Episodes
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Book Chat 37
Rebecca and Tara return with some much anticipated titles from favorite authors, including Lois Lowry, Helen Humphreys, and David Heska Wanbli Weiden. Spoiler alert for Rebecca's comments about Lowry's latest novel, Building 903. Rebecca (@canadareadsinspired): The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan...
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Interview - Jessica Hamilton and The Woods
Tara interviews the perfect guest for the month of October--Australian born and Canadian raised author Jessica Hamilton to discuss her latest novel, The Woods, published by Simon & Schuster, August 2026. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Woods/Jessica-Hamilton/9781668236369 "We Used to...
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Interview - Aga Maksimowska and Becalming
Tara welcomes Canadian author Aga Maksimowska, whose latest novel, Becalming, Dundurn Press (2026), "tells the story of two people realizing that happily ever after is not something to be but something to continue to explore, through adversity and outrage, tragedy and inspiration, and love." Her...
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Book Chat 36
Rebecca and Tara are winding down their summer reading with historical fiction, poetry, memoir, a graphic novel, short stories, and horror. Rebecca: The Archive of Alternate Endings by Lindsey Drager Kill Not the Butterfly by Ken Wyder If I Must Die by Refaat Alareer Solito by Javier Zamora…
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Interview - Erin Singer and Dangerland!
Tara welcomes Canadian author Erin Singer to the podcast and they share a lovely chat about romance and family ties in her first novel, Dangerland! Erin also divulges that she has seen Carrot Top in suburban Las Vegas, which is, apparently, a thing!...
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Interview - Corinne Hoebers and Tethered Spirits
Tara welcomes Canadian (Nova Scotia) author Corinne Hoebers to discuss her latest novel, Tethered Spirits: Wiaqtaqne'wasultijik na Kjijaqmijinaq, OC Publishing, 2025. Corinne explains how she worked with the Mi'kmaq community to ensure historical accuracy while also telling the story of her own...
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Interview - JoAnn McCaig and Beneficiary
Tara is joined by Canadian author JoAnn McCaig and they discuss her latest novel, Beneficiary, published in May 2026 by University of Calgary Press. https://shelflifebooks.ca/item/r5ypYwSBQz_hNTMssW3i2g "Seren was doomed to a country club cage and a leash of pearls until out of the blue on a...
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Interview - Théodora Armstrong and Welcome to Sunny Town
Rebecca is excited to chat with Canadian author Théodora Armstrong about her debut novel, Welcome to Sunny Town, published by Freehand Books in May 2026. https://freehand-books.com/product/welcome-to-sunny-town/#tab-description : In this striking debut novel, a young artist rashly moves overseas…
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Book Chat 35
Rebecca and Tara are back with their monthly book chat in which they share a few of their latest best reads. Rebecca's month was not as enjoyable as she had hoped, but Tara ends on a high note with a five-star recommendation! Rebecca: Solito by Javier Zamora Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary...
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2026 Summer Reading Bingo Challenge
CANADA READS INSPIRED 2026 SUMMER READING BINGO CHALLENGE: Rebecca and Tara have filled in the boxes with books they’ve read or that are on their TBR (the Bingo card and list of titles will be pinned to Rebecca and Tara’s Instagram accounts) The Challenge will begin June 5 and run through…
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Literary Rabbit Holes 2
Rebecca and Tara go down rabbit holes that include a 50,000 couplet epic poem, graveyards, and a blood-sucking lamprey that is found in all five Great Lakes. Don't forget to join the Canada Reads Inspired Summer Reading Bingo Challenge beginning June 5, 2026. Check out their YouTube live (6/5/26…
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Book Chat 34
Rebecca and Tara are back with their (mostly) monthly book chat in which they share their favorite recent reads. Rebecca provides a teaser for their next Rabbit Holes podcast and Tara shares her love for author Jenny Lawson and her taxidermy menagerie. Rebecca: Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary...
