By Ron Nurwisah, Boy Reporter

The finalists for the City of Toronto Book Awards have been announced. The biggest name of the bunch is Giller winner M.G. Vassanji for his short story collection When She Was Queen. We’re also happy that former Tall Poppy subject Howard Akler has been nominated for his hard-boiled reporter meet sexy pickpocket love story set in 1930s Toronto and pleased that the brains behind uTOpia weren’t forgotten.
The list is rounded out by Dionne Brand and Stephen Marche. The winner will be announced September 6th.