XO Kitty actor Anna Cathcart has always been drawn to great stories. In fact, reading played a big part in leading to her breakout Netflix role. She shares what it was like voicing the lead character in the new audible series Middlebridge Mysteries, and how she balanced her life as UBC student and television star. Also on The Next Chapter, how Bee Quammie’s refusal to be called a role model has impacted the life of influencer and columnist Mirian Njoh. And hear from Pierre-Luc Gratton from the Polaris Prize nominated band Population II on one book he can’t get enough of.

Fall may have just arrived on the calendar, but our expert reading panel has been deep in autumn reads for months. The lineup composed of CBC Books producers Talia Kliot, Bridget Raymundo and Ashly July convenes to recommend one book that Canadians should read this season, ranging from nuanced literary fiction, F1 romance and a nostalgic graphic novel.

Ken Dryden lived a big life. He was a six-time Stanley Cup Champion, a lawyer, politician, businessman and a best-selling author. Dave Bidini talks about the man behind the mask, and the sports classic The Game. Plus, listen to the multifaceted Hall of Famer answer the Proust Questionnaire recorded in 2024.

Denise Mina didn’t learn to read until she was about nine, and it wasn’t until her late teens that books really hooked her. But once they did, there was no looking back. Today, Denise has become one of Scotland's most prolific mystery writers. She shares some of the most influential books in her life, and discusses her latest crime novel.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov

Can’t we talk about something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast

The American Civil War by John Keegan

Nic Cage: Actor For Hire by Raechel Leigh Carter

The Good Liar by Denise Mina

Celebrity chef Michael Smith shares what books have left their mark on his life, both in and out of the kitchen, and offers a glimpse into what it’s like running a one-of-a-kind interactive luxury restaurant in Prince Edward Island. Plus Antonio Michael catches up with Olympic champion Maggie MacNeil about her summer reading.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Wood, Fire & Smoke by Michael Smith

Hawaii by James A. Michener

On Food & Cooking by Harold McGee

The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer

BarkSkins by Annie Proulx

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey

Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey

Have you ever been so passionate about a book that you needed to track down the author to their source? Antonio Michael Downing and Bridget Raymundo sit down to discuss literary pilgrimages. Antonio Michael recounts his journey to Dublin to walk in the shoes of James Joyce’s Ulysses, and Bridget shares what it was like to visit the home of Emily Dickinson.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Ulysses by James Joyce

One Sister have I in our house by Emily Dickinson

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 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

Hum by Helen Phillips

Girlfriend on Mars by Deborah Willis

Moon 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 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

Oracle 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.