
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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 510 | Founded | 14 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArts | |||

In this episode, Kate and Cassie are joined by celebrated novelist Madeleine Gray and rock icon Tim Rogers for a wide-ranging discussion looking at three works of contemporary fiction: Indian writer Amitav Ghosh’s Ghost Eye, a meditation on reincarna... more
Memory, lost conversations and almost-fathers-and sons in Ben Lerner's Transcription; children divided by the throw of a dice, and that's just the start of it, in Steve Toltz's A Rising of the Lights; no such thing as unskilled labour, in Siân Hughes... more
What does it mean to write using an 'ethical imagination'? Colum McCann onstage with Kate Evans at the 2025 Melbourne Writers Festival, on his novels Twist, Apeirogon, TransAtlantic, Let the Great World Spin and many more; and his work with the socia... more
We review the latest in fiction for dedicated readers and for those who wish they read more.
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Always informative, interesting and fun. Guests add to the show, but Kate and Cassie hold it all together.
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.
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.
I was so deeply disappointed to hear you platforming Adichie, a known transphobe. I expect much better from ABC. Shame on you.
Fewer crime novels please
Love your discussions and banter!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This podcast features in-depth discussions focused on a wide variety of contemporary literature, with a special emphasis on new releases. Each episode often includes guest reviewers, who contribute diverse perspectives on the books discussed, providing insights into themes such as identity, memory, and the complexities of relationships. The hosts not only review individual titles but also engage in broader conversations about literary trends, making it both informative and entertaining for avid readers. Listeners can expect a blend of humor, critique, and literary analysis that celebrates not just the narratives being explored, but also the experiences of the readers themselves.
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.
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Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Bookshelf, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.
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1. The Book Show
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3. Secret Life of Books
4. Big Ideas
5. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
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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Recent guests on The Bookshelf include:
1. Colm McCann
2. Shannon Burns
3. Mary Costello
4. Emily Maguire
5. Jock Serong
6. Tony Birch
7. Michael Robotham
8. BJ Silcox
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