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Artwork for Bookends

Bookends with Mattea Roach

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

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 weeklyEpisodes138Founded19 years ago
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BooksArts

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Latest Episodes

This week, Bookends is celebrating libraries with a special Canada Reads event at the Hamilton Public Library. 

Morgann Book truly lives up to her name. As one of Canada’s biggest book influencers, she shares her love of literature with millions of ... more

In Tara Gereaux’s new novel, Wild People Quiet, a Métis woman works tirelessly to hide her identity for years … until everything starts to come crashing down. It’s the early 1900s when Florence realizes she can pass as white. Longing for a comfortabl... more

What does family mean to two motherless daughters? That question is at the centre of Kin, a new work of historical fiction by Tayari Jones. It’s about the bond between two girls in the American South as they end up on starkly different paths, and a d... more

Toronto’s most infamous women’s prison was meant to rehabilitate women … but its real history tells a much darker story. Heather Marshall dives headfirst into the Mercer Reformatory in her latest novel, Liberty Street. The book follows Emily Radcliff... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Heather Marshall
Author of Liberty Street
HarperCollins / Heather Marshall (author)
Episode: Inside Toronto’s most notorious women’s prison
Jeanette Winterson
Author of One Aladdin, Two Lamps
Author, Writer
Episode: For Jeanette Winterson, stories are essential to survival
Ashraf Zaghal
Author of Seven Heavens Away
Author, Seven Heavens Away
Episode: What is boyhood to a Palestinian teen?
Nic Stone
Author of Boom Town
Author, Boom Town
Episode: Strip club … or culture hub?
Kagiso Lesego Molope
Author of We Inherit The Fire
Author, based in Ottawa
Episode: Rage and love at the end of apartheid
Zak Jones
Debut author, writer, literary scholar, US Army veteran
Fancy Gap (novel) / Author
Episode: The beauty and despair of Appalachia
Chris Kraus
Author known for her debut novel I Love Dick, which became a cult feminist classic.
Episode: Meth and murder in rural America
Tyler Hellard
Author of Searching for Terry Punchout
Episode: Meet hockey’s greatest (fictional) goon
Tamara Jong
Writer and essayist from Montreal, discussing her memoir 'Worldly Girls'
Episode: What does “worldly” mean to a Jehovah’s Witness?

Host

Mattea Roach
Mattea Roach serves as the host, guiding insightful conversations with various authors. Her role is characterized by an intelligent and engaging interviewing style, as she delves into the complexities of literary works and the personal experiences of her guests.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Love the thoughtful conversation!

    Mattea is an excellent host and interviewer! They always ask such interesting questions. My favourite podcast by far!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WilliamFrancis
    Canada2 months ago
  • Ian McEwan

    Congratulations on the great questions that fuelled a fascinating conversation with the master novelist of our time,Ian McEwan. I just finished his latest novel and found the interview enhanced my reading experience. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Connie49
    Canada2 months ago
  • Terrible

    I live in the US as do many many of your readers, Louise. I didnt appreciate your negativity re the US or the tone of your remarks. I didn’t listen all the way through. I enjoy your books. I will keep reading them but I’d rather think of you as what I have imagined and not what I just heard. Very disappointing. I detected the same attitude with Mattea as well. We as citizens of our great country the USA aren’t graced with the options that our leaders choose to make.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Kirkieblue
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent

    I’ve always enjoyed listening to programs like this where the authors are interviewed ..it provides tremendous insight into the kind of writing that they do. I really really like Mattea Roach’s interview style. It’s intelligent. It’s easy to listen to. I think she’s doing a marvellous job ….you can tell she’s a very bright person. Gratifying to hear one of the authors that she’s interviewed compliment her on her questions and her style. I think that’s super.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pametc
    Canada5 months ago
  • Getting better over time

    Initially I couldn’t stand this podcast as the interviewer Mattea Roach kept inserting her own experiences and opinions often seeming to compete with the interviewee. She seems to have improved a lot and today’s interview with Ian McEwan was well done. I’ll continue to listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    WonderPrep
    Canada5 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 engaging interview style of Mattea Roach, often praising her ability to ask thought-provoking questions.
There is a recognition of the depth and relevance of the conversations offered, particularly in relation to contemporary societal issues and personal narratives.
However, some express concern regarding the occasional focus on personal anecdotes from the host, suggesting that it may detract from the emphasis on guest experiences.
Overall, feedback reflects a strong affinity for literary discussions that inspire deeper thought and understanding.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#158
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#4
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#14
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#90
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#244
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#91
Spain/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

For Jeanette Winterson, stories are essential to survival
Q: What role did your early experiences with libraries and books play in shaping your view of narrative?
Winterson describes libraries as salvation and a source of self-directed learning that helped forge her feminist consciousness and sense of personal identity.
For Jeanette Winterson, stories are essential to survival
Q: How do you think about the power of stories to change lives and societies?
She argues that stories either enslave or liberate, emphasizing that collectivity and community often lead to better outcomes, and that a good story can save lives by reframing what is possible.
For Jeanette Winterson, stories are essential to survival
Q: What drew you to use The Thousand and One Nights as a framing device for One Aladdin, Two Lamps?
Winterson explains that the non-linear, evolving nature of Scheherazade's storytelling mirrors how she approaches writing—storytelling is a dynamic process, not a fixed blueprint, and it allows her to weave contemporary concerns into ancient motifs.
Strip club … or culture hub?
Q: What was your interest in exploring the strip club as a setting for a novel?
Stone explains that the setting allows her to explore power dynamics, gender, and cultural history in Atlanta, while also giving her a platform to center Black women's experiences and create morally complex characters.
The beauty and despair of Appalachia
Q: Why set your novel in this location?
Zak Jones explains that the setting in southern Appalachia serves as a lens to examine regional history, culture, and the ways place shapes identity, faith, and family dynamics, while acknowledging the complexity and humanity of the region beyond stereotypes.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bookends

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

This series features engaging conversations with authors, exploring their literary works while also delving into broader themes related to society and personal identity. Topics span a variety of genres, including fiction, memoir, and literary criticism, providing listeners with insights into the creative processes and motivations behind the authors' writings. Unique to the series is its focus on both contemporary issues—such as mental health, social justice, and cultural identity—and on the complex relationships between family, faith, and personal struggle. Each episode aims to inspire listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and experiences in relation to the narratives shared by the authors.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Bookends:

1. Ideas
2. The Sunday Magazine
3. Q with Tom Power
4. The Current
5. Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

How many episodes of Bookends are there?

Bookends launched 19 years ago and published 138 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. Heather Marshall
2. Jeanette Winterson
3. Ashraf Zaghal
4. Nic Stone
5. Kagiso Lesego Molope
6. Zak Jones
7. Chris Kraus
8. Tyler Hellard

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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