CBC

Bookends with Mattea Roach

A Books and Arts podcast

About the show

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.

Newest episodes

Atonement turns 25: Ian McEwan in conversation with Eleanor Wachtel

Nov 11, 2026 29 min

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Atonement, Ian McEwan’s beloved literary masterpiece, which has sold more than two million copies and inspired an Oscar-winning movie. The story begins with a 13 year-old girl named Briony who tells a devastating lie that influences the fates of two families across decades. Its themes of truth, knowing and the destructive power of misinformation continue to resonate with readers today. This week, we’re revisiting Eleanor Wachtel’s 2001 conversation with Ian McEwan on Writers & Company, where they discussed Atonement and how Ian's own childhood shows up in the novel. Check out the rest of the Writers & Company archive: https://digital.lib.sfu.ca/writers-company Check out Mattea’s conversation with Ian McEwan from last fall: Ian McEwan has hope for humanity — here’s why

How dare we send children to war?

Nov 8, 2026 31 min

How does a nation convince its children that death is more valuable than life? That’s the haunting question at the heart of The Small Ones, a new novel by Nazanine Hozar. Following her acclaimed debut novel Aria, Nazanine draws on her own childhood memories of growing up in wartime Tehran to write a mythic, heartbreaking epic about young boys caught in the machinery of the Iran-Iraq war. It’s a story that’s part fable, part myth, part hero’s epic … and ultimately, it’s about what stays with us long after childhood is over. The Small Ones is a finalist for the 2026 Giller Prize. This week, Nazanine joins Mattea Roach to talk about experiencing war as a child, adding elements of mythology to the novel and how we can stop failing children on a societal level. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Literature, liberation and Lolita in Iran What is boyhood to a Palestinian teen? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Why should you know your birth story?

Nov 4, 2026 30 min

Amanda Peters’ debut novel, The Berry Pickers, was a massive hit about a young Indigenous girl who goes missing as her family picks blueberries in Maine. Now Amanda is back with The Birthing Tree, a moving novel about family secrets, midwifery and reclaiming traditional Indigenous birth practices. The novel follows Aliet, a Mi’kmaq woman who must return to her family home in rural Nova Scotia after her grandmother dies. Aliet has spent years away from the community and traditions she once loved … but how long can she outrun the family secrets that haunt her? And how does it all come back to the very tree that she was born under? This week, Amanda joins Mattea Roach to talk about her interest in midwifery, the nuances of being white-passing and highlighting the beauty of Nova Scotia in the novel. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Michelle Good is reclaiming her mother's name Meet hockey’s greatest (fictional) goon Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

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All episodes

The newest 50 of 169 episodes

Atonement turns 25: Ian McEwan in conversation with Eleanor Wachtel

Nov 11, 2026 29 min

How dare we send children to war?

Nov 8, 2026 31 min

Why should you know your birth story?

Nov 4, 2026 30 min

The 98 rejections before hit novel Lessons in Chemistry

Nov 1, 2026 27 min

Bonnie Garmus says she came to poetry “kicking and screaming,” but her new novel is about why we need it more than ever. Peck & Peck follows a young man named Batter Gray who starts working at a prestigious poetry magazine. Batter is consumed by poetry, but it’s not an easy path to take in a world obsessed with profits … not to mention the complicated private affairs of his new colleagues. You might know Bonnie from her debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry. It was a major hit novel and TV series. But did you know it took her 98 rejections to get there? This week, Bonnie tells Mattea Roach about what kept her writing during that time, her interest in twins and why she loves the impractical. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Why you shouldn’t go gentle into that good night Life of Pi author Yann Martel on the wars in your everyday Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Her mother was stolen. What does that mean for her?

Oct 28, 2026 19 min

Jenna Timmons-Oikawa is the winner of the 2026 CBC Nonfiction Prize. Her piece, Wawa Indian, was inspired by the discovery that her mother was taken in the Sixties Scoop. This was a government practice in Canada from the 1960s to 1980s that removed Indigenous children from their homes and placed them in foster homes or put them up for adoption with predominantly white families. In today's episode, the Ottawa-based writer speaks with Mattea Roach about themes of stolen heritage, reclamation and renewal that she explores in her winning story. You can read Jenna's story here. Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

R.F. Kuang gets personal in Taipei Story

Oct 25, 2026 34 min

Communication gets complicated across different languages, time zones and generations. FaceTime and translation apps can only help so much. That's the personal challenge R. F. Kuang drew on in her latest novel Taipei Story. It's about Lily, a Chinese American college student who spends the summer in a language program in Taipei, hoping to connect with her culture and family. But as things unravel, Lily starts to realize that true belonging goes deeper than language and words. This week, R. F. Kuang joins Mattea Roach in front of a live audience for a deeply personal conversation about her own Taipei story, connecting with her grandparents… and why so many white guys want to learn Mandarin. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Girlbossing on an oil rig A novel inspired by the death of a tree How bad was your worst friendship breakup? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Why Marlon James disappeared

Oct 18, 2026 34 min

The new novel from Marlon James is based on a rumour … but it’s no rumour that Marlon’s book is one of the year's hottest titles. The Disappearers is an epic Jamaican novel that centres on a group of gay men who were brutally attacked in Kingston in the late 1980s. The story follows the men in the aftermath of the attack, as they seek connection, new identities, understanding and revenge. Marlon calls The Disappearers his most personal book yet, and it draws on his time as a young queer man in Jamaica and his own experiences with invisibility. This week, Marlon tells Mattea Roach about why he doesn’t shy away from writing about violence and why he once called himself a “disappearer.” Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Douglas Stuart was a fashion exec — now he designs stories In the Caribbean, secret lives come at a cost Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Nobel Prize winner Anne Carson in conversation with Eleanor Wachtel

Oct 11, 2026 53 min

Canadian writer Anne Carson is the winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in Literature. For today’s podcast, we’re diving into the archives and revisiting one of Anne’s conversations with Eleanor Wachtel on Writers & Company. Anne Carson is celebrated for poems and essays that defy the boundaries of genre. She frequently blends ancient Greek myth with modern stories of love, grief and desire. Anne spoke with Eleanor in 2011 about her book Nox — which means night. Combining poetry, letters, photographs and sketches, the book is an elegy to her brother … and a moving reflection on family and absence. If you want to hear more from the archives of Writers & Company, the show’s entire catalogue is available on Simon Fraser University’s Digitized Collections website: https://digital.lib.sfu.ca/writers-company Check out Bookends on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

A novel inspired by the death of a tree

Oct 7, 2026 26 min

Anita Rau Badami’s new novel, Asha in Her Garden, is her first in over a decade … and it all started with the striking image of a dying tree. On her seventieth birthday, Asha Mohan’s beloved backyard maple tree is cut down. As she watches it disappear, Asha begins to look differently at the life she’s spent years building. From her move to Canada from India, to the trials of raising her children to an act of violence that changed the family forever, Asha’s garden becomes a space for her to reflect on how she built her family and where she can go now. This week, Anita joins Mattea Roach to talk about the real tree that inspired the book, the maze of memory and a character called “The Hag.” Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Why writing a novel is like riding a horse What does dystopia look like in the suburbs? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Girlbossing on an oil rig

Oct 4, 2026 34 min

Imagine the pressure of being the only woman working on an offshore oil rig. That was the reality for Y.M. Abdel-Magied … and she turned her years in the field into a thrilling novel about oil, power and survival on the water. At Sea follows Zainab, a toolpusher who is tasked with leading an all-male drilling crew on an oil rig off the coast of Australia. As Zainab navigates the complicated power dynamics of her role, she begins to uncover signs of catastrophe that could devastate the ocean around her and threaten the lives of everyone on the rig. This week, Y.M. joins Mattea Roach to talk about her experience working on rigs, writing a nuanced story about oil and how everything started with her love of racecar driving. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: A raunchy workplace satire ... about deradicalizing ISIS brides? Would a tradwife influencer survive in 1855? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

How bad was your worst friendship breakup?

Sep 30, 2026 29 min

How far would you be willing to go to salvage a friendship? Maybe you just need a small break ... or how about a couples therapist? Téa Mutonji’s new novel, My Person, follows longtime friends Tania and Margot. The two have been friends since childhood, but after living together for a year, Tania realizes she's not sure if she even likes Margot anymore. But leaving is not just as simple as saying goodbye, and a messy, complicated, will-they-won’t-they friendship breakup ensues. This week, Téa joins Mattea Roach to talk about her 2 a.m. writing habits, the push and pull of long-lasting friendships and when it might be time to break up with your best friend. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Can our friendships age with us? NOT CLICKBAIT! She stole her dead twin sister’s identity!? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Michelle Good is reclaiming her mother's name

Sep 27, 2026 28 min

When Michelle Good’s mother was in her 20s, she changed her name from Martha Eliza to Elizabeth to sound less Indigenous. Michelle’s new novel, Eliza Sunshine, is rooted intimately in her mother’s life … and gives her mother her name back. The novel weaves Eliza’s experiences and Michelle’s family history into a deeply personal story following three generations of Cree women. It’s also informed by Michelle’s experience as a community advocate, lawyer and storyteller … and her mission of keeping Indigenous stories alive. This week, Michelle joins Mattea Roach to talk about why hope is something that moves you forward and the family legacy that inspires this point of view. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: How long could you lie about who you are? What would it take to become the first Cherokee astronaut? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Colson Whitehead’s lifelong love affair with New York

