The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

What are the best books published this month? Questions and titles like this led to writer and teacher Thea Lim’s article “Abolish the Top Ten List,” for the Walrus magazine. She noticed how rankings and lists dominate how we speak about books, narrowing the number of titles that reach the surface. Is this a healthy way to interact with art? She joins the show to talk about it. Plus, author Don Gillmor talks about his venture into crime thriller writing with Cherry Beach and recommends a read-alike.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
Cherry Beach by Don Gillmor

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Are literary prizes a scam?
Why Ann Patchett thinks the secret to success might be lowering people's expectations

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With four Netflix specials and a late-night show to her name, Taylor Tomlinson has comedy figured out. But something she had never done before, was write a book. The comedian just released an essay collection called Actually, Nevermind, all about how people are allowed to change their minds. In the book, she lets us into her brain, discussing everything from love to religion, personal stories and mental health. She takes us back to a time when she thought she was destined to be a writer, and when Junie B. Jones taught her to be funny. A lifelong reader, she joins The Next Chapter to talk about her favourite books and what it meant to write her own.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
The Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Bossypants by Tina Fey

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
The books that made Andrew Phung fall in love with storytelling
What books drew Brendan Fraser to storytelling?

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Chelsea Vowel is a lawyer, teacher and writer. 10 years ago, she published her influential book Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis and Inuit issues in Canada. Chelsea joins the show to talk about the newly released 10th anniversary edition, which continues the groundbreaking conversation. Plus, novelist and playwright Anosh Irani talks about the process of adapting Rohinton Mistry’s novel A Fine Balance for the stage at Crow's Theatre in Toronto.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis and Inuit issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Why books serve a vital role in Truth and Reconciliation
What does it mean to be a Bad Indian?

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For our team of producers at CBC Books, fall reading starts in spring when publisher catalogues and look-aheads arrive at the office. Ailey Yamamoto, Ashly July and Lisa Mathews have been reading fall books for months, and join the show to recommend the title they think should make the top of your reading list. Plus, Polaris Prize nominated musician Charlotte Cornfield talks about her musical journey and what she’s been reading.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
We Are Underlings by Doretta Lau
Opioids and Organs by Arizona O'Neill
The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson
These Songs I Know by Heart by Erin Brubacher

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Fall book recs? Take it from us
What might surprise you about Margaret Atwood’s new memoir

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After cleaning up at the Canadian Screen Awards in May, North of North returns for season two with nine awards under its belt including Best Comedy Series. In this episode, co-stars Anna Lambe and Maika Harper join the show to talk about the series, the stories it tells and the role books and reading play in their busy lives. Plus, author Ashley Audrain opens up about her novel The Push being named by the New York Times as one of the top 50 thriller novels of the 21st century.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
The First Peoples by Maika Harper
Thou Shalt Do No Murder by Kenn Harper
The Jakarta Method by Vincent Bevins
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Death of Us by Abigail Dean

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
How Amanda Brugel manifested her role in The Handmaid’s Tale
The books that made Andrew Phung fall in love with storytelling

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks