Book Shambles

Author and avid swimmer Jenny Landreth joins the show to talk about her latest book Swell: A Waterbiography. She also brought along a bag full of her favourite books about swimming including works by Al Alvarez, Tanya Shadrick and Leanne Shapton. Stewart Lee is still around at the start of the episode for a lovely bit of synchronicity and Josie Long was still off with norovirus so Michael Legge is sitting in again to enjoy the chat and recommend some Spiderman comics. It'll all make sense when you listen to it, we promise... You can support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles and not only help the show keep getting made, but also get yourself lots of rewards and goodies! For instance, this week, there's an extra 15 minutes of chat from this episode and you'll get plus a bonus episode with Phill Jupitus too.

If you missed the news, we're going to putting out some shorter Book Shambles Extra episodes on Sunday. These will be more focused, in theory, conversations with an author just about their new or upcoming book with either Robin or Josie. In this Book Shambles Extra, Robin chats to Dr Meg Jay, writer and clinical psychologist about her new book, Supernormal: The Untold Story of Adversity and Resilience. The book looks at people who have dealt with various childhood adversity. Normal episodes will still go out on Thursday's, with extended editions for Patreon pledgers, and then on Tuesday there'll be mini 'My Favourite Books' episodes with lots of special guests exclusively for Patreon supporters. Support us at patreon.com/bookshambles

On this week’s episode Josie and Robin are joined in the studio by journalist and novelist Clare Swatman. They chat about Clare’s brand new novel The Mother’s Secret as well as books on time travel, Margaret Atwood, Maggie O’Farrell, Limsip, bad reviews and favourite true stories from Take a Break magazine. Patreon supporters can enjoy an extended version of this episode. If you’d like to join our Patreon gang you can at patreon.com/bookshambles

In Part 2 of Stewart Lee's second visit to Book Shambles, Stew, Robin and guest co-host Michael Legge continue their conversation getting into the work of Rosemary Tonks, David Keenan, Dave Graney and Ithell Colquhoun. Also Stew doesn't like Dunkirk and Michael's annoyed on trains. This show wouldn't be possible without the support of our brilliant Patreon supporters. You can pledge to the show and get lots of brilliant rewards at patreon.com/bookshambles

Stewart Lee was our first ever guest on Book Shambles and now he’s back in Season 7 as our first return guest. Unfortunately Josie was ill at the last minute so for this episode the role of Josie was played by Michael Legge. Robin, Michael and Stew chat about Jarret Kobek, Alice Cooper and Mohave Ethnopsychiatry. This was a long chat so we’ve split it into two parts. To hear an extended version of this episode, plus lots of other perks you can support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Here are two extracts from two longer conversations on our Patreon channel with children's author Christoper Edge and playwright and director Philip Ridley. Both Robin and Josie will be doing a lot more of these non-studio chats in the coming months and you can hear them all by pledging as little as $1 at patreon.com/bookshambles Without the support of our Patreons we simply couldn't make the show so thank you for your support. Christopher's new book 'The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day' is out now and Philip's series of monologues 'Angry' is playing at the Southwark Playhouse.

Following two highly successful cookbooks after she finished runner up on Great British Bake Off, Ruby Tandoh first ‘book’ book Eat Up! has just been published looking at the fun, pleasure and symbolism of food to fly in the face of fads and bad diet science. She joins Josie and Robin to chat about that plus great cookbooks, Nora Ephron, suffragettes and her mental health zine. To hear an extended version of this episode, plus get behind the scenes access, join the Shambles book club and a lot more why not support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Science fiction writer Andy Weir joins Robin to talk about his new novel Artemis and his huge hit The Martian. They chat about the pressure of keeping science fiction scientifically accurate, manned space flight and whether science fiction is actually a genre. Andy is also a massive Doctor Who and Star Trek fan so there’s a lot of chat about that and it gets pretty nerdy. Please note that Andy was only very briefly in the UK which coincided with a brief period when Josie wasn’t. Support The Cosmic Shambles Network and Book Shambles at patreon.com/bookshambles Great rewards including behind the scenes access and your chance to be an actual guest on the show!

