The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

Lisa Bailey says this latest chapter of her life is like the plot of a rom com. Daughter leaves the big city to return to her hometown to help run her Dad’s used bookstore. Now, Bailey Books in St. Albert has caught the internet’s attention with videos showcasing their rare used books and knack for book binding and repair. Plus, Terese Mason Pierre shares the black speculative fiction novels that made her fall in love with the genre.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
The Bachman Books collection by Stephen King
Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta

It was a childhood love of magical stories of dragons, wizards and fantasy that ignited the idea for K.J. Aiello’s book, The Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell. In the book K.J. tells their story of trying to understand their life and mental illness, and how that world of magic and fantasy helped shape who they are. Plus, Nova Scotia musician Maggie Andrew recommends The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay
The Monster and the Mirror: Mental Illness, Magic, and the Stories We Tell by KJ Aiello
The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest

Older protagonists are having a moment. They’re starring in all kinds of novels, from mysteries to love stories to end-of-life reckonings. Our columnist Alicia Cox Thomson has noticed this ageing-up trend in books and she’s here now to recommend some titles that stood out for her. Plus, Daphné Santos-Vieira recommends Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood and Radical Acceptance as her staff pick.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Norma by Sarah Mintz
Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive
Motherness: A Memoir of Generational Autism, Parenthood and Radical Acceptance written by Julie M.Green

Andria Petrillo has a very busy couple of weeks coming up. She’ll be hosting CBC’s Winter Olympic games coverage and the women’s hockey broadcasts. For Andi it’s a labour of love. Sports is her life long passion. She'll talk about her book, how she found sportscasting and share some of the other stories that have shaped who she is today. Plus, find out what these Canadian athletes heading to Italy have been reading.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
How Not to Die by Michael Greger
Just Call Me Andi: Sports Stories from a Trailblazer by Andi Petrillo

Celina Myers is an internet star to the tune of around 30 million followers. She spikes the spooky paranormal stuff with her signature brand of humour all over social media. She’ll talk about her new book and other inspiring dark tales. Plus, actor and writer Keegan Connor Tracy recommends two small books that pack a big punch.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
White Oleander by Janet Finch
Hollow by Celina Myers
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
The Lost Garden by Helen Humphreys