Restaurant Kid by Rachel Phan Longlisted for CBC Canada Reads 2026!

We’re thrilled to share that Restaurant Kid, by Rachel Phan—named a CBC Writer to Watch—has been longlisted for CBC Canada Reads 2026!

Restaurant Kid is a warm and poignant narrative about finding oneself amidst the grind of restaurant life, the cross-generational immigrant experience, and a daughter’s attempts to connect with parents who have always been just out of reach. This book is more than a memoir, it’s an intergenerational dialogue.

Rachel Phan is a Chinese Canadian author who was born and raised in a small town in Southern Ontario, where she was one of only two racialized people in her class. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Master of Journalism program, she’s shared her stories on CBC, CBC Radio, HuffPost, the National Post and Maclean’s. She now lives in Toronto, ON.

This year marks the 25th edition of Canada Reads, the great Canadian book debate that showcases the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and build bridges. Each year, five Canadian celebrities select a book they believe all Canadians should read and debate their choices over four days, with one book eliminated each day until a winner is chosen.

Ahead of the debates, CBC Books reveals a longlist celebrating the breadth of Canadian literature. The five panellists and the five books they will champion will be revealed on January 22, 2026, with the debates airing April 13–16.

For more details on Canada Reads and the 2026 longlist, visit CBC Books.