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Interview - Dr. Nora Gold and Doubles
Rebecca welcomes Dr. Nora Gold to the podcast to discuss her latest work, Doubles, a novella published by Guernica Editions in May 2026, as well as the importance and relevance of novellas in the literary canon. https://guernicaeditions.com/en-us/products/doubles "Doubles takes place in 1968 in…
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Interview - Alison Gadsby and Breathing Is How Some People Stay Alive
Tara sits down for a chat with Canadian author Alison Gadsby, a first-generation Canadian living in Tkaronto, about her debut collection of short stories, Breathing Is How Some People Stay Alive, published by Guernica Editions in spring 2026....
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CBC's 2026 Canada Reads DAY THREE Wrap Up
Rebecca and Tara cover CBC's 2026 Canada Reads DAY THREE debate. Less surprises perhaps, but more great content! Join them live on Thursday, 4/16/26 @ 11:30am EDT on their YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@canadareadsamericanstyle/streams Their good friend Jolene, from Bookworm Adventure...
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CBC's 2026 Canada Reads DAY TWO Wrap Up
Rebecca is back from vacation and she and Tara discuss CBC's 2026 Canada Reads DAY TWO debate. Listen to Tara's DAY ONE wrap up on her Instagram live: @onabranchreads. https://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/meet-the-canada-reads-2026-contenders-9.7040200 : Filmmaker and actor Elle-Máijá…
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Interview – Finnian Burnett and Redshirts Sometimes Survive
Tara welcomes back Canadian author Finnian Burnett to discuss their latest novella-in-flash, Redshirts Sometimes Survive. https://offtopicpublishing.com/product/redshirts-sometimes-survive-by-finnian-burnett/?srsltid=AfmBOoqqrDjkjomUw5LV1p4n7BFWy7-l2RrTh5Ty2L2VoSYamvlByFX8 "A neglected boy clings...
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2026 CBC's Canada Reads Review
Rebecca and Tara discuss their impressions of the 2026 CBC's Canada Reads books and defenders for this year's debate. Don't forget to check out Rebecca's interview with author Tyler Hellard and Searching for Terry Punchout on February 10, 2026....
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Interview - Leslie Shimotakahara and The Breakwater
Rebecca is excited to chat with Canadian author Leslie Shimotakahara about her latest novel, The Breakwater, which will be published by Cormorant Books in April 2026. https://www.cormorantbooks.com/Books/T/The-Breakwater "One morning in Toronto, Cathy Matsumoto’s father, Yasuo, calls to announce…
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Book Chat 33
It's Book Chat time! Rebecca had a meh reading month and Tara crushed it!! Rebecca (@canadareadsamericanstyle): Director's Choice: Flint Institute of Arts by Tracee J. Glab Poets and Pahlevans: A Journey into the Heart of Iran; Walls: Travels Along the Barricades by Marcello Di Cintio Lost…
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Coming Soon - Canada Reads Inspired!
Rebecca and Tara have an announcement!! Instagram: @canadareadsamericanstyle @onabranchreads
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Literary Rabbit Holes 1
Rebecca and Tara introduce a new feature for the podcast in which books they've read prompted them to do a deeper dive into some aspect of the subject or story, in other words, they went down a rabbit hole. They kick off the inaugural episode discussing Run Towards the Danger: Confrontations with…
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Interview - Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson and Opposite Sully's Gym
Rebecca is excited to chat with Canadian author Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson about his second book in the Patrick Bird Mystery series; the first is The Road to Heaven, published by Dundurn Press in 2024. Opposite Sully's Gym, book two, is available beginning March 31, 2026. Dundurn Press:...
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Interview - Kerry Clare and Definitely Thriving
Tara chats with Canadian author, blogger, and podcaster Kerry Clare to discuss her latest novel, Definitely Thriving, which is available March 17, 2026 from House of Anansi Press…
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Interview - Hollay Ghadery and The Unravelling of Ou
Tara sits down with Iranian-Canadian author Hollay Ghadery to discuss her first novel, The Unravelling of Ou, published by Palimpsest Press in February 2026. Later in the interview, Hollay talks about poetry and how best to read it for those who may be new to it....
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Interview - Kasia Van Schaik and Women Among Monuments: Solitude, Permission, and the Pursuit of Female Genius
Rebecca is excited to chat with Dr. Kasia Van Schaik about her latest book, Women Among Monuments: Solitude, Permission, and the Pursuit of Female Genius, published on February 17, 2026 by Dundurn Books. https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459752627-women-among-monuments : A lyrical...
