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The Bookshelf

ABC
Bad Art Mother
Romance Fiction
Impossible Creatures
Crime Fiction
Thrillers
Edwina Preston
Historical Fiction
Age Of Vice
Tom Lake
Storytelling and Representation
My Friends
Anna O
Tremor
Hard By a Great Forest
Agatha Christie
Women's Literature
Societal Privilege
Slavery and Historical Injustice
True Crime
Mike Mccormack

What are you reading, loving or being challenged by? We review the latest in fiction for dedicated readers and for those who wish they read more.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes510Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Artwork for The Bookshelf

Latest Episodes

Trent Dalton (Gravity Let Me Go, Boy Swallows Universe), Heather Rose (A Great Act of Love, Bruny) and Garry Disher (the Peninsula Crimes and Hirsch series) name some of their favourite books, and the titles may delight and surprise you. Hosted by Ka... more

The best books of 2025 as selected by Cassie McCullagh, Kate Evans and a panel of bookish guests - Jason Steger, Jon Page and Robert Goodman. Keep scrolling for a full list...

GUESTS

* Jason Steger, arts journalist. Former book editor of the Age ... more

Superstars of the literary and musical world this week: Margaret Atwood’s new memoir; Hannah Kent’s critical readings; Stuart Coupe’s musical knowledge; Bob Dylan . . . OK, well he’s not exactly on the show, but he’s the subject of MUCH literary spec... more

Short story collections reveal the fragile beauty of human experience in Salman Rushdie’s The Eleventh Hour, Liadan Ní Chuinn’s Everyone Still Here, Morgan Talty’s Night of the Living Rez, and Tony Birch’s Pictures of You. Then we shift gears and cra... more

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Recent Guests

Stuart Coupe
Music writer and promoter, author of "Saffron Incorporated".
Author
Episode: Memoirs, Music, Mystery: new works from Sam Sussman, Sarah Hall, Margaret Atwood
Nicola Heath
ABC Arts journalist specializing in books
ABC Radio National
Episode: Madeleine Gray's Chosen Family + Chris Kraus and Graeme Macrae Burnet
Patrick Carey
Writer and content maker at Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney Theatre Company
Episode: Madeleine Gray's Chosen Family + Chris Kraus and Graeme Macrae Burnet
Scott Stephens
ABC's Religion and Ethics Online Editor and co-host of The Minefield
ABC Radio National
Episode: October Book Buzz: Andrew Pippos, Kiran Desai, Olga Ravn & More
BJ Silcox
Literary critic and writer
Episode: October Book Buzz: Andrew Pippos, Kiran Desai, Olga Ravn & More
Gavin Williams
Co-owner of Matilda Bookshop and chair of Book People, the Australian Booksellers Association
Matilda Bookshop
Episode: We reveal the books that didn’t quite make the Top 100
Eric Puchner
Novelist and academic teaching creative writing at Johns Hopkins University.
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Brisbane Writers Festival: Eric Puchner, Toni Jordan, Patrick Holland, Zeynab Gamieldien
Toni Jordan
A writer known for her novels including 'Tenderfoot' and 'Nine Days'.
Episode: Brisbane Writers Festival: Eric Puchner, Toni Jordan, Patrick Holland, Zeynab Gamieldien
Patrick Holland
Author of books including 'Oblivion', and a writer and academic.
Episode: Brisbane Writers Festival: Eric Puchner, Toni Jordan, Patrick Holland, Zeynab Gamieldien

Hosts

Kate Evans
Co-host and contributor with rich insights into contemporary literature and a background in radio. Known for her engaging style and strong focus on diverse literary voices.
Cassie McCullagh
Co-host with a vibrant approach to discussing literature, known for deep engagement with authors and insightful reviews.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 364 ratings
  • Looking for your next reads? Listen to this.

