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The Bookshelf

ABC listen
Bad Art Mother
Romance Fiction
Impossible Creatures
Crime Fiction
Thrillers
Edwina Preston
Historical Fiction
Tom Lake
Age Of Vice
Storytelling and Representation
My Friends
Anna O
Tremor
Hard By a Great Forest
Agatha Christie
Slavery and Historical Injustice
Societal Privilege
Women's Literature
True Crime
Mike Mccormack

What are you reading, loving or being challenged by? We review the latest in fiction for dedicated readers and for those who wish they read more.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes510Founded14 years ago
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BooksArts

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Artwork for The Bookshelf

Latest Episodes

We look at some compelling new memoirs, including Mandy Sayer’s No Dancing in the Lift, a tribute to her jazz drummer father, capturing the grit of Kings Cross and the grace of caregiving. Elizabeth Gilbert’s All the Way to the River recounts her int... more

What are your favourite poems of the last 25 years? The ones that you turn to, couplets memorised and shared, the lines that leapt from the page or stage. Poetry that both defined and defied space and time, whether it rhymed or not.

Join Kate Evans,... more

This week’s episode explores three new books. First up, Patricia Lockwood’s Will There Ever Be Another You, a third-person autofiction-ish tale that includes a family trip to Scotland, grief and fairies. Then we head to the American frontier for bloo... more

We get stuck into some new fiction, starting with Ian McEwan’s What We Can Know, a meditation on a future shaped by climate disaster and memory. We’re joined by Australian authors Madeleine Gray and Gretchen Shirm to take a look at Miranda Darling’s ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Melanie Tait
Playwright and journalist
Playwright of How to Plot a Hit in Two Days
Episode: Four new memoirs: Mandy Sayer/Elizabeth Gilbert/Arundhati Roy/S. Shakthidharan
Paul Daley
Journalist, essayist and novelist
Author of The Leap
Episode: Patricia Lockwood's auto-fiction-ish Will There Ever Be Another You + The Buffalo Hunter Hunter + The Original
Andy Griffiths
Best-selling Australian children's author known for the Treehouse series
Pan Macmillan
Episode: Superstar children's author Andy Griffiths reviews! Plus, Omar Musa's Fierceland and Geoff Dyer's Homework
Geordie Williamson
Literary critic and publisher
The Australian, The Saturday Paper
Episode: Superstar children's author Andy Griffiths reviews! Plus, Omar Musa's Fierceland and Geoff Dyer's Homework
Michael McGirr
Writer, reviewer, and mission director at Caritas Australia
Caritas Australia
Episode: Greyhounds, dark academia and an Amish community in new fiction by Toni Jordan, R.F. Kuang and Ron Rindo
Seth Robinson
Writer, producer, and lecturer at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
Episode: Greyhounds, dark academia and an Amish community in new fiction by Toni Jordan, R.F. Kuang and Ron Rindo
Colm Tóibín
Irish writer known for his novels on identity and culture
Episode: People turning into trees, mythical rivers rising...new novels by Rhett Davis and Gurnaik Johal (plus, Irish fiction with Colm Tóibín)
Danielle Bagnato
Writer and book critic.
Episode: New Australian crime + hungry ghosts and a great white whale
Mark Dunn
Historian and author, known for his work in Australian history.
Author of The Convict Valley
Episode: New Australian crime + hungry ghosts and a great white whale

Hosts

Kate Evans
Host from ABC Radio National, known for engaging literary discussions and insightful commentary on contemporary fiction.
Cassie McCullagh
Co-host from ABC Radio National, recognized for her lively enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge of literature.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 363 ratings
  • Looking for your next reads? Listen to this.

    I work in a public library and this podcast keeps me well up to date on books and authors. I base most of my reading selections on this show because the reviews are thoughtful, intelligent and funny. I also love the inclusion of author discussion panels. If you need a good book show- this is my favorite.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Book Shelver
    United States2 months ago
  • Thumbs up from Reader Retreat independent bookshop

    Your insightful recommendations help me select books for my book shelves. I appreciate your honesty and find you all so entertaining. Keep up the great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Readers Retreat PS
    Australia4 months ago
  • Platforming transphobes

    I was so deeply disappointed to hear you platforming Adichie, a known transphobe. I expect much better from ABC. Shame on you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    M028O
    Australia7 months ago
  • …..

    Fewer crime novels please

    Love your discussions and banter!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    keen listener!
    Australiaa year ago
  • Awesome wonderful brilliant

    Cassie & Kate- perfect balance of your own individual interests and deeply engaging interviews. Your book choices are so varied that I’m awed by your breadth! I also love your great personalities and the laughter and quick witted banter!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AkMSaM
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is recognized for its depth of analysis on various literary works, encouraging a deeper understanding of contemporary literature.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and intelligent book reviews and insightful recommendations, highlighting the hosts' engaging chemistry and entertaining banter.
Some criticism has been directed towards occasional content that does not align with listener preferences, indicating a desire for more focus on certain genres.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#235
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#4
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#16
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#45
Mexico/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#90
South Korea/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#94
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Top Poems of the 21st Century
Q: So what does poetry mean to you?
Daniel Browning expresses that he doesn't consider himself a poet, but views poetry as a means to confront questions without answers and escape rationality.
Still Turning Heads at 250: Jane Austen’s Enduring Charm
Q: What aspects of the moral philosopher in you drew you to that novel?
Persuasion is extraordinary because it showcases Anne Elliot as Austen's most fully realized character.
Still Turning Heads at 250: Jane Austen’s Enduring Charm
Q: What's the question?
Which Jane Austen character would you like to be?
People turning into trees, mythical rivers rising...new novels by Rhett Davis and Gurnaik Johal (plus, Irish fiction with Colm Tóibín)
Q: How do the politics of wealth and poverty, and also marriage and the complicated politics work in an Indian context?
With Jane Austen, what I love is the critique of that kind of, a critique of pretension and a critique of the pretensions of the elite, that she's constantly mocking in this most delicious voice in all of her work, and the focus on really strong female characters that she has.
People turning into trees, mythical rivers rising...new novels by Rhett Davis and Gurnaik Johal (plus, Irish fiction with Colm Tóibín)
Q: Are you a Jane Austen fan?
I'm a Jane Austen tragic. I have the merch to prove it from Jane Austen House in Choughton. Jane Austen is a writer for better or worse, we had to read in school and university growing up in India.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bookshelf

What is The Bookshelf about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the latest in fiction, this podcast engages passionate readers with thoughtful book reviews and discussions about contemporary literature. Each episode often features the hosts and guests sharing insights and opinions on popular releases, uncovering both exciting new authors and timeless classics. Listeners can expect a mix of personal anecdotes, critical analysis, and a spirited exploration of various literary themes, ensuring an entertaining and enriching experience for book lovers.

A distinctive feature of this podcast is its ability to connect literary critiques to broader societal issues, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own reading practices while being introduced to a diverse range of voices and genres. This mak... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Bookshelf?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bookshelf:

1. The Book Show
2. Sydney Writers' Festival
3. Chat 10 Looks 3
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Conversations

How many episodes of The Bookshelf are there?

The Bookshelf launched 14 years ago and published 510 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Bookshelf?

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What guests have appeared on The Bookshelf?

Recent guests on The Bookshelf include:

1. Melanie Tait
2. Paul Daley
3. Andy Griffiths
4. Geordie Williamson
5. Michael McGirr
6. Seth Robinson
7. Colm Tóibín
8. Danielle Bagnato

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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