So…some interesting things were said about the importance of place and the importance of Canadianness on the third Day of Canada Reads, but overall, things were relatively tame. Rollie took being eliminated like a champ, but after two days of getting slaughtered, he had time to prepare a graceful exit. The Jade Peony ducked any serious criticism for the second day in a row, Nikolski solidified its status as dark horse that could take it all, Good to a Fault had some harsh marks made at its expense and Fall on Your Knees lumbered along as the CanLit giant it is. Let’s see how they fared today.

Perdita Felicien and Fall on Your Knees: The double Os (Oprah and Olympian) didn’t make up much ground today, but it didn’t lose any. I think all the panelists liked the book, which is why it’s getting off easy these early rounds. I expect the David v. Goliath argument to come into play when it’s down to the final three and two, especially if it’s up against Nikolski.. This book scored points for having a strong sense of place, but Perdita’s argument that it best represented the sense of poverty all these books shared didn’t score any points. Score: +/- 0 (Rocky IV)

Simi Sara and Good to a Fault: Simi tried to make some arguments about the timelessness and placelessness of GTAF, but no panelists were biting. The anytime, anywhere, anyone sense this book offers just didn’t resonate when it had chaotic Montreal, exotic South America and (let’s face it) a better representation of the prairies to contend with–all in the same book. Throw in Choy’s Chinatown and McDonald’s craggy Cape Breton cliffs and GTAF was a goner from the second this question was asked. No hard punches were thrown at any one book today, but GTAF took more than its share of left hooks. Score: -5 (Rocky V)

Michel Vézina and Nikolski: Nikolski is trudging along and today’s topics–geography and identity–helped a lot. Everyone agreed Nikolski took you into the heart of Montreal, then ripped you out and sent you flying down the Albertan highways. The reluctance the panelists has for this book early on is waning and, if they aren’t fans, they at least respect what I’d argue is the most original book on this year’s panel. I’m not ready to call this a top two finisher yet (it depends on how the next few days go) but it’s looking good. Score: +2 (Rocky I)

Samantha Nutt andThe Jade Peony: The same dilemma that faced The Jade Peony yesterday faced it today: no seems to care. Flying under the radar will get you halfway, but it won’t carry you to the end (se: Amber Bkrich, Survivor: Australian Outback). You need to be in it to win it at any cost (see: Boston Rob, Survivor: All-Stars) or be universally adored (see: Ethan Zohn, Survivor: Africa). Rollie thew this book some love today, but if I were a betting gal, he’d keep 1980s Montreal over 1940s Vancouver Chinatown. Score: -2 (Rocky II)

Prediction: Good to a Fault will be KOed tomorrow. I’m sensing a Civilians Read redux, but we’ll see.