library.
Moderator for this year’s Georgian Bay Reads contest was Cindy Lou LeDrew also representing Meaford Public Library and the 2015 contest winner.
The contestants in GBR contest come from five area libraries to defend a book.
The moderator gives each defender set questions and time frames to impress the audience with their knowledge, passion for and their ability to convey thoughts in a timely manner – before the bell clangs.
Following each round of questions, a defender is eliminated until the winner is determined.
“Georgian Bay Reads is a great way to raise the profile of our Canadian authors and the library. Plus it is so much fun!” says Amy Jennison, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Meaford Public Library.