The Next Chapter

Looking for a book to sink into? We've got you. Each week, Antonio Michael Downing dives deep into the world of books, connecting with readers who share their favourite reads and personal stories. Whether you’re a book nerd or just love a good story, this is a book club for everybody. Beginning September 6th on CBC.

Author and psychotherapist Farzana Doctor shares the books that helped shape her as a person and as a writer; explore the unknown with these speculative fiction recommendations; Danzy Senna opens up about her novel and GMA Book Club pick Colored Television; Nashlyn Lloyd on taking inspiration from The Creative Act by Rick Rubin; and the one book Jean Mills loves to re-read on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed on this week's show include:Aurat Durbar: Writings by Women of South Asian Origin edited by Fauzia RafiqueGod Loves Hair by Vivek ShrayaMullahs on the Mainframe: Islam and Modernity among the Daudi Bohras by Jonah BlankThe Marrow Thieves by Cherie DimalineInfinite Audition by Charlie PetchThe Creative Act by Rick RubenThe Shell Seekers by Rosamunde PilcherAutopsy of a Boring Wife by Marie-Renee LavoieThree by DA MishaniSee Now Then by Jamaica KinkaidHum by Helen PhillipsGirlfriend on Mars by Deborah WillisMoon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice

Author Zoe Whittall, writer of acclaimed literature and screenplays, breaks down her life in books; Steven Beattie recommends three “funny-yet-serious” books; musician Jordan Astra dishes on funk music and Nike sneakers; and Dawson’s Creek legend and current star of Oracle 3: Murder at the Grandview shares what he’s reading on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed on this week's show include:The Passion by Jeannette WintersonHeroine by Gail ScottRat Bohemia by Sarah SchulmanThe Argonauts by Maggie NelsonShoe Dog by Phil KnightAnimal Farm by Geroge OrwellNot a River by Selva AlmadaThe List by Yomi AdegokeReally Good, Actually by Monica HeiseyThe Sellout by Paul BeattyThe Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence SterneOracle 3: Murder at the Grandview by Andrew Pyper

Nathan Maharaj and Christine Estima join The Next Chapter’s summer book panel to start the season with some reading recommendations; Eliza Reid shares the most influential books in her life; and acclaimed writer Michelle Good answers the Proust Questionnaire on this episode of The Next Chapter.

Bee Quammie and Lucy Mann join the kids’ book panel to give some of their hottest summer recommendations for young readers; the acclaimed Canadian writer and journalist reflects on the books that have left a lasting imprint on her mind and heart; and why music is medicine to country singer Ashley Ghostkeeper on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed on this week's show include:Bob the Boo-Boo by Mélina Schoenborn, illustrated by Sandra DumaisMeet Me on Love Street by Farah HeronMallory and the Trouble with Twins by Ann M. Martin, illustrated by Arley NopraRaven's Ribbons by Tasha Spillett, illustrated by Daniel RamirezFree Piano (Not Haunted) by Whitney GardnerThe Forest King's Daughter by Elly BlakeMargaret’s New Look by Katherine AshenburgChristian Dior: History and Modernity, 1947 - 1957 by Alexandra PalmerLittle Women by Louisa May AlcottA Christmas Carol by Charles DickensSwamp Angel by Ethel WilsonThe Beginning of Spring by Penelope FitzgeraldRiver East, River West by Aube Rey LescureYou Are the Medicine by Asha Frost

The Cape Breton author and illustrator shares what books have been the most influential to in her life as a person and creative; Angel Misri and Sam Wiebe join the mystery panel to give their recommendations; how Flara K finds songwriting inspiration in novels; and the romance writer who runs a cake shop on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed on this week's show include:Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate BeatonThe Making of the English Working Class by E.P. ThompsonThe Lost Salt Gift of Blood by Alistair MacLeod1066 And All That by R.J. Yeatman and W.C. SellarAnne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud MontgomeryBluenose Ghosts by Helen CreightonThe Seven Year Slip by Ashley PostonContemplation of a Crime by Susan JubyDetective Aunty by Uzma JalaluddinThe Silent Film Star Murders by Melodie CampbellBeen Wrong So Long It Feels Like Right by Walter MosleyFair Play by Louise HegartDirty Little War by Dietrich KalteisSay You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Brian Francis answers the question of what is a guilty pleasure and gives a book pick to match a few of his favourites; Mirian Njoh talks about Christian Allaire’s book and his journey from Nipissing First Nation to the pages of Vogue; Susan Swan, author of Big Girls Don’t Cry, answers the Proust Questionnaire; and Amanda Leduc on why her protagonists are talking coyotes on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed on this week's show include:Big Girls Don’t Cry by Susan SwanPaperbacks from Hell by Grady HendrixThe Donut: A Canadian History by Steve PenfoldCue the Sun! by Emily NussbaumFrom the Rez to the Runway by Christian AllaireWild Life by Amanda LeducAnd Then She Fell by Alicia EliottNot Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy FindelyThe White Bone by Barbara Gowdy

The Juno Award-winning musician thought he could write a book, so he did. In Try Hard, Max Kerman gets into the nuts and bolts of building a musical career; from a “Victorian Psycho” to a family of cannibals, Montreal-based multidisciplinary artist Arizona O’Neill shares her favourite horror titles; and three “must-read” historical novels about women artists on this episode of The Next Chapter.

Prolific Winnipeg-based author, editorial director and hockey dad David A. Robertson breaks down the books that have left a permanent mark on his life; CBC Books’ historical fiction savant Talia Kliot recommends three novels that transport you to another time; musician Matt Holubowski on finding stillness through Silence in the Age of Noise; what’s the first book Sarah Leavitt remembers reading; and CBC Books producer and former book seller Bridget Raymundo recommends a staff pick on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed on this week's show include:All the Little Monsters by David A. RobertsonNine Stories by J.D. SalingerHow to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale CarnegieSwing Low by Miriam ToewsTom's Midnight Garden by Phillippa PearceAn Anthology of Monsters by Cherie DimalineSilence in the Age of Noise by Erling KaggeThe Paris Express by Emma DonoghueFinding Flora by Elinor FlorenceThe Immortal Woman by Su ChangThe River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

How the creator of the bestselling Molly the Maid series went from publisher to author; Bee Quammie talks about feeling stuck in life to writing The Book of Possibilities; Reading while on The Road with Customer Services’ Matt Cheverie; and what perfect happiness means to writer Curtis Sittenfeld on this episode of The Next Chapter.Books discussed on this week's show include:The Maid’s Secret by Nita ProseEleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanWhere I Belong by Alan DoyleEmancipation Day by Wayne GradyLittle Cruelties by Liz NugentThe Road by Cormac MccarthyThe Book of Possibilities by Bee QuammieFalling Back in Love with Being Human by Kai Cheng ThomA Letter to My Daughter by Maya AngelouShow Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld