The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

The next Canada Reads panellist and author pairing has joined the table. Actor and TV host Josh Dela Cruz will defend Iain Reid’s novel, Foe. It’s a psychological thriller set against a science fiction backdrop, and examines the nature of a domestic relationship in a climate-change-ravaged country. The eerie familiarity stuck with Dela Cruz well after he finished reading, and will make his case for why it's must-read material for Canadians during the debates in April. Plus, Juno-nominated musician Siibii shares the book they think should be required in classrooms.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Foe by Iain Reid

Mind's Eye: Stories from Whapmagoostui edited by Emily Masty & Susan Marshall

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Gill Deacon is a writer, musician and a familiar voice on CBC. A few years ago she developed a debilitating illness that defied diagnosis for many months. In those long months of not knowing, she was forced to adjust to her relationship with uncertainty. Her new book is called A Love Affair with the Unknown: Leaning into the Uncertainty of Modern Life. She’ll talk about her journey, and recommend two similar titles. Plus, Karma Brown answers The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

A Love Affair with the Unknown: Leaning into the Uncertainty of Modern Life

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities by Rebecca Solnit

Mother is Watching by Karma Brown

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Filmmaker and actor Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and author Billy-Ray Belcourt are bringing rural Alberta authenticity to Canada Reads. Tailfeathers will be defending Belcourt’s novel A Minor Chorus. It follows a queer Indigenous doctoral student who steps away from his dissertation to write a novel, feeling caught between his childhood on the reservation, and the newest chapter of his life. They'll get into the upcoming debates, and why Tailfeathers believes this is the story Canada needs now more than ever.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

I am Woman by Lee Maracle 

Kiss of the Fur Queen by Tomson Highway

In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier

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Toronto Sceptres players Claire Dalton and Raygan Kirk share a love of reading, so they decided to start a team book club. They join the show to discuss how the club works, balancing meetings with a busy PWHL schedule and what they're currently reading. Plus, writer and critic Jason Guriel on what makes the perfect book blurb and Canadian legend Fefe Dobson shares which book has been inspiring her lately.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

The Secret Lives of Murderer's Wives by Elizabeth Arnott

God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews

Gone Before Goodbye by Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon

Linda McCartney: Life in Photographs by Annie Leibovitz and Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

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