The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

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

One thing that Heather O’Neill’s ex-boyfriends had in common was Anna Karenina, the famous novel by Leo Tolstoy. To get to the bottom of this mysterious connection, she decided to re-read the classic novel to see how Anna’s story of a doomed love affair reads the second time around. Plus, the Juno-nominated musician Adrian Sutherland talks about writing his first book and how he fell in love with music.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
The Work of Our hands by Adrian Sutherland

Mark Critch is very funny. You've likely seen him do what he does best on 22 Minutes or his sitcom Son of a Critch. In addition to spreading laughs across the country, he is also a very proud Canadian. He brings his finely tuned sense of satire to his new book called Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For. He talks about the inspirations behind his latest work, and the books that have influenced who he is today. Plus, Canadian hit-making author Carley Fortune answers the Proust Questionnaire.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
My Autobiography by Charlie Chaplin
Naked by David Sedaris
Soldier Priest in the Killing Fields of Europe by Gary Browne and Darin Mcgrath
The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein
Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting for by Mark Critch
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

The Giller Prize is one of Canada's biggest literary awards. Before this year's winner was announced, all five finalists joined Antonio Michael Downing on stage at an event at Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto to read from their shortlisted works and share the inspiration behind them. Featuring Mona Awad, Eddy Boudel Tan, Emma Donoghue, Emma Knight and Souvankham Thammavongsa.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad
The Tiger and the Cosmonaut by Eddy Boudel Tan
The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue
The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight
Pick a Colour by Souvankham Thammavongsa