4 books Diggstown star Vinessa Antoine loved reading
Vinessa Antoine is the star of new CBC series Diggstown, which premieres on CBC on March 6, 2019.
Set in Halifax, Antoine plays Marcie Diggs, a successful corporate lawyer who reconsiders her priorities after her beloved aunt commits suicide following a malicious prosecution. The show also stars Natasha Henstridge, C. David Johnson and Brandon Oakes.
The Toronto-born Antoine, known for roles on American daytime soap opera General Hospital and the CBC series Being Erica and Heartland, tells CBC Books that she's a big fan of literature.
Here are four books that Antoine loved reading over the years.
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
"I love this book. I read it when I was a teenager. It wasn't a wonderful story. But as a young woman, it gave me insight into womanhood, the meaning of beauty and how certain men treat certain women. It really had an effect on me at that time in my life."
Chain by Pearl Cleage
"This play by novelist and playwright Pearl Cleage caught my eye and I just loved it. I got into reading her books and plays while I was studying acting. It's a one-woman, one-act play about a 16-year-old girl who lives in Harlem and she's addicted to crack cocaine. Her parents chain her to the radiator in an attempt to prevent her from using drugs again."
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
"It's a great, short read. I'm interested in writing and it's been really helpful in keeping my motivation up. I always go back to it when I'm feeling a little blocked creatively."
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
"It's not a book that I would have normally picked up but I liked it. I read it at a pivotal time in my life and marriage when I decided to get divorced. I know they made a movie. When the book came out, it was helpful for me in terms of thinking about self-love and relationships."
Antoine's comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Watch the trailer for Diggstown