Sep 23, 2026 24 min

The criminal underworld of 1980s New York City. The last heist of a mostly-retired crook. A city battling for its future. Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Trilogy reaches its conclusion with his latest novel, Cool Machine. It follows Ray Carney, a former criminal who's gone mostly straight in his middle age … until he becomes entangled with a legendary criminal mastermind and is yanked back into a world he thought he left behind. The city has a life and a will of its own, and there’s nobody better to explore it than Colson, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and lifelong New Yorker. This week, Colson joins Mattea Roach to talk about why he wrote a heist novel, creating a criminal code and if he’ll ever leave New York. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Should you be afraid of the wolf hour? Why Tayari Jones fights for her stories Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

What if your boss was a literal supervillain?

Sep 20, 2026 31 min

You might think that your boss is evil … but what if they were an actual supervillain? Natalie Zina Walschots brings that idea to life in her novels Hench and Villain. The series follows Anna, an auditor who does office work for the dark side. After being severely injured by a superhero, Anna is out for revenge … but it turns out that the difference between heroes and villains isn’t as clear cut as you might think. So what happens when spreadsheets and supervillains collide? And is it unethical to date your villain boss? This week, Natalie joins Mattea Roach to talk about combining office culture and comic books, why we love the bad guys and why hero stories are the new fairy tales. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Taylor Jenkins Reid is among the stars — on and off the pageJustice for Murder Bimbo! Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Did the pandemic radicalize you?

Sep 16, 2026 29 min

The phrase "unprecedented times” was repeated over and over again during the pandemic … and Malavika Kannan’s debut novel, Unprecedented Times, dives into university life during that period. The story follows Rishi, an Indian American student who’s ready to start fresh at Stanford after her strict Florida upbringing. She has big plans to shed her old skin and finally meet people just like her, but that journey is cut short by the arrival of COVID-19. As Rishi and her peers struggle with disillusionment, political unrest and good old university drama, she starts to think more closely about her story and the shared experience that’s shaping her generation. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Here’s what you have wrong about teen moms Would a tradwife influencer survive in 1855? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Why age-gap friendships are a risk worth taking

Sep 13, 2026 31 min

How many of your friends are over 30 years older than you? When Marc Bendavid was 12, he met a teacher that changed his life. His debut novel, The Sapling, is about their generation-defying bond … and living in those memories in the wake of her death. So how can a meaningful friendship between a 12 year-old and a 44 year-old defy what we think about the gap between generations? And how does someone live and change through our memories of them? This week, Marc joins Mattea Roach to talk about the real teacher that inspired the book, the beauty of aging and what you can gain from connecting with people older and younger than you. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Can our friendships age with us? Ocean Vuong finds beauty in a fast food shift Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Why writing a novel is like riding a horse

Aug 30, 2026 28 min

Imagine you walk into your bedroom one day … and there’s a horse going on a rampage. Better yet, it’s a horse from a childhood story that has haunted you ever since you first heard it. Who’s the first person you call? In Ali Smith’s new novel, Glyph, estranged sisters Petra and Patch are brought back together when a story from their childhood comes to life in an incredible way. But what makes a ghost story real? And what can it tell us about the world we live in now? This week, Ali joins Mattea Roach to talk about her connection to horses, the power and wonder of words and whether or not she believes in ghosts. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: For Jeanette Winterson, stories are essential to survival How do we restore our sense of wonder in media? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

A city just for adulterers

Aug 23, 2026 26 min

For cheating couples who are sneaking around, it’s paradise … but how long until the cracks start to show? Sophie Mackintosh’s new novel, Permanence, follows secret lovers Clara and Francis. Francis is married, and they’ve been stealing brief moments with each other for months. When they wake up one day in a dreamy city where they don’t have to hide, everything seems perfect … until things take a sinister turn and Clara and Francis realize they can’t escape the real world forever. This week, Sophie joins Mattea Roach to talk about the new era of infidelity literature, writing about unsavoury love and where passion and desire can take you. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Life of Pi author Yann Martel on the wars in your everyday Why you can’t forget your first love Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

It’s tough being the new kid in town. The zombies don’t help

Aug 16, 2026 28 min

You might be used to moving around … but you've probably never ended up in a town full of zombies, aliens and sad clowns. Jon Claytor’s new graphic novel, Nowhere, is about a young boy named Joel whose family is constantly moving. He’s trying to adjust to life in a new small town, but things get complicated when a giant, otherworldly cube appears and people start mysteriously disappearing. Jon drew from his own nomadic childhood to craft the story, and his rich visuals tell a spooky but moving story about growing up. This week, Jon joins Mattea Roach to talk about how his upbringing inspired the book, his background in oil painting and referencing the real-life Sackville cube. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Charles Burns: Why the comics icon keeps returning to teenage angst Why this comics legend is just getting started Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Can you justify killing bad men?

Aug 9, 2026 27 min

Bad men, bee warned. Imani Thompson’s buzzy debut novel, Honey, follows a jaded PhD student named Yrsa. She’s bored with her work and frustrated with the culture at Cambridge … but when she accidentally kills a shady professor using a bee, she realizes that she may have found her calling. As Yrsa murders more men in the name of justice, she feels a greater sense of purpose in her violent mission. But can Yrsa really justify the blood on her hands? And what happens when the killings come back to sting her? This week, Imani joins Mattea Roach to talk about how her background in sociology informed the story, getting into the mind of a killer and her mother’s impact on the novel. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Justice for Murder Bimbo! A raunchy workplace satire ... about deradicalizing ISIS brides? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

The dazzling, dangerous world of a 20th century spy

Aug 2, 2026 29 min

David Baerwald is a famous songwriter who’s worked with artists like Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow. But when he uncovered a family history filled with spies, music, and wartime secrets … David went from notes to novels and wrote a sweeping historical debut. The Fire Agent fictionalizes the story of Ernst Baerwald, David’s real grandfather. In 1900, Ernst was recruited to become a spy. His work took him across two continents and through two world wars, and his life became an adventure involving Japanese gangsters, the fight against fascism and numerous pivotal moments in history. This week, David tells Mattea Roach about espionage in the 1900s, his love of Japan and how the novel brought his family back together. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Anarchists have bigger hearts than you think Emma Donoghue boards a train destined for disaster Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Why you shouldn’t go gentle into that good night

Jul 26, 2026 30 min

If you just let go of everything that’s out of your control … can you truly be happy? Maria Semple tests that philosophy in her new novel, Go Gentle. The story follows Adora Hazzard, a Stoic philosopher in her 50s who lives a calm, mostly happy life with her teen daughter and a coven of women friends. If you think a book about Stoicism might bore you, don’t speak too soon. This one also has art heists, divorce, a toxic Hollywood comedy scene … and the philosophy stuff might be more relatable than you think. This week, Maria tells Mattea Roach about her interest in Stoicism, her long career in TV writing and how her daughter inspired a character in the story. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Curtis Sittenfeld is fascinated by fame Would a tradwife influencer survive in 1855? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

From Hamnet to Land, Maggie O'Farrell maps uncharted history

Jul 19, 2026 30 min

Maggie O’Farrell brought Shakespeare’s son out of the footnotes of history with her 2020 novel Hamnet. Its hugely successful movie adaptation made a splash at the Oscars and Maggie herself earned a nomination for the screenplay. Maggie’s new novel, Land, continues to pull from the shadows of history ... while also drawing on her own family myths. It's a sweeping epic that begins with a father-son mapmaking duo in 19th century Ireland. This week, Maggie joins Mattea Roach to talk about taking Hamnet from page to screen, writing about lesser known histories and her new novel’s surprising Canadian connection. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Douglas Stuart was a fashion exec — now he designs stories Jack Wang: Reimagining the lost stories of Chinese Canadians during WWII Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Can you make a family — and a country — great again?

Jul 12, 2026 28 min

Imagine your entire family … immediate and extended … living in one apartment complex together. Karan Mahajan’s latest novel, The Complex, follows four generations of a family across India and America in the 1970s. In Delhi, most of the family lives in a crumbling residential compound. They’re the descendants of a political legend, and the family longs to return to their era of greatness. These family tensions mirror the country of India itself, which is changing politically, economically and socially as the Hindu nationalist movement begins to take shape. This week, Karan tells Mattea Roach about the real history behind the book, writing an organic political story and his complicated relationship with home. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Kiran Desai’s novel is worth the 20-year wait Rage and love at the end of apartheid Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Sci-fi, survival and the final frontier

Jul 5, 2026 29 min

If an asteroid was hurtling towards Earth, and you had no other choice … would you upload your mind to a computer to survive? Robert J. Sawyer explores that dilemma in his new novel, The Downloaded 2: Ghosts in the Machine. The Canadian sci-fi legend’s latest is all about technology and identity at the end of the world … and as someone who has thought a lot about mortality, Robert has a unique perspective on how technology, humanity and death align. Robert tells Mattea Roach about why he likes to write about cheating death, the harmony of science and religion and a personal experience he’s sharing for the first time. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: In a world run by AI, what makes us human?Getting to know Canada's king of suspense Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Bookends highlights: Y’all know we’re Canada down

Jun 28, 2026 53 min

Coast to coast, province to province, soccer pitch to hockey rink … there’s no one Canadian experience, and no one Canadian story. This week, Bookends is highlighting four Canadian writers we’ve featured on the show so far. From a hockey drama in the maritimes, to Canadian soldiers in the Second World War, to a long journey North, these stories about Canada might surprise you … or they might remind you of home. In this special Canada Day edition of the show, we’re revisiting Mattea Roach’s conversations with Jack Wang, Tyler Hellard, Alison McCreesh and Conor Kerr. Hear the full conversations here: Jack Wang: Reimagining the lost stories of Chinese Canadians during WWII Meet hockey’s greatest (fictional) goon Alison McCreesh: Exploring the magic and nuance of life in the North in her latest graphic novel Capitalism, dating apps and why we love Edmonton Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Marjane Satrapi: In conversation with Eleanor Wachtel

Jun 24, 2026 31 min

When Marjane Satrapi died earlier this month, we lost an acclaimed graphic novelist and filmmaker … and a voice that explored Iranian society in a wholly unique way. You might know Marjane from her celebrated graphic memoirs Persepolis and Persepolis II. They’re about her experience growing up in an unconventional household during Iran’s Islamic revolution, and the screen adaptation was nominated for an Academy Award. This week, we’re revisiting Eleanor Wachtel’s 2011 conversation with Marjane about her book Chicken with Plums. They spoke about Marjane’s relationship to her home country, how her family influences her work and appreciating the beauty of life’s small moments. Check out the rest of the Writers & Company archive: https://digital.lib.sfu.ca/writers-company Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

What does it mean to be a dad, anyway?

Jun 21, 2026 29 min

Fatherhood isn’t easy. It might be hard to put the experience into words … but Jordan Abel’s new poetry collection does just that. Dad Era is addressed to Jordan’s daughter Phoenix. Through free verse, pictures and a mix of ideas both personal and universal, the collection explores the nuances of fatherhood, Indigenous parenting and what it’s like to raise a child in a world that gets more uncertain by the day. Like his previous work, Dad Era showcases Jordan’s ability to be a literary DJ — he loops, cuts and fades together words, artwork, and documents, giving readers fresh perspectives on fatherhood and Indigenous joy, past and present. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: David A. Robertson puts stories at the heart of reconciliationWhat would it take to become the first Cherokee astronaut? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

This time loop story digs deeper than Groundhog Day

Jun 17, 2026 23 min

What would you do if you were stuck reliving the same day on loop? Splurge with your ever-replenishing bank account? Travel, so you can experience more than one season? Would it feel freeing, or lonely? In Solvej Balle's series On the Calculation of Volume, Tara Selter is stuck reliving the same November 18th. Nearly 40 years after the idea first came to Solvej, her time loop tale is speaking to readers around the world with its explorations of love, hope, despair and isolation. Solvej tells Mattea about why she initially resisted writing this story, the upside of aloneness, and what she really thought of the movie Groundhog Day. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Is it magic ... or is it Siri?R.F. Kuang raises a little hell Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

A raunchy workplace satire ... about deradicalizing ISIS brides?

Jun 14, 2026 35 min

When Nussaibah Younis decided to write a book about ISIS brides, everyone expected it to be an academic tome. Instead, she wrote a raunchy satire about a woman who takes a job in a warzone to get over a recent heartbreak. Nussaibah's debut novel, Fundamentally, sees protagonist Nadia in over her head working for the UN in Baghdad. But her sense of purpose renews when she connects deeply with Sara, a young ISIS bride who Nadia becomes intent on saving. Drawing on her own professional experience, Nussaibah tells Mattea Roach why the UN's work culture is ripe for satire, why the conversation about ISIS brides needs nuance and what it really takes to deradicalize someone. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Exploring the shady side of charity organizationsNeed cash fast? Become a corpse bride today Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Here’s why Fran Lebowitz needs a cigarette

Jun 7, 2026 30 min

Fran Lebowitz is a legendary writer and critic. She’s made a career of sharing hot takes without apology, and she didn’t hold back when she joined Mattea Roach for a special on-stage event in Toronto. You might know Fran from her books Metropolitan Life and Social Studies or her appearances in two Martin Scorsese documentaries. Fran is perhaps most famous for sharp social commentary — from airplane fashion, to the silly questions asked by educated youth, to the return of smoking ... Fran had plenty to share with the Toronto crowd. Photo credits to Brigitte Lacombe. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Scaachi Koul calls herself a professional ex-wifeFor Louise Penny, stories come from hurt Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Dive into the dark underbelly of rural Ontario

Jun 3, 2026 22 min

It’s easy to glamorize small town life … but Kevin Hardcastle’s new novel, County Road Six, is all about the darkness lurking in rural Canada. When Arthur O’Hare dies, his three daughters return to the family farm to sort through what he left behind. But what they inherit is more than land — it’s a shadowy history they never knew existed. County Road Six is a dramatic thriller about economic decline, family secrets and the lengths people will go to survive. It’s a compelling and unsettling story that pulls from Kevin’s own background growing up as a working class kid in rural Ontario. This week, Kevin tells Mattea Roach about exploring the rural Canadian experience, adding elements of horror to his stories and why towns can be more dangerous than cities. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: The beauty and despair of Appalachia Buffoon or genius? What makes a cult leader? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Douglas Stuart was a fashion exec — now he designs stories

May 31, 2026 32 min

A glamorous life and career in New York’s fashion industry was everything Douglas Stuart worked for. So why did he walk away from it all? And how did he go from fashion designer to Booker Prize winning author? Douglas’s first two novels, Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, were critically acclaimed hits. He continues the streak with John of John, a moving novel about a young man returning home to a remote Scottish island steeped in religion and tradition. It’s one of the hottest books of spring and an Oprah’s Book Club pick. This week, Douglas joins Mattea Roach to talk about his major career change, diving into Hebridean culture and drawing on his own upbringing for the novel. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: For Jeanette Winterson, stories are essential to survival Why you can’t forget your first love Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

What’s the cost of the immigrant success story?

May 27, 2026 26 min

Anne Kim has it all. She’s a high-powered tax lawyer, lives in a beautiful apartment in New York and has the perfect boyfriend to boot. She’s the pride of her parents, Korean immigrants in small-town Alberta who worked day and night to keep the family afloat. But Jane Park’s debut novel, Inheritance, is all about the hidden costs of Anne’s immigrant success story — the hurt, trauma and stifling expectations that tore her family apart. When her father’s death sends her back to Alberta, Anne is forced to confront the reality of her upbringing and the truths behind a violent act that changed her family forever. This week, Jane tells Mattea Roach about the nuances of Korean resilience, how her own experiences factor into the book and what it’s like to be an Asian woman today. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Where do North Korean spies go for dinner? Emma Knight: 'Bad' mothers make good stories — and are more true-to-life Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

A forensic thriller writer autopsies her own life

May 24, 2026 26 min

A famous crime writer who gets her inspiration from years of working on real cases at the medical examiner’s office. That’s the story of Patricia Cornwell, the bestselling author of the Kay Scarpetta series. Her new memoir, True Crime, is all about the person behind the thrillers … and it proves that sometimes, life is stranger than fiction. From getting dropped off at the doorstep of one of America’s most famous evangelicals to her real forensics experience, Patricia’s memoir is an autopsy of her life and the obstacles she overcame to become a world-renowned author. This week, Patricia tells Mattea Roach about her tumultuous childhood, her path to writing and why she injects hope into her crime novels. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: • Meth and murder in rural America • Getting to know Canada’s king of suspense Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Accepting the unknown … and a giant flock of crows

May 20, 2026 18 min

The winner of the 2026 CBC Short Story Prize is the Vancouver-based writer Larah Luna. Larah’s story, A Season of Crows, is about a small town learning to live with a huge murder of crows that passes through the town. Born in the Philippines and raised in Manitoba, Larah grew up surrounded by prairie landscapes that shaped the emotional setting of her story. A Season of Crows explores the wonder of the natural world and accepting the unknown … but it’s also based on Larah’s own experiences with grief and loss, and how the environment can hold the emotions that we struggle to convey. You can read Larah’s story here. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Meet the winner of the 2025 CBC Short Story Prize What does dystopia look like in the suburbs? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Literature, liberation and Lolita in Iran

May 17, 2026 35 min

Books can be revolutionary. That’s the message of Azar Nafisi’s celebrated memoir Reading Lolita in Tehran, which is about her experience teaching forbidden literature to young women in Iran. Although it was published nearly 23 years ago, Azar’s memoir continues to speak to issues around censorship, authoritarianism and resilience in Iran and across the world. Her 2022 book Read Dangerously follows that thread, exploring how books are a tool for resistance and change in a time when people have forgotten how to speak to one another. Azar joined Mattea Roach for a special on-stage event at the Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival in Montreal, where they discussed Azar’s incredible family history, the uniting power of literature and what freedom means to her. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Rage and love at the end of apartheid This poem took 16 straight hours to write Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Exploring the shady side of charity organizations

May 13, 2026 28 min

Charity organizations are all about doing good. What could possibly go wrong? Sharon Bala’s new novel, Good Guys, is all about how philanthropy operates in a world that runs on money. The book stars a fictional charity called Children of the World. It’s an international aid organization founded by a former rock star with some questionable motives. Moving between its headquarters in Toronto and its compound in Central America, the story follows the rise and fall of the charity and the characters’ complicated attempts at redemption. This week, Sharon tells Mattea about the dark side of NGOs, the connection between charity and faith and the complex desire to be a good person. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: A fictional ad agency — and its very real ghosts Yes, tuberculosis is still a thing — John Green tells us why Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Can our friendships age with us?

May 10, 2026 26 min

If it feels like the years are going by faster and faster … you’re not the only one. Grant Ginder’s new novel, So Old, So Young, follows a group of college friends across 20 years. The story is told through five major parties that bring the group together as their lives change and criss-cross in unexpected ways. From housewarmings to weddings to birthdays, this book explores how our connections evolve and break … and it’s a profound look at how friendships grow with us. This week, Grant joins Mattea Roach to talk about writing a “coming of middle-age” novel, having grace for old friends and why friendships can be trickier than romance. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Reliving the soundtrack of the 2000s 1 marriage, 2 mid-life crises … and a guy named Gluten Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Life of Pi author Yann Martel on the wars in your everyday

May 6, 2026 33 min

Yann Martel didn’t think anybody would read Life of Pi when he first published it. 25 years later, his story of a teenage boy and a tiger adrift in the ocean still captivates readers, and Yann says his books are like his children — he loves them all equally. Yann’s new novel is called Son of Nobody. In the book, a Canadian scholar’s life changes when an Iliad-like epic poem is newly discovered. When he travels across the world to study it, he uncovers threads that are far more personal than expected. Son of Nobody is an exploration of identity, myth and class, and it’s a fresh take on a piece of literary history. This week Yann joins Mattea Roach to reflect on his past work, his interest in mythology and why humans should create, no matter what. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: The last book Julian Barnes will ever write How do we restore our sense of wonder in media? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

How to find hope in a funeral home

May 3, 2026 31 min

When Mai Nguyen lost her daughter just days after she was born, writing about a similar character in a novel brought her comfort. Her new book, Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead, is a heartbreaking but humorous novel about a grieving mother who starts working at a funeral home. Cleo Dang’s world is shattered when she loses her newborn due to complications during labour. Drowning in grief and the discomfort of friends and family, she takes a job at a funeral home and comes to learn intimately about her own loss and what grief means for others. It’s a deeply personal story based on Mai’s own experiences, and despite the subject, she tells the story with levity and hope. This week, Mai tells Mattea Roach about her own grief journey, balancing sorrow and laughter and why she was wrong about funeral home employees. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Sarah Leavitt: Illustrating grief too wide for wordsWhat is extreme caretaking? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Should you be afraid of the wolf hour?

Apr 29, 2026 28 min

The “wolf hour” is a term for the deep-night period between roughly three and four in the morning. The world is quiet, your guard is down … and if you’re anything like the thriller writer Jo Nesbø, it’s the perfect time to put some of your darkest thoughts to the page. Wolf Hour is the latest of Jo’s gritty crime novels. It’s an immersive story about a troubled detective and a Norwegian journalist solving the same Minneapolis murder, six years apart. Like many of Jo’s books, it’s a “Nordic noir” thriller that explores what drives people to evil … and if there’s a monster in all of us. This week, Jo tells Mattea Roach about exploring humanity’s dark side, adapting his work for television and why all crime writing is political. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: When young men murder, what can we learn? Chris Hadfield — from astronaut to author Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Would a tradwife influencer survive in 1855?

Apr 26, 2026 28 min

In Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel, Yesteryear, a modern day tradwife influencer shares her picturesque farm life with 8 million followers … until one day, she wakes up in the 1800s and has to do it all for real. No running water, no electricity and no way out. But is she really in the past? How far will she go to get back to her perfect life? And how perfect was that life, really? Yesteryear is a twisty, compelling look at what the tradwife trend tells us about fame, tradition and womanhood. This week, Caro joins Mattea Roach to talk about her surprising tradwife protagonist, performing femininity and the Anne Hathaway film adaptation in the works. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Justice for Murder Bimbo! What is a stag dance? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

How do we restore our sense of wonder in media?

Apr 22, 2026 33 min

Ben Lerner’s new novel is all about how technology shapes memory and connection … and it kicks off when a guy breaks his phone. In Transcription, a man is conducting one final interview with his 90-year-old mentor and celebrated academic, Thomas. When the narrator accidentally breaks his phone before the interview, he can’t bring himself to admit it to Thomas. He does the interview anyway, pretending that he’s recording. Ben uses this premise to explore how technology can both store and destroy memory, and how the changing role of devices is altering our relationships with one another. This week, Ben joins Mattea Roach to talk about interrogating art and fatherhood, staying human in a world of devices and if technology can really capture true connection. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: 1 marriage, 2 mid-life crises … and a guy named Gluten Nnedi Okorafor: Bringing a writer to life in Death of the Author Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

What does dystopia look like in the suburbs?

