Christmas holds a special significance for Tegan Quin, a Canadian musician and the winner of Canada Reads. This inspired her to create a new middle-grade novel titled “Merry Christmess.” The story revolves around twins Stevie and Jordan, who yearn to celebrate the holidays with both their parents. With their rock star dad constantly touring and their mom busy organizing community festivities, the twins often find themselves navigating the season on their own. However, this year, they, along with their newfound furry companions, devise a plan to unite their family and embrace the holiday spirit.
Residing in Vancouver, Tegan Quin forms one half of the acclaimed pop-indie duo Tegan and Sara, alongside her twin sister Sara Quin. Throughout their successful career, the duo has released 10 studio albums featuring popular tracks like “Closer,” “Where Does The Good Go,” and “Walking With A Ghost.” Their accomplishments include selling over a million records, earning accolades such as Juno and GLAAD awards, a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, and receiving nominations for prestigious honors like the Polaris Music Prize and the Grammys.
Reflecting on her inspiration, Quin shared, “Sara and I used to tour until Christmas, making those few holiday weeks our only substantial break in otherwise hectic years.” She described “Merry Christmess” as a blend of “The Parent Trap” infused with a Christmas setting and the spirit of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” tailored for a middle-grade audience. The narrative unfolds with family chaos, twins, nostalgia, Christmas cheer, and, of course, plenty of delightful messiness.
Drawing from her personal experiences, Quin integrated elements from her upbringing into “Merry Christmess.” She explained, “Our parents separated when we were young, and there are definite parallels between the book’s family dynamics and our own.” The protagonist’s mother, inspired by Quin’s own mother who managed a summer program at a community center, adds a touch of familiarity to the tale. Quin also noted the significance of her younger years in shaping her passion for creating engaging content for young readers.
While “Merry Christmess” marks Quin’s debut solo novel, she and Sara collaborated on their memoir “High School” and the middle-grade graphic novels “Tegan and Sara: Junior High” and “Tegan and Sara: Crush,” both illustrated by Tillie Walden. Targeted at ages eight to 12, “Merry Christmess” is set for release on September 1.
In 2026, Tegan Quin clinched victory in Canada Reads by championing Loghan Paylor’s novel “The Cure for Drowning.” The annual event involves five Canadian celebrities advocating for a book they believe all Canadians should read. Through persuasive arguments and deliberations over four days, panelists vote to eliminate one book daily until a winner emerges. Quin successfully argued that “The Cure for Drowning” best embodies the theme of “one book to build bridges.”
The triumph in Canada Reads 2026 further highlights Quin’s literary prowess and her dedication to engaging readers with impactful storytelling.