The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

Celina Myers is an internet star to the tune of around 30 million followers. She spikes the spooky paranormal stuff with her signature brand of humour all over social media. She’ll talk about her new book and other inspiring dark tales. Plus, actor and writer Keegan Connor Tracy recommends two small books that pack a big punch. Books discussed on this week's show include: The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith White Oleander by Janet Finch Hollow by Celina Myers Orbital by Samantha Harvey The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys

Elin Hilderbrand is known as the Queen of the Beach Read. She’s sold millions of novels that transport readers to sun, sand and wishes fulfilled. Nantucket was the backdrop for most of her novels, until now. She’s left the island behind in her latest book title The Academy, which she co-wrote with her daughter, Shelby Cunningham. She'll talk about what it was like working with her daughter, and share some of the most influential books in her life. Books discussed on this week's show include: Franny & Zooey by JD Salinger English Patient by Michael Ondaatje Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood Luster by Raven Leilani The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham

Honest mom influencer Libby Ward never intended to blow up. She was mostly posting for herself, and whoever else needed to hear her message. But that might have been the exact recipe that led to her going viral. She talks about her new book, and other reads that encourage others to find their voice. Plus, CBC Books Senior Producer Ryan B. Patrick recommends this week’s staff pick. Books discussed on this week's show include: Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself by Libby Ward Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown Untamed by Glennon Doyle Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age by Vauhini Vara

Natalie MacMaster first picked up the fiddle at nine years old. It was a family tradition for her growing up in Cape Breton, and over the course of her international career she’s brought Cape Breton fiddle music to the world. Two fiddling dynasties merged when she married Donnell Leahy and now the two of them, along with their seven children regularly perform. She stops by the studio for an installment of my life in books. Books discussed on this week's show include: Beautiful Scars by Tom Wilson The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten The Possibility Mom by Lisa Canning A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving I Have a Love Story by Natalie MacMaster

One thing that Heather O’Neill’s ex-boyfriends had in common was Anna Karenina, the famous novel by Leo Tolstoy. To get to the bottom of this mysterious connection, she decided to re-read the classic novel to see how Anna’s story of a doomed love affair reads the second time around. Plus, the Juno-nominated musician Adrian Sutherland talks about writing his first book and how he fell in love with music. Books discussed on this week's show include: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy The Work of Our hands by Adrian Sutherland

Mark Critch is very funny. You've likely seen him do what he does best on 22 Minutes or his sitcom Son of a Critch. In addition to spreading laughs across the country, he is also a very proud Canadian. He brings his finely tuned sense of satire to his new book called Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For. He talks about the inspirations behind his latest work, and the books that have influenced who he is today. Plus, Canadian hit-making author Carley Fortune answers the Proust Questionnaire. Books discussed on this week's show include: My Autobiography by Charlie Chaplin Naked by David Sedaris Soldier Priest in the Killing Fields of Europe by Gary Browne and Darin Mcgrath The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting for by Mark Critch One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

The Giller Prize is one of Canada's biggest literary awards. Before this year's winner was announced, all five finalists joined Antonio Michael Downing on stage at an event at Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto to read from their shortlisted works and share the inspiration behind them. Featuring Mona Awad, Eddy Boudel Tan, Emma Donoghue, Emma Knight and Souvankham Thammavongsa. Books discussed on this week's show include: We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad The Tiger and the Cosmonaut by Eddy Boudel Tan The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight Pick a Colour by Souvankham Thammavongsa

When director Jacob Tierney (Letterkenney) first DM’d Rachel Reid, she couldn’t believe that someone was interested in adapting her book. Since then, the series has become one of the most popular Canadian titles on Crave, and has been renewed for a second season. She pulls back the curtain on what it was like seeing her characters brought to life on screen, and even recommends other books to check out for when you’ve run out of episodes. Plus, the mystery panel continues the tradition of recommending some favourite titles for the holiday season. Books discussed on this week's show include: Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid Crash Test by Amy James Hockey Bois by A. L. Heard A Place of Secrets by Shane Peacock Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto Listen by Sacha Bronwasser Carved in Blood: A Hana Westerman Thriller by Michael Bennet 6:40 to Montreal by Eva Jursyk The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens

When Jesse Wente was a kid, he was given a stuffed penguin as a gift. He decided to name his penguin Danger Eagle, the stunt performing stuffy. Decades later, Danger Eagle has taken center stage in Jesse's first ever children's book. Since wrapping up his term as chair of the Canada Council for the Arts and with a bestselling memoir under his belt, he joins the show to share the stories that have influenced his own life the most. Plus, musician Girl Ultra recommends A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf. Books discussed on this week's show include: Watership Down by Richard Adams The Monster At the End of This Book by Jon Stone Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin Indian School Days by Basil H. Johnston Danger Eagle by Jesse Wente A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf

Before Raymond Ablack became a fan-favorite, playing Joe on Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia, he was a kid who enjoyed acting, reading and Christmas. He joins The Next Chapter to share some of his childhood memories, and what it’s like to play Sam Wilner in the Audibles Originals story, Mistletoe Murders. Plus, Madelaine Drohan on her book about Benjamin Franklin, the surprises and similarities in the history of Canada-US relations and two companion reads. Books discussed on this week's show include: He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada by Madelaine Drohan Trading Fate: How a Little-known Company Stopped British Columbia from Becoming an American State by Graeme Menzies Elbows Up: Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resistance edited by Elamin Abdelmahmoud

