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The Next Chapter with Antonio Michael Downing

CBC
Canada Reads
Family Dynamics
Literature
Books
Mental Health
Cultural Identity
Identity
Canadian Literature
Social Media
Indigenous Identity
Romance Novels
Anne Of Green Gables
However Far Away
Memoir
Life After Ambition
Children's Literature
Fashion
Hockey
Heated Rivalry
Hustle Culture

Looking for your next great read? The Next Chapter’s got you covered! Book lovers join host Antonio Michael Downing to dive deep into great books. Big feelings, hot takes, enlightening conversations — you’ve never been in a book club like this before. It’s Canada’s book club, and everyone’s invited. So pull up a chair and join the conversation. New episodes every Saturday and Monday.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes63Founded18 years ago
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Latest Episodes

The Next Chapter’s mystery panel is back with their summer round-up. Two mystery writers, Angela Misri and Sam Wiebe have hand selected their favourite titles to add some tension to your summer, strictly on the page of course. Plus, Joe Ollmann isn’t... more

Carley Fortune is one of the biggest names in contemporary romance. This year, two of her hit novels are being adapted into TV series, and has shown no signs of slowing down. Her most recent book, Our Perfect Storm, is a romance set on the breathtaki... more

The Toronto Tempo recently became Canada's first WNBA team. If you, like many others, are considering checking out the action, our in-house women's basketball expert Talia Kliot recommends the one book everyone should read to learn more about the ric... more

Ann Patchett has written many celebrated books: Bel Canto, The Dutch House, State of Wonder. Her new book, Whistler, is another in her line-up of lovely stories that honour memory and the moments that make a life. Besides her work as a writer, Ann ow... more

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Recent Guests

Ann Patchett
Author; proprietor of Parnassus Books in Nashville
Parnassus Books
Episode: Why Ann Patchett thinks the secret to success might be lowering people's expectations
Dave Bidini
Writer, musician, editor-in-chief of West End Phoenix; talks about Soccer in Sun and Shadow and Dynamo, Triumph and Tragedy in Nazi-Occupied Kiev
West End Phoenix / Canadian literature
Episode: Get ready for the World Cup with these essential soccer books
Genevieve Graham
Author featured in The Next Chapter's Proust Questionnaire segment
Canadian historical fiction
Episode: Get ready for the World Cup with these essential soccer books
Kaeley Jade
Singer-songwriter and multidisciplinary artist recommending books
Edmonton-based artist
Episode: After Heated Rivalry, what’s next for romance readers?
Mathieu Lauzon-Dicso
Stores Program Director at Joie de Livres
Joie de Livres, Montréal
Episode: The Montréal bookstore doing it like no other: Meet Joie de Livres
Jinwoo Park
Novelist and translator
Indie author and translator
Episode: The Montréal bookstore doing it like no other: Meet Joie de Livres
David Chilton
Author of The Wealthy Barber
Author/Writer
Episode: The books that made David Chilton The Wealthy Barber
Nadine Bhabha
Actor and writer; juror for CBC Poetry Prize; appeared in Heated Rivalry
CBC/Heated Rivalry
Episode: Heated Rivalry’s Nadine Bhabha’s It Girl book club
Wayne Johnston
Author of The Novice of Holloway Hall (guest on My Life in Books segment)
Author
Episode: How being a 'sickly child' made Wayne Johnston a better writer

Host

Antonio Michael Downing
Host of the show, CBC Books / The Next Chapter contributor, CBC Books and related CBC outlets.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 229 ratings
  • AMD & Friends!

    I love being able to dip into these engaging conversations about books! The chemistry between AMD and his guests is always electric. <3

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ADIDA$&ACID
    Canada4 months ago
  • Shelagh is great!

    I love Shelagh’s interviews. I don’t like the way the producers cut in with ads about other CBC shows. Sometimes they cut in in mid sentence, and they do it at a volume that is much greater than Shelagh’s volume. This would be five stars but for the CBC’s shabby production values.

