The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

Actor Kathleen Munroe is in her fourth season starring as Detective Sergeant Frankie Bateman in Law and Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. Not only is she a committed reader, but she's also a member of a star-studded book club featuring Nadine Bhabha, Clark Backo and more. She joins the show to talk about some of her favourite crime related reads. Plus, CBC producer and kids' book expert Lucy Mann will recommend her family's latest middle grade series obsession.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Jane: A Murder by Maggie Nelson
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse

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What happens when 6 Canadian actors start a book club
The book that inspired Carley Fortune's writing career

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Robert J. Sawyer has been called “the Dean of Canadian science fiction.” He's written 25 novels, countless columns, book reviews and keynote speeches. When he was diagnosed with cancer six years ago, he was told not to go public, fearing it would hurt his chances of having future books published. Despite a terminal diagnosis, he has persevered and published several novels since. His new book is a collection of articles, reviews and speeches reflecting on decades of writing science fiction and what we can learn from the genre about entering an uncertain future. Plus, hear where writer and professor Michelle Porter finds true happiness while answering The Next Chapter's version of the Proust Questionnaire.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Sawyer on Science Fiction by Robert J Sawyer
A Glacier’s Guide to Dying by Michelle Porter

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Why fantasy novels offer much more than escapism
Celina ‘Spooky Boo’ Myers on writing the next great vampire novel

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In his decades of making music, writing and running a newspaper, Dave Bidini has interpreted and celebrated the things that make this country unique. Last year, that meant teaming up with Nobel laureate Anne Carson and other notable Canadian writers on his band's album The Great Lakes Suites. Plus, CBC Books producer Daphné Santos-Vieira talks about her love for Jane of Lantern Hill by Lucy Maud Montgomery and why she re-reads it every year.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Jane of Lantern Hill by Lucy Maud Montgomery

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Why Anne of Green Gables is a superstar in Japan
Bigger than The Game: Remembering Canadian hero Ken Dryden

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Since writing his first book at the age of twelve, it's hard to imagine a more prolific writer than Gordon Korman. In nearly five decades of writing for kids and young adults, he's published 107 books, and sold around 35 million copies. He's beloved by readers spanning multiple generations and has become one of the most recognizable names in the middle grade genre. He stops by the studio to discuss how writing for young people has changed over his 50 years in the industry, what makes a character and story memorable and which books have helped shape his life and career.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Who is the wimpy kid behind Jeff Kinney’s iconic series?
Inside the Toronto Sceptres’ team book club

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At the age of 27, Sam Demma just published his third book. His latest is called Return on Goodwill: Do good. Expect nothing. Watch life surprise you. He talks about how a trip to Value Village changed his perspective on everyday interactions, and shares the book that helped get him there. Sam is a bestselling author, an international speaker and someone who's been spreading his message of kindness and respect since he was a teenager. Plus, Talia Kliot joins the show after watching and reading Ali Hazelwood’s breakout rom-com The Love Hypothesis. She’ll share her thoughts and talk about the film's familiar backdrop.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Return on Goodwill by Sam Demma
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

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Has hustle culture been lying to you?
The hidden connection between basketball and book nerds

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks