The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

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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Project Hail Mary is BookToker and Canada Reads panellist Morgann Book’s favourite novel of all time. So she had high expectations going into the film adaptation. Three viewings later, she’s convinced they got it right. Plus, Antonio Michael sits down with the host of Canada Reads, Ali Hassan for a warm up chat before the debates, and learns the hardest part of hosting the competition.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard
A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt
Foe by Iain Reid
The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor
Searching for Terry Punchout by Tyler Hellard

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Amanda Brugel is an award-winning actor and former Canada Reads champion. In a career full of iconic characters Amanda is best known for playing Rita in The Handmaid’s Tale. She was first drawn to the character at the age of 15, before portraying her on the screen 20 years later. She shares her life in books. Plus, author Ray Robertson answers The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
21 Lessons For the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
The Right to Be Wrong by Ray Robertson

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The actor Malia Baker was the youngest person ever to compete on Canada Reads. Back then Malia was starring in The Babysitter’s Club on Netflix, and from there joined the Disney universe. She joins the show for a reading check-in. Plus, CBC Books' Talia Kliot talks about her venture into stand-up comedy and recommends two books about comedians.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Remembered Rapture by Bell Hooks
All About Love by Bell Hooks
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Nobody Asked for This by Georgia Toews

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Chart-topping musician Tegan Quin has joined the table for Canada Reads 2026. She is the second member from the duo Tegan and Sara to participate in Canada Reads, and will defend Loghan Paylor's novel The Cure for Drowning. The team will discuss the upcoming debates and make their case for why this historical queer love story is the one book all of Canada should read.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
The Cure for Drowning by Loghan Paylor

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks