At 44, the Book Slam podcast finally faces up to the realities of middle-age with poet and one time army major Martin Figura, before celebrating a creative Indian summer with our hero, William Boyd (pictured, badly), and contemplating the sheer beauty of it all with Jono McCleery. Elliott gushes with his usual aplomb (take that as you will) and is heard to remark to co-host Salena Godden, 'To think I spent all that time working with a bald, fat bloke. Life is much improved ...' 

Book Slam Podcast 44 (with Jono McCleery, William Boyd and Martin Figura)

This is the Sony Award-winning podcast from Book Slam, London's best (only?) literary nightclub where books, music and free thinking intersect in a Bermuda triangle of no brow culture. Book Slam happens regularly at The Tabernacle in Notting Hill, but this podcast gives you the opportunity to catch up on the readings and performances, plus interviews and more. Recently, Book Slam has featured such luminaries as Will Self, Adele, Plan B, William Boyd, Irvine Welsh, Simon Armitage and the Alabama 3. It's the brainchild of Patrick Neate who once danced in the longest conga in the world. You can see more details about Book Slam at www.bookslam.com.

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Performing Arts

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Fashion & Beauty

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Books

The 73rd and, by all accounts, final Book Slam Podcast finds sisters doing it for themselves and the rest of us too. It features poetry from the brilliant CHIMENE SULEYMAN, ace music from JAGAARA, and SHAMI CHAKRABARTI introducing us to 'On Liberty' - simply essential. There's our hero SALENA GODDEN reading from her exceptional memoir, 'Springfield Road', and we close with the estimable LAURA BATES issuing a rallying cry from her book, 'Everyday Sexism'. Patrick's waxing melancholic, Elliott's waxing his car.

Book Slam Podcast 73 (with Shami Chakrabarti, Chimène Suleyman, Jagaara and Laura Bates)

The 72nd Book Slam Podcast features the poetic talents of SOPHIA THAKUR, the comedic intellect of SIMON RICH, discussing his latest collection of stories, 'Spoiled Brats', and the intellectual comedy of MARK WATSON, reading from his truly brilliant novel, 'Hotel Alpha'. Elliott's not funny, Patrick's not smart.

Book Slam Podcast 72 (including Simon Rich, Mark Watson and Sophia Thakur)

Book Slam hits new heights with some prime pugilism of the literary variety. BILL HILLMAN (prize-fighter, gang-banger, bull runner) reads from his gripping debut novel, 'The Old Neighborhood', guitarist from The Slits and punk pioneer, VIV ALBERTINE, introduces her memoir, 'Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys' and Mercury Prize nominee and laureate of the lost, KATE TEMPEST, tells it exactly like it is. Cheery? Not quite. Essential? Most definitely. Elliott has the sponge, Patrick's on cuts and Vaseline.

Book Slam Podcast 71 (with Bill Hillman, Kate Tempest and Viv Albertine)

Book Slam, London's favourite live literary juke joint, reaches three score podcasts and ten. It's all downhill from here. Nonetheless, we remain determined to enjoy the spoken word talents of the brilliant JESS GREEN and truly exceptional music from FIONA BEVAN. What's more, there's an interview with bestselling American crime writer, LAURA LIPPMAN, and she reads us a short story that made our hearts skip. Patrick's into 1D, Elliott's 2D at best.

Book Slam Podcast 70 (with Laura Lippman, Jess Green and Fiona Bevan)

The 69th Book Slam podcast is short, but serious - the perfect accompaniment, for example, for an earnest morning journey from Vauxhall to Old Street by public transport (other journeys and modes of carriage are available). Our old mucker NIKESH SHUKLA reads from his novel 'Meatspace' and discusses 'A God In Every Stone' with its brilliant author, KAMILA SHAMSIE. Music comes from LAURA J MARTIN. Elliott's on it, Patrick's on one.

Book Slam Podcast 44 (with Jono McCleery, William Boyd and Martin Figura)

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