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Book Chat 32
Rebecca and Tara both share a book in which the main character is seeking a return to community. And Tara brings more horror to the podcast! Rebecca (@canadareadsamericanstyle): Anne of Windy Willows by L.M. Montgomery (British edition) Walls: Travels Along the Barricades by Marcello Di Cintio...
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Interview - Tyler Hellard and Searching for Terry Punchout
Rebecca welcomes Canadian Tyler Hellard, the author of Searching for Terry Punchout, a funny, heartwarming novel published in 2018 by Invisible Publishing that will be defended on CBC’s Canada Reads by Steve “Dangle” Glynn beginning April 13, 2026....
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Interview - Marcello Di Cintio and Precarious: The Lives of Migrant Workers
Rebecca welcomes award-winning Canadian author Marcello Di Cintio for his third podcast visit to discuss his latest book, Precarious: The Lives of Migrant Workers, published by Biblioasis in September 2025. A Globe 100 Best Book of 2025 • One of The Hill Times’ Top 100 Best Books in 2025 • Winner...
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Alice Fitzpatrick and the Meredith Island Mysteries
Join Tara for a captivating interview with Alice Fitzpatrick and discover her connection with Carol Burnett and notable Canadian poet George Bowering. Alice is the author of the Meredith Island Mysteries, which include Secrets in the Water and A Dark Death. The Meredith Island Christmas Mystery…
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2026 CBC’s Canada Reads Short List
With the announcement of the five titles and defenders, Rebecca and Tara make their predictions for the winner of the 25th Anniversary edition of CBC's Canada Reads! Per the CBC website: "This year's edition will air April 13 to 16 on CBC TV, CBC Radio, CBC Listen, CBC Gem and CBC Books. It will...
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Book Chat 31
Rebecca and Tara are back with Book Chat #31. Included are the books they are currently reading as well as their first recommendations of the New Year! Rebecca (@canadareadsamericanstyle): Patrick Bird Mysteries: Opposite Sully's Gym #2; The Road to Heaven #1 by Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson The...
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Hidden Gems with Garnett Kilberg Cohen
Welcome to the podcast's first Hidden Gems episode of 2026! This is a special feature Rebecca and Tara offer in which they invite guests to recommend authors or titles that may be new to their listeners. Today’s guest is author and retired professor Garnett Kilberg Cohen from Chicago, IL. Garnett...
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2026 CBC’s Canada Reads Long List
It's that time of year again when Rebecca and Tara try to predict which five books will make CBC's Canada Reads Short List for 2026! Adding to the excitement is that this year is the 25th anniversary of the debate, so they are hoping for an entertaining look back to find the one book all of…
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Old Goals - New Goals
Happy New Year!! Rebecca and Tara summarize the success of their 2025 goals and introduce new challenges for 2026! If you have any comments or suggestions that you would like to share with Rebecca and Tara or you are interested in joining their monthly virtual book chat, please email them at...
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2025 Reading Wrap Up
Rebecca and Tara hope you had a fantastic year of reading! And they wrap up their 2025 by answering the following questions: Favorite non-fiction book Favorite quote Happiest book A book that made you cry Most surprising read Most read genre Most read author Favorite reading experience What book…
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Book Chat 30
Rebecca and Tara close out 2025 with their 30th Book Chat! Rebecca is all about Narnia and C.S. Lewis and Tara ruminates on whether to DNF or finish the book she is currently reading. Rebecca (@canadareadsamericanstyle): Stories for Winter and Nights by the Fire by British Library Women Writers…
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Interview - Liisa Kovala and Like Water for Weary Souls
Tara has a fascinating chat with Liisa Kovala, a Finnish Canadian author, book coach, and former teacher about historical fiction, cozy mysteries, sisu, her book coaching, podcast, and coffee. Her latest novel is, Like Water for Weary Souls. https://www.liisakovalabookcoach.com/ "In Nolin Creek,...
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Holiday Recommendations!
