The Next Chapter

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 Beaton The Making of the English Working Class by E.P. Thompson The Lost Salt Gift of Blood by Alistair MacLeod 1066 And All That by R.J. Yeatman and W.C. Sellar Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery Bluenose Ghosts by Helen Creighton The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston Contemplation of a Crime by Susan Juby Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin The Silent Film Star Murders by Melodie Campbell Been Wrong So Long It Feels Like Right by Walter Mosley Fair Play by Louise Hegart Dirty Little War by Dietrich Kalteis Say 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 Swan Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix The Donut: A Canadian History by Steve Penfold Cue the Sun! by Emily Nussbaum From the Rez to the Runway by Christian Allaire Wild Life by Amanda Leduc And Then She Fell by Alicia Eliott Not Wanted on the Voyage by Timothy Findely The 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. Robertson Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie Swing Low by Miriam Toews Tom's Midnight Garden by Phillippa Pearce An Anthology of Monsters by Cherie Dimaline Silence in the Age of Noise by Erling Kagge The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue Finding Flora by Elinor Florence The Immortal Woman by Su Chang The 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 Chevery; 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 Prose Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Where I Belong by Alan Doyle Emancipation Day by Wayne Grady Little Cruelties by Liz Nugent The Road by Cormac Mccarthy The Book of Possibilities by Bee Quammie Falling Back in Love with Being Human by Kai Cheng Thom A Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld

Author and ultimate hockey mom Amy Stuart recommends three mystery reads she couldn't put down; The former NBA player and fan favourite talks about his debut memoir; author Scaachi Koul reflects on calling people ‘dog’ too much; and Talia Kliot gives her CBC Books staff pick on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke The Hunter by Tana French Sucker Punch by Scaachi Koul R.O.L.E. Player by Jerome Williams The Soccer of Success by Ciarán McArdle The Science of Self-Discipline by Peter Hollins Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang Home and Away by Amy Stuart and Mats Sundin

Dream Count is one of the biggest publishing events of the year — and The Next Chapter’s Book Club is here to talk about it; Canadian celebrity chef and Le Cordon culinary graduate Eden Grinshpan breaks down her life and career in cookbooks; why Joel Plaskett took a course to better understand this book; and celebrate National Poetry Month with these All-Canadian collections on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child Unravel by Tolu Oloruntoba Buzzkill Clamshell by Amber Dawn Allostatic Load by Junie Désil

The long awaited prequel to Suzanne Collin’s blockbuster series is here, CBC Book producers Bridget Raymundo and Trevor Carter break it down; writer and columnist Alicia Cox Thomson recommends three dramas that feature wealthy diverse families; and three audio books to keep you company wherever you go on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhelecha The Wedding by Gurjinder Basran We Are All Perfectly Fine by Jillian Horton Dune by Frank Herbert The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Bonny Reichert’s debut memoir explores the connection between food, memory, and her fathers story as a Holocaust survivor; public policy expert and podcaster Vass Bednar recommends three books about living amongst pervasive technology; get to know the 2024 Booker Prize winner; and a basketball star’s experience in Russian prison on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Running in the Family by Michael Ondaajte Tender at the Bone by Ruth Reichl Also a Poet by Ada Calhoun How To Share an Egg Bonny Reichert A Hero of Our Time by Naben Ruthnum Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton Selected Amazon Reviews by Kevin Killian Orbital by Samantha Harvey Coming Home by Brittney Griner, Michelle Burford

To celebrate two decades of Under the Influence, Terry O'Reilly shares the five most influential books in his life; former news anchor Elysia Bryan-Baynes recommends three books about leaving your home country to live and work abroad; Montreal musician Lubalin on aliens, existentialism and song-writing fuel; and what makes iconic television personality Jeanne Beker feel the most Canadian on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee Fifth Business by Robertson Davies Taken at the Flood by John Gunther Ticket To Ride by Larry Kane Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin We Meant Well by Erum Shazia Hasan To Tell the Truth: My Life as a Foreign Correspondent by Lewis M. Simons The War We Won Apart by Nahlah Ayed Heart on my Sleeve by Jeanne Beker Yoko by David Sheff

Writer and writing guru Chelene Knight talks about her book Safekeeping: A Writer’s Guided Journal for Launching a Book with Love; CBC Sports producer David Giddens recommends four of his favourite sports reads; what makes Dangerous Memory an “inspiring road map” for Juno-winner Sarah Harmer; and from seasonal berries to quantum physics Nathan Maharaj has your reading covered on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Safekeeping: A Writer’s Guided Journal for Launching a Book with Love by Chelene Knight The Conscious Creative by Kelly Small Breathing the Page by Betsy Warland Dangerous Memory by Charlie Angus World's Fastest Man by Mary Ormsby Ice in Their Veins by Ian Kennedy The Beautiful Dream by Atiba Hutchinson and Dan Robson Above the Noise by DeMar DeRozen The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer The Power Broker by Robert A. Caro Quantum Physics Made Me Do It by Jeremie Harris

