Rephonic
Artwork for Bookends

Bookends with Mattea Roach

CBC
Philip Roth
Portnoy's Complaint
Goodbye, Columbus
Mothers and Sons
Anita Desai
Colm Toibin
Nemesis
The Plot Against America
Libya
Hisham Matar
Psychological Damage
Literary Influence
Jewish Identity
American Politics
Johann Sebastian Bach
Irish Mother
Emotional Alienation
Divorce
Identity
Literary Legacy

When the book ends, the conversation begins. Mattea Roach speaks with writers who have something to say about their work, the world and our place in it. You’ll always walk away with big questions to ponder and new books to read.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes97Founded19 years ago
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BooksArts

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Artwork for Bookends

Latest Episodes

Ken Follett is one of the most successful authors alive today. He’s sold almost 200 million books, and readers have devoured his stories about the Black Plague, German spies and nuclear war. His next challenge? The great mystery of Stonehenge. Ken’s ... more

The winner of the 2025 CBC Nonfiction Prize is The Invisible Woman by Laura MacGregor. It's a deeply personal and heartfelt story Laura wrote about her son Matthew, who lived with profound disabilities and required around-the-clock care. Laura wrote ... more

After massive hits like The Poppy War, Babel and Yellowface, R.F. Kuang’s new novel takes readers to hell — quite literally. Katabasis follows two grad students who venture through the underworld to save their professor’s soul, and R.F. Kuang’s own e... more

Statistically, your odds of becoming an astronaut are close to zero. You have to make some pretty extreme sacrifices to reach the stars, and that’s the thrust of a new novel about the first Cherokee astronaut. To the Moon and Back is Eliana Ramage’s ... more

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Recent Guests

R.F. Kuang
Author of the novel Katabasis
Independent
Episode: R.F. Kuang raises a little hell
Eliana Ramage
Author of 'To the Moon and Back', citizen of the Cherokee Nation
Episode: What would it take to become the first Cherokee astronaut?
Maria Reva
Author of Endling, a debut novel on the Booker Prize long list.
Episode: ​What happens to fiction in times of war?
Jeff Lemire
Canadian comic book artist and writer known for his works like Essex County and Sweet Tooth.
Episode: Why this comics legend is just getting started
Christine Estima
Author of Letters to Kafka, journalist and speaker
Episode: Who was the woman Kafka loved?
Holly Brickley
Author of Deep Cuts, exploring music and culture of the 2000s
Episode: Reliving the soundtrack of the 2000s
Tessa Hulls
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and creator of the graphic memoir Feeding Ghosts
Episode: Why this Pulitzer Prize winner is done with writing books
Anna Sale
Host of the podcast Death, Sex and Money and author of Let's Talk About Hard Things.
Death, Sex and Money
Episode: Bookends Bonus: Death, sex, money … and podcasting?
David Huebert
Author of Oil People, discusses the intersections of family and environmental themes in his writing.
Episode: Bookends Highlights: Why we never shut up about our literary prizes

Host

Mattea Roach
Mattea Roach is a keen host known for her engaging interview style, blending insightful questioning with a warm, approachable demeanor. She brings a youthful perspective to literary discussions, effectively connecting with both authors and listeners to explore complex themes in literature.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Brilliant

    What a pleasure to listen to a young person who is so educated, well spoken and prepared in every aspect! I could listen to you read a dictionary. Your cadence is beautiful.

    *I listened to the Kate Bush episode 3 times!!! Shares it with all my friends who are more evolved when it comes to music.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AK Ajijic
    United States2 months ago
  • Intelligentsia here!

    I just listened to Mattea’s interview on my CBC Listen App, and I just love how she interviews. She is engaging, intelligent and really listens to her interviewee. I just had to find her podcast to download. Thank you Mattea!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Forever Canadian Love
    United States2 months ago
  • I love the voices chosen for this podcast. Mattea is a really great interviewer and each interview is so insightful.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    trollmila
    3 months ago
  • Brilliant

    What a pleasure to listen to a young person who is so educated, well spoken and prepared in every aspect! I could listen to you read a dictionary. Your cadence is beautiful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AK Ajijic
    United States3 months ago
  • Always an interesting listen!

    Mattea Roach is always a breath of fresh air. She’s so informed, well read and easy to listen to. She has a wonderful way of putting authors at ease and the conversation seems so natural. I look forward to new episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kitaban no Suzan
    Canada4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the intelligent and thoughtful dialogue that Mattea Roach facilitates, often highlighting her poise and preparation. Many praise her engaging interview style, noting the natural flow of conversation that encourages authors to share profound insights. Comments reveal a strong appreciation for the variety of guests who bring diverse perspectives, although some feel that certain themes, particularly around grief and identity, may receive excessive focus. Overall, the show garners high marks for its ability to make literature relatable and relevant to current societal challenges. There is also acknowledgment of Mattea Roach's commendable skill as a host, with listeners enjoying her insightful questions and personable character. However, some feedback hints at a desire for broader thematic diversity beyond the predominant focus on personal struggles and trauma.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#210
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#4
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#11
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#138
Germany/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#132
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#136
Israel/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What would it take to become the first Cherokee astronaut?
Q: What leads her to feel that way when Steph just wants to go to the moon?
Kayla feels the importance of heritage and family, leading to a protective urgency over their cultural identity, contrasting with Steph's aspirations.
What would it take to become the first Cherokee astronaut?
Q: What did you want to explore through Steph's relationship with her Indigeneity and being Cherokee?
Eliana discusses the tension between Steph's ambitious pursuit of becoming an astronaut and her relationship with her Cherokee identity, influenced by her mother's beliefs.
What would it take to become the first Cherokee astronaut?
Q: Where does your interest in space and in this astronaut journey come from?
Eliana expresses her interest in the story of science as a representation of humanity's possibilities and how space can symbolize escape and a new beginning for the protagonist Steph.
​What happens to fiction in times of war?
Q: What was going into that decision for him to want to stay put?
Maria explains that her grandfather preferred the independence he had in his apartment, despite the risks, rather than losing his freedom in a safer environment.
​What happens to fiction in times of war?
Q: Where did you first come up with the idea for this novel?
Maria Reva was inspired by a story from her sister that highlighted perceptions of Ukrainian women, leading her to explore the notion of romance tours in Ukraine.

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 Bookends

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

A unique blend of literature and personal exploration takes center stage, featuring engaging discussions between the host and a diverse array of writers. Conversations often traverse themes of identity, cultural heritage, creativity, and the societal implications of literature. Noteworthy are the insightful reflections on contemporary societal issues—particularly around mental health, trauma, and the nuances of gender and identity, which prompt listeners to think critically about the stories that shape our lives and shared experiences. Additionally, the podcast invites listeners to discover new books while engaging with authors on a personal level, making it ideal for those interested in the intersection of literature and life.

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Which podcasts are similar to Bookends?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bookends:

1. Ideas
2. The Sunday Magazine
3. White Coat, Black Art
4. The Current
5. Q with Tom Power

How many episodes of Bookends are there?

Bookends launched 19 years ago and published 97 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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What guests have appeared on Bookends?

Recent guests on Bookends include:

1. R.F. Kuang
2. Eliana Ramage
3. Maria Reva
4. Jeff Lemire
5. Christine Estima
6. Holly Brickley
7. Tessa Hulls
8. Anna Sale

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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