We kick of Season 7 with the stand up, writer, director and actor Jeff Garlin, who you may know best as Larry David’s agent Jeff from Curb Your Enthusiasm. Robin and Josie chat with Jeff about comic books, Madame Bovary, great books about trees and making sure you don’t confuse Iain Banks with Iain Rankin. New Patreon rewards tiers have been introduced. Find out how to get involved and maybe even be a guest on the show yourself at patreon.com/bookshambles

Start the New year with the final of of our End of Year Specials. Recorded backstage at the Apollo we chat about best books of the year, science fiction, physics and go through Brian Cox's Kindle. Guests include Jim Al-Khalili, Dr Karl, Jo Brand, Charlotte Church, Chris Hadfield, Terry Virts, Dara O Briain and Brian Cox. We'll back at the end of January with series 7 of Book Shambles. Become a patreon supporter and get bonus guests on this episode, plus all new goodies coming for series 7. Go to patreon.com/bookshambles

It's Part II of our end of year specials, but Part I of those we recorded backstage at the Hammersmith Apollo as part of the Compendium of Reason gigs. Guests on this episode include Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ben Goldacre, Helen Czerski, Jon Butterworth, Steve Mould, Hannah Fry, Laura Kid and Steve Best with book recommendations from photography collections to graphic novels to expansive novels. Be sure to become a Patreon supporter of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles Lots of new perks and bonus content coming in 2018

In the first instalment of our multi part end of year specials Josie and Robin chat about the best books they've read this year. Josie's got some poetry and short book recommendations and Robin's got some horror books and has finally read a Jean Rhys book. Also Nat Metcalfe pops in to give us his top comics of the year. Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles All new exclusive perks coming in 2018..

The 2017 Royal Institute's Christmas Lectures will be given by our good friend, cognitive neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott. So before they air on Boxing Day Sophie joined Robin and Josie to talk about her favourite psychology books, great thrillers, closed bookshops and the latest research on dreams and communication. Be sure to watch the Christmas Lectures on the BBC and also check out Sophie and Josie as part of Cosmic Superheroes at cosmicshambles.com/superheroes Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles All new exclusive perks coming in 2018.

While Josie was in Glasgow, Robin caught up with a Glaswegian in London from Australia. As the frontman for Cold Chisel, and a solo artist with more number one albums to his name in Australia than anyone else in history, Jimmy Barnes is a rock legend. But more recently he's released a two volume autobiography about his harrowing childhood and youth that has garnered him multiple top literary prizes around the world. The second volume, Working Class Man, has just been released in the UK this week. We chatted to him about the process of writing that, how it's affected him on stage, and how it was much different to your run of the mill music autobiography. Please note that this episode contains frank discussions about suicide and abuse. Support Book Shambles by becoming a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles

After joining Robin and Josie for a Film Shambles special, Will Smith (The Thick of It, Veep) is back for a Book Shambles. They chat about his own books and books about the Channel Islands and a whole lot more besides. This episode may have the longest reading list yet. From Zola to Le Carré via Jean Rhys and Terry Jones. Become a Patreon for as little as $3 a month. You'll get extended episodes, prizes and help to enable us to keep making the show. Visit patreon.com/bookshambles

While out in New Zealand Robin and Josie chatted to one of NZ's most celebrated science writers, Dr Rebecca Priestley. They chat about Rebecca's own work and her time in Antarctica as well as work through the big stack of books Rebecca brought in. From collections of essays and poetry, to the writings of Atul Gawande, Helen Macdonald and lots more. Please note that the small temporary studio we were put in to record this episode only had one mic to share between the three speakers, and Josie had a bad cold, so the audio quality isn't the best, sorry about that. To hear extended versions of Book Shambles plus the chance to win great book prizes, and bask in the satisfaction of knowing that for as little as $3 a month you can keep Book Shambles going, head to http://patreon.com/bookshambles

Founder of the iconic group The Go Betweens, Robert Forster, joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about his new book Grant and I. There's also chat of the work of Alan Bennett, Jack Kerouac and TS Elliot. And then Josie discovers Robert is a fan of The Neapolitan Novels... To hear extended versions of Book Shambles plus the chance to win great book prizes, and bask in the satisfaction of knowing that for as little as $3 a month you can keep BooK Shambles going, head to http://patreon.com/bookshambles

