Before Raymond Ablack became a fan-favorite, playing Joe on Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia, he was a kid who enjoyed acting, reading and Christmas. He joins The Next Chapter to share some of his childhood memories, and what it’s like to play Sam Wilner in the Audibles Originals story, Mistletoe Murders. Plus, Madelaine Drohan on her book about Benjamin Franklin, the surprises and similarities in the history of Canada-US relations and two companion reads.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada by Madelaine Drohan

Trading Fate: How a Little-known Company Stopped British Columbia from Becoming an American State by Graeme Menzies

Elbows Up: Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resistance edited by Elamin Abdelmahmoud

From a chicken channeling its inner dinosaur, to raising dragon eggs in P.E.I., to a teen fauxmance, The Next Chapter’s children’s book panel is back with a new holiday reading list. Writer and broadcaster Bee Quammie and CBC books producer Lucy Mann share six books to engage readers from pre-school to high school.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Lena the Chicken (But Really A Dinosaur!) by Linda Bailey, illustrated by K-Fai Steele

The One About the Blackbird by Melanie Florence, illustrated by Matt James

Fresh Start by Gale Galligan

Kindred Dragons by Sarah Mensinga

You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh

Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai

Kerry Clare is the first to admit that if her own book was selected for a prize her opinion would probably change. At least part of it. The writer and critic joins the show to shed light on a few of her favourite books that were left off the awards circuit this year. CBC Books producer Lucy Mann recommends one of the most popular, out of this world books of 2025. Plus, find out what musician Logan Richard reads to remind himself to be grateful.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

The Seaside Cafe Metropolis by Antanas Sileika

Starry, Starry Night by Shani Mootoo

Property by Kate Cayley

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi