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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
Libya
Hisham Matar
Psychological Damage
Literary Influence
American Politics
Jewish Identity
Johann Sebastian Bach
Divorce
Irish Mother
Emotional Alienation
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 weeklyEpisodes143Founded19 years ago
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ArtsBooks

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Artwork for Bookends

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Julian Barnes says his new novel is his final. It’s called Departure(s), and it’s about two people who fall in love when they’re young and then meet again decades later. The story is told through the perspective of a writer named Julian … who has a l... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Morgann Book
Canada Reads contender and podcaster
Reese Witherspoon's Talent Incubator member
Episode: If at first you break up … try, try again?
Tara Gereaux
Author of Wild People Quiet
Author, Wild People Quiet
Episode: How long could you lie about who you are?
Tayari Jones
Author of Kin and An American Marriage
Author
Episode: Why Tayari Jones fights for her stories
Heather Marshall
Author of Liberty Street
HarperCollins / Heather Marshall (author)
Episode: Inside Toronto’s most notorious women’s prison

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
    Canada3 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
    Canada3 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
    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
#3
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#9
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#71
Finland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#162
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#193
South Korea/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#200
Finland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Is it magic … or is it Siri?
Q: What drew you to the idea of magic and conjuring as possible fodder for a novel?
Redhill explains his long-standing interest in magic, the relationship between the magician and audience, and the suspension of disbelief that makes magic compelling as a lens to explore science and technology.
The last book Julian Barnes will ever write
Q: How do you see the balance between memory and documentary notes when writing about the past?
He explains using notebooks and recordings to separate lived memory from documentary detail, creating two textured layers in the narrative that echo the dual textures of memory and storytelling.
The last book Julian Barnes will ever write
Q: What motivated you to write Departures at this particular moment in your life?
Barnes cites memory's unreliability with age, a desire to address love rekindled in later life, and a wish to farewell readers through a book that reflects on his long career.
If at first you break up … try, try again?
Q: How does the book handle representation beyond stereotype, particularly around Filipino identity?
Morgann and Joss discuss aiming for natural representation where June's Filipino background is a facet of who she is, not the sole focus of her character, and they highlight the responsibility and challenge of portraying identity without reducing it to a single storyline.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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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. White Coat, Black Art

How many episodes of Bookends are there?

Bookends launched 19 years ago and published 143 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?

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What guests have appeared on Bookends?

Recent guests on Bookends include:

1. Michael Redhill
2. Daniyal Mueenuddin
3. Julian Barnes
4. Michael V. Smith
5. Joss Richard
6. Morgann Book
7. Tara Gereaux
8. Tayari Jones

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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