Book Slam's 55th Podcast features talk of 'cankles', the oxymoronic nature of self-help, and esoteric idiom. HADLEY FREEMAN reads from 'Be Awesome: Modern Life For Modern Ladies', PATRICK NESS introduces us to his briliant new novel, 'The Crane Wife', and MOHSIN HAMID is 'Filthy Rich In Rising Asia'. There's even truly beautiful music from the remarkable NADINE SHAH. Elliott is the Reverend William Archibald Spooner, Patrick is Mrs Malaprop. 

The 54th Book Slam Podcast is a brief madness, but no less angry for that. NIALL GRIFFITHS reads from his latest novel, 'A Great Big Shining Star', and explains why he's no misanthropist but high on life, SARA PASCOE's not feeling herself (but her boyfriend may be) and OLIVIA CHANEY just plain blew off our pop socks. Elliott's joined in the studio by SALENA GODDEN (pictured): they have more chemistry than copper sulphate.

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.