The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

Natalie MacMaster first picked up the fiddle at nine years old. It was a family tradition for her growing up in Cape Breton, and over the course of her international career she’s brought Cape Breton fiddle music to the world. Two fiddling dynasties merged when she married Donnell Leahy and now the two of them, along with their seven children regularly perform. She stops by the studio for an installment of my life in books.Books discussed on this week's show include:Beautiful Scars by Tom WilsonThe Music Lesson by Victor WootenThe Possibility Mom by Lisa Canning A Prayer For Owen Meany by John IrvingI Have a Love Story by Natalie MacMaster

One thing that Heather O’Neill’s ex-boyfriends had in common was Anna Karenina, the famous novel by Leo Tolstoy. To get to the bottom of this mysterious connection, she decided to re-read the classic novel to see how Anna’s story of a doomed love affair reads the second time around. Plus, the Juno-nominated musician Adrian Sutherland talks about writing his first book and how he fell in love with music. Books discussed on this week's show include:Anna Karenina by Leo TolstoyThe Work of Our hands by Adrian Sutherland

Mark Critch is very funny. You've likely seen him do what he does best on 22 Minutes or his sitcom Son of a Critch. In addition to spreading laughs across the country, he is also a very proud Canadian. He brings his finely tuned sense of satire to his new book called Sorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting For. He talks about the inspirations behind his latest work, and the books that have influenced who he is today. Plus, Canadian hit-making author Carley Fortune answers the Proust Questionnaire.Books discussed on this week's show include:My Autobiography by Charlie ChaplinNaked by David SedarisSoldier Priest in the Killing Fields of Europe by Gary Browne and Darin McgrathThe Missing Piece by Shel SilversteinSorry, Not Sorry: An Unapologetic Look at What Makes Canada Worth Fighting for by Mark CritchOne Golden Summer by Carley Fortune

The Giller Prize is one of Canada's biggest literary awards. Before this year's winner was announced, all five finalists joined Antonio Michael Downing on stage at an event at Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto to read from their shortlisted works and share the inspiration behind them. Featuring Mona Awad, Eddy Boudel Tan, Emma Donoghue, Emma Knight and Souvankham Thammavongsa.Books discussed on this week's show include:We Love You, Bunny by Mona AwadThe Tiger and the Cosmonaut by Eddy Boudel TanThe Paris Express by Emma DonoghueThe Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma KnightPick a Colour by Souvankham Thammavongsa

When director Jacob Tierney (Letterkenney) first DM’d Rachel Reid, she couldn’t believe that someone was interested in adapting her book. Since then, the series has become one of the most popular Canadian titles on Crave, and has been renewed for a second season. She pulls back the curtain on what it was like seeing her characters brought to life on screen, and even recommends other books to check out for when you’ve run out of episodes. Plus, the mystery panel continues the tradition of recommending some favourite titles for the holiday season. Books discussed on this week's show include:Heated Rivalry by Rachel ReidCrash Test by Amy JamesHockey Bois by A. L. HeardA Place of Secrets by Shane PeacockTokyo Express by Seicho MatsumotoListen by Sacha BronwasserCarved in Blood: A Hana Westerman Thriller by Michael Bennet6:40 to Montreal by Eva JursykThe Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens