The Bookshelf
ABCWhat 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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 510 | Founded | 14 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArts | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
The Bookshelf's Kate Evans and the Book Show's Claire Nichols joined forces onstage at the 2025 Sydney Writers Festival — with a panel of international writers — to talk favourite and influential books from the 21st century, in the lead up to the ina... more
Why aren't you reading more poetry? Perhaps you don't know where to begin — in which case, listen here, for a guide.
Join Kate Evans, as she is joined by acclaimed author and poet Maxine Beneba Clarke, Stella Prize-winning poet and academic Sarah Ho... more
Colm Tóibín onstage at the 2025 Sydney Writers Festival with The Bookshelf's Kate Evans — on fiction, fridges, rain, hinges, melodrama, reading, and why he can't write American dialogue so every character he writes has to be Irish (except, of course,... more
In the year of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, this lively and thought-provoking discussion explores her life, legacy, and literary brilliance — her novels are charming, sure, but also radical, political, witty, and entertaining.
Presented in partners... more
Key Facts
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Reviews
- 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 Podcasts5Book Shelver
United States5 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 Podcasts5Readers Retreat PS
Australia7 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 Podcasts1M028OAustralia10 months ago - …..
Fewer crime novels please
Love your discussions and banter!
Apple Podcasts5keen listener!Australia2 years 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 Podcasts5AkMSaMAustralia2 years ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #8 | Australia/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #26 | Australia/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #59 |  Belgium/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #95 |  New Zealand/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #152 | Belgium/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #166 |  Brazil/Arts/Books |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bookshelf
What is The Bookshelf about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A lively exploration of contemporary literature, focusing on a diverse range of fiction from multiple genres. The podcast features in-depth discussions on new releases, literary trends, and the intersections of storytelling with culture and identity. It often highlights notable authors, thematic explorations such as memoir, climate fiction, and social commentary, and dives into the emotional layers of narrative through interviews with both established and emerging literary voices.
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. Big Ideas
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Late Night Live — Full program podcast
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.
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.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
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. Colm Tóibín
2. Lainie Anderson
3. Nilima Rao
4. Michael Burge
5. Jason Steger
6. Jon Page
7. Stuart Coupe
8. Nicola Heath
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.