The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

At the age of 27, Sam Demma just published his third book. His latest is called Return on Goodwill: Do good. Expect nothing. Watch life surprise you. He talks about how a trip to Value Village changed his perspective on everyday interactions, and shares the book that helped get him there. Sam is a bestselling author, an international speaker and someone who's been spreading his message of kindness and respect since he was a teenager. Plus, Talia Kliot joins the show after watching and reading Ali Hazelwood’s breakout rom-com The Love Hypothesis. She’ll share her thoughts and talk about the film's familiar backdrop.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Return on Goodwill by Sam Demma
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Has hustle culture been lying to you?
The hidden connection between basketball and book nerds

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

When writer and creative Arizona O'Neill read the satirical novel Fruit Fly by Josh Silver, it got her thinking about the publishing industry and the popularity of gay romance written by women. It's about a straight female author with a bad case of writer’s block who decides to write a novel about a young gay man battling addiction. Arizona makes her case for why it might be time to resume the conversation on who has the right to tell what stories. Plus, author Grant Ginder talks about his real-life heroes and his love for good produce while answering The Next Chapter’s version of The Proust Questionnaire.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Fruit Fly by Josh Silver
So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Dealing with family drama? These novels prove it could always be worse
How to avoid getting locked in an echo chamber

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

What are the best books published this month? Questions and titles like this led to writer and teacher Thea Lim’s article “Abolish the Top Ten List,” for the Walrus magazine. She noticed how rankings and lists dominate how we speak about books, narrowing the number of titles that reach the surface. Is this a healthy way to interact with art? She joins the show to talk about it. Plus, author Don Gillmor talks about his venture into crime thriller writing with Cherry Beach and recommends a read-alike.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane
Cherry Beach by Don Gillmor

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Are literary prizes a scam?
Why Ann Patchett thinks the secret to success might be lowering people's expectations

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

With four Netflix specials and a late-night show to her name, Taylor Tomlinson has comedy figured out. But something she had never done before, was write a book. The comedian just released an essay collection called Actually, Nevermind, all about how people are allowed to change their minds. In the book, she lets us into her brain, discussing everything from love to religion, personal stories and mental health. She takes us back to a time when she thought she was destined to be a writer, and when Junie B. Jones taught her to be funny. A lifelong reader, she joins The Next Chapter to talk about her favourite books and what it meant to write her own.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
The Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Bossypants by Tina Fey

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
The books that made Andrew Phung fall in love with storytelling
What books drew Brendan Fraser to storytelling?

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Chelsea Vowel is a lawyer, teacher and writer. 10 years ago, she published her influential book Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis and Inuit issues in Canada. Chelsea joins the show to talk about the newly released 10th anniversary edition, which continues the groundbreaking conversation. Plus, novelist and playwright Anosh Irani talks about the process of adapting Rohinton Mistry’s novel A Fine Balance for the stage at Crow's Theatre in Toronto.

Books discussed on this week's show include:
Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis and Inuit issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

Liked this conversation? Keep listening:
Why books serve a vital role in Truth and Reconciliation
What does it mean to be a Bad Indian?

Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks