The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

Two music loving misfits join forces to create a rock romance in The Lightning Bottles; Bridget Raymundo shares some of her favourite book-to-movie adaptations that premiered at this year's Toronto International Film Festival; Myriam Lacroix talks about the first book she remembers reading; and dealing with isolation and the past in The Observer on this episode of The Next Chapter.

Bestselling author Tasha Spillett talks about the latest instalment in her graphic novel series Surviving the City; an ode to motherly love and Indigenous identity in the memoir Mamaskatch; the science of forest baths and Innu teachings with Melissa Mollen Dupuis; Juno Award-winning musician Elisapie; and Cherie Dimaline on reimagining The Secret Garden on this episode of The Next Chapter.

Debut horror author Marcus Kliewer on the breakout success of his novel We Used to Live Here, rising singer-songwriter Tia Wood talks about what makes Five Little Indians a classic, sparing no cost for the perfect party in The Wedding, and three historical fiction reads that help tell untold stories of the past on this episode of The Next Chapter.

The final installment of the Highway 59 mystery series titled Guide Me Home takes readers to Texas during the Donald Trump presidency, Rapper DijahSB reflects on their own politics and The Black Panther Party, mystery recommendations for readers looking to expand their taste, and Karma Brown explores women empowerment on this episode of The Next Chapter.

Transforming a classic folktale into a queer love story in A Sweet Sting of Salt, Polaris Prize winning musician Jeremy Dutcher on preserving Indigenous languages, the complicated sexual dynamics of the 1990s in The Damages, and Christine Estima recommends novels with untrustworthy protagonists on this episode of The Next Chapter.

Ontario poet and author Gary Barwin discusses his new nonfiction Imagining Imagining, exploring a young queer relationship through multiple endings in How It Works Out, Canadian American author Vauhini Vara on her short story collection This Is Salvaged on this episode of The Next Chapter: The Summer Edition with Christa Couture.

Bestselling author Lesley Crewe reflect on how the slow pace of Cape Breton Island inspired her latest novel, Talia Kliot shares captivating historical fiction recommendations, catching up on CBC Books’ most anticipated fiction novel of Spring 2024 on this episode of the summer edition of The Next Chapter with Christa Couture.

Toronto author Christine Estima celebrates the immigrant experience, Rajinderpal S. Pal on what inspired his book However Far Away, columnist Max Arambulo recommends books about personal growth — plus more on this episode of The Next Chapter: The Summer Edition with Christa Couture. 

Erum Shazia Hasan speaks with Ali Hassan about the inherent complexities of doing good, Award-winning musician Royal Wood reveals the book that helps him channel his creativity; unplugging and reconnecting with reality in Gamerville; and Don Gillmor explores midlife malaise on this episode of The Next Chapter: The Summer Edition with Christa Couture.

On this episode of The Next Chapter: The Summer Edition with Christa Couture, M.G. Vassanji talks to Ali Hassan about his novel Everything There Is, Sarah Henstra talks to Christa Couture about her spellbinding mystery The Lost Tarot, and Vincent Lam answers the Proust questionnaire.