With Paddington 2 hitting cinemas tomorrow, Robin and Josie are joined by one of its script contributors, plus performers for the original film, Will Smith for a special episode, a much requested Film Shambles. You might best know Will from his work on shows like The Thick of It but did you also know he collects old films on VHS and associated promo tat? From Hawk the Slayer to A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night, there's a lot of ground to cover. Become a Patreon supporter of the show to help us keep on making it! As little as $1 an episode up to a maximum of $3 a month and you'll go into prize draws plus get extended and bonus episodes. Pledge here at www.patreon.com/bookshambles

Recorded back when the Book Shambles crew were out in Australia, we spoke with dual Miles Franklin award winner Kim Scott, whose new book Taboo has recently been published. Robin and Josie chat with Kim about some of his favourite books from when he was an English teacher, his own novels, imposter syndrome, Aboriginal storytelling and his work with preserving the Indigenous Australian Noongar language. To find out more about the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project at wirlomin.com.au You can support Book Shambles by becoming a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles to hear extended episodes, win books and much more.

It's our first ever live episode of Book Shambles! Recorded at QEDCon in Manchester Robin Ince is joined by a panel of top science writers including Dr Dean Burnett, Dr Helen Czerski, Helen Keen and Ginny Smith. They chat about everyone's own science writing plus the work of Douglas Adams, Oliver Sacks, George RR Martin and lots more. Including sex magic with L. Ron Hubbard... Support Book Shambles on Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended episodes, win prizes and more!

Singer-Songwriter Tanita Tikaram visited Robin and Josie in the Book Shambles studio armed with a bag of her favourite books. There's talk of Maya Angelou, Patrick Hamilton, Margaret Rutherford and the launching of a campaign to get some of Dorothy Porter's work reissued. To get extended versions of each episode, you can support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Another Book Shambles EXTRA, free and uncut for all listeners. Recorded back at the Latitude Festival, Robin caught up with four fantastic poets to talk about their work and influences. Hollie McNish, Murray Lachlan Young, Luke Wright and John Osborne. Obviously, being recorded at a festival there is a bit of background noise and music at times but that just adds to the atmosphere. Back next week with a standard episode, with Robin and Josie, and an extended edition for patrons of which you can become one at patreon.com/bookshambles

Writer and performer Matt Lucas joins Josie and Robin this week ahead of the launch of his alphabetical autobiography Little Me. They chat about the process of writing memories plus stories of Little Britain, touring, comedy annuals and the work of favourite authors such as Douglas Adams, Edmund White and Michael Carson. Become a Patreon supporter of Book Shambles for as little as $3 a month and you'll get access to extended editions of all episodes, bonus episodes, competitions and much more. Head to http://patreon.com/bookshambles

A Book Shambles EXTRA this week, free and unedited for everyone. Robin chats extensively with sleep expert and neuroscientists Matthew Walker about his new book, Why We Sleep, out this week. They chat about the evolution of sleep, dreams, Jung defecating on cathedrals, alien abductions, the writing of Carl Sagan, Knausgaard and more. Next week will be a 'normal' episode with an extended edition for Patreon supporters like usual. You can become a Patreon for as little as $1 an episode (maximum of three charged episodes a month) at patreon.com/bookshambles

Poet Lemn Sissay joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about his first major acting role, being a poet as a full time job, some of his early poetry inspirations including Oku Onuora, Grace Nichols and Langston Hughes and the rise of great young, new poets such as Kate Tempest. Become a Patreon supporter of the show for as little as $1 an episode to get exclusive bonus episodes, extended editions of each episode and the chance to win great book prizes. patreon.com/bookshambles

Kate Grenville is one of Australia's most celebrated novelists. Her most acclaimed work, The Secret River, won multiple awards worldwide and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. But her new book, The Case Against Fragrance, out this week, is a change of pace and her first real foray into non-fiction and specifically science. While we were out in Australia she chatted to Robin and Josie about her life's work, having too many footnotes, great Australian writers, sexism in literature, historical fiction and much more. To hear longer versions of each episode, plus win prizes and get bonus episodes, become a Patreon supporter of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

The final of the episodes recorded during the Edinburgh Fringe and Robin and Josie are joined by Baileys and Goldsmith prize winner, the novelist Eimear McBride. They chat about her latest work The Lesser Bohemians and the process of writing the acclaimed A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing as well as great songwriters, James Joyce, Beckett, Edna O'Brien and much more. Also Josie still has a bag of frozen peas on her knee. Become a supporter of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended episodes and much more.

