Canadian television personality and influencer Jillian Harris describes herself as the “quintessential busy bee”. Since first appearing on The Bachelor she's created her own brand focused on fashion, family and design. She talks about co-writing her children’s book Just Another Perfect Day with her husband Justin Pasutto. Plus, CBC Books' Trevor Carter talks Blue Jays and recommends The Franchise by Keegan Matheson.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Just Another Perfect Day by Jillian Harris and Justin Pasutto, Illustrated by Morgan Goble

The Franchise: The Toronto Blue Jays: A Curated History of the Jays by Keegan Matheson

Antonio Michael Downing teaches our expert panel how to “maco," the Trini term for minding other people's business. Talia Kliot, Kudakwashe Rutendo and Nathan Maharaj convene to recommend their favourite Canadian memoirs. Plus, Winnipeg-based musician and emerging star Leith Ross talks about growing up as an avid reader and recommends a book that had a massive impact on their latest record.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

How to Share an Egg by Bonnie Reichert

All the Little Monsters by David A Robertson

Soft as Bones by Chyana Marie Sage

Elseship: An Unrequited Affair by Tree Abraham

How to Survive a Bear Attack by Claire Cameron

It Must Be Beautiful to Be Finished: A Memoir of My Body by Kate Gies

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

For many years Linden Macintyre hosted the iconic investigative program The Fifth Estate. During his time there he wrote The Bishop’s Man, which went on to win the Giller prize. Through his books and journalism, he has captivated Canadian audiences for decades. His most recent book is An Accidental Villain: A Soldier’s Tale of War, Deceit and Exile. He joins the show to talk about the books that have shaped and influenced him into the storyteller he is today.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Ulysses by James Joyce

That They May Face the Rising Sun by John McGahern

 Ill Fares the Land by Tony Judt

The Great War and Modern Memory by Paul Fussell

An Accidental Villain: A Soldier’s Tale of War, Deceit and Exile by Linden MacIntyre

Both Horror and Hallowe’en are having a moment. To celebrate the arrival of “spooky season” our columnist JJ Lee shares a couple of horror adjacent novels that will let you in on the fun, without the sleepless nights. Plus, author Matthew R. Morris joins the show to recommend books that celebrate the lost art of conversation and language.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Colin Gets Promoted and Dooms the World by Mark Waddell

Leave Our Bones Where They Lay by Aviaq Johnston

What I Mean to Say by Ian Williams

Linguaphile by Julie Sedivy

Malala Yousafzai came of age in the public eye. The brutal attack she endured from the Taliban, her advocacy for girls' education and the Nobel Prize she received has kept her in the spotlight since she was a young girl. Her new memoir Finding My Way reveals the messy business of growing up, navigating university life in a new country and fitting in as an international icon. Plus, CBC Books Producer Ashly July gives us his staff pick.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Finding My Way by Malala Yousefzai

The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard

Family gatherings have a way of bringing out the dysfunction in all of us. Our columnist and writer Alicia Cox Thomson recommends two wild family dramas to read this fall. Also, CBC Books producer Daphné Santos-Vieira talks about feeling the love at the Toronto Public Library event BookCrush and recommends a romance novel to an apprehensive Antonio Michael Downing.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Favourite Daughter by Morgan Dick

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

Revolve by Bal Khabra

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston

Before he was a fixture in the Canadian literary community, Terry Fallis worked as an engineer and in politics before writing his first book at the age of 45. He just launched his new novel, The Marionette and joins the show for an installment of My Life in Books to break down some of the most influential books in his life. Plus, Saskatoon-based musician Katie Tupper talks about her biggest inspirations, songwriting and recommends a book about maximizing creativity. 

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Pilot Jack Knight by A.M. Anderson and R.E. Johnson

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch

Antonio Michael Downing checks in with the owner of Variant Edition Graphic Novels and Comics in Edmonton, Brandon Schatz who recommends some local favourites. CBC Producer Amelia Eqbal joins Antonio Michael to share three graphic novels that she holds close to her heart, starring young women coming-of-age.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Ducks by Kate Beaton

Pass Me By: Gone Fishin' by Kat Simmers and Ryan Danny Owen

Full of Myself by Siobhan Gallagher

Give Me Space But Don't Go Far by Haley Weaver

Halfway There by Christine Mari

Bookclubs, like other social get-togethers have rules, idiosyncrasies and sometimes big personalities. That can get complicated. Author and book club veteran Brian Francis joins the show to offer some advice on navigating these group dynamics, and recommends three books that underlie our need for human connection. Plus, Vancouver-based musician Young Friend talks about songwriting inspiration, camping and a failed Everest expedition.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Finding Your Third Place by Richard Kyte

Shitty Craft Club by Sam Reece

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Have you always wanted to write a book of your own? From the outside the publishing industry and writing life can seem mysterious and unattainable. Author and creative writing professor Robert J. Wiersema might be able to help you out. He recommends three books that could take you from wanting to write, to actually doing it. And hear from Liz Crocker, the owner of Halifax bookstore Woozles and her staff picks. Plus our kids' readers talk about their passion for books!

Books discussed on this week's show include:

The Halifax Explosion by Afua Cooper

When the World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward

Story is a State of Mind by Sarah Selecky

Write Through It: An Insider’s Guide to Publishing and the Creative Life by Kate Mckean

Dear Writer by Maggie Smith

Megabat by Anna Humphrey illustrated by Kass Reich

The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud

Morgann Book lives up to every part of her last name. Over the last few years, she has become one of Canada’s biggest book influencers, giving book recommendations and sharing her love for reading online. This year, she added a weekly podcast to her line up called Off the Shelf with Morgann Book. She chats about getting her start on TikTok, and what books currently have her attention. Plus, award-winning musician Debby Friday talks about what she was reading while making her latest album. 

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector

When Phyllis Webstad was six years old, her brand new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at residential school. This moment would go on to inspire Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th. In this episode, Phyllis sits down with Métis scholar Kristy MacLeod to talk about their new collaboration, Decolonization and Me: Conversations about Healing a Nation and Ourselves. Together, they explore how sharing stories can lead to collective healing and personal transformation. Plus, CBC Books’ Ailey Yamamoto recommends a novel about one character’s dream to become the first Cherokee astronaut.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage

Decolonization and Me: Conversations about Healing a Nation and Ourselves by Phyllis Webstad and Kristy McLeod 

They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellars

Namwayut by Chief Robert Joseph

Books open doors to better understanding, and for podcaster, speaker and author Patty Krawec they’ve been a way to build bridges and challenge narratives. In this episode, Patty shares the story behind her new book Bad Indians Book Club, and how being a “Bad Indian” means disrupting colonial stories. Also on The Next Chapter, Billy Riley from the Polaris Prize-nominated band Ribbon Skirt recommends Lany by Max Porter.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Bad Indians Book Club by Patty Krawec

Lany by Max Porter

XO Kitty actor Anna Cathcart has always been drawn to great stories. In fact, reading played a big part in leading to her breakout Netflix role. She shares what it was like voicing the lead character in the new audible series Middlebridge Mysteries, and how she balanced her life as UBC student and television star. Also on The Next Chapter, how Bee Quammie’s refusal to be called a role model has impacted the life of influencer and columnist Mirian Njoh. And hear from Pierre-Luc Gratton from the Polaris Prize nominated band Population II on one book he can’t get enough of.

Fall may have just arrived on the calendar, but our expert reading panel has been deep in autumn reads for months. The lineup composed of CBC Books producers Talia Kliot, Bridget Raymundo and Ashly July convenes to recommend one book that Canadians should read this season, ranging from nuanced literary fiction, F1 romance and a nostalgic graphic novel.

Ken Dryden lived a big life. He was a six-time Stanley Cup Champion, a lawyer, politician, businessman and a best-selling author. Dave Bidini talks about the man behind the mask, and the sports classic The Game. Plus, listen to the multifaceted Hall of Famer answer the Proust Questionnaire recorded in 2024.

Denise Mina didn’t learn to read until she was about nine, and it wasn’t until her late teens that books really hooked her. But once they did, there was no looking back. Today, Denise has become one of Scotland's most prolific mystery writers. She shares some of the most influential books in her life, and discusses her latest crime novel.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov

Can’t we talk about something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast

The American Civil War by John Keegan

Nic Cage: Actor For Hire by Raechel Leigh Carter

The Good Liar by Denise Mina

Celebrity chef Michael Smith shares what books have left their mark on his life, both in and out of the kitchen, and offers a glimpse into what it’s like running a one-of-a-kind interactive luxury restaurant in Prince Edward Island. Plus Antonio Michael catches up with Olympic champion Maggie MacNeil about her summer reading.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Wood, Fire & Smoke by Michael Smith

Hawaii by James A. Michener

On Food & Cooking by Harold McGee

The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer

BarkSkins by Annie Proulx

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

A Friend in the Dark by Samantha M. Bailey

Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey

Have you ever been so passionate about a book that you needed to track down the author to their source? Antonio Michael Downing and Bridget Raymundo sit down to discuss literary pilgrimages. Antonio Michael recounts his journey to Dublin to walk in the shoes of James Joyce’s Ulysses, and Bridget shares what it was like to visit the home of Emily Dickinson.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Ulysses by James Joyce

One Sister have I in our house by Emily Dickinson

Looking for a book to sink into? We've got you. Each week, Antonio Michael Downing dives deep into the world of books, connecting with readers who share their favourite reads and personal stories. Whether you’re a book nerd or just love a good story, this is a book club for everybody. Beginning September 6th on CBC.