Book Slam Podcast

Book Slam's 53rd podcast sees us put the 'anti' into 'Valantine's day' (sic) as Dan Rhodes launches his excellent collection of short stories, 'Marry Me', Aidan Moffat sings songs about swinging, and Tim Key makes us all feel slightly mad. There's also a snippet of our friend Nikesh Shukla reading his story from 'Too Much Too Young: Book Slam Vol. II' at the very first Book Slam Bristol (hear that country air!). Elliott is Cupid, Patrick is stupid.

The 52nd Book Slam podcast concludes the most overblown spell of coalitionary self-congratulation since Dave and Nick first tickled each other's fancy. In this case, we continue to celebrate the launch of 'Too Much Too Young: Book Slam Vol. II', with contributors David Nicholls and Jackie Kay reading from their brand new short stories; plus Stephen K Amos introducing his brilliant memoir, 'I Used To Say My Mother Was Shirley Bassey', and live music from Kyla La Grange. Elliott is probably Clegg, Patrick is probably Compo.

Book Slam's 51st podcast sees something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue to celebrate the launch of 'Too Much Too Young: Book Slam Vol. 2'. There are snippets of specially-commissioned, spanking new short stories from Jesse Armstrong (pictured) and Diana Evans, Peter Serafinowicz revisits Lolita 60 years later to filthy effect, and Luke Wright celebrates the oldest pillar of the new establishment. Elliott and Patrick remain trapped in a joyless marriage of inconvenience.

Book Slam celebrates a number of birthdays - the podcast is 50, Scarlet Horley is three weeks and Patrick is precisely twice the age he thinks he is. Literary invention is provided by the ever-excellent Simon Armitage, reading from and discussing his new book, 'Walking Home'; Mark Grist provides a charming counterpoint to any of the worst things you ever thought about poets, battle rappers and, indeed, teachers; and Josh Kumra proves that Swindon has more to offer than ... well ... whatever else it has to offer. Patrick is feeling an old man, Elliott suggests he keeps his hands to himself.

Much of the 49th Book Slam podcast may or may not have been recorded in a storm drain. But, never mind the quality, feel the width as we hear Zadie Smith read from and discuss her new novel, 'NW', and her little brother, Doc Brown, tell some stories of his own about growing up on the mean streets of Nort' Weezy. There's music from the brilliant Piers Faccini and poetry from the artistic polyglot that is Keaton Henson. Patrick literally dons his pith helmet while Elliott metaphorically bombards him with conkers.

The 48th Book Slam podcast is not just an attempt to board the Olympic bandwagon. Oh no. It includes comedian, novelist and medallist of charming self-deprecation, Mark Watson, reading from and discussing his new novel, 'The Knot'; official Olympic poet, Caroline Bird; and the jaw-dropping talent that is 14 year-old singer-songwriter, Mahalia (or, as we call her, 'the legacy'). There is also Nicholas Lezard reading from his work in progress, 'The Nolympics', which, for all its good sense, may yet turn out to have judged the public mood about as well as Aidan Burley. Salena is bidding for Olympic glory, Elliott is bidding for a Breville on eBay.

The 47th Book Slam podcast finds Elliott Jack and Salena Godden reading woodenly from what may be loosely described as a 'script'. They soon warm up, however, thanks to top dollar music from Tanya Auclair and Purple Ferdinand, top drawer prose from Chris Cleave and Marina Lewycka and top shelf poetry from Lemn Sissay and Roger Robinson. Elliott is a mild-mannered janitor, Salena is Hong Kong Phooey

The 46th Book Slam podcast is a bijou affair, which finds James Sallis, exponent of classic existential noir, reading from his stunning new novel, 'Driven', and a rare and captivating live performance from that poetic, musical soul Keaton Henson. Patrick is back from his travels, Elliott is less than interested.

The 45th Book Slam podcast has a decidedly Celtic fringe as we reflect on the launch of Irvine Welsh's coruscating prequel to 'Trainspotting', 'Skagboys'. With poetry from the ever-entertaining Elvis McGonagall, Slytherin magic from Barry and Stuart and age-appropriate proto-rave from the exquisitely-named Drums Of Death, this is much more fun than getting high in an Edinburgh squat circa 1983. There's also a triptych from Irvine himself: an interview with Alex Rayner, a reading from the book and a snippet from the great man's contribution to 'One For The Trouble'. Salena returns as Madame Cholet, Elliott is undoubtedly Orinoco.

At 44, the Book Slam podcast finally faces up to the realities of middle-age with poet and one time army major Martin Figura, before celebrating a creative Indian summer with our hero, William Boyd (pictured, badly), and contemplating the sheer beauty of it all with Jono McCleery. Elliott gushes with his usual aplomb (take that as you will) and is heard to remark to co-host Salena Godden, 'To think I spent all that time working with a bald, fat bloke. Life is much improved ...' 

