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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
Literary Influence
Psychological Damage
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 weeklyEpisodes132Founded19 years ago
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ArtsBooks

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Artwork for Bookends

Latest Episodes

What happens behind the closed doors of a strip club? Pole dancing, booming basslines … and in Nic Stone’s new novel, the chilling mystery of a missing exotic dancer. In Boom Town, the manager of a fictional Atlanta strip club sets out to find a miss... more

Can you inherit fury? Kagiso Lesego Molope’s new novel, We Inherit The Fire, follows a mother and daughter at the end of apartheid in South Africa. Kewame is a famous freedom fighter who is haunted by the trauma of apartheid and her time as a politic... more

What do you know about Appalachia? Fancy Gap is the debut novel by Zak Jones, and it challenges the preconceptions we might have about the region. The story follows three generations of an Appalachian family as they navigate poverty, illness, extreme... more

When Chris Kraus became fixated on a murder case in a Minnesotan town, she decided to try her hand at a true crime novel ... but the project soon evolved into something much bigger. The Four Spent The Day Together weaves together the stories of an im... more

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Recent Guests

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?
Rebecca Novack
Author of the debut novel 'Murder Bimbo'
Episode: Justice for Murder Bimbo!
Lindsay Wong
Author of 'Villain Hitting for Vicious Little Nobodies'
Episode: Need cash fast? Become a corpse bride today
Carla Ciccone
Author and ADHD advocate
Author of Nowhere Girl
Episode: Why an ADHD diagnosis had this author rethinking everything

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
    Canadaa month 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 States2 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
    Canada4 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
    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 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
#250
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#5
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#15
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#175
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#113
Singapore/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#126
Poland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
What does “worldly” mean to a Jehovah’s Witness?
Q: What are your feelings, I guess, about the faith now being out of it?
I feel a mixture of anger and regret towards my faith and relationships I lost after leaving.
What does “worldly” mean to a Jehovah’s Witness?
Q: Can you paint a picture of what it was like as a very young person, so kind of toddler into pre-teen years, growing up as a Jehovah's Witness?
I was a scared and introverted kid, pressured to conform to religious expectations, which often left me feeling lonely and anxious.
What does “worldly” mean to a Jehovah’s Witness?
Q: Can you tell me about that duality?
In the faith, 'worldly' is seen negatively, representing traits outside of their Christian values, whereas in broader contexts, it can be interpreted as something appealing.

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. Q with Tom Power
3. The Current
4. White Coat, Black Art
5. Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly

How many episodes of Bookends are there?

Bookends launched 19 years ago and published 132 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. Nic Stone
2. Kagiso Lesego Molope
3. Zak Jones
4. Chris Kraus
5. Tyler Hellard
6. Tamara Jong
7. Rebecca Novack
8. Lindsay Wong

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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