Rephonic
Artwork for Bookends

Bookends with Mattea Roach

CBC
Philip Roth
Goodbye, Columbus
Portnoy's Complaint
Mothers and Sons
Anita Desai
Colm Toibin
The Plot Against America
Nemesis
Hisham Matar
Libya
Psychological Damage
Literary Influence
Jewish Identity
American Politics
Johann Sebastian Bach
Irish Mother
Emotional Alienation
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 weeklyEpisodes114Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Artwork for Bookends

Latest Episodes

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

What’s more horrifying than slashers, monsters … and Vancouver real estate? This week, Bookends brings you on-stage at the Vancouver Writers Fest. Back in October, Mattea Roach was joined by writers Mona Awad, Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Jen Sookfong Le... more

… and they can’t keep their hands off each other. That’s the premise at the centre of Brandon Taylor’s latest novel, Minor Black Figures. It’s about a painter named Wyeth who’s struggling to find his voice in New York’s politically charged art scene.... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Recent Guests

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
Canisia Lubrin
Poet and author of The World After Rain and Code Noir
Episode: This poem took 16 straight hours to write
Leila Mottley
Author of 'The Girls Who Grew Big' and trained doula
Episode: Here’s what you have wrong about teen moms
Aurora Stewart de Peña
Author of the satirical novel Julius Julius and veteran of the advertising world.
Episode: A fictional ad agency — and its very real ghosts

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
    Canadaa month 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
    Canada2 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
#246
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#3
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#9
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#168
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#177
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#192
Norway/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Video games are radical. Not in the way you think
Q: Can you tell me some more about the radical and social change aspects of video games?
Kawika explains that video games have been critical tools for social change and challenges the dominant narrative of gamer culture being regressive, especially in light of movements like Gamergate.
Video games are radical. Not in the way you think
Q: What was it about your childhood in particular that drew you to get those things from games?
Kawika discusses having a blend of outdoor play and video games, showing how both formed their sense of adventure and creativity.
Video games are radical. Not in the way you think
Q: Can you tell me about falling in love with video games?
Kawika reflects on being born in 1985 when the NES was released and how video games were always part of their life, particularly enjoying storytelling and imaginative play around games like Sonic the Hedgehog.
Three writers on the monsters that made them
Q: What power does horror written by and about women give you?
It gives language to the feelings of powerlessness and allows me to share those experiences with others.
Three writers on the monsters that made them
Q: How do you feel about the label of horror being specifically female?
One of the problems with labels is that sometimes works created by women are not categorized as horror.

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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How many subscribers and views does Bookends have?

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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. White Coat, Black Art
5. The Current

How many episodes of Bookends are there?

Bookends launched 19 years ago and published 114 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. Kawika Guillermo
2. Mona Awad
3. Silvia Moreno-Garcia
4. Jen Sookfong Lee
5. Brandon Taylor
6. Robert Hough
7. Canisia Lubrin
8. Leila Mottley

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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