Book Shambles
Episodes
Elena Ferrante Special
31 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For pretty much as long as we've been producing Book Shambles, Josie has been recommending everyone read the Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante. She ...
Helen Zaltzman
24 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A triple podcast crossover this week as Vitriola's Michael Legge subs in for Josie Long and our guest is The Allusionist's Helen Zaltzman in the studi...
Adam Rutherford
17 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Geneticist, author and broadcaster Dr Adam Rutherford joins Robin and Josie in the studio this week to talk about many things including his latest boo...
Mark Watson and Ambrose Parry
10 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We lots of specials and time specific episodes towards the end of 2018, so we've yet to put out the final episode we recorded live at the Edinburgh Fr...
Richard Herring
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Robin and Josie have both been guests on RHLSTP so we thought it high time that we had Richard Herring on Book Shambles. He joins us in the studio to ...
Books of the Year - Part 2
27 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Books of the Year - Part 1
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ariane Sherine
13 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
'I'm a Joke and So Are You' Launch
04 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Rob...
Jason Heller
29 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 look...
Mark Miodownik and Kevin Fong
22 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 author...
Martin Rowson
18 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
Sue Nelson and Dallas Campbell
15 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 lege...
Anna Savory
31 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Jeremy Dyson
25 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Ian Rankin - Live at the Edinburgh Fringe
18 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
I'm a Joke and So Are You
11 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 abou...
Barney Farmer and Alan Moore - Part 2
08 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Tem...
Barney Farmer and Alan Moore - Part 1
04 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ben Caplan
27 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Sofie Hagen and Martin Mor - Book Shambles Live
20 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Alex Edelman and Jen Brister - Book Shambles Live
13 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 nomi...
Kiri Pritchard-McLean and George Egg - Book Shambles Live
06 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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-McLe...
The Magick of the Future
15 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Mat Oxley
09 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Latitude Special #2
02 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Our second special from this year's Latitude Festival, again recorded backstage at the Speakeasy tent. Robin chats her Ladybird Guide to Consciousness...
Latitude Special #1
26 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Hannah Fry
19 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
Remembering Barry Crimmins
14 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
One year ago, we were doing Festival Shambles at Latitude with the great Barry Crimmins who sadly passed away earlier this year. Previously only avail...
Adam Buxton
12 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Sa...
Dallas Campbell
05 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Dalla...
Kimokeo Kapahulehua
28 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kimokeo Kapahulehua is well-known throughout Hawai‘i for his tireless efforts to preserve and perpetuate his Hawaiian culture, the land and sea. A f...
The Happy Brain Live
21 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Deborah Frances-White
07 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Matt Haig
31 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Bryan Cranston
17 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 thoug...
Nick Revell - Author Extra
13 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Robin shared a house at The Laugharne Weekend with writer, author, comic and storyteller Nick Revell. They chat about Nick's latest tale, drinking wit...
Sarah Corbett
10 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
Jess Phillips - Author Extra
07 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Stella Duffy - Author Extra
29 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
At The Laugharne Weekend Robin sat down with the prolific and acclaimed author, writer (and broadcaster) Stella Duffy. They chat about writing crime f...
Ricky Gervais
26 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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'...
Kelly and Zach Weinersmith
22 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The final Author Extra we recorded at BAHFest, Robin chats to Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, authors of the graphic novel Soonish: Ten Emerging Technolo...
Laura Bates
19 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Bates, writer and founder of Everyday Sexism, joins Robin and Josie in the studio. They chat about her new book Misogynation, the Everyday Sexis...
Sydney Padua - Author Extra
15 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Robin caught up with the author of the multi-award winning The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage, Sydney Padua. Backstage at BAHFest they c...
Francisco Cantú
12 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Rob...
Lindsey Fitzharris - Author Extra
08 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The first of three chats we recorded backstage at BAHFest, Robin chats to the author of The Butchering Art, Lindsey Fitzharris. Lindsey is medical his...
Richard Holloway
05 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
John Higgs - Author Extra
01 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 abo...
Sara Pascoe
29 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ian Rankin - Author Extra
25 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Before a gig in Edinburgh, Robin sits down backstage with the bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin. They chat about the process of writing popular crim...
Grace Petrie
22 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 no...
Matthew Sweet - Book Shambles Author Extra
18 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 abou...
Lucy Cooke
15 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Dan Davis - Book Shambles Author Extra
11 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Jenny Landreth
08 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Clare Swatman
01 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Stewart Lee Returns - Part 2
25 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 wor...
EXTRA - Christoper Edge and Philip Ridley
19 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here are two extracts from two longer conversations on our Patreon channel with children's author Christoper Edge and playwright and director Philip R...
Ruby Tandoh
15 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Following two highly successful cookbooks after she finished runner up on Great British Bake Off, Ruby Tandoh first ‘book’ book Eat Up! has just b...
Andy Weir
08 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Jeff Garlin
01 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 Enth...
Backstage at the Apollo - Part II
01 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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 ficti...
Backstage at the Apollo - Part I
30 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Josie and Robin's Books of the Year - End of Year Special Part I
28 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 poet...
Sophie Scott
24 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The 2017 Royal Institute's Christmas Lectures will be given by our good friend, cognitive neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott. So before they air on...
Jimmy Barnes
14 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 n...
Will Smith
30 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 boo...
Rebecca Priestley
23 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
Robert Forster
16 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Film Shambles with Will Smith
09 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
With Paddington 2 hitting cinemas tomorrow, Robin and Josie are joined by one of its script contributors, plus performers for the original film, Will ...
Kim Scott
02 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 re...
Live Special #1 - QEDCon
26 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 D...
Tanita Tikaram
19 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 Ang...
Festival Poetry Shambles
12 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Another Book Shambles EXTRA, free and uncut for all listeners. Recorded back at the Latitude Festival, Robin caught up with four fantastic poets to ta...
Matt Lucas
05 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
Matthew Walker
28 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
A Book Shambles EXTRA this week, free and unedited for everyone. Robin chats extensively with sleep expert and neuroscientists Matthew Walker about hi...
Lemn Sissay
21 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Kate Grenville
14 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Grenville is one of Australia's most celebrated novelists. Her most acclaimed work, The Secret River, won multiple awards worldwide and was short...
Eimear McBride
07 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The final of the episodes recorded during the Edinburgh Fringe and Robin and Josie are joined by Baileys and Goldsmith prize winner, the novelist Eime...
Greg Proops
31 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded in Edinburgh the day after the horrific events in Charlottesville, Robin and Josie chat with American comedian, writer and podcaster Greg Pro...
Robert Webb
24 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Erin McGathy
17 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Don Walker
10 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
Tom Ballard
03 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Urzila Carlson
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Festival Shambles Special Part 2 - Latitude 2017
25 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In a second special episode recorded at the Latitude Festival Robin spoke with Susan Calman, Helen Keen and Alice Roberts about everything from sendin...
Festival Shambles Special Part 1 - Latitude 2017
20 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
Tim Harford
13 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
Janina Ramirez
06 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Cultural and art historian Dr Janina Ramirez joins Robin and Josie to talk about medieval literature this week. Gospels, Julian of Norwich, Beowulf an...
Iain Lee
29 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Summer Reading Special
22 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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, ...
Michelle Dickinson
15 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The first of our episodes recorded in New Zealand saw Robin and Josie joined by nanotechnologist, science communicator and writer Dr Michelle Dickinso...
Shaun Micallef
08 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Judy Nunn
01 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 ficti...
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
25 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 C...
Philippa Perry
23 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
A.F. Harrold
16 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 in...
Dane Baptiste
09 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Fay Dowker
02 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Theoretical cosmologist Professor Fay Dowker joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about the science behind Alan Moore's work, Émile Zola, Noam Cho...
Matt Parker
23 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...