Honest mom influencer Libby Ward never intended to blow up. She was mostly posting for herself, and whoever else needed to hear her message. But that might have been the exact recipe that led to her going viral. She talks about her new book, and other reads that encourage others to find their voice. Plus, CBC Books Senior Producer Ryan B. Patrick recommends this week’s staff pick.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Motherhood: On Losing My Mind and Finding Myself by Libby Ward

Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved by Kate Bowler

Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age by Vauhini Vara

Natalie MacMaster first picked up the fiddle at nine years old. It was a family tradition for her growing up in Cape Breton, and over the course of her international career she’s brought Cape Breton fiddle music to the world. Two fiddling dynasties merged when she married Donnell Leahy and now the two of them, along with their seven children regularly perform. She stops by the studio for an installment of my life in books.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Beautiful Scars by Tom Wilson

The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten

The Possibility Mom by Lisa Canning

A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving

I Have a Love Story by Natalie MacMaster

One thing that Heather O’Neill’s ex-boyfriends had in common was Anna Karenina, the famous novel by Leo Tolstoy. To get to the bottom of this mysterious connection, she decided to re-read the classic novel to see how Anna’s story of a doomed love affair reads the second time around. Plus, the Juno-nominated musician Adrian Sutherland talks about writing his first book and how he fell in love with music.

Books discussed on this week's show include:

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

The Work of Our hands by Adrian Sutherland