Apr 19, 2026 28 min

Even if you’re living in a dystopia, life goes on. Carrianne Leung’s new novel, Wonderland Road, is about making it work and finding hope in a collapsing society. In a world where basic structures of society fall apart and a mega-corporation rules all, the people of a small suburban community must figure out how to move forward — even when they don’t quite know where “forward” leads. Much like Carrianne’s other work, Wonderland Road explores the tensions that live within families and communities, and though it takes place in the future, familiar divisions of power, class, race and gender are hiding in plain sight. This week, Carrianne tells Mattea Roach about finding hope in a dystopia, her love for Scarborough and why the original protagonist of the book was a raccoon. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Writing about catastrophe gives Madeleine Thien courage How long could you lie about who you are? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Is it magic … or is it Siri?

Apr 15, 2026 27 min

In Michael Redhill’s new novel, The Trial of Katterfelto, the titular Katterfelto is a traveling magician and scientist in the late 1700s. One day, Katterfelto and his partner Roger come across a mysterious horn that emits a woman’s voice … and that voice calls herself Siri. Siri is from the future, and she tells the two of climate disaster, social unrest and AI takeover. As Katterfelto and Roger start using Siri for their magic show, they must learn how to decipher her messages … and figure out what she’s really warning them about. This week, Michael joins Mattea Roach to talk about his interest in magic, anxieties for the future and writing a different kind of ghost story. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: What if your dreams could land you in jail? In a world run by AI, what makes us human? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Why status and power are currency in Pakistan

Apr 12, 2026 28 min

What does it mean to love a place that is so complicated? Pulitzer prize finalist Daniyal Mueenuddin’s new novel, This Is Where the Serpent Lives, dives into class, corruption and the systems of power that dictate life in Pakistan. Over six decades, it follows the lives of both the wealthy elite and those that serve them … and it takes readers all across the country, from its opulent cityscapes to rural farmlands. Although the book is fiction, many of its characters are inspired by real people Daniyal has known in Pakistan while living on his farm there. This week, Daniyal tells Mattea Roach about fictionalizing those people, his own relationship with Pakistan and how the country has changed. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: How far would you go for your family? The beauty and despair of Appalachia Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

The last book Julian Barnes will ever write

Apr 5, 2026 35 min

Julian Barnes says his new novel is his final. It’s called Departure(s), and it’s about two people who fall in love when they’re young and then meet again decades later. The story is told through the perspective of a writer named Julian … who has a lot in common with the author himself. The book was released on Julian’s 80th birthday, and after four decades of writing and a Booker Prize win under his belt, Julian is finally putting down the pen. This week, he joins Mattea Roach to reflect on his literary legacy, why he feels less afraid of death and his recent secret wedding. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Ian McEwan has hope for humanity — here’s why For Jeanette Winterson, stories are essential to survival Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Is there a soundtrack to your life?

Apr 1, 2026 26 min

For Michael V. Smith, the answer is a resounding yes … and he explores that in his new book, Soundtrack: A Lyric Memoir. It’s a collection of poems about snapshots in his life, each named after a different song or album. He dives into growing up gay during the AIDS crisis, finding his first love and coming of age on the dance floor. The book celebrates music and memory, and is a deeply personal look into the songs that send us back in time. This week, Michael tells Mattea Roach about the albums that made him, reading old journal entries and what it really means to be a man. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Music, sex and finding the soundtrack to queer joy Reliving the soundtrack of the 2000s Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

If at first you break up … try, try again?

Mar 29, 2026 31 min

This week, Bookends is celebrating libraries with a special Canada Reads event at the Hamilton Public Library. Morgann Book truly lives up to her name. As one of Canada’s biggest book influencers, she shares her love of literature with millions of followers … and she’s taking that to the next level as a contestant on this year’s Canada Reads. Morgann is championing It’s Different This Time, the debut novel by Joss Richard. It’s a second chance romance about two former roommates with some very unresolved feelings, and it draws from Joss’s own experiences as a TV producer in LA. Joss and Morgann joined Mattea on-stage to talk about exes, preparing for Canada Reads and why there are so many chefs in romance novels. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: Fans asked for another happy ending — Carley Fortune delivered All I want for Christmas … is a fake boyfriend? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

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Podcast details

Created by: CBC
Status: Active
Latest episode: Nov 11, 2026
Episodes: 169
Release period: Several times a week
Avg. episode length: 32 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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