    Update - I was sad when Shelagh retired, but I am enjoying Antonio Michael Downing very much. He is an excellent host!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Proud Canadian Triathlon Fan
    Canada5 months ago
  • Please find a different new host

    Ryan B. Patrick is not experienced enough to host this show. His radio voice is lacking any kind of enunciation and his volume dips down so low you often can’t hear him. He resorts to juvenile slang to praise authors and seems like an unprepared student trying to bluff his way through every assignment. Please don’t let the amazing legacy of The Next Chapter be ruined by a poor choice of new host. Shelagh Rodgers is truly irreplaceable, but there has to be someone who has more skill available tha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Scyvghb
    Canada3 years ago
  • The Theory of Crows

    I never miss an episode and often order the books based on your conversation. I just ordered The Theory of Crows. Your avid listener, Verla k

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Treesmendus.com
    Canada4 years ago
  • Random, Canadian, but good.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    chrisabraham
    4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Shows the host's depth in literature and culture, with diverse perspectives.
Positive feedback on accessibility and depth, though some misses long-form panels.
Listeners praise thoughtful guests, though some complain about ads and production pacing.
Engaging book-focused conversations with strong guest variety.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#12
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#31
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#88
Philippines/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#164
Philippines/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#169
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#195
Russia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Ann Patchett thinks the secret to success might be lowering people's expectations
Q: What's your approach to weaving elements of your own life into your fiction?
I treat autobiography as a spectrum I may dip into, aiming to blend personal truth with the needs of the story, while keeping a clear boundary between the author and the characters.
Get ready for the World Cup with these essential soccer books
Q: In that mythic tradition, what does soccer bring that maybe the other sports don't? What's unique about that mythical tradition in soccer?
Soccer, as a global game, offers granular narratives about players' lives and families, showing how their actions on the field are tied to heritage and community, which adds a timeless, almost mythic layer to the sport beyond just the scorelines.
How being a 'sickly child' made Wayne Johnston a better writer
Q: Tell me about your favourite character in fiction.
I favor Tom Jones for his resilience and the way the character embodies hope for someone adopted and starting from little, which resonated with me as someone who was adopted and grew up in a challenging environment.
Her uncles for worked for MI6, now she writes spy novels
Q: What message do you hope young readers take from your conversations with Ainara?
The host and Ainara discuss how seeing diverse characters succeed can empower young readers to see themselves in literature and pursue reading with enthusiasm and pride.
Her uncles for worked for MI6, now she writes spy novels
Q: What role does Toronto's history play in your books?
The author highlights how Toronto's 1920s setting and locations like the Dominion Hotel provide a rich historical context that aligns with the themes of wealth, crime, and social change in her stories.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Next Chapter

What is The Next Chapter about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on deep conversations with authors, editors, musicians, actors, and literary thinkers who explore books, reading culture, and storytelling in a Canadian context. Episodes blend literary analysis, author backstories, and cross-genre discussions (from romance and mystery to history and sci‑fi), often tying books to broader culture, fashion, media, and current events. A standout trait is collaborations with CBC Books and Canada Reads participants, creating a book-club vibe that invites diverse perspectives and practical takeaways for readers, retailers, and brands exploring authentic literary storytelling.

Noteworthy elements include a strong focus on Canadian authors and publishing, cross-media guests (music, theatre, journa... more

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1. Bookends with Mattea Roach
2. Ideas
3. Q with Tom Power
4. The Sunday Magazine
5. The Current

How many episodes of The Next Chapter are there?

The Next Chapter launched 18 years ago and published 63 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Next Chapter?

Recent guests on The Next Chapter include:

1. Ann Patchett
2. Dave Bidini
3. Genevieve Graham
4. Kaeley Jade
5. Mathieu Lauzon-Dicso
6. Jinwoo Park
7. David Chilton
8. Nadine Bhabha

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