Book Shambles

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 supp...

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 th...

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 o...

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...

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,...

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 pl...

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 suppor...

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/books...

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 lot...

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,...

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 ve...

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'l...

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 a...

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 sce...

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...

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