Rebecca reveals her 2025 secret reading goal to Tara! And she and Tara offer their best reading recommendations for the holiday season! Rebecca (@canadareadsamericanstyle): Prince Caspian (The Chronicles of Narnia #4) by C.S. Lewis The Godfather by Mario Puzo An English Murder by Cyril Hare A...
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Interview - Adam Shoalts and Vanished Beyond the Map: The Mystery of Lost Explorer Hubert Darrell
Rebecca is excited to chat with professional explorer Adam Shoalts about his latest book, Vanished Beyond the Map: The Mystery of Lost Explorer Hubert Darrell. https://adamshoalts.com/literature/: Voted by over 200 Independent Bookstores as one of the “Must Read Books” of the Year (Canadian...
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Book Chat 29
Rebecca and Tara return after a two-month hiatus and are ready to share the best of their recent reads! Rebecca (@canadareadsamericanstyle): My Life: Growing Up Native in America edited by IllumiNative The Horse and His Boy (The Chronicles of Narnia #3) by C.S. Lewis The Road to Heaven (Patrick...
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Interview - Merilyn Simonds and Walking with Beth: Conversations with My 100-year-old Friend
Tara chats with a special guest, the prolific and award-winning Canadian author Merilyn Simonds regarding her latest book, Walking with Beth: Conversations with My 100-year-old Friend. https://merilynsimonds.com/ "In the spring of 2021, Merilyn Simonds asked her friend Beth Robinson if she’d like...
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Interview - Barbara Joan Scott and The Taste of Hunger
Rebecca is excited to speak with award-winning Canadian author Barbara Joan Scott about her debut novel, The Taste of Hunger. https://freehand-books.com/product/the-taste-of-hunger/#tab-description "In Saskatchewan in the late 1920s, a fifteen-year-old Ukrainian immigrant named Olena is forced…
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Interview - Lucy E.M. Black and A Quilting of Scars
Rebecca is excited to welcome back to the podcast Canadian author Lucy E.M. Black regarding her new historical novel, A Quilting of Scars, with its unforgettable main character, Larkin Beattie. https://nonpublishing.com/a-quilting-of-scars "Filled with the pleasure of recognizable yet…
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Interview - David Giuliano and The Upending of Wendall Forbes
Tara is excited to chat with Canadian author David Giuliano, who lives on the north shore of Lake Superior. His storytelling has been compared to Miriam Toews and Elizabeth Strout in its emotional insight and narrative warmth. His books include The Undertaking of Billy Buffone, winner of the 2022...
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Interview - Emily A. Weedon and Hemo Sapiens
Tara chats with Emily Weedon, a Canadian author and screenwriter, currently living in Toronto. Her web series Chateau Laurier was the most awarded web series in 2023 and won a Canadian Screen Award. Her debut novel Autokrator reimagines gender and power in society against the backdrop of a...
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Interview - Jen Sookfong Lee and The Hunger We Pass Down
Tara speaks with Canadian author Jen Sookfong Lee regarding her latest novel, The Hunger We Pass Down, which is available September 30, 2025 from Erewhon Books. Jen was born and raised in Vancouver's East Side and now lives with her son in North Burnaby. Her memoir, Superfan: How Pop Culture…
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Book Chat 28
Rebecca and Tara are back with their "monthly" chat about the books they've read and recommend. Please check out the link below to the Instagram post by Hollay Ghadery on her River Street Writes account regarding independent and small press books sold through Indigo. Rebecca...
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Interview - Jinwoo Park and Oxford Soju Club
Rebecca is excited to speak with Korean Canadian author Jinwoo Park. Born and raised in Seoul, he has lived in various parts of North America and the UK since the age of 11 and is now based in Montreal. Jinwoo obtained his bachelor’s degree from McGill in 2013, followed by a master’s in political...
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Hidden Gems with author Marion Agnew
Welcome to the latest episode of Hidden Gems in which Rebecca and Tara invite guests to recommend authors or titles that may be new to us. Rebecca is excited to introduce author Marion Agnew whose debut novel, Making Up the Gods, from Latitude 46 Publishing, was released in October, 2023. Kirkus...