From a chicken channeling its inner dinosaur, to raising dragon eggs in P.E.I., to a teen fauxmance, The Next Chapter’s children’s book panel is back with a new holiday reading list. Writer and broadcaster Bee Quammie and CBC books producer Lucy Mann share six books to engage readers from pre-school to high school. Books discussed on this week's show include: Lena the Chicken (But Really A Dinosaur!) by Linda Bailey, illustrated by K-Fai Steele The One About the Blackbird by Melanie Florence, illustrated by Matt James Fresh Start by Gale Galligan Kindred Dragons by Sarah Mensinga You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai

Kerry Clare is the first to admit that if her own book was selected for a prize her opinion would probably change. At least part of it. The writer and critic joins the show to shed light on a few of her favourite books that were left off the awards circuit this year. CBC Books producer Lucy Mann recommends one of the most popular, out of this world books of 2025. Plus, find out what musician Logan Richard reads to remind himself to be grateful. Books discussed on this week's show include: The Seaside Cafe Metropolis by Antanas Sileika Starry, Starry Night by Shani Mootoo Property by Kate Cayley Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

In his 20th year in the music business, the rapper Shad has shown no signs of slowing down. The Juno-winning musician has also had an illustrious career as a broadcaster, hosting hit shows like the documentary series Hip-Hop Evolution on Netflix. His latest album is called Start Anew, and he joins the show to go back and talk about how he first discovered the power of words and shares some of the books that have shaped his life. Books discussed on this week's show include: Black Noise by Tricia Rose July, July by Tim O’Brien A Confession and Other Religious Writings by Leo Tolstoy Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Columnist Mirian Njoh shares what made her fall in love with Flirting Lessons by bestselling author Jasmine Guillory. The buzzy sapphic romance follows two contrasting characters' growing connection in Napa Valley. Plus, Fiona Sauder and Victor Pokinko talk about adapting The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis for the stage at Bad Hats Theatre this holiday season. Books discussed on this week's show include: Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series has become a cultural phenomenon. Pulling from his most embarrassing moments growing up paired with the fun house version of his own family, the journal inspired covers have become a cornerstone of young readers' bookshelves across the world. He talks about his early inspirations, and the 20th installment in the series titled Partypooper. Plus, Jake Charron from The East Pointers shares his fantasy book pick. Books discussed on this week's show include: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Partypooper by Jeff Kinney The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Before he won the academy award for best actor, Brendan Fraser was a kid who loved reading captivating stories, the weirder the better. He joins The Next Chapter to share a first look at his new audio series The Downloaded 2: Ghosts in the Machine by Robert J. Sawyer, and talks about what childhood books ignited his creative spark. Plus, a CBC Books producer helps answer the question: what is a cozy read? Books discussed on this week's show include: The Downloaded 2: Ghosts in the Machine by Robert J. Sawyer The Swan by Roald Dahl The Quiet American by Graham Greene It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard A Little Holiday Fling by Farah Heron A Season for Spies by Iona Whishaw

You can take the man out of Newfoundland, but you can’t take the Newfoundland out of Alan Doyle…and why would you want to? Fresh off a run of the musical he co-wrote Tell Tale Harbour, the beloved musician, actor and writer joins The Next Chapter to discuss his new book The Smiling Land: All Around the Circle in My Newfoundland and Labrador and the stories that have helped shape who he is today. Books discussed on this week's show include: In a Sunburned Country (Down Under) by Bill Bryson The Game by Ken Dryden Sweetland by Micheal Crummey The Story of Bobby O’Malley by Wayne Johnston The Smiling Land: All Around the Circle in My Newfoundland and Labrador by Alan Doyle

CBC Books’ Ryan B. Patrick gives his take on Flesh, this year's Booker Prize winner. David Szalay’s buzzy book follows the life of man from adolescence in Hungary to his wealthy middle age in London. Plus, writer Rabindranath Maharaj shares the most influential books in his life. Books discussed on this week's show include: Flesh by David Szalay A Quiet Disappearance by Rabindranath Maharaj Coral Island by R. M. Ballantyne Watchmen by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons, coloured by John Higgins One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez A House for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipaul

Margaret Atwood’s Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts offers a sharp and funny look at the multifaceted life that shaped one of the most influential Canadian literary voices of our time. Atwood's long time friend and novelist Susan Swan, along with Margaret’s ‘heir apparent’ Mona Awad join the show to discuss the memoir with Antonio Michael Downing. Books discussed on this week's show include: Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood

No matter where you are, a meal can make you feel at home. Suresh Doss, host of CBC’s culinary show Locals Welcome, shares the cookbooks he keeps in his kitchen, which have helped fuel his lifelong passion. Plus, writer and journalist Phillip Dwight Morgan talks about his mission to read a new poem to his baby daughter everyday. Books discussed on this week's show include: Handmade: Stories of Strength Shared Through Recipes from the Women of Sri Lanka by Nesa and Roberts Liezer Salt Fat Acid Heat” by Samin Nosrat The Joy of Cooking” by Irma Rombauer Donabe: Classic and Modern Japanese Clay Pot Cooking by Naoko Takei Moore and Kyle Connaughton Wild Geese by Mary Oliver