Book Shambles

Francisco Cantú is a Mexican-American who served as an agent for the US Border Patrol in the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. He joined Robin and Josie to talk about that experience and how it led him to write The Line Becomes a River, his new book on the horrors witnessed on the border. They also chat about the work of Jung, WG Sebald, Shalom Auslander and much more. Hear an extended version of this chat, and all other episodes, plus gets lots more bonus material by supporting the show at patreon.com/bookshambles. Without your support the show couldn't exist!

The first of three chats we recorded backstage at BAHFest, Robin chats to the author of The Butchering Art, Lindsey Fitzharris. Lindsey is medical historian so they chat about the often gruesome history of surgery covered in her new book as well as tales of Northampton and people fainting during her talks. Become a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles to help keep the show going and you'll get all sorts of amazing rewards including extended versions of episodes!

Author of over a dozen books and the former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway joins Robin and Josie to talk about his latest book, Waiting for the Last Bus: Reflections on Life and Death. They chat about dealing with death, faith, great last words, inspiring poetry, Graham Greene, Viktor Frankel and much more. Become a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/bookshambles to help keep the show going and you'll get all sorts of amazing rewards including extended versions of episodes!

Robin catches up with author John Higgs to talk about his latest book Watling Street: Travels Through Britain and Its Ever-Present Past. They chat about the book that charts the cultural history of one of Britain's oldest roads with tales of Alan Moore, Steve Moore, tulpamancy, the KLF and more. Support the show and get rewards for doing so at patreon.com/bookshambles

Sara was our second ever guest on Book Shambles some years ago and now she's back in the guest chair again. She chats with Robin and Josie about free speech and comedy, baby books, Eimear McBride, researching her new book and lots more besides. Support the show on Patreon (patreon.com/bookshambles) to hear an extended version of this and many other episodes, plus get bonus episodes, behind the scenes access and more!

Before a gig in Edinburgh, Robin sits down backstage with the bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin. They chat about the process of writing popular crime fiction, the great American novel and why Jekyll and Hyde is one of the all time great crime novels. Become a Patreon supporter of the show to get bonus episodes, behind the scenes access and more. Head to patreon.com/bookshambles

This week Robin is joined by singer-songwriter Grace Petrie to talk about her major literary influences on her work. In a bit of a departure from a normal episode, not only is it recorded in a kitchen, but the episode is also punctuated with some of Grace’s music. They chat about the influences of Shakespeare, Harper Lee and Supergirl comics. This is the final episode recorded during Josie’s bout of sickness and tourness. From next week it’s all back to Robin and Josie shambling together. The Cosmic Superheroes exhibition they chat about will be on tour later this year in the UK and you can view some of the images at cosmicshambles.com/superheroes. And don't forget you can support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin caught up with author and journalist Dr Matthew Sweet in a glass box where they hope they weren't being watched by spies. Inside they spoke about his new book Operation Chaos: The Vietnam Deserters Who Fought the CIA, the Brainwashers, and Themselves. Support the show on Patreon for lots of bonus content patreon.com/bookshambles

On this week’s episode Robin and Josie are joined by writer and broadcaster Lucy Cooke to talk about her new book The Truth About Animals. There’s tales of weird zoology, the grafting of monkey’s testicles, Will Self and Josie has a go at Aristotle. To hear an extended version of this episode, plus get lots of other perks and rewards, you can support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

In this week's author extra, Robin Ince sits down to chat with immunologist Prof Dan Davis about his latest book, The Beautiful Cure. They chat about why vaccines work, why we never get 'double sick' and more. There'll also be a Patreon special on Tuesday when Dan reveals his top science books. Support the CSN at patreon.com/bookshambles