The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

The countdown has begun leading up to Canada Reads. The books have been picked, the panelists are strategizing and, every week, The Next Chapter will help you get to know the new author and panelist pairs. The first powerhouse team includes popular BookToker and podcaster Morgann Book, and debut romance author Joss Richard. Morgann will champion Joss’s book, It’s Different This Time. Plus, former Canada Reads author Samantha M. Bailey answers the Proust Questionnaire.Books discussed on this week's show include:It’s Different This Time by Joss RichardHello, Juliet by Samantha M. BaileyCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Kim Holderness and her husband won over the internet making funny family videos. Now they have millions of followers, have written children's books together and won the Amazing Race. Last year, Kim set another goal for herself, to read 50 books by the time she turns 50. Plus, Ryan B. Patrick recommends two modern classics by Black Canadian writers and predicts a future classic.Books discussed on this week's show include:My Friends by Fredrik BackmanAwake by Jen HatmakerSuper Agers by Eric TopolWhat We All Long For by Dionne BrandFifteen Dogs by Andre AlexisYou’ve Changed by Ian Williams

For many years Amil Niazi burned with professional ambition, she reached for it every day and was determined to find success. But even in moments of external success, she began to fall out of love with the corporate rat race. She began looking inward, and began to question if she would ever find fulfillment in the world of promotions and job titles. This is the journey she reflects on in her new book Life After Ambition. Plus, musician Sarah Kae shares what she’s been reading.Books discussed on this week's show include:How to Do Nothing by Jenny OdellDaughter by Claudia DeyA Ballet of Lepers by Leonard Cohen

The last few years have seen lots of books removed from schools, libraries and bookstores. Last fall, Alberta scaled back its proposed book ban after public pushback, and in the U.S., thousands of books have been removed from schools and dropped from curriculums. Kudakwashe Rutendo and Mirian Njoh weigh in on the topic and discuss influential challenged titles from their own lives. Plus, get to know author Madeleine Thien through the Proust Questionnaire.Books discussed on this week's show include:Between Shades of Gray by Ruta SepetysThe Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven ChboskyThe Book of Records by Madelein Thein

Having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got a library card. That’s a mantra Mychal Threets, or Mychal the Librarian, has practiced since childhood. He’s a librarian and literacy advocate who brings his library love to life on TikTok and Instagram. Millions of views later, he was named the new host of the recently rebooted Reading Rainbow on PBS. Plus, Ontario musician Evan Redsky on the book that provided him with two years of inspiration.Books discussed on this week's show include:I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy, illustrated by Lorraine NamOne Native Life by Richard Wagamese

Lisa Bailey says this latest chapter of her life is like the plot of a rom com. Daughter leaves the big city to return to her hometown to help run her Dad’s used bookstore. Now, Bailey Books in St. Albert has caught the internet’s attention with videos showcasing their rare used books and knack for book binding and repair. Plus, Terese Mason Pierre shares the black speculative fiction novels that made her fall in love with the genre. Books discussed on this week's show include:The Bachman Books collection by Stephen KingBrown Girl in the Ring by Nalo HopkinsonFriday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahRiver Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta

It was a childhood love of magical stories of dragons, wizards and fantasy that ignited the idea for K.J. Aiello’s book, The Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell. In the book K.J. tells their story of trying to understand their life and mental illness, and how that world of magic and fantasy helped shape who they are. Plus, Nova Scotia musician Maggie Andrew recommends The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest.Books discussed on this week's show include:Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienA Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim KayThe Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell by KJ AielloThe Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest

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