PBS launching new series The Great American Read in spring 2018

PBS says it will celebrate the joy of reading with a new series and a vote on America's best-loved novel.
 
PBS said the show, with the working title The Great American Read, aims to start a national conversation about inspiring and influential books. The eight-part series will debut in spring 2018 and include testimonials from prominent persons in the entertainment, sports, news and literary worlds.

Different episodes will explore different themes, including Being American, Heroes, Growing Up and What We Do for Love.
 
Working with market research firm YouGov, PBS and the show's producers surveyed people about their favourite books. The top 100 novels will be drawn from those surveys, with help from an advisory committee that may add titles. Among the rules: Only one book or series per author.
 
Voting will be conducted during the show's run, with the No. 1 pick revealed during the finale. PBS said community reading programs and digital and social media elements also are planned.

The new show bears some resemblance to CBC's Canada Reads, a four-day live show in which five notable Canadians debate five Canadian books based on a theme. Past Canada Reads winners include Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis, defended by Humble The Poet, The Illegal by Lawrence Hill, defended by Clara Hughes and Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill, defended by John K. Samson.

— With files from CBC Books.