    I work in a public library and this podcast keeps me well up to date on books and authors. I base most of my reading selections on this show because the reviews are thoughtful, intelligent and funny. I also love the inclusion of author discussion panels. If you need a good book show- this is my favorite.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Book Shelver
    United States4 months ago
  • Thumbs up from Reader Retreat independent bookshop

    Your insightful recommendations help me select books for my book shelves. I appreciate your honesty and find you all so entertaining. Keep up the great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Readers Retreat PS
    Australia6 months ago
  • Platforming transphobes

    I was so deeply disappointed to hear you platforming Adichie, a known transphobe. I expect much better from ABC. Shame on you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    M028O
    Australia9 months ago
  • …..

    Fewer crime novels please

    Love your discussions and banter!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    keen listener!
    Australia2 years ago
  • Awesome wonderful brilliant

    Cassie & Kate- perfect balance of your own individual interests and deeply engaging interviews. Your book choices are so varied that I’m awed by your breadth! I also love your great personalities and the laughter and quick witted banter!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AkMSaM
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The dynamic between the hosts is highlighted as a strong point, creating a welcoming atmosphere for book lovers.
Some concern has been raised over certain guests and topics, reflecting a desire for a more balanced representation of literary voices.
Listeners appreciate the insightful book recommendations and engaging discussions, often crediting the podcast for influencing their reading choices.
Overall, the reviews reflect a community of dedicated readers who find joy in the literary insights shared, with many expressing gratitude for the diversity of content.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#248
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#4
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#22
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#14
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#37
South Korea/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#38
New Zealand/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Brisbane Writers Festival: Eric Puchner, Toni Jordan, Patrick Holland, Zeynab Gamieldien
Q: Can we ask each of you to introduce us to your latest book?
Each author introduces their latest book, touching on key themes and influences.
Top Poems of the 21st Century
Q: So what does poetry mean to you?
Daniel Browning expresses that he doesn't consider himself a poet, but views poetry as a means to confront questions without answers and escape rationality.
Still Turning Heads at 250: Jane Austen’s Enduring Charm
Q: What aspects of the moral philosopher in you drew you to that novel?
Persuasion is extraordinary because it showcases Anne Elliot as Austen's most fully realized character.
Still Turning Heads at 250: Jane Austen’s Enduring Charm
Q: What's the question?
Which Jane Austen character would you like to be?
People turning into trees, mythical rivers rising...new novels by Rhett Davis and Gurnaik Johal (plus, Irish fiction with Colm Tóibín)
Q: How do the politics of wealth and poverty, and also marriage and the complicated politics work in an Indian context?
With Jane Austen, what I love is the critique of that kind of, a critique of pretension and a critique of the pretensions of the elite, that she's constantly mocking in this most delicious voice in all of her work, and the focus on really strong female characters that she has.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bookshelf

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

A lively exploration of contemporary literature, focusing on a diverse range of fiction from multiple genres. The podcast features in-depth discussions on new releases, literary trends, and the intersections of storytelling with culture and identity. It often highlights notable authors, thematic explorations such as memoir, climate fiction, and social commentary, and dives into the emotional layers of narrative through interviews with both established and emerging literary voices.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Bookshelf?

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

How many listeners does The Bookshelf get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Bookshelf?

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How many subscribers and views does The Bookshelf have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Bookshelf 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 The Bookshelf?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bookshelf:

1. The Book Show
2. Sydney Writers' Festival
3. Chat 10 Looks 3
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Big Ideas

How many episodes of The Bookshelf are there?

The Bookshelf launched 14 years ago and published 510 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 The Bookshelf?

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 The Bookshelf?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Bookshelf from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Bookshelf?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Bookshelf. 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 The Bookshelf?

Recent guests on The Bookshelf include:

1. Stuart Coupe
2. Nicola Heath
3. Patrick Carey
4. Scott Stephens
5. BJ Silcox
6. Gavin Williams
7. Eric Puchner
8. Toni Jordan

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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