

Book Shambles
The Cosmic Shambles Network
Using books as a jumping off point, hosts Josie Long and Robin Ince and a different special guest each week, dive into interesting, passionate and shambolic discussions. Part of the Cosmic Shambles Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2016 • 1h 2min
Nick Offerman
Actor, humorist and author Nick Offerman sits down with Josie and Robin this week to talk about his new woodworking book ‘Good Clean Fun’. But they also find time to get into the joys of fish and chips in Margate, the work of George Saunders, Daniel Clowse and Jon Ronson and why some people are disappointed to find out Nick’s and Ron Swanson’s politics aren’t exactly similar. And don't forget, we're on tour across Aus and NZ soon, with a whole heap of special guests. Details at cosmicshambleslive.com

Oct 27, 2016 • 57min
Helen Czerski
Physicist, writer and broadcaster Dr Helen Czerski joins Josie and Robin this week to talk about the science of every day things, which just happens to be what her new book, ’Storm in a Teacup’ is all about. There’s also love for the work of Richard Fortey, Grayson Perry, Bruce Chatwin and more. And there’s also a special announcement this week. Robin and Josie are off on tour with Cosmic Shambles LIVE, a science, comedy, literary, musical variety night. There’ll be plenty of guests along for the ride, including Helen, and the show is going around Australia and New Zealand in early 2017. Tickets and details at cosmicshambleslive.com

Oct 20, 2016 • 52min
Simon Ings
Writer of both science fact and science fiction, Simon Ings joins Josie and Robin this week to talk about his new book 'Stalin and the Scientists'. They also dive into everyone's favourite science fiction authors including Phillip K Dick, JG Ballard, Frank Herbert and a whole lot more.

Oct 13, 2016 • 52min
Sarah Bakewell
Philosophical discussion abounds this week as Robin and Josie are joined by author of, amongst many great books, ‘At the Existentialist Café’, Sarah Bakewell. They wander through the work of Bertrand Russell, Albert Camus, Mervyn Peake and many more besides before arriving at the conclusion that basically we should just all reread ‘The Great Gatsby’ more often than we do.

Oct 6, 2016 • 57min
Noel Fielding
This week Josie and Robin are joined by writer, performer and comedian Noel Fielding. There's talk of Richard Braughtigan, Flann O'Brien and everyone's favourite pop-up books. Also lots of stuff we had to bleep out so we didn't get sued...

Sep 29, 2016 • 1h 8min
Alan Moore
We're back and kicking off Season 4 with one of the greatest writers in history. Alan Moore joins Josie and Robin to talk about the release of his new opus, Jerusalem as well as some of his epic back catalogue plus the work of HP Lovecraft, David Foster Wallace, Chuck D and more... Patreon supporters will also get an exclusive bonus hour with Alan talking about the process of creating Jerusalem.

Sep 27, 2016 • 40min
EXTRA Shambles - Lisa Dwan and No’s Knife
This week sees the World Premiere of No’s Knife at The Old Vic in London. A selection of Samuel Beckett’s ‘Texts for Nothing’, it’s conceived and performed by one of our former Shambles guests, Lisa Dwan. So two days before the first preview Robin sat down backstage with Lisa for a fascinating in depth chat about all things Beckett. From being true to the text to the musical rhythm of his language. From performing Beckett’s works as a woman to dealing with bad reviews. No’s Knife opens on September 29th and runs for a limited season of two weeks.

Sep 22, 2016 • 1h 16min
Latitude Festival Special - Part II
As a prelude to Season 4 of Book Shambles, here is the final free podcast we recorded at the Latitude Festival this summer. Robin and Josie go second hand book shopping on the Book Bus with 'The Dylan Thomas Guy', Jeff Towns. And Robin sits down to chat books with poet Joshua Idehen, comedian and author Mark Watson and the team from the Guilty Feminist podcast, Sofie Hagen and Deborah Frances-White.

Sep 1, 2016 • 50min
Evie Wyld
Author Evie Wyld joins Robin and Josie this week to talk about her own novels plus the perils of going to a book club meeting when your own work is the book of the week. There's also chat of Tim Winton, Alison Bechdel, Stephen King and more. And somehow no-one mentions Jean Rhys.

Aug 25, 2016 • 52min
David McAlmont
Songwriter and performer David McAlmont joins Robin and Josie this week as he awaits the final results from his Art History degree, due that very afternoon. They talk of the great books of art as well as the work of John Baldwin, AA Milne, Truman Capote and, of course, Jean Rhys.