The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

You may know Kia Nurse from the WNBA, Team Canada or her basketball coverage on TSN. She also scored the first points recorded in Toronto Tempo history. Today she joins the show to talk about the team’s book club, and what they’ve been reading as of late. And later, CBC Books producer Bridget Raymundo talks about the hit graphic novel series Hearstopper, and why it holds such a special place in her heart. Books discussed on this week's show include: It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides Heartstopper by Alice Oseman Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Inside the Toronto Sceptres’ team book club Get to know CBC’s Winter Olympics host Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Celebrity book clubs have shown their staying power. From Reese Witherspoon to Dua Lipa, everyone’s curious about what actors and artists are reading. When Heated Rivalry’s Nadine Bhabha shared that she’s in a book club with five of her actor friends the last time she was on the show, we knew we had to see what this club was all about. Nadine and her colleagues Clark Backo and Jess Salgueiro join the show to peel back the curtain on this star-studded book club, share what they’ve been reading and how their love of books brought them all together. Books discussed on this week's show include: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman The Witch by Marie Ndiaye Half His Age by Jeannette McCurdy Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Heated Rivalry’s Nadine Bhabha’s It Girl book club How Amanda Brugel manifested her role in The Handmaid’s Tale Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Will Ferguson began his career as a travel writer. Since then he's written more than a dozen books and won some of the biggest literary prizes a Canadian writer can win. Along the way, he never gave up travel writing, and still uses it to inform his fiction. His books stretch across genres, allowing his work to follow wherever his interests take him, always with an underpinning thread of humour. Growing up in a small town in Northern Alberta, books were his first ticket to seeing the outside world. He'll break down which books have influenced his life and career the most in a segment of My Life in Books. Books discussed on this week's show include: Meanwhile, Back in Nokomis by Will Ferguson Red Sky at Morning by Richard Bradford The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz by Mordecai Richler The Quiet American by Graham Greene Satellite Love by Genki Ferguson Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Terry Fallis proves you have to live before you can write The books that made Andrew Phung fall in love with storytelling Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

For most of her writing life Patricia Finn wrote and polished other people’s stories. But this spring she stepped out of the shadows with the publication of her debut novel. It’s called The Golden Boy and it follows a television executive who, after losing his job, inherits the grandchildren of his deceased friend. Patricia joins the show to tell us about The Golden Boy and recommend a companion read. Plus, author Uzma Jalaluddin shares what Gen Z slang she's picked up from her kids while answering The Next Chapter's version of the Proust Questionnaire. Books discussed on this week's show include: No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai Moonlight Murder by Uzma Jalaluddin Liked this conversation? Keep listening: The author behind Lucky reveals how she helped cast Anya Taylor-Joy The book that inspired Carley Fortune's writing career Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

In April, two Canada Reads nominated authors took the stage in Whitehorse to discuss their books in front of a packed live audience. The evening featured a conversation between Loghan Paylor, author of The Cure for Drowning, and Billy-Ray Belcourt, the author of A Minor Chorus. Both novels explore what it means to find a sense of home, and how that quest can impact who we become. The event was called Homecoming, and with the help of CBC host Leonard Linklater, the authors sat down to discuss the themes of home, identity and belonging in their characters' lives, and in their own. Books discussed on this week's show include: The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt Liked this conversation? Keep listening: How iconic musician Tegan Quin plans to tackle Canada Reads Why Elle-Maija Tailfeathers says A Minor Chorus is the story Canada needs to hear right now Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Ten years ago, more than 11 million Canadians tuned in to CBC for the live airing of The Tragically Hip’s final concert of their Man Machine Poem tour in Kingston, Ontario. Since then, this performance has held a special place in the minds of many Canadians and more. Michael Barclay is a writer and long time fan of the band. He wanted to make sure that the iconic Canadian band’s history was being documented, so he wrote a book. It’s called The Never Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip. It guides readers through the history of the band, their music and offers a window into the music scene at that time. He talks about the band's legacy and what made the Hip Canada's band. Books discussed on this week's show include: The Never Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip by Michael Barclay Rough Description by Don Pyle Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Canadian fiddle legend Natalie MacMaster shares her life in books What is the greatest Canadian novel of all time? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Some books change your mind. Others simply reinforce what you already know. The Next Chapter's columnist Nathan Maharaj joins the show to talk about two books that challenged his assumptions and altered his perspective. Nathan is a lifelong bookseller and the director of content marketing at Rakuten Kobo. He'll discuss why challenging your beliefs is important and how it can lead to a broader worldview. Plus, Toronto artist Mah Moud stops by to talk about a mysterious book from his parents bookshelf, and how the impact of a good novel can last for generations. Books discussed on this week's show include: Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez How Great Things Happen by George Newman Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Can reading be the first step to making real change? What is the greatest Canadian novel of all time? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

