Book Shambles

This week's episode is a young readers special. Robin chats to author Louie Stowell about her new book for younger readers, Otherland and is also joined by high school librarian Julie Baugh. They chat about what kids and young adults are reading today, which classics are still popular, the importance of libraries, the wonderful Usborne series of books and a whole lot more. There's LOADS of recommendations this week! To hear an extended edition of this week's episode, and every other week too, subscribe at patreon.com/bookshambles

Last year Dara McAnulty, at just 16 years of age, won Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. Coincidentally, that category was presented by us at The Cosmic Shambles Network, so today, as Dara’s second book, Wild Child, hits shelves he took time out from studying for his maths exam next week to come on the podcast to chat to Robin and Helen Czerski. They chat about nature, climate, optimism, birds, Oliver Sacks, Andrei Tarkovsky and much more! Support the podcast and hear extended editions by subscribing at patreon.com/bookshambles

Our traditional end of year wrap up of the best things the Shambles crew read in 2021. The books don't have to have been released in 2021 of course, just read this year. With Josie on maternity leave Robin holds down the fort with loads of special guests including Chris Hadfield, Helen Czerski, Anil Seth, Isy Suttie, Steve Backshall, Helen Zaltzman and more. Please note that this episode was originally streamed live on December 30th 2021 so that will explain the varying audio quality of the guests! To support the show subscribe at patreon.com/bookshambles

This week Robin chats to US author Jessica Nordell about her Royal Society Prize shortlisted book, The End of Bias. Back when Jessica was a journalist she struggled to get a particular, timely article published by any national print. Until she submitted it under the name J.D. Nordell, instead of Jessica, and it was accepted immediately. Thus began the research on society's unconscious bias that led to her acclaimed book. To hear an extended edition, and support the podcast, subscribe at patreon.com/bookshambles

Louis Barfe is an author and former journalist who has written some of the most lauded biographies of classic British comedians. He has written some of the definitive life stories of the likes of Les Dawson and Ken Dodd and in his latest book, Sunshine and Laughter, he tells the unique story of one Britain's most loved double acts, Morecambe and Wise. He joins Robin to talk about the book, classic British comedy, where it still seeps into today's comedy and who he'd most love to research for a future biography. Get an extra ten minutes of chat by subscribing to the Book Shambles Patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles

Author Zena Barrie joins Book Shambles today to chat to Robin about her first novel, Your Friend Forever. They chat about what made the former theatre manager write her first book, how autobiographical it is and how in her youth she would write to loads of celebrities although the only people that ever replied was Kelloggs, the cereal company. There's also chat on Adrian Mole, Lemn Sissay, Scottish pop music and a whole lot more. As always, longer episode for Patreon supporters. Become one at patreon.com/bookshambles

Robin's science book came out the same day last month as Adam Rutherford and Hannah's Fry first book together, Rutherford and Fry's Complete Guide to Absolutely Everything. The Cosmic Shambles Network is also looking after Robin's 100 Bookshop Tour and working with JSM Events' Rutherford and Fry tour so it just makes sense to bring it all together on an episode of Book Shambles. They chat about the heavy lifting of the word 'abridged' in the title, science education, the nature of curiosity, authors with difficult to pronounce names and Hannah's decision to resign from the Science Museum. Get signed copies of both Robin and Adam and Hannah's book from cosmicshambles.com/bookshop Support the show at patreon.com/bookshambles to hear an extended edition of this and all other episodes of the podcast.

It's our Halloween special and sometimes co-host Bec Hill returns to Book Shambles today to talk to Robin about her new kids horror book, The Slime, the first in a 13 book series called Horror Heights! They talk about creating the series, creativity in lockdown, favourite fictional slime, the influence of RL Stine and Paul Jennings and the joy of growing up with a librarian for a Mum. Listen to an extended edition of this episode, and all the others, by supporting us on patreon at patreon.com/bookshambles

On today's episode Robin is joined by the writer, editor and broadcaster Liz Frazer to talk about her new book, and bestseller, Coming Clean: A True Story of Love, Addiction and Recovery. They chat about the different faces and perception of alcoholism in individuals and society, mental health, the importance of diaries and how recovery applies to both an addict and the partner of an addict. Please note this episode contains discussions around topics that may be upsetting to some listeners.To support the show, and get extended episodes, subscribe at patreon.com/bookshambles

Our favourite Canadian returns to the podcast this week, it's astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield. Chris has just released his first ever work of fiction, a historical thriller titled The Apollo Murders. He joins Robin, and guest co-host Helen Czerski, to talk about his favourite thrillers, what it was like moving into the world of fiction, making sure the space science was accurate and the future of human spaceflight itself. Around 10 extra minutes of chat this week for Patreon supporters so sign up at patreon.com/bookshambles