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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
The Plot Against America
Nemesis
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes122Founded19 years ago
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ArtsBooks

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Artwork for Bookends

Latest Episodes

The winner of the 2025 CBC Poetry Prize is the Vancouver poet Jordan Redekop-Jones. Jordan’s winning poem, Mixed Girl as Cosmogonic Myth, was inspired by her experience of becoming a caretaker in her 20s in the midst of reconnecting with her cultures... more

“You’ve changed” isn’t necessarily something you want to hear … especially when you’re trying to keep a marriage alive. That’s the premise of Ian Williams’ new novel, You’ve Changed. The book follows a couple named Beckett and Princess who are dealin... more

Would you steal? Would you kill? In Megha Majumdar’s new novel, A Guardian and a Thief, a mother prepares to escape a city in the midst of climate collapse. She’ll do anything for her family … and she’s driven to desperation when their immigration do... more

To be a good cult leader, you’ll need some natural charisma and a pathological desire for control … and according to Rob Benvie, it might also help if you're a bit of a buffoon. Rob explores this personality mix in his latest novel, The Damagers. The... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Jordan Redekop-Jones
Poet based in Vancouver, winner of the CBC Poetry Prize
CBC Poetry Prize
Episode: This poem is straight out of a dream
Megha Majumdar
Author of A Guardian and a Thief
Episode: How far would you go for your family?
Rob Benvie
Author of The Damagers
Episode: Buffoon or genius? What makes a cult leader?
Louise Penny
A bestselling mystery author known for her Armand Gamache series
Author of The Armand Gamache series
Episode: For Louise Penny, stories come from hurt
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

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
    Canada3 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
    Canada3 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
    Canada3 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 States5 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
#6
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#17
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#72
Switzerland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#97
Brazil/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#107
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#130
Philippines/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

This poem is straight out of a dream
Q: What do you hope that readers will take away from this poem?
I hope readers will resonate with it and learn to lead with empathy regarding caregiving and cultural reconnection.
This poem is straight out of a dream
Q: How did it feel to be announced as the winner of this prize?
It is an indescribable feeling filled with gratitude to those who read and awarded the poem.
1 marriage, 2 mid-life crises … and a guy named Gluten
Q: Can you tell me a bit about Gluten?
Gluten represents a different kind of masculinity, a wild card character embodying sweetness and a bit of danger, affecting the dynamics between Beckett and Princess.
1 marriage, 2 mid-life crises … and a guy named Gluten
Q: Where did that title come from for you?
The title came from a mural in Toronto that challenges viewers to reflect on their own changes, encapsulating the book's exploration of change.
For Louise Penny, stories come from hurt
Q: Do you have any advice for someone who's taking that leap of leaving a more traditional, perhaps stable professional life to pursue a passion like writing?
Good for you. I just have such awe for people who take that chance and decide to not reach the end of your life regretting not having taken that risk.

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?

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 Book Review
5. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker

How many episodes of Bookends are there?

Bookends launched 19 years ago and published 122 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. Jordan Redekop-Jones
2. Megha Majumdar
3. Rob Benvie
4. Louise Penny
5. Carol Shields
6. Oyinkan Braithwaite
7. Uzma Jalaluddin
8. Kawika Guillermo

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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