In our first episode of 2021, Robin and Josie look back on the best things they read in 2020. Most are books that came out last year, but a few aren't, don't hold it against us. From poetry to science to horror, there's something in this long list of recommendations for everyone! Support the show, and hear extended episodes, by signing up at patreon.com/bookshambles

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 extended edition of this episode subscribe to Patreon on patreon.com/bookshambles

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

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 same day as last week's episode when Josie was indisposed. To hear an extended edition of this episode subscribe to Patreon on patreon.com/bookshambles

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 edition of this episode subscribe to Patreon on patreon.com/bookshambles

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

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 not present in a normal episode. Support the podcast by subscribing at patreon.com/bookshambles Donate to the Royal Albert Hall at royalalberthall.com/donate

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

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

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 at patreon.com/bookshambles