The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

Kim 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 Echlin
Intimations by Zadie Smith

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Graham 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 Johnson
How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang
Julius, Julius by Aurora Steward de Pena
Yield by Jaime Forsythe

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Vampires 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 Johnson
How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang
Julius, Julius by Aurora Steward de Pena
Yield by Jaime Forsythe

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Lately 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 Willis
Agency by William Gibson
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

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Few authors have impacted young readers' lives as much as Judy Blume. Her beloved books are frank about puberty, sex and the messiness of growing up. Alicia Cox Thomson and Brian Francis, two lifelong Judy Blume fans join the show to talk about their recent reading of Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer, and the impact Judy Blume has had on their reading lives. Plus, author Janie Chang answers The Next Chapter’s Proust questionnaire.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer
The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

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