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.