Book Slam Podcast

The 30th Book Slam podcast features the inimitable Salena Godden (pictured) doing an excellent impression of herself, DBC Pierre discussing his latest novel, 'Lights Out In Wonderland' and one-man-and-his-pram Lewis Floyd Henry tearing it up like a poster boy for post-Hendrix. Plus acclaimed poet Ruth Padel faces the fear of Angebot and the Book Slam Big 5. Patrick thanks everyone, no thanks to Elliott.

The 65th Book Slam Podcast is chock full of fascinating content undermined by some rather low rent banter and lousy production. Sorry. Guests include the brilliant JONATHAN LETHEM, reading from and discussing 'Dissident Gardens', DOMINIC FRISBY describing 'Life After The State' and fabulous music from LAURA GROVES. Elliott's just been for a run, Patrick turns up his nose.

Book Slam, London's favourite live literary juke joint, reaches three score podcasts and ten. It's all downhill from here. Nonetheless, we remain determined to enjoy the spoken word talents of the brilliant JESS GREEN and truly exceptional music from FIONA BEVAN. What's more, there's an interview with bestselling American crime writer, LAURA LIPPMAN, and she reads us a short story that made our hearts skip. Patrick's into 1D, Elliott's 2D at best.

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 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.