Book Slam's 43rd podcast chops the dead wood, sets it ablaze and then burns an effigy of it, on it, so to speak ... Suffice to say, Elliott Jack and Francesca Beard (pictured, © Nick Cunard) introduce Jon McGregor and his brilliant collection of short stories 'This Sort Of Thing Doesn't Happen To Someone Like You', Rachel Rose Reid waxing Dickensian, Heidi Vogel being highly vocal and an ace new short story from Charles Beckett. Elliott steps out of the shadows, Francesca removes his spectacles and says, 'Miss Jones ...'

The 42nd Book Slam podcast bids farewell to the legend that is Gil Scott-Heron and celebrates the publication of his posthumous memoir, 'The Last Holiday'. We're joined by his longtime collaborator Astro/ Harmonica Music, plus poets Salena Godden, Kate Tempest and Ben Mellor. We also say so long to Patrick for a bit. I don't suppose we'll miss him much. Patrick wells up, Elliott cuts him down to size.

The 41st Book Slam podcast is a shambolic affair brought to you live from the launch of 'One For The Trouble'. Patrick and Elliott are to blame. Fortunately, there remains much to enjoy as David Nicholls reads from and discusses 'One Day' for (possibly?) the last time, Luke Wright delivers an alliterative account of the Essex estuary and there are interviews with Bernardine Evaristo, Richard Milward and Mark Strong about why they got involved in the Book Slam Annual.

The rip-roaring 40th Book Slam podcast is jam-packed with all kinds of good stuff, including music from the remarkable Izzi Dunn, Craig Taylor reading from his brilliant 'Londoners', poetry from Elvis McGonagall, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reading from her short story 'Quality Street', and an interview with co-creator of The League Of Gentlemen and Ghost Stories, Jeremy Dyson. Plus! Plus! Pluuussss! An exclusive extract from 'One For The Trouble - Book Slam Vol.1' - a snippet of William Boyd's story, 'Tears Of A Clown', read by the wonderful Olivia Colman (pictured), famous for, among many other things, Tyrannosaur. Patrick loses the plot, Elliott loses interest.

The 39th Book Slam podcast features Sapphire, of 'Precious' fame, discussing and reading from her new novel, 'The Kid'; our favourite multi-dimensional writer and performer, Kate  Tempest, and her band, Sound Of Rum; and our old friend BREIS, a brilliant rapper who educates intelligent students (and even an irascible so-and-so). Patrick waxes acronymical, Elliott wanes.

Book Slam's 38th podcast features handsome, talented and successful authors Hari Kunzru (pictured) and Joe Dunthorne discuss their spanking new novels, 'Gods Without Men' and 'Wild Abandon' respectively. There's also live music from the unique and thoroughly brilliant El Crisis. Patrick gushes and Elliott is mildly embarrassed by the whole thing.

The 37th Book Slam podcast sees super-cool journalists, Grace Dent (pictured) and Caitlin Moran, go head to head with their not-self-help-self-help books, 'How To Leave Twitter' and 'How To Be A Woman' respectively. There's also new novelist Peter Salmon reading from his brilliant debut, 'The Coffee Story', and live music from Cornelia. Patrick and Elliott put the 'mate' into 'amateurish'.

The 36th edition of the Book Slam podcast features the heroic Jon Ronson (pictured trying to escape) reading from his new book, 'The Psychopath Test', and fighting the fatigue of a rampaging bandwagon; our old sparring partner Francesca Beard showcasing some of her latest poems; and live music from the delightful Hannah Peel. Patrick waxes lyrical, Elliott waxes his scooter.

Episode 35 of the Book Slam podcast includes Mohsin Hamid (pictured), author of the Booker-shortlisted 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist', discussing the paperback publication of his remarkable novel, 'Moth Smoke'. There's also performance and barber chat from poet, prankster and polymath, Shane Solanki, and ripping live music from the supremely talented Misty Miller. Patrick remains sadly misunderstood, Elliott remains more or less incomprehensible. 

The 34th Book Slam podcast is a bumper edition, with Man Booker Prize-winner Ben Okri discussing 'A Time For New Dreams', Simon Armitage picking up hitchers, and Philip Wells catching alight. There's also our old friend Joe Dunthorne reading from 'Submarine', music from Tanya Auclair and debut novelist Nikesh Shukla discussing 'Coconut Unlimited' and facing up to the robo-charm of Angebot. Patrick is lugubrious, Elliott reaches for the dictionary.