Book Shambles

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, Until the End of Time: Mind, Matter, and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe, is a personal look at some of the fundamental questions of existence through the lens of physics. He chats to Robin about the book, why he became a vegetarian, and then vegan, at age 9, and whether alien lifeforms care about maths... Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended editions of each episode exclusive to Patreon pledgers.

Geneticist, author and broadcaster Dr Adam Rutherford returned to the Book Shambles studio just weeks before lockdown to talk about his latest book How to Argue with a Racist with Robin Ince. They chat about the history of race and racism, the science of race and whether race should be viewed as biological or social construct. Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended editions of each episode exclusive to Patreon pledgers. There's bonus tales of bears and otters for you this week...

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 definitive guide to the legacy of Alternative Comedy in Britain. Oliver interviewed Robin and Josie for the book so it seemed only right Robin and Josie interview Oliver about the book. Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended editions of each episode exclusive to Patreon pledgers.

Young Adult author Lisa Williamson joined Robin Ince in the studio (earlier this year) to talk about her new book Paper Avalanche, smuggling copies of her sister's Jackie Collins books, tackling difficult issues in YA fiction and whether Shane Meadows should make a Midlands version of Sweet Valley High... Support the podcast and get all sorts of goodies for doing so, like extended episodes, at patreon.com/bookshambles

Another episode we recorded in the studio when such things were possible, Robin chats with Matthew Cobb, Professor of Zoology at the University of Manchester and author of the acclaimed new book The Idea of the Brain. They chat about Matthew's new book, free will and what it was like working with David Attenborough. Support the podcast and get extended editions of each and every episode at patreon.com/bookshambles

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 chat about what is and isn't deemed a drug, shifting political opinions about drugs and the difficulties involved with researching drug use. Also Robin talks about the time he once took ecstasy on a canal boat. Support the show to get extended editions of episodes and other goodies at patreon.com/bookshambles

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, and countdown the Top 5 episodes as voted by the public. We had planned to put the episode out this week as a fun pick me up in the middle of this lockdown, but then on the weekend we learned of the sad passing of Tim Brooke-Taylor. We had a debate about whether it was still right to put the episode out this week but have decided to do so as a tribute to Tim, and to remember what a wonderful, talented and energetic man he was, even just a few months ago, before COVID-19. We hope it is the right decision. So please enjoy this conversation between Robin Ince, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Bill Odie and Graeme Garden; The Goodies. Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles

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 (albeit slightly pandemic delayed) book, The End of Everything. Then Lemn Sissay stops by to talk about creativity in a time of crisis as well as music from Laura Kidd. While The Stay at Home Festival is free to watch please do consider dropping a tip in the bucket at cosmicshambles.com/stayathome All profits will go to supporting acts, artists and venues who have lost all income during this pandemic. If you’d like to directly support what we do at the Cosmic Shambles Network visit patreon.com/bookshambles

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 second guest before the world went mad so here's our chat with Sophie in the meantime! She chats to Robin and Josie about her new book, Five Rules for Rebellion, amongst many other things. Support the CSN at patreon.com/bookshambles and check out our daily shows as part of The Stay at Home Festival, running until we're all allowed to do real gigs again, at cosmicshambles.com/stayathome

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 latest book, Another Planet is an exploration of growing up in suburbia. She joins Josie and Robin to talk about that, discovering new art before the internet, trying to look cool by what books you like, generational divide, Jack Reacher and Robin’s just watched Horse Girl on Netflix. Support the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended editions of each and every episode. 10 bonus minutes await pledgers this week including an in depth discussion of The Stranger adaptation on Netflix.