Claim OwnershipThe Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing
Subscribed: 2,041Played: 32,055
Subscribe
Copyright © CBC 2026
Description
Looking for your next great read? The Next Chapter’s got you covered! Book lovers join host Antonio Michael Downing to dive deep into great books. Big feelings, hot takes, enlightening conversations — you’ve never been in a book club like this before. It’s Canada’s book club, and everyone’s invited. So pull up a chair and join the conversation. New episodes every Saturday and Monday.
375 Episodes
Reverse
Older protagonists are having a moment. They’re starring in all kinds of novels, from mysteries to love stories to end-of-life reckonings. Our columnist Alicia Cox Thomson has noticed this ageing-up trend in books and she’s here now to recommend some titles that stood out for her. Plus, Daphné Santos-Vieira recommends Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood and Radical Acceptance as her staff pick.Books discussed on this week's show include:Norma by Sarah MintzPalm Meridian by Grace FlahiveMotherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood and Radical Acceptance written by Julie M.Green
Andria Petrillo has a very busy couple of weeks coming up. She’ll be hosting CBC’s Winter Olympic games coverage and the women’s hockey broadcasts. For Andi it’s a labour of love. Sports is her life long passion. She'll talk about her book, how she found sportscasting and share some of the other stories that have shaped who she is today. Plus, find out what these Canadian athletes heading to Italy have been reading.Books discussed on this week's show include:My Brilliant Friend by Elena FerranteThe 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas JonassonLife of Pi by Yann MartelHow Not to Die by Michael GregerJust Call Me Andi: Sports Stories from a Trailblazer by Andi Petrillo
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. SmithWhite Oleander by Janet FinchHollow by Celina MyersOrbital by Samantha HarveyThe 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 SalingerEnglish Patient by Michael OndaatjeRobber Bride by Margaret AtwoodLuster by Raven LeilaniThe 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:Honest Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself by Libby WardBraving the Wilderness by Brené BrownUntamed by Glennon DoyleEverything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate BowlerSearches: 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 WilsonThe Music Lesson by Victor WootenThe Possibility Mom by Lisa Canning A Prayer For Owen Meany by John IrvingI 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 TolstoyThe 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 ChaplinNaked by David SedarisSoldier Priest in the Killing Fields of Europe by Gary Browne and Darin McgrathThe Missing Piece by Shel SilversteinSorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting for by Mark CritchOne 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 AwadThe Tiger and the Cosmonaut by Eddy Boudel TanThe Paris Express by Emma DonoghueThe Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma KnightPick 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 ReidCrash Test by Amy JamesHockey Bois by A. L. HeardA Place of Secrets by Shane PeacockTokyo Express by Seicho MatsumotoListen by Sacha BronwasserCarved in Blood: A Hana Westerman Thriller by Michael Bennet6:40 to Montreal by Eva JursykThe 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 AdamsThe Monster At the End of This Book by Jon StoneSteering the Craft by Ursula K. Le GuinIndian School Days by Basil H. JohnstonDanger Eagle by Jesse WenteA 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 DrohanTrading 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 SteeleThe One About the Blackbird by Melanie Florence, illustrated by Matt JamesFresh Start by Gale Galligan Kindred Dragons by Sarah MensingaYou Started It by Jackie KhaliliehSongs 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 SileikaStarry, Starry Night by Shani MootooProperty by Kate CayleyAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidWhen 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 RoseJuly, July by Tim O’BrienA Confession and Other Religious Writings by Leo TolstoyCrime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
1Columnist 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 GuilloryThe 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 KinneyThe 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. SawyerThe Swan by Roald DahlThe Quiet American by Graham GreeneIt’s Different This Time by Joss RichardA Little Holiday Fling by Farah HeronA 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 BrysonThe Game by Ken DrydenSweetland by Micheal Crummey The Story of Bobby O’Malley by Wayne JohnstonThe 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 SzalayA Quiet Disappearance by Rabindranath MaharajCoral Island by R. M. BallantyneWatchmen by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons, coloured by John HigginsOne Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García MárquezA House for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipaul
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
cc podcasts
The next chapter