Book Shambles

A Book Shambles EXTRA this week, free and unedited for everyone. Robin chats extensively with sleep expert and neuroscientists Matthew Walker about his new book, Why We Sleep, out this week. They chat about the evolution of sleep, dreams, Jung defecating on cathedrals, alien abductions, the writing of Carl Sagan, Knausgaard and more. Next week will be a 'normal' episode with an extended edition for Patreon supporters like usual. You can become a Patreon for as little as $1 an episode (maximum of three charged episodes a month) at patreon.com/bookshambles

Poet Lemn Sissay joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about his first major acting role, being a poet as a full time job, some of his early poetry inspirations including Oku Onuora, Grace Nichols and Langston Hughes and the rise of great young, new poets such as Kate Tempest. Become a Patreon supporter of the show for as little as $1 an episode to get exclusive bonus episodes, extended editions of each episode and the chance to win great book prizes. patreon.com/bookshambles

Kate Grenville is one of Australia's most celebrated novelists. Her most acclaimed work, The Secret River, won multiple awards worldwide and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. But her new book, The Case Against Fragrance, out this week, is a change of pace and her first real foray into non-fiction and specifically science. While we were out in Australia she chatted to Robin and Josie about her life's work, having too many footnotes, great Australian writers, sexism in literature, historical fiction and much more. To hear longer versions of each episode, plus win prizes and get bonus episodes, become a Patreon supporter of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

The final of the episodes recorded during the Edinburgh Fringe and Robin and Josie are joined by Baileys and Goldsmith prize winner, the novelist Eimear McBride. They chat about her latest work The Lesser Bohemians and the process of writing the acclaimed A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing as well as great songwriters, James Joyce, Beckett, Edna O'Brien and much more. Also Josie still has a bag of frozen peas on her knee. Become a supporter of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended episodes and much more.

Recorded in Edinburgh the day after the horrific events in Charlottesville, Robin and Josie chat with American comedian, writer and podcaster Greg Proops. They chat about politics and race in the US right now, and some of the best books on the subject. Which leads to the best dystopian fiction novels and conspiracy theories, but also the literature landscape in Edinburgh so it's not all doom and gloom. Also, Josie has a bag of frozen peas on her knee. To hear an extended edition of all of this season's episodes, plus get bonus episodes and win prizes become a Patreon supporter of the show for as little as $1 an episode at patreon.com/bookshambles

Actor, writer (and broadcaster) Robert Webb (Peep Show, That Mitchell and Webb Look) joined Robin and Josie in Edinburgh to chat about his first book, How Not To Be a Boy, out next week. They chat about imaginary friends and getting picked last for PE as well as work by John Updike, Clive James, Roald Dahl, Rupert Everett and more. To hear the extended version of this, and many other episodes (as well as lots of exclusive bonus episodes) become a patron of Book Shambles for as little as $1 an episode. Head to patreon.com/bookshambles

In the first of the episodes we recorded at this year’s Fringe Festival, Josie and Robin are joined by writer and performer Erin McGathy (Community, HarmonQuest) who is in Edinburgh with her solo show MurderTown. As such there’s much talk of murder mystery novels rom the likes of Agatha Christie and Jim Thompson. Plus books on rituals, self help, James Joyce, Flann O’Brien and the great American classics Erin read at high school. To hear an extended version of this, and other episodes, plus bonus interviews, videos and more become a supporter of the show at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin and Josie are used to working with a keyboard player who became a physicist, but this week they're joined by a physicist who became a keyboard player, not to mention legendary songwriter, best selling author and founding member of Australia's biggest band, Cold Chisel. Don Walker joins the show to chat about writing songs, his book Shots plus Jorge Luis Borges, Gore Vidal, Ray Bradbury and much more. And remember, to hear the extended 1 hour version of the show become a patron at patreon.com/bookshambles Extended episodes, bonus episodes, prizes and more.

Another episode we recorded out in Australia, Robin and Josie are joined by award winning comedian Tom Ballard who brought along a little bag of some of his favourite books to discuss. Terry Pratchett, Simon Rich, Owen Jones, JK Rowling and more are all on the menu. And remember, to get extended and bonus episodes of Book Shambles, become a patron at patreon.com/bookshambles And if you happen to be in Edinburgh this month, Robin, Josie and Tom all have shows on at the Fringe Festival.

This week we’re diving back into some of the episodes recorded on our Australia and New Zealand tour. This week we speak to comedian Urzila Carlson about writing her memoir, growing up in libraries, dark fairy tales and more. This August Urzila, Robin and Josie all have shows on at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. And remember to support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles to get extended episodes, bonus episodes and more.