Book Shambles

Julian Baggini and Victor Stock

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In a somewhat Christmas themed episode Robin is joined by the philosopher Julian Baggini and the former Dean of Guilford to talk about Julian's new bo...

Jenny Landreth Returns

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny Landreth returns to the podcast this week to speak to Josie about her new book Breaking a Leg. They chat about the wonderful world of am-dram, t...

Susannah Cahalan

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today Robin is joined by author and journalist Susannah Cahalan. Her first book, Brain on Fire, was a smash hit memoir about contracting a rare auto-i...

Hallie Rubenhold

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When we said Hallie Rubenhold was going to be a guest on the show we were flooded with comments from people saying The Five, her 2019 book about the l...

Janna Levin - Science Book Shambles

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Janna Levin is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Columbia University and a world leading researcher on our understanding of black holes. Her new...

Samantha Cristoforetti and Tanita Tikaram

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A little while ago we did a Book Shambles Livestream as part of the Royal Albert Home series and now, here it is, in podcast form. Robin and Josie co-...

Gavin Francis - Science Book Shambles

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robin is joined by physician and author Gavin Francis to talk about his obsession with islands, and his new book on the subject Island Dream...

Hugh Warwick

05 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hugh Warwick is an ecologist and nature writer who is very much the 'The Hedgehog Guy'. He joins Robin and Josie on this episode to talk about everyth...

Stuart Ritchie - Science Book Shambles

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robin is joined by psychologist Dr Stuart Ritchie to talk about his latest book Science Fictions: Exposing Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype ...

Kit De Waal

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On so many previous episodes of Book Shambles guests have talked about how much they love the writing of Kit de Waal and so on this week’s episode R...

Camilla Pang - Science Book Shambles

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode Robin chats with the author of the 2020 Royal Society Science Book Prize shortlisted Explaining Humans - What Science Can Teach Us abo...

Alice Roberts and Andrew Copson

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Alice Roberts returns to Book Shambles and she's brought along her co-author and editor of the new book, The Little Book of Humanism, Andrew...

Tim Peake - Science Book Shambles

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's Science Book Shambles Robin is joined by astronaut Tim Peake to chat about his new autobiography Limitless. They chat about Tim's caree...

Mark Watson

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Watson joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about his new novel Contacts. They talk about the differences between writing a novel and a stand ...

Rebecca Wragg Sykes - Science Book Shambles

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's Science Book Shambles Robin chats with one of the founding members of The Trowelblazers, Rebecca Wragg Sykes. Her new book, Kindred, ta...

Laura Bates Returns

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Bates returns to Book Shambles to talk to Robin and Josie about her new book Men Who Hate Women. They chat about the dark misogyny on the intern...

Jo Marchant - Science Book Shambles

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Robin chats with journalist and author Jo Marchant, author of the new book The Human Cosmos. They talk about our changing relationship with the night ...

Natalie Haynes Returns

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A Shambles regular, Natalie Haynes, joins Robin and Josie to chat about her brand new book Pandora’s Jar. They chat about the women of the classics,...

Kat Arney - Science Book Shambles

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Science Book Shambles Robin is joined by regular Book Shambles co-host Josie Long to chat with Dr Kat Arney about her new book Rebe...

Ian Dunt

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You may best know Ian for his live tweeting of the House of Commons or his podcast Remainiacs, but today he joins us to talk about his new book, How t...

Sir Paul Nurse - Science Book Shambles

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Robin Ince chats to Nobel Prize winner Sir Paul Nurse about his thoughts on the UK's position on COVID-19, the possibility of life on Venus and his ne...

Tim Harford Returns

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's been almost three years since we had Tim Harford (BBC's More or Less) on the show so we're delighted to have him back in the virtual studio to ta...

Ruby Wax

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We've been trying to get Ruby Wax on Book Shambles for ages and it took a pandemic to get everyone's diaries to line up! Ruby joins Robin and Josie to...

Matt Haig Returns

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Haig returns to Book Shambles as he sits atop the Sunday Times bestseller list with his new novel The Midnight Library. He chats to Robin about t...