A few years ago Marissa Stapley heard a radio story about an unclaimed winning lottery ticket, which planted the seed for her novel, Lucky. Since then, the book has become a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and was recently adapted into a star-studded Apple TV series starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Drew Starkey. Lucky is the novel that changed Marissa Stapley’s life, and today she joins the show to talk about it, her time in Hollywood and where she plans to take her beloved character next. Marissa will also share a few titles she’s reading this Summer. Plus, Nick Frosst, lead singer from the Toronto band Good Kid stops by to recommend a book that has changed his perspective on human pre-history. Books discussed on this week's show include: Lucky by Marissa Stapley Definitely Thriving by Kerry Clare Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow Liked this conversation? Keep listening: The book that inspired Carley Fortune's writing career Why does Nita Prose call herself an accidental writer? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Is there one meal that reminds you of home? A dish that brings back childhood memories? For CBC Books producer Talia Kliot, it’s a shortbread, sour cream and walnut cake that makes an appearance at her family’s special milestones. Talia is obsessed with the way that food helps us tell stories and even made a radio documentary about it, where she speaks to writers, an academic and a video game designer. She joined Antonio Michael Downing on The Next Chapter to share what made her hungry for these stories in the first place … and why food is the best way to connect. Books discussed on this week's show include: Restaurant Kid by Rachel Phan How to Share an Egg by Bonny Reichert Poutine by Justin Giovannetti Lamothe Liked this conversation? Keep listening: The books that fire up chef Michael Smith Is food the closest thing to teleportation? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Set in late-20th-century Cairo, Éric Chacour's novel What I know About You is a heartbreaking story of an impossible love and a family fractured by secrets and expectations. It was selected for One eRead Canada’s live digital book club, which brings libraries and readers together. Originally written in French, the book's translator, Pablo Strauss joins the discussion to share what it was like recreating the world in English for a conversation hosted by the Mississauga Library. Books discussed on this week's show include: What I Know About You by Éric Chacour Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Did you know that Ernest Hemingway wrote for the Toronto Star? The iconic cigar-smoking, bull-fighting American writer spent two separate stints living in Canada. It was partly while living and working in Toronto that he developed his stripped-down, sparse writing style. Author and Hemingway expert Terry Fallis reflects on the writer's larger than life reputation and his time spent in Toronto ahead of the upcoming International Hemingway Society Conference. Plus, CBC producer Christine Pagulayan talks about the latest trend to hit the world of romance. Books discussed on this week's show include: A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway The Stand-In by Lily Chu The Marionette by Terry Fallis Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Clare Mackintosh joined the police force by accident. But taking what she learned over a 12 year career and using it to become a bestselling mystery and crime writer, was no accident. Nine novels later, she's sold millions of copies and has never looked back. Her latest is a genre-fusing novel titled, It’s Not What You Think. Clare was recently a guest speaker at the yearly MOTIVE crime and mystery festival in Toronto, and dropped by to talk about the books that have shaped her life and career. Books discussed on this week's show include: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Little Face by Sophie Hannah Before You Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson Life After Life by Kate Atkinson It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

