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 book, The Godless Gospel. They chat about the main question of Julian's book, if we take the 'magical' elements out of The Bible, was Jesus a good moral teacher? They also talk about the philosophy of Jesus, the role of, and failures of, religion today, the writing of Richard Holloway and why the resurrection isn't very good narratively. To hear an e...
Dec 24, 2020•50 min
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, the negative connotations of the word 'amateur' and how Jenny single handedly invented cold water swimming. For reading lists, past episodes etc head to cosmicshambles.com/bookshambles and support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles
Dec 03, 2020•37 min
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-immune disease, anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis that was turned into a film of the same name with Chloë Grace Moretz playing the role of Susannah. Her new book is The Great Pretender in which she investigates the work of prominent psychologist David Rosenhan and how is famed experiments may not hold up to scrutiny. Note: This was recorded on the sam...
Nov 26, 2020•43 min
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 lives of the women murdered by Jack the Ripper, was one of their favourite books of the last few years. They're not alone as it was shortlisted for the Wolfson History Prize and won the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-fiction. Robin chats to Hallie about that book, the reaction to it a year on, and what she's working on now. To hear an extended editio...
Nov 19, 2020•39 min
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 book, Black Hole Survival Guide, is out this week and she joined us from the US to chat about it. Extended conversation, and lots of other goodies, for Patreon supporters. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles
Nov 17, 2020•29 min
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-host with Science Shambles co-host Helen Czerski and they are joined by astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti to chat about her new book, Diary of an Apprentice Astronaut, as well as musician Tanita Tikaram whose music was taken to space by a number of astronauts, including Samantha. As this was a livestream recording there may be the odd tech glitch no...
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr 17 min
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 Dreams. They talk about the psychology and philosophy beyond humans connections to islands and when moving to an island can become more of a nightmare than a dream. Extended conversation, and lots of other goodies, for Patreon supporters. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles
Nov 10, 2020•30 min
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 everything to do with hedgehogs and his new book, The Hedgehog Book. They also talk about the perils of sniffing otter poo, why we should be feeding frozen peas to ducks and what to do with an injured glis glis. To hear an extended edition of this episode subscribe to Patreon on patreon.com/bookshambles
Nov 05, 2020•42 min
This week Robin is joined by psychologist Dr Stuart Ritchie to talk about his latest book Science Fictions: Exposing Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype in Science. They talk about how we can better communicate the process of science and be aware of any bias within it, what scientists themselves can do better when it comes to publicising their findings and how we need to be better and quickly calling out bad science. Extended conversation, and lots of other goodies, for Patreon supporters. Sign up ...
Nov 03, 2020•36 min
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 Robin and Josie are joined by Kit herself to talk about her new book Supporting Cast. Well, that was the plan but they barely great round to it and spend most of the time talking about classic films, Trevor Howard, struggling at school and then, eventually, her wonderful new book. By the way, if you’re listening to this episode and wonder where Josie ...
Oct 29, 2020•50 min
On this episode Robin chats with the author of the 2020 Royal Society Science Book Prize shortlisted Explaining Humans - What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love and Relationships, Dr Camilla Pang. They talk about how using a set of scientific principles can provide a useful way through life and interaction for someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder like Camilla, reading Stephen Hawking as a child and how others with Autism Spectrum Disorders have found the book useful. Extended conversation, a...
Oct 27, 2020•32 min
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 Copson. They talk about what exactly humanism is, how they came to put together this new book and just how many Bertrand Russell quotes is too many... 15 bonus minutes of chat on the Patreon edition today including Robin dealing with a dog... Subscribe at patreon.com/bookshambles
Oct 22, 2020•51 min
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 career leading up to his astronaut training including answering an ad that was basically, 'Wanna Be An Astronaut', breaking things and aviation failures. Extended conversation, and lots of other goodies, for Patreon supporters. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles
Oct 20, 2020•35 min
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 up show, trying to stay creative during a pandemic and how constantly being late for gigs means you end up being a lot fitter than you imagined. Also Robin makes Mark show off unread books from his shelf at random. This was a bumper episode so to hear a whole 20 extra minutes of chat, including what films are best to watch after emergency dental pr...
Oct 15, 2020•53 min
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, takes one of the fullest looks yet about what we know, and don't know, about Neanderthals. Robin also learns how Neanderthals have become clickbait... Hear an extended edition of chat by pledging your support at patreon.com/bookshambles
Oct 13, 2020•31 min
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 internet uncovered when writing the book, what to say at parties when someone makes an offensive joke and point out the book is called Men Who Hate Women, not All Men Hate Women. It's important to note that due to the content of Laura's book this episode does contain discussion about topics of abuse, sexual assault and other subject matters that may upse...
Oct 08, 2020•48 min
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 sky as light pollution and such things change what we see when we look up. And they wander through cave paintings, lunar cycles and how science can give us a different perspective of being human. To hear an extended version of this interview, subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles
Oct 06, 2020•32 min
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, how Medusa is misrepresented, what’s right and wrong and The Clash of the Titans and writing an introduction after you’ve written the rest of the book. Robin, Josie and Natalie always embrace too many tangents and so to hear an extra 15 minutes of chat you can become a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles
Oct 01, 2020•47 min
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 Rebel Cell. They talk about cancer in dinosaurs, current cancer research and tales of Victorian chimney sweeps... To hear an extended version of this interview, subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles
Sep 29, 2020•34 min
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 to Be A Liberal. He chats with Robin about the history of liberalism, where it's gone wrong and right and what the hell we do about the absolute chaos of the world right now. Be sure to support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles
Sep 24, 2020•42 min
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 new book, What is Life? To hear an extended version of this interview, subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles
Sep 22, 2020•42 min
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 talk about his new book How to Make the World Add Up. They chat about that, what got Tim interested in economics and statistics, how facts can be misused and then Tim blows Josie's mind with the real rules of Monopoly. Over 15 mins of extra chat for Patreon subscribers this episode. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles
Sep 17, 2020•45 min
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 talk about her new book, And Now for the Good News, as well as making positive change, why Robin is popular with turkeys, sniffing out companies BS when it comes to 'good deeds' and a whole lot more. Extended edition for Patreon subscribers as always. Enjoy around 15 percent more Ruby, Josie and Robin this week by subscribing at patreon.com/booksh...
Sep 10, 2020•50 min
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 the book, favourite libraries, anxiety during a pandemic, David Cronenberg and much more. Extended edition for Patreon subscribers as always. Become one at patreon.com/bookshambles
Sep 03, 2020•43 min
This week Robin is joined by bestselling author, neuroscientist and broadcaster David Eagleman to talk about his latest book Livewired - The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain. They chat about brain plasticity, why we don’t look for the rearview mirror when walking, the criminal brain, the power of suggestion within fiction and how David broke his hand the day before we recorded... As always, extended edition for Patreon supporters. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles
Aug 27, 2020•42 min
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 shifting from writing bad novels to good poetry, being expected to be an expert on your entire gender and race and discovering poetry on a park bench during a lunch break... Also Robin introduced Josie to some girl's ghost story annuals from the 70s. As always, extended edition for Patreon supporters. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles
Aug 20, 2020•44 min
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 a book crop up on countless 'anti-racist' reading lists. They also chat about James Baldwin, SE Hilton and mourn the loss of book talks and tours. Before Brit joins the show Robin and Josie catch up about current reading, old Marie Claire magazines and more. As always, extended edition for Patreon supporters. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles
Aug 13, 2020•43 min
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 means they talk of Paul's love of running, Robin's hatred of running and favourite books about running... Support the show by pledging at patreon.com/bookshambles
Aug 06, 2020•35 min
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 of stories titled Dear NHS: 100 Stories to Say Thank You. He joins Robin and Josie to talk about the book, the incredible NHS compared to US healthcare, COVID, why children aren't learning enough about the body in education and the issues with having a famous patient. To hear a super extended edition of this week's episode, you can subscribe and sup...
Jul 30, 2020•50 min
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 novel Girl, Woman, Other, sharing a car ride from Latitude, why people are scared of poetry and the power of an increased platform. To hear an extended edition of this, and every, episode of Book Shambles you can become a Patreon subscriber by visiting patreon.com/bookshambles
Jul 23, 2020•50 min
