Kim Echlin doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. She's an author, translator and teacher who has written about political unrest and violence, and, in her reading life, is inspired by the writers who do the same. Her favourite writers bear witness to the world’s darkness and make meaning from these difficult stories. Kim’s latest book of essays pays tribute to her favourites, and it’s called Tell Others: Storytelling for a World in Turmoil. Plus, Toronto musician Lia Pappas-Kemps talks about her undying love for Zadie Smith.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Tell Others: Storytelling for a World in Turmoil by Kim Echlin

Intimations by Zadie Smith

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Graham Wright is a musician who spent almost twenty years playing keyboards in the band Tokyo Police Club, and has also done solo projects. Even before he developed his love for music, he had a passion for books. He joins the show this week to recommend three of his recent reads, all of which riff on the idea of home or at least finding your place in a hard to pin down world. Plus, CBC Books producer Daphné Santos-Vieira on the CBC Poetry Prize, and recommends a poetry collection that hit home.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Pay as You Go by David Eskor Johnson

How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang

Julius, Julius by Aurora Steward de Pena

Yield by Jaime Forsythe

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Vampires not only don’t die, they never seem to go away. From ancient myths to modern stories, books and movies, the vampire sucks our attention. On a recent visit to New Orleans, Antonio Michael Downing saw the home of Anne Rice and immersed himself in her life and work. He dives into the classic with vampire novel aficionado Bridget Raymundo, who also recommends a more recent vampire read she loved. Plus, Juno-nominee Sacha recommends a book that stokes her creativity.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Pay as You Go by David Eskor Johnson

How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang

Julius, Julius by Aurora Steward de Pena

Yield by Jaime Forsythe

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Lately it’s started to feel like tech, big, small and in between has taken more from us than it’s given. For sane, humane takes on tech we call on Vass Bednar. She’s a public policy expert and the director of The Canadian Shield Institute. She joins the show to talk about two books that focus on life, tech and the future. Plus, CBC Books producer Lisa Mathews recommends The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Girlfriend on Mars by Deborah Willis

Agency by William Gibson

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Few authors have impacted young readers' lives as much as Judy Blume. Her beloved books are frank about puberty, sex and the messiness of growing up. Alicia Cox Thomson and Brian Francis, two lifelong Judy Blume fans join the show to talk about their recent reading of Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer, and the impact Judy Blume has had on their reading lives. Plus, author Janie Chang answers The Next Chapter’s Proust questionnaire. 

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer

The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Project Hail Mary is BookToker and Canada Reads panellist Morgann Book’s favourite novel of all time. So she had high expectations going into the film adaptation. Three viewings later, she’s convinced they got it right. Plus, Antonio Michael sits down with the host of Canada Reads, Ali Hassan for a warm up chat before the debates, and learns the hardest part of hosting the competition.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard

A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt

Foe by Iain Reid

The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor

Searching for Terry Punchout by Tyler Hellard

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Amanda Brugel is an award-winning actor and former Canada Reads champion. In a career full of iconic characters Amanda is best known for playing Rita in The Handmaid’s Tale. She was first drawn to the character at the age of 15, before portraying her on the screen 20 years later. She shares her life in books. Plus, author Ray Robertson answers The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

21 Lessons For the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari 

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The Right to Be Wrong by Ray Robertson

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

The actor Malia Baker was the youngest person ever to compete on Canada Reads. Back then Malia was starring in The Babysitter’s Club on Netflix, and from there joined the Disney universe. She joins the show for a reading check-in. Plus, CBC Books' Talia Kliot talks about her venture into stand-up comedy and recommends two books about comedians. 

Books discussed on this week's show include:

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Remembered Rapture by Bell Hooks

All About Love by Bell Hooks

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

Nobody Asked for This by Georgia Toews

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Chart-topping musician Tegan Quin has joined the table for Canada Reads 2026. She is the second member from the duo Tegan and Sara to participate in Canada Reads, and will defend Loghan Paylor's novel The Cure for Drowning. The team will discuss the upcoming debates and make their case for why this historical queer love story is the one book all of Canada should read.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Every month across the country in federal prisons, inmates get together for bookclubs. It may not look like the typical club, but the connection, community and stimulation are all there. It’s a program that’s been running for almost 20 years. Tom Best, the Executive Director of Bookclubs for Inmates, drops by to talk about the program and Antonio Michael's experience as a guest author. Plus, Bridget Raymundo recommends a staff pick and explains its mysterious tie to Heated Rivalry.