Aparita Bhandari and Heather Greenwood Davis discuss the bestselling Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty with Antonio Michael Downing; writer Alicia Cox Thomson talks about the highly discussed All Fours by Miranda July and recommends two more titles; Juno nominee Tia Wood on what makes Five Little Indians a classic; and why Robert J. Wiersema thinks you should read translated books on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty Five Little Indians by Michelle Good All Fours by Miranda July The Change by Kirsten Miller The Mother Act by Heidi Reimer May Our Joy Endure by Kev Lambert, Donald Winkler (Translator) The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk, Antonia Lloyd-Jones (Translator) Morning and Evening by Jon Fosse, Damion Searls (Translator)

Author Zoe Whittal has written acclaimed scripts and books alike, and breaks down her life in books; Steven Beattie recommends three of his favourite funny books, all of which include serious undertones; musician Jordan Astra talks about funk music and Nike shoes; and writer Ian Williams partakes in ‘speed dating therapy”on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: The Passion by Jeannette Winterson Heroine by Gail Scott Rat Bohemia by Sarah Schulman The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson Shoe Dog by Phil Knight Animal Farm by Geroge Orwell Not a River by Selva Almada The List by Yomi Adegoke Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey The Sellout by Paul Beatty The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne What I Mean to Say by Ian Williams

Author Brian Francis discusses three novels that highlight his love for paper, while living in a digital age; Prairie Edge author Conor Kerr explains why sometimes less is more, and recommends three of his favourite short story collections; Keegan Connor Tracy talks mothers with big family secrets; and Musician Dorothea Paas on the unwavering discipline of Sonny Rollins on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Trees In Canada by John Laird Farrar The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen A Beginner's Guide to Quilling Paper Flowers by Motoko Maggie Nakatani The Notebooks of Sonny Rollins by Sonny Rollins The Nix by Nathan Hill The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin Lola on Fire by Rio Youers Death by a Thousand Cuts by Shashi Bhat Peacocks of Instagram by Deepa Rajagopalan Last Woman by Carleigh Baker

The podcaster and wellness advocate chats with author Ma-Nee Chacaby about why A Two-Spirit Journey is the book all of Canada should read; BookTok superstar Bridget Raymundo discusses Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and recommends three dragon-fuelled romantasy titles; and CBC books’ comic book expert Ashly July shares his recent genre reads on this episode of The Next Chapter.

Michelle Morgan talks about championing Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper in the March debates; music journalist Del Cowie recommends his favourite music reads; why Toronto musician Nicky Lawrence talks loves Agent Josephine by Damien Lewis; and exploring books set in Montreal on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Emma and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper Agent Josephine by Damien Lewis My Black Country by Alice Randall Rise Up and Sing by Andrea Warner Hip Hop Is History by Questlove and Ben Greenman The Reeds by Arjun Basu Naked: The Confessions of a Normal Woman by Éloïse Marseille The Favourite Game by Leonard Cohen

The neuroscientist-turned-pastry chef meets the bestselling author Jamie Chai Yun Liew for the first time; CBC Books senior producer Ryan B. Patrick and columnist Alicia Cox Thomson discuss rising Black Canadian writers; Joshua Whitehead recommends three books that centre queerness; and Dylan Sinclair shares his favourite book on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Coexistence: Stories by Billy Ray Belcourt Blackouts by Justin Torres What I'd Rather Not Think About by Jente Posthuma, translated by Sarah Timmer Harvey The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew The Pages of the Sea by Anne Hawk Subterrane by Valérie Bah Perfect Little Angels by Vincent Anioke Scientific Marvel by Chimwemwe Undi

Olympic champion Maggie Mac Neil and bestselling thriller author Samantha M. Bailey meet for the first time on air; Antonio Michael Downing and friends Christine Estima and JJ Lee gather for a book club meeting to chat about James by Percival Everett; How reading about the Saskatoon freezing deaths inspired Wiidaaseh’s songwriting; and The Girl on the Train author Paula Hawkins answers the Proust Questionnaire on this episode of The Next Chapter.

Bestselling thriller author Linwood Barclay is set to champion Wayne Johnston’s Jennie’s Boy in Canada Reads 2025; Influencer and former Canada Reads contender Mirian Njoh recommends memoirs by Black authors; and leaving ketchup chips and Canada’s Wonderland behind in the graphic memoir Uprooted on this episode of The Next Chapter. Books discussed on this week's show include: Becoming by Michelle Obama Monster: The Autobiography Of An L.A. Gang Member by Sanyika Shakur Shame On Me by Tessa McWatt Jennie’s Boy by Wayne Johnston Uprooted by Ruth Chan

Author and psychotherapist Farzana Doctor shares the books that helped shape her as a person and as a writer; 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; how not to be a bad husband with Ravi Singh; 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 Rafique God Loves Hair by Vivek Shraya Mullahs on the Mainframe: Islam and Modernity among the Daudi Bohras by Jonah Blank The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline Infinite Audition by Charlie Petch The Creative Act by Rick Ruben The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher Autopsy of a Boring Wife by Marie-Renee Lavoie Three by DA Mishani See Now Then by Jamaica Kinkaid