The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

Nadine Bhabha wears many hats. Poet, comedy writer, actor and avid reader. She’s been in hit shows like Heated Rivalry and Letterkenny, worked as writer on This Hour Has 22 Minutes and was recently selected as a juror for the CBC Poetry Prize. Nadine joins the show to talk about her life as a working actor, and where books fit into it. Plus, remembering the late Canadian author Alan Bradley who answered The Next Chapter’s Proust Questionnaire in 2024.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Other People's Comfort Keeps Me Up At Night by Morgan Parker
Famesick by Lena Dunham
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers - A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley

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Andrew Phung is a comedian, writer and an actor. He’s probably best known for the five years he played Kimchee on Kim’s Convenience, and from there he starred in Run the Burbs, which he co-created. Over his career he’s won five Canadian Screen Awards, and this year he will host the award show. He'll discuss his journey through comedy, fatherhood and books, specifically books that have helped shape his life and career.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Descent by Diane Carey
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguyen
Migrant Rain Falls in Reverse by Vinh Nguyen

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Wayne Johnston is a master storyteller. He’s been writing books for forty years, with the history, politics and people of Newfoundland figuring large in his works. His new novel is The Novice of Holloway Hall. He joins the show to talk about the books that have shaped him and his career. Plus, acclaimed English author Jeanette Winterson answers the Proust Questionnaire.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Salome by Oscar Wilde
Collected Poems of Emily Dickinson
As You Like It by William Shakespeare
One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson

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Gen Z has found a new favourite way to improve their outfit while simultaneously looking more intellectual. Add a book. Books have become one of the hottest trends in the fashion world, serving as accessories, objects and status signifiers. Fashion houses have signed on in a big way, creating everything from book bags to readable charms. CBC Books' very own “lit girl” and eagle eyed trend spotter Bridget Raymundo joins the show to talk about what happens when fashion cozies up to the book world. Plus, Toronto musician Meagan De Lima recommends a book to reignite your childlike creativity.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

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Iona Whishaw dreamed of being a writer since she was a child. It may have taken longer than she had expected, but by her mid sixties she had fulfilled that childhood dream. Inspired by the true stories of her family's connection to secret intelligence services such as MI6, she’s written a fan favourite mystery series set in B.C. just after the Second World War. Plus, book content creator Ainara Alleyne drops by to talk about her journey as a youth reading advocate, and talk about the upcoming Forest of Reading Festival.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
A False and Fatal Claim: A Lane Winslow Mystery by Iona Whishaw
The Chambermaid’s Key by Genevieve Graham
I, Medusa by Ayana Gray

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks