Book Shambles

It's part two of our multi guest end of year special where we chat to all sorts of performers from our Christmas shows about the best things they read this year. In this all-star special there's recommendations from Robin Ince, Josie Long, Brian Cox, the Octavia Poetry Collective, Ben Moor, Chris Lintott, Suzi Gage, Suzie Imber, Hannah Fry, Grace Petrie, Matt Parker, Chris Stokes, Dr Karl, Helen Czerski, Kat Arney, Ronnie Le Drew and Melinda Burton! Support the show at the network at patreon.com/bookshambles

Each year we catch up with as many different people as we can at our Christmas shows to talk to them about their books of the year and this year is no different. In Part 1 we chat with Robin Ince, Alan Moore, Melinda Gebbie, Sophie Scott, Jo Neary, Ginny Smith, Dean Burnett, Gecko, Hannah Critchlow and Philip Ball. Loads more to come next week too. Thanks for listening in 2018. Big plans for 2019. Support us at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin AND Josie are back in the studio together for a brand new batch of Book Shambles episodes. The first guest is Ariane Sherine, author of the new book Talk Yourself Better. They chat about her new book, and the experiences that led to it, plus look at Twitter, PD James, Lyne Reid, Tank Girl and much more. Support the show on Patreon (patreon.com/bookshambles) to hear extended episodes of the show each week. NB - This episode contains a discussion about abuse

Recorded live at the launch of Robin’s book ‘I’m a Joke and So Are You’ at Kings Place in London, this episode features some stand up from Robin and Josie, a performance from Grace Petrie, a conversation with Philippa Perry and an extended chat with Stewart Lee about comedy. Enjoy! Support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin is joined once again by guest co-host Natalie Haynes to chat to Jason Heller, the Hugo Award winning author of new book Strange Stars which looks at sci-fi's influence on the music of 70s. So there's plenty of chat about Bowie, Asimov, Arthur C Clarke and more. An extra ten minutes of chat this week for Patreon supporters to enjoy this week too so if you'd like to join them, head to patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin and Josie took to the stage at the London Podcast Festival in September for an episode of Book Shambles. Their guests were scientists and authors Professor Mark Miodownik and Dr Kevin Fong. They chat about their own upcoming books, books of bad science, unfortunate barbecuing incidences, Josie's return from her daughter's birth and debate whether peanut butter is a liquid or not. Live at the Festival we recorded for around 90 minutes, and if you'd like to hear the uncut version of the live show, you can do just that by becoming a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin and author and cartoonist Martin Rowson just happened to be in Toronto at the same time so they recorded a Book Shambles Extra in a hotel room. Martin's got three books out of this year, including his graphic novel of The Communist Manifesto. They chat about that, the state of satire, politics, cartooning and much more. Support The Cosmic Shambles Network at patreon.com/bookshambles

When we originally announced we were doing a Book Shambles Live at QED Con in Manchester we were supposed to be joined by Mercury 13 and aviation legend Wally Funk, but sadly she had to pull out due to last minute illness. So joining Robin is author of Wally Funk's Race for Space, Sue Nelson and doing his best Josie Long impression, co-host for this week is Dallas Campbell. They chat about women in space, books that have not quite predicted the future so accurately and, of course, the great Wally Funk. Get an extended version of this episode, plus many other goodies, by supporting the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

In our second Halloween special this year, Robin is joined by guest co-host Natalie Haynes and comedian, horror enthusiast and heir to Dennis Wheatley's library of occult books, Anna Savory. They chat about said library, favourite horror films and books, Agatha Christie's lack of respect, Shirley Jackson, MR James and why goats are upsettingly easy to kill. Extended edition, plus other goodies, available for Patreon supporters. Visit patreon.com/bookshambles

The first of two Halloween specials, Robin is joined by co-creator and co-writer of The League of Gentlemen and Ghost Stories, as well as many other things, Jeremy Dyson. Recorded live at the Ilkley Literature Festival they chat about what authors drew them into both horror and comedy and influences on the League. Plus there's talk of Stephen King, Robert Aikman, Arthur C Clarke and much more. If you support the show on patreon you'll get access to extended episodes and other goodies too. There's twenty extra minutes of chat, including more League of Gentlemen tales, in the Patreon exclusive version this week. Pledge at patreon.com/bookshambles

International best selling author Ian Rankin returns to Book Shambles for a special episode recorded as part of our live run at the Edinburgh Fringe. He chats to Robin about Rebus, great music novels, being asked to ghost write Sean Connery's biography and how crime writers seek revenge on ex-lovers... Support the show by leaving a review at Apple Podcasts or pledging as little as $1 a month on Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles

A couple of days before Robin's new book I'm a Joke and So Are You hit shops, we went to a Waterstones in London where Robin and Josie had a chat about the book with a lovely audience. No guest, just Robin and Josie, popping by with new daughter, to chat about comedy, wit, the birth of Book Shambles and more. Robin also did a 15 minute intro and short stand up set that is available exclusive to Patreon supporters. Become one and help us out here patreon.com/bookshambles

In Part 2 Robin, Alan and Barney continue their chat. They delve into the Alan's final comic book EVER, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest, try to work out what consciousness is, chat about Robin's new book as well as John Higgs, Camus and more. Also everyone misremembers a BBC theme tune. If you become a Patreon supporter you could listen to another exclusive extra 15 minutes for Part 2 which means a whole extra half hour of Alan Moore, Barney Farmer and Robin Ince with Part 1's bonus content. Support us at patreon.com/bookshambles

Since today is publication day for Robin Ince's book I'm a Joke and So Are You we've got a very special double episode. In a front room in Northampton Robin is joined by Alan Moore, subbing in as co-host for Josie Long this week, to chat with author of Drunken Baker Barney Farmer. They chat about all their new books, accents, Viz, Laurence Scott, HP Lovecraft and a whole lot more. Part Two will be out very soon. As always, thanks to our Patreon supporters who have a a whole 15 minutes of extra exclusive chat this week, and the same again in Part 2. Support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Canadian singer-songwriter Ben Caplan is on tour in Europe at the moment with his band and new musical Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story, so he dropped by the studio to chat with Robin and Michael Legge, subbing for Josie again whilst she's on maternity leave. They chat of Jewish refugees, squeezing philosophy lines into songs, great music biographies by hard rockers and much more. And Michael does an ad for Mercedes for which we very much didn't get paid for. Extended edition for Patreons as always. Please consider supporting the show at patreon.com/bookshambles so we can keep on making it!

Another of our live shows from the Edinburgh Fringe and this time Robin is chatting to Sofie Hagen and Martin Mor. They talk about Sofie writing her own book at the moment, Martin's favourite counter culture magazines of the 1980s plus dinosaur erotics, Oliver Sacks, Hunter S Thompson and plenty more. This was the first of our live shows in Edinburgh and there was a bit of an issue with the sound in the venue that wasn't fixed in time for the show. As such there's some distortion and hiss in the this episode that was cleaned up best we could but apologies for the less than ideal sound. There is a bonus twenty minutes for Patreon supporters this week. Head to patreon.com/bookshambles to support the show.

Another episode recorded live at the Edinburgh Fringe, this time Robin is joined by comedians Jen Brister and mere hours after finding out he was nominated for the Comedy Award, Alex Edelman. They chat about which books inspired their comedy, Jane Austen, Janne Teller, graphic novels, lesbian fiction, Jewish fiction and how Robin helped Alex through a medical crisis many Edinburgh's ago... Support the podcast by pledging at patreon.com/bookshambles and get extended episodes and more. For instance, this episode features a bonus 15 minutes for Patreon supporters.

First episode of six recorded live at Edinburgh Fringe, in this episode Robin chats to comedian and co-host of All Killa No Filla, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and comedian and DIY chef George Egg. They chat best books about serial killers, favourite cookery books, the precarious crossover of the two and home made Russian antennas. Support the show, and The Cosmic Shambles Network at patreon.com/bookshambles. Lots of great rewards including extended episodes. There's an extra 15 minutes of this chat for instance. And be sure to check out the launch our new blog network, featuring Robin, Dean Burnett, Helen Czerski, Jon Butterworth and more at cosmicshambles.com/blogs

Recorded live at Latitude, it's a Book Shambles - Science Shambles crossover. Robin Ince hosts a discussion about The Magick of the Future, which is to say, what scientific discoveries and technological advancements are so incredible they seem like magic? Robin is joined by author John Higgs and scientists and broadcaster Dr Suzi Gage and Dr Lucy Rogers. You can support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles Book Shambles will be on a short hiatus for a couple of weeks now as the entire team is up at the Edinburgh Fringe. If you're up there, come and see some of our live shows with special guests such as Neil Gaiman and Ian Rankin. Entry is free! Info at cosmicshambles.com/events/edfringe

With Robin out of the country, and Josie on maternity leave, producer Trent Burton is taking up the hosting duties for a week. Which is appropriate as our guest for this Book Shambles Extra is author and journalist Mat Oxley. Mat is one of the world's leading motorcycle writers, and motorcycling racing is Trent's 'other world'. They chat about Mat's books including his latest Speed: The One Genuinely Modern Pleasure, as well as some of the great books and authors of fiction to tackle humankind's speed fetish including Aldous Huxley, Hunter S Thompson, Hemingway and others. You can support Book Shambles on Patreon and get lots of extras by visiting patreon.com/bookshambles

Our second special from this year's Latitude Festival, again recorded backstage at the Speakeasy tent. Robin chats her Ladybird Guide to Consciousness with Dr Hannah Critchlow and science books with Dr Michael Brooks of Science(ish). We catch up with Matt Haig about Notes on a Nervous Planet and Jen Brister on her new Edinburgh show. As before, being a festival, there can be some background noise in some of these chats. Like Gospel choirs at full tilt. Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles

It's the first of a number of specials we recorded at this year's Latitude Festival. On this first episode we've got a bit of a focus on poetry. Robin chats to host of The Verb, Ian McMillan, poet Luke Wright, the Octavia Poetry Collective, punk poet, musician and Josie Long's primary school classmate Brigette Aphrodite and comedian and author Jonnie Bayfield. There's chat of Dylan Thomas, Melvyn Bragg, Dostoevsky and astrophysics based poetry. As always with the interviews we record at festivals, there's a bit of background noise from bands and other performers. Become a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles

Our second episode recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall, Robin is once again joined by guest co-host Sarah Kendall, with this week's special guest mathematician, author and broadcaster Dr Hannah Fry. They chat about Hannah's upcoming book Hello World, books on AI and the internet, air crash investigations, butter, baby food and making bad decisions based off of junk maths. Hear an extended edition of this episode, and almost all our other episodes too, plus bonus episodes and more by becoming a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles

One year ago, we were doing Festival Shambles at Latitude with the great Barry Crimmins who sadly passed away earlier this year. Previously only available as a Patreon exclusive, here is the chat he had with Robin that night as part of one of our live shows. Sign up and pledge at patreon.com/bookshambles

The last recorded, but the first released, of the four episodes we recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall in June. Robin is joined by guest co-host Sarah Kendall and special guest comedian and broadcaster Adam Buxton. They chat about David Bowie's top 100 books, Viz, faking a book report, Judy Blume and more. A bonus 20 minutes of this chat is available exclusive to Patreon supporters. Sign up and pledge at patreon.com/bookshambles

This week Dr Helen Czerski plays the role of Josie for the second time alongside Robin as they're joined by author and actual proper broadcaster Dallas Campbell to talk about space books, including his own recently released Ad Astra. From HG Wells to Jules Verne and Ladybird books of space the three discuss all manner of books, space travel and why people buy into conspiracy theories. Patreon supporters get a bonus fifteen minutes this week. If you'd like to become one head to patreon.com/bookshambles

Kimokeo Kapahulehua is well-known throughout Hawai‘i for his tireless efforts to preserve and perpetuate his Hawaiian culture, the land and sea. A few nights before we recorded this episode he took to the Royal Albert Hall, with Robin's guest co-host for this episode, Dr Helen Czerski, as part of Space Shambles where they spoke of celestial navigation. Now he's in the Shambles studio to chat of the oceans, his involvement with Hawaiki Rising, the award winning book about the voyaging canoe Hokule'a. To hear an extended version of this episode, plus other goodies, support us at patreon.com/bookshambles

As mentioned on the last episode, Josie is now on maternity leave, but don't fret, we've still got lots of exciting episodes in store for you. Here is the recording from the London launch of The Happy Brain back in May. Robin chats to Dean Burnett about his new book, why The Daily Mail doesn't know what makes people happy, what happiness even is and then things get weird as Dean tries to explain orgasms while his in laws are in the audience. Support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Our guest this week is comedian, writer and host of The Guilty Feminist, Deborah Frances-White. She chats with Robin and Josie about her time as a Jehovah's Witness, discovering improv and some of her favourite books including work by Virginia Woolf, George Orwell and Erica Jong. This is the last episode of the current series as Josie heads off on maternity leave. We've still got lots of episodes and specials to come though including recordings of lots of our recent live shows with guests including Dean Burnett, Alan Moore and Lucie Green. Tickets are still available for our live show on June 11 with guests Adam Buxton and Hannah Fry, as well as Space Shambles with Robin, Chris Hadfield, Stewart Lee and others on June 15. royalalberthall.com for tickets. Support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Matt Haig has been one of our most requested guests on social media so we're delighted he is our guest this week. Robin and Josie chat to Matt about his own work including the upcoming Notes on a Nervous Planet as well as some of his favourite works from the likes of Emily Dickinson, Carl Sagan and Janette Winterson. A bonus 20 minutes of chat await Patreon supporters this week. You can hear that, and help keep the podcast in production, by pledging at patreon.com/bookshambles

We're celebrating our 100th episode! We're either a bit early, or a bit late, depending on how you want to count 'actual' episodes, but it's the thought that counts. On this episode we chat to Emmy and Golden Globe award winner and Oscar nominee Bryan Cranston about his autobiography A Life in Parts. He chats about his acting process, reading for role research, the Time's Up movement, favourite playwrights and a whole lot more. Robin is in the studio and Josie pre-recorded a series of questions as she was off with pregnancy related engagements. Thank you, as always, to you our great Patreon supporters. We would never have been able to make one episode, let alone a hundred odd, without their amazing support. It is hugely appreciated by all of us at Shambles. This week, it's a bumper Patreon edition with almost 25 minutes of extra Cranston just for pledgers. If you'd like to join them and help keep Book Shambles keeping on, head to patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin shared a house at The Laugharne Weekend with writer, author, comic and storyteller Nick Revell. They chat about Nick's latest tale, drinking with Peggy Seger and shape shifting lizards. If you'd like us to keep making the show, please do consider pledging at patreon.com/bookshambles and then ideally actually pledging.

Founder of the Craftivist Collective, Sarah Corbett joins Josie and Robin to talk about craftivism and her own books on the subject. But Sarah also brought along a big bag of her favourite books to talk about so there's much chat about Martin Luther King Jr, Rebecca Solnit, Daniel Goleman and more. To hear an extended version of this episode and gets lots of other perks and rewards, you can support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin caught up with MP and author of Everywoman: One Woman's Truth About Speaking the Truth, Jess Phillips. They chat about the book, influences, the diaries of Adrian Mole and much more. Thanks for your continued support. Details of our first live book club have been posted for pledgers at the $3 and up tier. If you'd like to support the show you can do so at patreon.com/bookshambles

Stay With Me was one of the most acclaimed novels of the part twelve months and this week its author, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, joins Robin and Josie to chat about her debut novel. They also chat about some of Ayọ̀bámi’s favourite books, Richard Holloway, Michael Rosen and much more. Book Shambles would not, and could not continue, to exist without your support on Patreon. Pledge at patreon.com/bookshambles

At The Laugharne Weekend Robin sat down with the prolific and acclaimed author, writer (and broadcaster) Stella Duffy. They chat about writing crime fiction, promoting diverse storytellers, Fun Palaces and a whole lot more! Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles

In an episode we actually recorded quite a while back, writer, performer and comedian Ricky Gervais joins Robin and Josie in the studio for this week's episode. After Robin starts by saying Ricky doesn't like to read, they chat about why that is and some of Ricky's favourite philosophy writers and science books. To hear an extended version of this episode, plus get access to bonus episodes and lots of other goodies, as well as helping keep the podcast going, please support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles

The final Author Extra we recorded at BAHFest, Robin chats to Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, authors of the graphic novel Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything. They chat about reusable rockets, why Google Glass failed, augmented reality, medical breakthroughs and lots more! Support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Laura Bates, writer and founder of Everyday Sexism, joins Robin and Josie in the studio. They chat about her new book Misogynation, the Everyday Sexism Project, witches, Naomi Wolf, Matt Haig, Katrine Marcal and much more. As always thank you to our Patreon supporters. Patrons get an exclusive podcast feed with longer episodes, bonus episodes and much more. Pledge at patreon.com/bookshambles Also, please note, this episode contains discussion about sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape and subjects of that nature.

