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 Sepetys

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky

The 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 Nam

One 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 King

Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson

Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

River 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. Tolkien

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay

The Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell by KJ Aiello

The 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 Mintz

Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive

Motherness: 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 Ferrante

The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

How Not to Die by Michael Greger

Just 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. Smith

White Oleander by Janet Finch

Hollow by Celina Myers

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

The 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 Salinger

English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood

Luster by Raven Leilani

The 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 Ward

Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler

Searches: 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 Wilson

The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten

The Possibility Mom by Lisa Canning 

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

I Have a Love Story by Natalie MacMaster