Recorded in Edinburgh the day after the horrific events in Charlottesville, Robin and Josie chat with American comedian, writer and podcaster Greg Proops. They chat about politics and race in the US right now, and some of the best books on the subject. Which leads to the best dystopian fiction novels and conspiracy theories, but also the literature landscape in Edinburgh so it's not all doom and gloom. Also, Josie has a bag of frozen peas on her knee. To hear an extended edition of all of this season's episodes, plus get bonus episodes and win prizes become a Patreon supporter of the show for as little as $1 an episode at patreon.com/bookshambles

Actor, writer (and broadcaster) Robert Webb (Peep Show, That Mitchell and Webb Look) joined Robin and Josie in Edinburgh to chat about his first book, How Not To Be a Boy, out next week. They chat about imaginary friends and getting picked last for PE as well as work by John Updike, Clive James, Roald Dahl, Rupert Everett and more. To hear the extended version of this, and many other episodes (as well as lots of exclusive bonus episodes) become a patron of Book Shambles for as little as $1 an episode. Head to patreon.com/bookshambles

In the first of the episodes we recorded at this year’s Fringe Festival, Josie and Robin are joined by writer and performer Erin McGathy (Community, HarmonQuest) who is in Edinburgh with her solo show MurderTown. As such there’s much talk of murder mystery novels rom the likes of Agatha Christie and Jim Thompson. Plus books on rituals, self help, James Joyce, Flann O’Brien and the great American classics Erin read at high school. To hear an extended version of this, and other episodes, plus bonus interviews, videos and more become a supporter of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin and Josie are used to working with a keyboard player who became a physicist, but this week they're joined by a physicist who became a keyboard player, not to mention legendary songwriter, best selling author and founding member of Australia's biggest band, Cold Chisel. Don Walker joins the show to chat about writing songs, his book Shots plus Jorge Luis Borges, Gore Vidal, Ray Bradbury and much more. And remember, to hear the extended 1 hour version of the show become a patron at patreon.com/bookshambles Extended episodes, bonus episodes, prizes and more.

Another episode we recorded out in Australia, Robin and Josie are joined by award winning comedian Tom Ballard who brought along a little bag of some of his favourite books to discuss. Terry Pratchett, Simon Rich, Owen Jones, JK Rowling and more are all on the menu. And remember, to get extended and bonus episodes of Book Shambles, become a patron at patreon.com/bookshambles And if you happen to be in Edinburgh this month, Robin, Josie and Tom all have shows on at the Fringe Festival.

This week we’re diving back into some of the episodes recorded on our Australia and New Zealand tour. This week we speak to comedian Urzila Carlson about writing her memoir, growing up in libraries, dark fairy tales and more. This August Urzila, Robin and Josie all have shows on at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. And remember to support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended episodes, bonus episodes and more.

In a second special episode recorded at the Latitude Festival Robin spoke with Susan Calman, Helen Keen and Alice Roberts about everything from sending postcards to four 92 year old bridge players to Game of Thrones and crying over children's books in the bath... Become a Patron of Book Shambles at patreon.com/bookshambles

In the first of our many upcoming specials recorded at the 2017 Latitude Festival 2017, Robin Ince chats with a variety of guests about all sorts of bookish delights. Guests on this first special are Jo Neary, Geoff Dyer, Katy Brand, John Luke Roberts and Joanna Cannon. And remember, to hear extended editions of Book Shambles episodes, as well as receive bonus episodes, become a patron of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

The Undercover Economist, Tim Harford, joins Robin and Josie to talk about his latest book 50 Things, great economics writers and why it's perfectly fine to have a messy desk. And remember to support the show on Patreon (patreon.com/bookshambles) for exclusive access to extended episodes.

Cultural and art historian Dr Janina Ramirez joins Robin and Josie to talk about medieval literature this week. Gospels, Julian of Norwich, Beowulf and great books on critical art theory are all up for discussion this episode. And remember to support the show on Patreon (patreon.com/bookshambles) for exclusive access to extended episodes.

We may well call all our guests broadcasters, but Iain Lee is a proper one. The comedian and TalkRadio host joins Robin and Josie to talk about great books on mental health, the work of Will Storr, Matt Haig, Anna Minton and many more all ending in a massive Vonnegut love in. This is the free 35 minute version of the episode. To listen to the full 1 hour edition, become a patron of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

A special mini-episode of Book Shambles this week as Robin and Josie go all broadsheet and breakfast TV and present their recommended summer reading, or nuclear winter if you prefer, list. Expect Rebecca Fox, Oscar Zarate, Kate Grenville, Sabrina Mahfouz, Nikesh Shukla and more. Support the podcast via Patreon at cosmicshambles.com/bookshambles

The first of our episodes recorded in New Zealand saw Robin and Josie joined by nanotechnologist, science communicator and writer Dr Michelle Dickinson (who you might better know as Nanogirl). Michelle's first book is out in October so they chat about that as well as the work of Michael Crichton, Atul Gawande, Barbara Baynton and more. There's also a quite gross story about scratching one's head... Support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

During a break from filming the new season of his sitcom The Ex PM, Robin and Josie are joined by one of Australia’s most celebrated comedic writers and performers, Shaun Micallef. They chat about his latest book The President’s Desk, favourite comedian biographies, a mutual love of silent film and the difficulty writing Trump based satire in Australia.

UK audiences may best know Judy Nunn as Ailsa Stewart from Home and Away, but she is also one of Australia's most successful novelists of period fiction. She joined Robin and Josie to chat her latest book, Spirits of the Ghan, plus the work of Pat Barker, RM Ballantyne and how to make sound effects with cabbages.

Welcome to season 6 of Book Shambles with Robin and Josie! We kick off with a bumper episode that is one we recorded out in Australia as part of the Cosmic Shambles LIVE tour. Our guest is Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, science broadcaster, communicator and author of over forty bestselling science books. Topics of discussion include jet lag and climate change, Dr Karl’s own works plus those of Steven Pinker, Richard Holmes, Peter De Vries and much more!

In the final episode of this season, psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about some of the best books in her field, as well as her own work. Philippa also brought along some of her favourite books including work by Jane Austen, Harvey Pekar and EF Benson.

Children's author and poet A.F Harrold sits down with Robin and Josie to talk about his own work and some his favourite poetry and children's books including the work of Russell Hoban, Brian Patten and Raymond Briggs. Also, in our first ever commercial break, that isn't really a commercial break, Nat Metcalfe pops in to let us know about the best new comics out right now.

Comedian Dane Baptiste joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about how Malcom X’s biography got him into stand up comedy, how he preferred Beowulf to Judy Blume and the influence of the comic series 2000 AD.

Theoretical cosmologist Professor Fay Dowker joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about the science behind Alan Moore's work, Émile Zola, Noam Chomsky, the letters of Albert Einstein and more, including quizzing Josie on the Newtonian physics of her butt on her chair...

Stand Up Mathematician and author of Things To Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, Matt Parker joins Robin and Josie this week. They talk about all things numbers. Best books on maths, books about mathematicians, puzzle books and plenty more. And Matt will be joining Robin, Josie and others for our live tour of Australia and New Zealand in March/April. Details at cosmicshambleslive.com

This week Robin and Josie sit down to talk inspirational books with founder and director of the Daughter’s of Eve organisation and FGM campaigner, Nimko Ali. There’s chat of religious texts, George Orwell, Walt Whitman and many more besides.

Welcome to Season 5 of Book Shambles, now part of the Cosmic Shambles Network! Artist and writer and Raoul Martinez joins Robin and Josie to kick of Season 5 of Book Shambles. They discuss Raoul's new book Creating Freedom, have a bit of a debate about free will and chat about the work of Howard Zinn, Rebecca Solnit, Noam Chomsky and more.