This annual interdisciplinary celebration of a work of Canadian literature reaches into classrooms across the university.
Students and faculty members explore a book written by a Canadian author through workshops, readings, a Wall of Fame reception, a student contest and more. Events typically include opportunities for students to engage with the author, including through classroom visits.
Since its inception in 1997, the Book of the Year program has been guided by a committee of faculty, staff and students. After robust deliberations and discussion, the committee recommends a title for the MacEwan Book of the Year to the Provost & Vice-President, Academic.
Meet Deborah Willis
Calgary-based author Deborah Willis is the author of Girlfriend on Mars, the 2024/25 MacEwan Book of the Year. In the spring, Deborah will participate in class visits, give a public reading and lead discussions of the novel. Willis was MacEwan’s Writer in Residence in 2017.
About the novel
Amber Kivinen is hoping to move to Mars. She and 23 reality TV contestants from around the world—an assortment of science nerds and wannabe influencers—are competing for two seats on the first human-led mission to Mars. Meanwhile Kevin, her boyfriend of fourteen years, was content going nowhere until Amber left him—and their hydroponic weed business—behind. As he tends to the plants in their Vancouver apartment, Kevin tunes in to find out why the love of his life is so determined to leave the planet with somebody else.
An audaciously original debut from an “immensely talented writer” (Emily St. John Mandel), Girlfriend on Mars is a satirical indictment of our pursuit of fame and wealth amidst environmental crisis and an exploration of humanity’s deepest longing, greatest quest and most enduring cliché: love.
Have you read a great book recently? Nominate your choice for the next MacEwan Book of the Year.
This opportunity is eligible for your Student Experience Record (SER). Find out more and create your SER in the MacEwanLife portal.