One eRead/Un Livrel Canada is a digital book club connecting readers and libraries from across Canada.
This April, Canadians are invited to join people from across the country in reading What I Know About You by Éric Chacour, originally published in French as «Ce que je sais de toi» and translated by Pablo Strauss.
The e-book and audiobook will be available in English from Halifax Public Libraries' digital collection (Libby), and the French e-book too. The French audiobook can be enjoyed by going to Radio-Canada’s OHdio, opens a new window.
About What I Know About You
A heartbreaking tale of a family and an impossible love, torn apart by secrets and traditions in late-twentieth-century Cairo.
As a boy in 1960s Cairo, Tarek knows that his entire life is written in advance. He’ll be a doctor like his father, marry, and have children. Under the watchful eyes of his mother and his sister, he starts to do just that – until Ali enters his life and turns it upside down. The two men, from very different worlds, embark on an unsayable relationship that threatens to tear apart Tarek’s family.
Years later, as Tarek is living a solitary life in Montreal, someone starts writing about him and to him, piecing together a past he wants only to forget. But who is the writer of this tale? And will he figure it out in time?
A bestseller in its original Quebec edition, and the recipient of several awards, including the Prix Femina des Lycéens, What I Know About You is poised to be an international sensation.
"This novel is a searing love story that moves between Egypt and Montréal, that shifts between hearts, highlighting the sacrifices the characters feel they have to make for the ones they love. Romantic, surprising, mesmerizing, and so devastating, What I Know About You examines the terrible costs of family secrets and toxic shame." – Suzette Mayr, author of The Sleeping Car Porter
(Description via Coach House Books, opens a new window)
About Éric Chacour
Éric Chacour shares his life between France and Quebec. He graduated with a bachelor’s from Université Paris Dauphine-PSL then completed a master’s in international relations from Université de Montréal. What I Know About You is his first novel and was originally published in French as Ce que je sais de toi. Born in Montreal to Egyptian parents, Chacour now works in the financial sector. (Bio via Writers' Trust of Canada, opens a new window)
Read with Halifax Public Libraries
April 1 through 30, 2026, you'll be able to download What I Know About You as an e-book with no holds, no waitlists, via:
Join the Conversation
While reading the book, people are encouraged to join the online discussion happening with readers from across the country on the One eRead Canada Facebook page.
There will also be two live streamed events during the month:
Thursday, April 30 | 8:00pm Atlantic Time
In English: Antonio Michael Downing, host of The Next Chapter will be in conversation with Éric Chacour and Pablo Strauss.
Wednesday, April 29 | 8:00pm Atlantic Time
En français: Éric will be in conversation with Caroline Moon.
You will have an opportunity to submit your questions beforehand through the One eRead Canada social media channels or during the show.
Check back on the One eRead Official Website for more information including how to register and view the programs.
About One eRead/Un Livrel Canada
Launched in 2019, One eRead Canada is an annual initiative by the Canadian Urban Libraries Council to promote digital reading through public libraries, while also raising awareness about issues that libraries face in providing access to e-books and audiobooks.
One eRead / Un livrel highlights the benefit of open access to digital books. CULC reports that restrictive costs, licensing, and availability of content prevent public libraries from providing adequate access to the volume and variety of digital titles Canadians want to read. The high cost of digital content alone prevents libraries from diversifying their collections, meaning many authors and books are underrepresented and underexposed to Canadian readers. One eRead / Un livrel demonstrates that when restrictions on access are reduced, readership goes up.
Read more: Canada’s Public Libraries Call for Fair Digital Pricing with a National eBook Club
About Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC) / Conseil des Bibliothèques Urbaines du Canada (CBUC)
The Canadian Urban Libraries Council was formed in 2008, formalizing groups whom had met for more than 25 years to better library service in Canada’s populated urban areas. CULC has members from the 51 largest public library systems in Canada, along with Library and Archives Canada and the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. CULC’s mission is to facilitate advocacy, collaboration, and research that strengthens and promotes the value of Canada’s urban libraries as integral to a vibrant democracy, a strong economy, and thriving communities. More than 75% of all Canadians are served by a CULC member library, whose activities comprise more than 80% of Canada’s public library total.