Robin caught up with the author of the multi-award winning The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage, Sydney Padua. Backstage at BAHFest they chat about creating the steampunk graphic novel, maths, Mad magazine, cheese, comics and a whole lot more! Support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles. Not only are there some great rewards, but you'll also ensure the show keeps on keeping on!

Francisco Cantú is a Mexican-American who served as an agent for the US Border Patrol in the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. He joined Robin and Josie to talk about that experience and how it led him to write The Line Becomes a River, his new book on the horrors witnessed on the border. They also chat about the work of Jung, WG Sebald, Shalom Auslander and much more. Hear an extended version of this chat, and all other episodes, plus gets lots more bonus material by supporting the show at patreon.com/bookshambles. Without your support the show couldn't exist!

The first of three chats we recorded backstage at BAHFest, Robin chats to the author of The Butchering Art, Lindsey Fitzharris. Lindsey is medical historian so they chat about the often gruesome history of surgery covered in her new book as well as tales of Northampton and people fainting during her talks. Become a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles to help keep the show going and you'll get all sorts of amazing rewards including extended versions of episodes!

Author of over a dozen books and the former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway joins Robin and Josie to talk about his latest book, Waiting for the Last Bus: Reflections on Life and Death. They chat about dealing with death, faith, great last words, inspiring poetry, Graham Greene, Viktor Frankel and much more. Become a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles to help keep the show going and you'll get all sorts of amazing rewards including extended versions of episodes!

Robin catches up with author John Higgs to talk about his latest book Watling Street: Travels Through Britain and Its Ever-Present Past. They chat about the book that charts the cultural history of one of Britain's oldest roads with tales of Alan Moore, Steve Moore, tulpamancy, the KLF and more. Support the show and get rewards for doing so at patreon.com/bookshambles

Sara was our second ever guest on Book Shambles some years ago and now she's back in the guest chair again. She chats with Robin and Josie about free speech and comedy, baby books, Eimear McBride, researching her new book and lots more besides. Support the show on Patreon (patreon.com/bookshambles) to hear an extended version of this and many other episodes, plus get bonus episodes, behind the scenes access and more!

Before a gig in Edinburgh, Robin sits down backstage with the bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin. They chat about the process of writing popular crime fiction, the great American novel and why Jekyll and Hyde is one of the all time great crime novels. Become a Patreon supporter of the show to get bonus episodes, behind the scenes access and more. Head to patreon.com/bookshambles

This week Robin is joined by singer-songwriter Grace Petrie to talk about her major literary influences on her work. In a bit of a departure from a normal episode, not only is it recorded in a kitchen, but the episode is also punctuated with some of Grace’s music. They chat about the influences of Shakespeare, Harper Lee and Supergirl comics. This is the final episode recorded during Josie’s bout of sickness and tourness. From next week it’s all back to Robin and Josie shambling together. The Cosmic Superheroes exhibition they chat about will be on tour later this year in the UK and you can view some of the images at cosmicshambles.com/superheroes. And don't forget you can support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin caught up with author and journalist Dr Matthew Sweet in a glass box where they hope they weren't being watched by spies. Inside they spoke about his new book Operation Chaos: The Vietnam Deserters Who Fought the CIA, the Brainwashers, and Themselves. Support the show on Patreon for lots of bonus content patreon.com/bookshambles

On this week’s episode Robin and Josie are joined by writer and broadcaster Lucy Cooke to talk about her new book The Truth About Animals. There’s tales of weird zoology, the grafting of monkey’s testicles, Will Self and Josie has a go at Aristotle. To hear an extended version of this episode, plus get lots of other perks and rewards, you can support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

In this week's author extra, Robin Ince sits down to chat with immunologist Prof Dan Davis about his latest book, The Beautiful Cure. They chat about why vaccines work, why we never get 'double sick' and more. There'll also be a Patreon special on Tuesday when Dan reveals his top science books. Support the CSN at patreon.com/bookshambles