Podcast
The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing
Hosted by CBC · EN
Looking for your next great read? The Next Chapter’s got you covered! Book lovers join host Antonio Michael Downing to dive deep into great books. Big feelings, hot takes, enlightening conversations — you’ve never been in a book club like this before. It’s Canada’s book club, and everyone’s invited. So pull up a chair and join the conversation. New episodes every Saturday and Monday.
27episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How reading became the hottest fashion trend of 2026
5d ago00:25:06Tap to summarizeGen 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 RubinCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →Her uncles for worked for MI6, now she writes spy novels
1w ago00:27:42Tap to summarizeIona 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 WhishawThe Chambermaid’s Key by Genevieve GrahamI, Medusa by Ayana GrayCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →How Elise Silver became one of the biggest names in romance
2w ago00:26:36Tap to summarizeElsie Silver has become one of the most popular romance writers in the world. She's best known for her small town, slow burn romance novels, which exploded onto bestseller lists and sent production companies scrambling to be the first to adapt her work. Elsie’s new book, Fever Dream, is the first in a new series set in and around the fictional town of Emerald Lake, B.C. This week she talks about what sparked the flame of her rapidly rising career, and which books and series influenced her along the way.Books discussed on this week's show include:The Outsiders by S.E. HintonDancer by Shelley PetersonThe Hunger Games series by Suzanne CollinsThe Fever series by Karen Marie Moning Fever Dream by Elsie SilverCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →Exploring the fear that turned women into “witches”
2w ago00:27:42Tap to summarizeWhen Jennifer Chevalier isn’t digging up the latest political scoop on The House on CBC Radio, she’s unearthing untold stories of women in history. She has always been particularly interested in the women labeled as witches throughout history. In her debut novel, she writes about the women who came to New France from Normandy to be brides, with a hint of witchcraft. Plus, CBC Books associate producer Ailey Yamamoto talks about the intersection between video games and high art.Books discussed on this week's show include:The Winter Witch by Jennifer ChevalierOf Floating Isles: On Growing Pains and Video Games by Kawika GuillermoCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →Reflecting on a year of fear with Stephen King
3w ago00:26:53Tap to summarizeCaroline Bicks grew up reading and loving Stephen King's work. She never would have imagined that one day she'd be working alongside the King of Horror himself. After teaching and writing about Shakespeare for many years, she changed direction and took the inaugural Stephen E. King Chair in Literature at the University of Maine. Eventually she had the opportunity to explore the archives and original manuscripts of some of King's most iconic work. She compiled her findings into her new book Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King.Books discussed on this week's show include:Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear with Stephen King by Caroline BicksCarrie by Stephen King Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →How this independent bookstore owner stocks their shelves
3w ago00:27:42Tap to summarizeThe last Saturday of April is Independent Bookstore Day. This week Carmela Vedar, the owner of The Book Wardrobe, joins the show to talk about her store in Streetsville, Mississauga and how it came to be. Plus, scholar David Williams discusses the everlasting impact of the great Irish poet, Seamus Heaney.Books discussed on this week's show include:East of Eden by John SteinbeckWintering Out by Seamus HeaneyCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →Can reading be the first step to making real change?
4w ago00:23:38Tap to summarizeKim Echlin doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. She's an author, translator and teacher who has written about political unrest and violence, and, in her reading life, is inspired by the writers who do the same. Her favourite writers bear witness to the world’s darkness and make meaning from these difficult stories. Kim’s latest book of essays pays tribute to her favourites, and it’s called Tell Others: Storytelling for a World in Turmoil. Plus, Toronto musician Lia Pappas-Kemps talks about her undying love for Zadie Smith.Books discussed on this week's show include:Tell Others: Storytelling for a World in Turmoil by Kim EchlinIntimations by Zadie Smith Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →Dystopian apartment hunting and searching for a place to call home
Apr 2000:27:42Tap to summarizeGraham Wright is a musician who spent almost twenty years playing keyboards in the band Tokyo Police Club, and has also done solo projects. Even before he developed his love for music, he had a passion for books. He joins the show this week to recommend three of his recent reads, all of which riff on the idea of home or at least finding your place in a hard to pin down world. Plus, CBC Books producer Daphné Santos-Vieira on the CBC Poetry Prize, and recommends a poetry collection that hit home.Books discussed on this week's show include:Pay as You Go by David Eskor JohnsonHow Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam ZhangJulius, Julius by Aurora Steward de PenaYield by Jaime ForsytheCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →Travelling to the birthplace of Interview with the Vampire
Apr 1800:24:57Tap to summarizeVampires not only don’t die, they never seem to go away. From ancient myths to modern stories, books and movies, the vampire sucks our attention. On a recent visit to New Orleans, Antonio Michael Downing saw the home of Anne Rice and immersed himself in her life and work. He dives into the classic with vampire novel aficionado Bridget Raymundo, who also recommends a more recent vampire read she loved. Plus, Juno-nominee Sacha recommends a book that stokes her creativity.Books discussed on this week's show include:Pay as You Go by David Eskor JohnsonHow Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam ZhangJulius, Julius by Aurora Steward de PenaYield by Jaime ForsytheCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →A reality show where contestants win a trip ... to Mars?
Apr 1300:27:42Tap to summarizeLately it’s started to feel like tech, big, small and in between has taken more from us than it’s given. For sane, humane takes on tech we call on Vass Bednar. She’s a public policy expert and the director of The Canadian Shield Institute. She joins the show to talk about two books that focus on life, tech and the future. Plus, CBC Books producer Lisa Mathews recommends The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.Books discussed on this week's show include:Girlfriend on Mars by Deborah WillisAgency by William GibsonThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansCheck us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks
Transcribe →