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 McLeod 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