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
Hisham Matar
Libya
Psychological Damage
Literary Influence
American Politics
Jewish Identity
Johann Sebastian Bach
Emotional Alienation
Irish Mother
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 weeklyEpisodes118Founded19 years ago
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BooksArts

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Artwork for Bookends

Latest Episodes

Jane Austen is one of the most enduring novelists of all time. But what do we know about the woman behind the stories? To celebrate Austen’s 250th birthday, we’re revisiting Eleanor Wachtel’s conversation with Carol Shields about her 2001 biography, ... more

After releasing her breakout hit My Sister the Serial Killer in 2018, Oyinkan Braithwaite struggled to write under the pressure of high expectations. She worried about being a one-hit wonder … but her new novel, Cursed Daughters, proves otherwise. Th... more

Christmas is a time for togetherness, good food … and lying to your family about your love life. At least, that’s the case in Uzma Jalaluddin’s new holiday rom-com, Yours for the Season. The book stars Sameera and Tom, whose career ambitions lead the... more

Video games make you violent. Video games corrupt the youth. Video games rot your brain! You’ve probably heard that narrative before … but Kawika Guillermo offers a fresh take in their new essay collection, Of Floating Isles: On Growing Pains and Vid... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Carol Shields
A Canadian writer and Jane Austen biographer
Episode: Revisiting Writers & Company: Happy 250th, Jane Austen!
Oyinkan Braithwaite
Author of Cursed Daughters and My Sister, the Serial Killer
Episode: So your whole family thinks you’re reincarnated — what now?
Uzma Jalaluddin
Author of bestselling novels including Detective Auntie and Three Holidays and a Wedding
Episode: All I want for Christmas … is a fake boyfriend?
Kawika Guillermo
A lifelong gamer, writer, and video game scholar.
University of British Columbia
Episode: Video games are radical. Not in the way you think
Mona Awad
Author of Bunny and We Love You, Bunny
Episode: Three writers on the monsters that made them
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Author known for genre-defying fiction that blends horror, fantasy, and noir
Episode: Three writers on the monsters that made them
Jen Sookfong Lee
Author, broadcaster, and podcaster known for exploring identity and family
Episode: Three writers on the monsters that made them
Brandon Taylor
Author of Minor Black Figures
Episode: A priest and an artist walk into a bar
Robert Hough
Author of 'Anarchists in Love' and a writer discussing Emma Goldman's life and anarchist politics.
Episode: Anarchists have bigger hearts than you think

Host

Mattea Roach
Host of discussions with authors about their work, life, and cultural implications.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • 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
    Canada2 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
    Canada2 months ago
  • Time to unfollow!

    I’ve given the new podcast over a year and I need to say goodbye. Mattea, please stop inserting your own opinions and narratives into the interviews. We listen to hear from THEM, not from (or about) YOU! I’m sure it’s very hard to follow in the footsteps of the great Eleanor, but she knew enough to get out of the way when you interview someone!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Geoff Kullman
    Canada2 months ago
  • Bless this podcast

    Roach is a fantastic interviewer, and it’s been so wonderful to hear them settle into the role of host. I’m grateful for the variety of genres Bookends covers and the care Roach brings to each conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    D0r0theaBr00ke
    Canada3 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.

    *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 States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall enthusiasm for the variety of literary genres covered in the episodes.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and intelligent dialogues she fosters.
Some feedback suggests that the host occasionally inserts personal narratives, which divides opinions among the audience.
Exceptional interviewing style from Mattea, providing deep insights into the authors' thoughts and works.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#12
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#27
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#220
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#77
Russia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#164
Brazil/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#187
Russia/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

So your whole family thinks you’re reincarnated — what now?
Q: What do you hope for your daughter regarding your future relationship?
I want to give her the freedom to be who she is and maintain her confidence as she grows up.
So your whole family thinks you’re reincarnated — what now?
Q: How do your parents and family feel about your success as a writer?
My parents are very supportive now that I've proven my success in writing. It's not common, and they understand that I didn't expect such fast recognition.
So your whole family thinks you’re reincarnated — what now?
Q: What did you want to explore with that idea of having a character who is this kind of double for somebody else?
I wanted to explore how family legacies affect one's decisions and mental health, especially when pressured to conform to familial patterns.
So your whole family thinks you’re reincarnated — what now?
Q: Can you tell me about the journey to writing Cursed Daughters?
It had been a while. I had been writing short stories, but I hadn't been able to write a novel. I set it aside and later found inspiration to return to it through conversations with my father.
All I want for Christmas … is a fake boyfriend?
Q: What did you want to explore with the sibling dynamics in this book?
The dynamics reflect the complexities of family relationships where love coexists with tension, stemming from estrangement among siblings.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bookends

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

Conversations center around literature and the creative process, inviting listeners to explore the insights and complexities of various authors' works. Each episode showcases engaging discussions with authors, reflecting on themes including identity, cultural critique, and societal norms. The host's style fosters an atmosphere of thoughtful inquiry, encouraging exploration beyond the text and into personal narratives and broader societal issues, making it ideal for book enthusiasts and 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. 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 118 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. Carol Shields
2. Oyinkan Braithwaite
3. Uzma Jalaluddin
4. Kawika Guillermo
5. Mona Awad
6. Silvia Moreno-Garcia
7. Jen Sookfong Lee
8. Brandon Taylor

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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