The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

podcasting@cbc.ca

For verified host and producer emails, sign up to view.

Spilling secrets and small-town adultery in The Shampoo Effect

July 04, 2026

For years Jenny Jackson worked as an editor for some of the biggest authors in the publishing game. Eventually, she took what she had learned as an editor and applied it to writing a book of her own.The result was a bestselling novel, and a new career as an author. Her new novel, The Shampoo Effect, took inspiration from a sexy, sixties novel about small-town adultery. It’s the story of a young woman who finds her way deep into a close circle of friends, and then writes all about them in a re...

Kid approved books they will actually want to read this Summer

June 29, 2026

Wondering how you’re going to keep your kids reading now that school’s out? Our children’s book panel is here to help. We’ve asked writer, broadcaster and Mom, Bee Quammie, and CBC Books producer and mother of two, Lucy Mann to recommend their recent favourite all Canadian kids books. Plus, author of Life of Pi, Yann Martel shares what matters most to him while answering The Next Chapter’s version of the Proust Questionnaire. Books discussed on this week's show include:Ruthie by Esmé Sha...

What is the greatest Canadian novel of all time?

June 27, 2026

Here at The Next Chapter, we read Canadian all year long. But to help celebrate Canada Day, we’re asking what makes a book a Canadian classic. To help answer this question, we’ve called upon CBC Books producer Bridget Raymundo and lifelong bookseller Nathan Maharaj. They discuss their favourite Canadian novels of all-time, and what makes a book relevant for generations to come. They also present one title that they think has what it takes to become a future Canadian classic. Plus, musician Br...