Book Shambles

In the final episode of this season, psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about some of the best books in her field, as well as her own work. Philippa also brought along some of her favourite books including work by Jane Austen, Harvey Pekar and EF Benson.

Children's author and poet A.F Harrold sits down with Robin and Josie to talk about his own work and some his favourite poetry and children's books including the work of Russell Hoban, Brian Patten and Raymond Briggs. Also, in our first ever commercial break, that isn't really a commercial break, Nat Metcalfe pops in to let us know about the best new comics out right now.

Comedian Dane Baptiste joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about how Malcom X’s biography got him into stand up comedy, how he preferred Beowulf to Judy Blume and the influence of the comic series 2000 AD.

Theoretical cosmologist Professor Fay Dowker joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about the science behind Alan Moore's work, Émile Zola, Noam Chomsky, the letters of Albert Einstein and more, including quizzing Josie on the Newtonian physics of her butt on her chair...

Stand Up Mathematician and author of Things To Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, Matt Parker joins Robin and Josie this week. They talk about all things numbers. Best books on maths, books about mathematicians, puzzle books and plenty more. And Matt will be joining Robin, Josie and others for our live tour of Australia and New Zealand in March/April. Details at cosmicshambleslive.com

This week Robin and Josie sit down to talk inspirational books with founder and director of the Daughter’s of Eve organisation and FGM campaigner, Nimko Ali. There’s chat of religious texts, George Orwell, Walt Whitman and many more besides.

Welcome to Season 5 of Book Shambles, now part of the Cosmic Shambles Network! Artist and writer and Raoul Martinez joins Robin and Josie to kick of Season 5 of Book Shambles. They discuss Raoul's new book Creating Freedom, have a bit of a debate about free will and chat about the work of Howard Zinn, Rebecca Solnit, Noam Chomsky and more.

It’s the 50th episode of Book Shambles which just happens to coincide with the launch of the Cosmic Shambles network. Well, we say coincide, we orchestrated it entirely. Anyway, Robin and Josie have a chat about Robocop and what they’ve been reading lately before we take a walk down memory lane with some highlights from the first 49 episodes. Check out the CSN at cosmicshambles.com

The Costa Book of the Year is announced this week, so we’re joined by the chair of the judging panel, writer and historian Kate Williams. She chats with Robin and Josie about judging the prize, great sci-fi books, history’s great diaries and the perils of historical accuracy in fiction. The Cosmic Shambles network launches next week, sign up now at cosmicshambles.com

Josie and Robin are joined by writer Johann Hari to talk about all manner of things. From his new book, ‘Chasing the Scream’ and rebuilding trust with readers, to the work of Rebecca Solnit, Simon Ings, Peter Ackroyd and more. This is a bonus episode, free to all with no charge to our Patreons. Subscribe to the all new Cosmic Shambles which is launching soon at cosmicshambles.com