Rephonic
Artwork for Bookends

Bookends with Mattea Roach

CBC
Grief
Identity
Literature
Family Dynamics
Mental Health
Cultural Identity
Canadian Literature
Chronic Pain
Poetry
Immigration
Canada
CBC
Graphic Novels
Friendship
Philip Roth
Franz Kafka
Jackie Kay
Mirrors
Toronto
Storytelling

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes149Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Bookends

Latest Episodes

Yann Martel didn’t think anybody would read Life of Pi when he first published it. 25 years later, his story of a teenage boy and a tiger adrift in the ocean still captivates readers, and Yann says his books are like his children — he loves them all ... more

When Mai Nguyen lost her daughter just days after she was born, writing about a similar character in a novel brought her comfort. Her new book, Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead, is a heartbreaking but humorous novel about a grieving mother who starts w... more

The “wolf hour” is a term for the deep-night period between roughly three and four in the morning. The world is quiet, your guard is down … and if you’re anything like the thriller writer Jo Nesbø, it’s the perfect time to put some of your darkest th... more

In Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel, Yesteryear, a modern day tradwife influencer shares her picturesque farm life with 8 million followers … until one day, she wakes up in the 1800s and has to do it all for real. No running water, no electricity and ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Jo Nesbø
Norwegian author
Author
Episode: Should you be afraid of the wolf hour?
Caro Claire Burke
Author of Yesteryear
Author, Yesteryear
Episode: Would a tradwife influencer survive in 1855?
Ben Lerner
Author of Transcription
Author
Episode: How do we restore our sense of wonder in media?
Carrianne Leung
Author of Wonderland Road
Author, Wonderland Road
Episode: What does dystopia look like in the suburbs?
Michael Redhill
Author of The Trial of Katterfelto
Author
Episode: Is it magic … or is it Siri?
Daniyal Mueenuddin
Author of This Is Where the Serpent Lives
Author
Episode: Why status and power are currency in Pakistan
Julian Barnes
Author of Departures
Author, Departures
Episode: The last book Julian Barnes will ever write
Michael V. Smith
Writer, performer and poet; subject of the memoir Soundtrack: A Lyric Memoir
University of British Columbia (professor); author
Episode: Is there a soundtrack to your life?
Joss Richard
Author of It's Different This Time
Author/Entertainment journalist
Episode: If at first you break up … try, try again?

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
    Canada4 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
    Canada4 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 States4 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
    Canada6 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
    Canada6 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
#205
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#3
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#6
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#174
Germany/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#240
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#27
Chile/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How do we restore our sense of wonder in media?
Q: Why is there a focus on the intergenerational transmission of voice and the role of technology in shaping attention?
He argues that human voices pass through many listeners and media, creating a layered, imperfect transmission that nonetheless carries emotional resonance and connects generations, making literature a vehicle for exploring these changes.
How do we restore our sense of wonder in media?
Q: What can fiction capture that recorded media cannot, and how does that relate to truth and memory?
Lerner discusses how fiction can transmit emotional truth, address the limitations of physical devices, and reveal the social and psychological dynamics that shape a voice across time, offering a different kind of authenticity than literal transcription.
What does dystopia look like in the suburbs?
Q: Do you see dystopian fiction as hopeful, and how does hope manifest in Wonderland Road?
Yes, hope emerges through acts of courage, community, and the possibility of rebuilding social ties; the ending remains open to suggest ongoing resilience rather than definitive resolution.
What does dystopia look like in the suburbs?
Q: Why frame the story through three characters—Pauline, Jing, and Julian?
The three characters provide three distinct perspectives—adult, child, and adolescent—on how the apocalypse and suburbia intersect, allowing the exploration of intergenerational dynamics and different ways people imagine a future.
Is it magic … or is it Siri?
Q: How do you balance writing something that can feel like a cautionary tale with entertaining, artistically engaging storytelling?
He discusses the role of apocalyptic fiction as a vehicle for exploring human behavior, the allure of doom in storytelling, and the importance of maintaining engagement while addressing serious concerns about the future.

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?

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.

Where can I find podcast stats for Bookends?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Bookends. 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 Bookends and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Bookends get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Bookends, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Bookends?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Bookends, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Bookends have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Bookends 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 Bookends?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bookends:

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

How many episodes of Bookends are there?

Bookends launched 19 years ago and published 149 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 Bookends?

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 Bookends?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Bookends 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 Bookends?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Bookends. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Bookends?

Recent guests on Bookends include:

1. Jo Nesbø
2. Caro Claire Burke
3. Ben Lerner
4. Carrianne Leung
5. Michael Redhill
6. Daniyal Mueenuddin
7. Julian Barnes
8. Michael V. Smith

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days