David Eagleman

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robin is joined by bestselling author, neuroscientist and broadcaster David Eagleman to talk about his latest book Livewired - The Inside St...

Rachel Long

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode Robin and Josie are joined by the poet Rachel Long whose debut book My Darling From the Lions has just been released. They chat about...

Brit Bennett

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author of the New York Times bestseller The Vanishing Half joins Robin to talk about the book, the inspiration for its story and what it's like having...

Paul Tonkinson

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The very last episode from the studio days back at the start of the year, Robin chats with Paul Tonkinson about his book 26.2 Miles to Happiness. That...

Adam Kay

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Kay's first book in 2017, This is Going to Hurt, was the bestselling non-fiction title of the decade in the UK and now he's edited an anthology o...

Bernardine Evaristo

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Robin and Josie are joined by the 2019 Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo on this week's episode. They chat about her incredible prize winning no...

Richard Holloway Returns

16 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After a couple of years, Richard Holloway, award winning author and former Bishop of Edinburgh, returns to Book Shambles, albeit remotely. He chats to...

Curdella Forbes and Clare Mackintosh

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today Josie and Robin are joined by two brilliant authors, Curdella Forbes and Clare Mackintosh. First up they chat to Curdella about her new book, A ...

Nick Revell and Ian Stone

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Two guests on today's episode. Comedian and novelist Nick Revell joined Robin and Josie in the studio earlier this year to talk about how comedy has c...

Dave Coplin and Gaia Vince

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode we have two guests whose books look at two different angles of human evolution. Dave Coplin's Rise of the Humans looks at our evolv...

Dina Nayeri

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode Robin and Josie chat with author Dina Nayeri about her new book The Ungrateful Refugee in which she looks back at her journey f...

Tori Amos

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On our first 'remotely recorded' episode of Book Shambles, Robin and Josie are joined by music icon Tori Amos. They chat about Tori's new book, Resist...

Nathan Filer

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Previous winner of the Costa Book of the Year prize Nathan Filer joins Robin Ince in a hotel room back in January to chat about his new book, This Boo...

Brian Greene

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Greene is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at Columbia University and one of the best selling science authors of all time. His latest book, Un...

Adam Rutherford Returns

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Geneticist, author and broadcaster Dr Adam Rutherford returned to the Book Shambles studio just weeks before lockdown to talk about his latest book Ho...

Oliver Double

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Oliver Double is a comedian, lecturer and comedy historian and his latest book Alternative Comedy: 1979 and the Reinvention of British Stand-Up is the...

Matthew Cobb

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Another episode we recorded in the studio when such things were possible, Robin chats with Matthew Cobb, Professor of Zoology at the University of Man...

Suzi Gage

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded in the studio in the before times, Robin chats to epidemiologist, podcaster and author Dr Suzi Gage about her book, Say Why to Drugs. They ch...

The Goodies - 50th Anniversary Special

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Back at the end of January, we recorded a live special as part of the Slapstick Festival in Bristol to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Goodies, ...

Katie Mack, Lemn Sissay and Laura Kidd

11 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of Book Shambles was recorded live as part of the Stay at Home Festival. Robin is joined by Dr Katie Mack to talk about her upcoming (alb...

Sophie Walker

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest this week is the author and activist Sophie Walker. This was meant to be an episode with two guests but we didn't get a chance to record the...

Tracey Thorn

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tracey Thorn started out as one half of the chart topping group Everything But the Girl but is now a top selling critically acclaimed author. Her late...

David McAlmont Returns

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Another returning favourite previous guest this week as singer and songwriter David McAlmont joins Robin in the studio. They chat about David's new pr...

Claudia Hammond Returns

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Claudia Hammond was on Book Shambles back in 2016 and now the host of the BBC's All in the Mind returns to talk to Robin about her new book The Art of...

Konnie Huq

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Konnie Huq was a much loved presenter of the children’s show Blue Peter for over a decade and now she’s written her first children’s book, Cooki...

Sophie Ratcliffe and Joanna Neary - Live

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at the Bristol Old Vic as part of the Slapstick Festival, Robin chats with Prof Sophie Ratcliffe and Joanna Neary about the work, and sl...

Stephen Merchant and Tim Brooke-Taylor - Slapstick Shambles

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At this year's Slapstick Festival in Bristol, the Cosmic Shambles Network team were there across the festival recording all sorts of events we were ta...

Shambles Extra - Chris McGlade

17 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In a Shambles Extra, Robin chats to comedian, poet and activist Chris McGlade. Robin became interested in Chris' work after reading about it online, s...

Mark Kermode

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A Book Shambles / Film Shambles episode as author and film critic Mark Kermode joins Robin and Josie to talk his own books on films, great books about...

Les Dennis - Live

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at the British Library as part of the Chortle Comedy Book Festival Robin chat to actor, comedian and broadcasting icon Les Dennis. They ...

Chris Lintott

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week's in studio guest is a regular at our live events and joins Robin and guest co-host Helen Czerski to chat about his new book, The Crowd and ...

Joan Smith

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robin is joined by the author, journalist and activist Joan Smith, alongside guest co-host Bec Hill. They focus on Joan's new acclaimed book...

Russell Kane

09 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the first Book Shambles of 2020, Robin is joined by his Science Shambles co-host Helen Czerski to chat with comedian and author Russell Kane. They ...

Our Books of the Year

31 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's our annual books of the year edition of Book Shambles recorded with various guests back stage at the Compendium and Nine Lessons shows. In this y...

Johnny Mains - Book Shambles EXTRA

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Christmas Eve, so that means ghost stories surely? Robin is joined, for a Book Shambles Extra, by Johnny Mains. Book Shambles listeners may bes...

Christmas Comics Special

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our comics experts, Nathaniel Metcalfe and Tom Oldham joined Robin for an update on what'd good in comics and offer some excellent Christmas gift idea...

Angela Saini

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Angela Saini's Superior: The Return of Race Science has featured in a lot of Books of the Year lists of late so we thought it high time we had Angela ...

Jon Butterworth

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Jon Butterworth is a regular at many of our live shows and he's also written two top selling popular science books about physics, his latest...

Scarlett Thomas

28 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Author Scarlett Thomas joins Robin and a returning Josie this week to chat about her new book Oligarchy. They look at the inspiration provided by boar...

John Higgs

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Author John Higgs is in the studio this week with Robin and Bec to talk about all things William Blake, which makes sense being that John has just wri...

Lisa Blower

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Robin is joined by author Lisa Blower this week to talk about her latest book, It's All Gone Dark Over Bill's Mother's. They chat about highlighting d...

Peter F. Hamilton

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Best selling science fiction author Peter F. Hamilton joins Robin and Bec in studio this week to talk about what goes into creating massive 'space ope...

John Robertson - Halloween Special

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a Halloween special, comedian and author John Robertson joins Book Shambles this week to talk of his novel, The Little Town of Marrowville with Rob...

Lemn Sissay Returns Again

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lemn is back for part two after a shortened first (that was actually his second) visit to Book Shambles. Robin and Lemn, with Natalie Haynes a super s...

Lemn Sissay Returns

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lemn Sissay returns to Book Shambles to chat about his bestseller 'My Name is Why' to chat with Robin and Josie. This is part one of Lemn's return bec...

Dan Richards

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Author Dan Richards' new book Outpost is all about journeying into the wilderness and finding the edges of civilisation. But Robin and Dan got very si...

Colin Stuart

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Robin, and returning guest co-host Natalie Haynes, are joined by astronomer and astronomy writer Colin Stuart to talk about his new book Rebel Star. T...

Stewart Lee Returns Again

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our first ever guest on Book Shambles was Stewart Lee, and with his new book, March of the Lemmings, just released he's back in the studio this week w...

Charlotte Higgins

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week it's all about the classics as Robin is joined by two classicists, Natalie Haynes and Charlotte Higgins. They chat about the best translatio...

A Robin and Josie Catch Up

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest this week was meant to be Lemn Sissay but a mix up with timings meant Robin and Josie found themselves alone in the studio for 40 minutes or...

Jim Al-Khalili

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Renowned physicist and broadcaster Prof Jim Al-Khalili has just written his first work of fiction, the sci-fi novel Sunfall. So he joins Robin and Bec...

Mark Radcliffe

05 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week one of the most recognisable voices in British radio, Mark Radcliffe, joins Robin and Bec to talk about his new book Crossroads: In Search o...

Gaia Vince

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Book Shambles Robin Ince and Bec Hill are joined by former winner of the Royal Society Book Prize for science books, Gaia Vince. Th...

Will Eaves

15 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Robin is once again joined by guest co-host Bec Hill and their special guest this week is Wellcome Book Prize winner Will Eaves. They chat about Will'...

Jenny Eclair

08 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode Robin and guest co-host Bec Hill are joined by comedian, novelist and 'Grumpy Old Woman' Jenny Eclair to chat about her new nov...

Cariad Lloyd

01 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's a Book Shambles - Griefcast crossover this week as Cariad Lloyd joins Robin and (eventually) guest co-host Bec Hill in the studio. They chat abou...

Apollo 50th Anniversary Special

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On an Apollo 50th special we talk to a number of people about a single book, Arthur C Clarke’s 1986 book ‘July 20th 2019’ in which he imagines w...

Reginald D Hunter

18 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The second episode recorded live from The Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, Robin and Josie are joined by comedian Reginald D Hunter. They chat abo...

Wendell Pierce

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We are back! Recorded live from the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall, Robin and Josie are joined by actor Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Treme) who is c...

Marcus Chown

20 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With Robin and Josie both on tour at the moment, and Book Shambles on a small break, we thought you might enjoy a bit of a Book Shambles / Science Sha...

Josh Cohen

09 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Robin is joined by guest co-host Bec Hill to chat to author and psychoanalyst Josh Cohen about his new book Not Working. They chat about the psycholog...

Jarett Kobek

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robin, and returning guest co-host Bec Hill, are joined by acclaimed US author Jarett Kobek. His novel I Hate the Internet is a regularly me...

Kerry Hudson

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Author Kerry Hudson joins Robin this week, along with guest co-host Bec Hill, to talk about her new book Lowborn which is out very soon. They talk abo...

Pete Etchells

18 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week one of our Shambles bloggers, Pete Etchells, joins Robin and guest co-host Bec Hill, to talk about his brand new book Lost in a Good Game. T...

Philippa Perry

11 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we welcome back a Book Shambles regular, and recent Sunday Times Number One Bestseller, Philippa Perry. She joins Robin and guest co-host Be...

Laurence Scott

04 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone from Robin to Alan Moore has talked about Picnic Comma Lightning on the podcast so we thought it high time we had its author, Laurence Scott,...

Charles Fernyhough and Sophie Scott

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at the Manchester Science Festival Robin chats to writer and psychologist Charles Fernyhough and neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott. ...

Samira Ahmed

21 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about politics, the joy of library books, the joy of putting in br...

Jessie Nelson

17 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

US theatre and filmmaker Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam, Corrina, Corrina) was in town last week for the opening of Tony Award nominated musical Waitress for...

Jim Bob

14 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Author JB Morrison, who you might know better as Jim Bob, frontman of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, joins Robin and Josie in the studio this wee...

Science Shambles Preview - Gina Rippon and Julia Shaw

08 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A Book Shambles / Science Shambles crossover. Robin is joined in studio by Professor Gina Rippon and Dr Julia Shaw to talk about their new science boo...

Lucie Green - Live at the Royal Albert Hall

07 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The final episode we recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, Robin and guest co-host Sarah Kendall are joined by solar physicist and author Professor Lucie...

Alan Moore - Live at the Royal Albert Hall

28 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded live at the Royal Albert Hall, Robin is joined by guest co-host Sarah Kendall and Alan Moore. They chat about where real science has influenc...

Kate Davies

21 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Kate Davies debut novel, In at the Deep End, comes out this week. Josie read an advanced copy and fell in love with it so we got Kate into the studio ...

Rebecca Peyton and Philippa Perry

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week Philippa Perry joins Robin as co-host and they chat with writer and performer Rebecca Peyton. They talk about the process of working with ed...

Comics Special

07 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode is a comics special as Robin is joined in studio by our resident comics expert, comedian Nat Metcalfe and Tom Oldham of Breakdown ...