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The Bookshelf

ABC Australia
Australian Literature
Literature
Identity
Poetry
Family Dynamics
Jane Austen
Crime Fiction
Climate Change
Show Don't Tell
Long Island
Caledonian Road
Twist
Social Issues
Australia
Time Together
Mansfield Park
Persuasion
Historical Fiction
Grief
Australian Crime Fiction

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes578Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooks

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Artwork for The Bookshelf

Latest Episodes

Kate Evans is joined by Bernadette Brennan and Beejay Silcox to talk three striking new releases: Doireann Ní Ghríofa’s Said the Dead, a haunting, archive-rich exploration of a derelict Irish asylum; Chloe Wilson’s The Thornbacks, a darkly comic debu... more

The Bookshelf comes to you from a sold out session at Sydney Writers’ Festival, for a conversation that brings together an exceptional line-up: acclaimed novelist and poet Tony Birch, Miles Franklin Award-winning author Siang Lu, and internationally ... more

We head by rackety ferry to Scotland in John of John, the latest, quietly devastating novel from Shuggie Bain author Douglas Stuart. Henry Lawson reimagined - brawling poets, strange tunnels, time loops, and a warped tussle between city and bush in W... more

This week’s Bookshelf features the latest from Elizabeth Strout, creator of Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton, returning with a stand‑alone novel called The Things We Never Say. We’re also reading an ambitious, genre‑bending novel that moves from 1980... more

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Recent Guests

Lily King
American novelist and short story writer
Author
Episode: Launching ABC Radio National’s 2026 Top 100 Books countdown at SWF
Siang Lu
Miles Franklin Literary Award-winning writer and editor
Silly Bookstagram
Episode: Launching ABC Radio National’s 2026 Top 100 Books countdown at SWF
Robert Forster
singer, songwriter, and novelist
Go-Betweens (former member)
Episode: Elizabeth Strout, Daniel Kehlmann and a Genre‑Bending Debut
Asako Yuzuki
Author whose work Butter discussed; translated for English edition
Japanese author, translator Polly Barton mentioned
Episode: On the Shelf: Inga Simpson, Asako Yuzuki, Helen Bain and more
Helen Bain
Author of The Daffodil Days
Bloomsbury
Episode: On the Shelf: Inga Simpson, Asako Yuzuki, Helen Bain and more
Colm McCann
Irish writer; author of Twist, Transatlantic, A Paragon, Let the Great World Spin
Author
Episode: ~ Festival Special: Irish Writer Colum McCann
Tony Birch
Poet, writer and professor of Australian literature
Melbourne University
Episode: Short fiction from Louise Erdrich; essays by Alex Miller; and a surreal comic tale from Michael Winkler
Tim Rogers
Singer-songwriter and performer
Tim Rogers / UMI
Episode: Lanchester, Groff and Costello — reviewed by Hannah Kent and Tim Rogers
Mary Costello
Novelist
Author of A Beautiful Loan
Episode: Lanchester, Groff and Costello — reviewed by Hannah Kent and Tim Rogers

Hosts

Kate Evans
Host of The Bookshelf
Cassie McCullagh
Co-host of The Bookshelf

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 370 ratings
  • The Bookshelf

    Always informative, interesting and fun. Guests add to the show, but Kate and Cassie hold it all together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Itsallhistory
    Australia3 months ago
  • 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 States10 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
    Australiaa year 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
    Australiaa year ago
  • …..

    Fewer crime novels please

    Love your discussions and banter!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    keen listener!
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

A subset of listeners criticizes coverage of certain topics or authors and wishes for more balanced representation.
The discussion can be deeply analytical yet accessible to general readers.
Guests are consistently strong, bringing diverse perspectives.
Listeners praise the hosts' banter and depth of literary insight.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#114
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#185
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#7
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#23
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#12
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#38
New Zealand/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

On the Shelf: Inga Simpson, Asako Yuzuki, Helen Bain and more
Q: Tony, we've covered a book or two today on The Bookshelf.
We certainly have, with a range of recommendations spanning Australian fiction, translated works, and genre-bending reads.
The Bookshelf Special
Q: What was your approach to writing about grief for Rami and Basam without exploiting their pain?
I aimed to be true to their grief, acknowledge limits of any one person's experience, and use their stories to evoke universal truths rather than recreate their exact pain.
The Bookshelf Special
Q: How do you gain the trust of people you meet for your novels?
I start with genuine curiosity, I like people, and I assume they're smarter than me, which keeps me open and respectful when gathering material.
Gabriel Tallent: Crux + Claire Thomas: On Not Climbing Mountains + Helle Helle: They (REVIEWERS: Hannah Kent and Tom Wright)
Q: What are you working on at the moment, Hannah?
Hannah Kent describes being in a rich phase of reading and writing, maintaining a balance between drafting and research, and planning future projects while keeping a window of time to refresh her creative process.
Festival Special: Maggie O'Farrell on Hamnet and more
Q: So what were the qualities that you wanted to bring to your version of Agnes, this woman, who can deal with a falcon?
I wanted her to be a fully realized person and to ask readers to open themselves to the interpretation that they did love each other.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Bookshelf

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

A warm, book-focused discussion show that centers contemporary and classic fiction through in-depth author interviews, reviews, and cross-disciplinary conversations. Across episodes, hosts explore narrative craft, translation, and the cultural context of literary works, often pairing Australian perspectives with international titles. notable moments include analyses of controversy around adaptations, debates about memory and history in fiction, and a knack for connecting literature to cinema, theatre, and broader cultural conversations. The format blends thoughtful critique with accessible banter, making it appealing to dedicated readers and book-curious listeners alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Bookshelf?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Bookshelf. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Bookshelf and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Bookshelf get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Bookshelf?

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How many subscribers and views does The Bookshelf have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Bookshelf has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Bookshelf?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bookshelf:

1. The Book Show
2. Chat 10 Looks 3
3. Secret Life of Books
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Big Ideas

How many episodes of The Bookshelf are there?

The Bookshelf launched 14 years ago and published 578 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Bookshelf?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Bookshelf?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Bookshelf from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Bookshelf?

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What guests have appeared on The Bookshelf?

Recent guests on The Bookshelf include:

1. Lily King
2. Siang Lu
3. Robert Forster
4. Asako Yuzuki
5. Helen Bain
6. Colm McCann
7. Tony Birch
8. Tim Rogers

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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