Book Shambles

On today's episode Josie and Robin chat to the writer Lauren Oyler. A prolific writer of articles for publications like Harper's and the New Yorker, as well as having ghostwritten for many people, her first novel is Fake Accounts about a a woman who discovers her boyfriend is an anonymous internet conspiracy theorist. They chat about the challenges of writing a novel instead of feature articles, the problems with social media in 2021, favourite novels and, of course, lots of other stuff. To hear an extended edition of this episode subscribe to Patreon on patreon.com/bookshambles

Geoff Dyer returns to the podcast to talk to Robin and Josie (who is late arriving because her daughter broke the TV...) about his new book See/Saw: Looking at Photographs, which is out now. They talk about photography, favourite photographers, writing about niche topics for a wide audience and humour in photography. To hear an extended edition of this episode with 15 bonus minutes subscribe to Patreon on patreon.com/bookshambles

On today's episode Robin and Josie are joined by Annie Macmanus (who you may better know as Annie Mac from Radio1) to talk about her debut novel Mother Mother. They chat about her fears of moving into an entirely different creative arena, how the literary and music worlds compare and creating playlists for books. Bonus chat as always for Patreon supporters. Subscribe at patreon.com/bookshambles

Musa Okwonga is a writer, poet, podcaster and author about everything from politics to football. His new book is a memoir titled One of Them, about his time at Eton college as a young black man and delves into the effect these sorts of institutions have had on Britain's political life. He talks to Robin and Josie about why he had to write the book, what his school friends from the time think about it, and Eton, now and where Britain is headed. Support the show on Patreon for all sort of extras and bonus content including extended episodes. An extra 20 minutes of conversation for Patreon supporters awaits you on this episode. Sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles

This week Robin and Josie are joined by author Yasmin Khan to talk about her knew book Ripe Figs which is part cookbook, part travel book that traces recipes from the Mediterranean from the time of Ottoman rule to the influence of recent refugee communities. They chat about the inspiration for the book, favourite recipes, first cookbooks, best cookbooks and the best food from around the world. To hear more chat, subscribe to the extended version on Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles

Comedian and Bake Off host Tom Allen joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about his memoir No Shame, which is out now. They chat of growing up in the suburbs, doing Julie Andrews numbers at high school plays and early comedy gigs in New Cross. They also discuss in detail how many celebrities admit to soiling themselves in their autobiographies... To hear an extended edition of this episode subscribe to Patreon on patreon.com/bookshambles. 15 extra minutes of chat and chaos this week including in depth analysis of The Glades shopping centre in Bromley.

Two guests on this week's episode. Firstly Robin chats to A.L. Kennedy who returns to the podcast to chat about her new collection of short stories We Are Attempting to Survive Our Time and why she finds writing short stories a different, and sometimes harder, challenge than writing a novel. And then in the second half of the episode Josie talks to philosopher and author Tom Whyman about his book Infinitely Full of Hope: Fatherhood and the Future in an Age of Crisis and Disaster. They chat about how the book was written pre-COVID and how being full of hope now is still possible, if more of a challenge! To hear the full versions of both of these chats subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin and Josie are joined by author Douglas Stuart, winner of the 2020 Booker Prize for his debut novel Shuggie Bain ahead of it's release in paperback. They chat about the book's decade long gestation, growing up in Glasgow under Thatcher and the importance of getting more working class stories into popular fiction. As always, an extended version of this episode is available for Patreon supporters. This week Douglas welcomes Josie to Glasgow and Robin delights in the art and music that's come out of the Scottish city. Subscribe at patreon.com/bookshambles Using books as a jumping off point, each week award winning comedians and bibliophiles Josie Long and Robin Ince and a special guest dive into interesting, passionate and shambolic discussions.

On today's episode Josie and Robin are joined by the actor, comedian and writer Katy Wix to talk about her new book, Delicacy: A Memoir about Cake and Death. They chat about the book, stories of the Fringe, jugglers who can't juggle and then, eventually, Josie just can't keep her love of Stath Lets Flats in any longer... To hear a super bumper edition with 25 minutes of extra chat, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast at patreon.com/bookshambles

Two science authors on the show today, both with new books that look at different ways of what makes us human. First up it's Shambles regular, Ginny Smith chatting to Robin and Josie about her new book Overloaded: How Every Aspect of Your Life is Influenced by Your Brain Chemicals, which is out today! And then they chat with Melanie Challenger about her new release, How to Be Animal: A New History of What It Means to Be Human. Book Shambles Patreon supporters can listen to longer interviews with each author. Over 40 minutes of bonus content for you this week. You can sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles