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Best Canadian Essays 2025
Selected by editor Emily Urquhart, the 2025 edition of Best Canadian Essays showcases the best Canadian nonfiction writing published in 2023.
Katherine Ashenburg • James Cairns • Mitchell Consky • Michelle Cyca • Sadiqa de Meijer • Ariel Gordon • Lana Hall • Helen Humphreys • Rebecca Kempe • Jiin Kim • Christine Lai • Jessica Moore • Tom Rachman • Leanne Betasamosake Simpson • Vance Wright
Katherine Ashenburg • James Cairns • Mitchell Consky • Michelle Cyca • Sadiqa de Meijer • Ariel Gordon • Lana Hall • Helen Humphreys • Rebecca Kempe • Jiin Kim • Christine Lai • Jessica Moore • Tom Rachman • Leanne Betasamosake Simpson • Vance Wright
- GenresNonfictionEssaysCanada
152 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 26, 2025
Great bunch of short reads! I especially enjoyed 'Found', 'Complimentary, Free of Charge' and 'Notes from Grief Camp' if you're just looking to read a few!
March 8, 2026
I have yet to access this entire anthology, so excuse my generalized rating.
I don't typically log shorter works, but I was absolutely captured by Jessica Moore's "Shadow Face." Moore beautifully explores ideas of motherhood and identity in relation to the body, discussing birth, sexuality, and maternal intimacy. I was especially interested in Moore's depiction of maternal anxiety and the ways it both seeps into and is triggered by everyday encounters, such as a child's remark about a mother's eyes revealing fears of monstrosity. Along with creating an evocative piece with enticing language, Moore has managed to touch on all of my personal interests as a reader in a span of 14 short pages. I wish that this piece was longer. I hope to return to this anthology and explore the rest of its contents, but for now, I will leave you with a lingering quote from Moore's captivating piece:
"How can you shield someone who's inside you from what's inside you?"
I don't typically log shorter works, but I was absolutely captured by Jessica Moore's "Shadow Face." Moore beautifully explores ideas of motherhood and identity in relation to the body, discussing birth, sexuality, and maternal intimacy. I was especially interested in Moore's depiction of maternal anxiety and the ways it both seeps into and is triggered by everyday encounters, such as a child's remark about a mother's eyes revealing fears of monstrosity. Along with creating an evocative piece with enticing language, Moore has managed to touch on all of my personal interests as a reader in a span of 14 short pages. I wish that this piece was longer. I hope to return to this anthology and explore the rest of its contents, but for now, I will leave you with a lingering quote from Moore's captivating piece:
"How can you shield someone who's inside you from what's inside you?"
May 30, 2025
A book of short essays was a perfect launch for a summer reading blitz. While I enjoyed some more than others, of course, what I enjoyed most was a cross Canada survey of ideas. Who knew that Canadian pride would be so high in 2025?
June 3, 2026
I enjoyed 1 or 2 of these. Wondering how they go about picking the "best" in Canada, I've heard more interesting anecdotes from strangers and friends
None were bad, just not particularly anything special or interesting
None were bad, just not particularly anything special or interesting
April 20, 2025
A wonderful collection of essays from a very talented group of Canadian writers. My favourite one was “Complimentary, Free of Charge” by Jiin Kim!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews