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 is at the start, she was running a bit late (it's explained) but joins Robin about 8 minutes in! To hear an extended edition of this episode subscribe to Patreon on patreon.com/bookshambles

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, and lots of other goodies, for Patreon supporters. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles

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

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

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 procedures, become a supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles

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

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 upset or cause triggering responses for some listeners. To hear 15 extra minutes of chat, including why Josie struggles with a particular Netflix show, become a supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles

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

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

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