For years Jenny Jackson worked as an editor for some of the biggest authors in the publishing game. Eventually, she took what she had learned as an editor and applied it to writing a book of her own. The result was a bestselling novel, and a new career as an author. Her new novel, The Shampoo Effect, took inspiration from a sexy, sixties novel about small-town adultery. It’s the story of a young woman who finds her way deep into a close circle of friends, and then writes all about them in a revealing New Yorker story. Plus, we revisit the late writer Gail Bowen’s Proust Questionnaire from 2015. Books discussed on this week's show include: Couples by John Updike The Shampoo Method by Jenny Jackson Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Wondering how you’re going to keep your kids reading now that school’s out? Our children’s book panel is here to help. We’ve asked writer, broadcaster and Mom, Bee Quammie, and CBC Books producer and mother of two, Lucy Mann to recommend their recent favourite all Canadian kids books. Plus, author of Life of Pi, Yann Martel shares what matters most to him while answering The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire. Books discussed on this week's show include: Ruthie by Esmé Shapiro The Healer and the Phoenix by Linda Trinh, illustrated by Quynh Anh Nguyen Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks Ellis on Guard by Sal Sawler, Nandita Ratan (Illustrator) Shy Cat and the Stuff-the-Bus Challenge by Dian Day (Author), Amanda White (Illustrator) The Cursed Queen's Daughter by Elly Blake Son of Nobody by Yann Martel Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Here at The Next Chapter, we read Canadian all year long. But to help celebrate Canada Day, we’re asking what makes a book a Canadian classic. To help answer this question, we’ve called upon CBC Books producer Bridget Raymundo and lifelong bookseller Nathan Maharaj. They discuss their favourite Canadian novels of all-time, and what makes a book relevant for generations to come. They also present one title that they think has what it takes to become a future Canadian classic. Plus, musician Brettyn Rose talks about songwriting and recommends one of her favourite books. Books discussed on this week's show include: Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence In the Upper Country by Kai Thomas Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

The Next Chapter’s mystery panel is back with their summer round-up. Two mystery writers, Angela Misri and Sam Wiebe have hand selected their favourite titles to add some tension to your summer, strictly on the page of course. Plus, Joe Ollmann isn’t your average cartoonist. He discusses the intersection between socialism and graphic novels, and how he uses his platform to highlight the working class in his stories. He’ll discuss his latest book, and share his go-to recommendations from the shelves of Epic Books in Hamilton. Books discussed on this week's show include: Strangers in the Villa by Robyn Harding A Gift Before Dying by Malcolm Kempt Good Guys by Sharon Bala The Keeper by Tana French Greenwood by Michael Christie It’s a Good Life, if you Don’t Weaken by Seth The Woodchipper by Joe Ollmann Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Carley Fortune is one of the biggest names in contemporary romance. This year, two of her hit novels are being adapted into TV series, and has shown no signs of slowing down. Her most recent book, Our Perfect Storm, is a romance set on the breathtaking shores of Tofino. Before becoming an author, she worked as a journalist, and before that she was an avid reader with a love for storytelling. She'll talk about some of the most influential books in her life, and what drove her to start telling her own stories. Plus, Youth Recipient of a 2026 Indspire award, musician Tia Wood recommends an Indigenous book that she considers a modern classic. Books discussed on this week's show include: Flowers in the Attic by VC Andrews Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery Seven Days in June by Tia Williams Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune Five Little Indians by Michelle Good Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

The Toronto Tempo recently became Canada's first WNBA team. If you, like many others, are considering checking out the action, our in-house women's basketball expert Talia Kliot recommends the one book everyone should read to learn more about the rich history of women's basketball. Plus, author Kerry Clare talks about her most recent novel Definitely Thriving, and explains the book's deep connection to Bridget Jones Diary. Books discussed on this week's show include: Excellent Women by Barbara Pym Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny Definitely Thriving by Kerry Clare Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Ann Patchett has written many celebrated books: Bel Canto, The Dutch House, State of Wonder. Her new book, Whistler, is another in her line-up of lovely stories that honour memory and the moments that make a life. Besides her work as a writer, Ann owns a bookstore called Parnassus in Nashville, and she’s a tireless advocate for independent booksellers. In the midst of a busy book tour for Whistler, she stops by to chat and recommend some titles from the Parnassus shelves. Plus, author Monique Gray Smith talks about true happiness while answering The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire. Books discussed on this week's show include: Whistler by Ann Patchett Kin by Tayari Jones John of John by Douglas Stuart The Left and the Lucky by Willy Vlautin Music Against the Night by Yiyun Lee Sharing the Light: Stories and Reflections by Monique Gray Smith Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

As Canada prepares for its upcoming World Cup games, writer, musician and sports enthusiast Dave Bidini joins the show to help get you in the soccer spirit. He’ll recommend two classic football books that capture why we call it the beautiful game. Plus, author Genevieve Graham talks about getting lost in the work while answering The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire. Books discussed on this week's show include: Soccer in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galeano Dynamo: Triumph and Tragedy in Nazi-Occupied Kiev by Andy Dougan The Chambermaid's Key by Genevieve Graham Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks