Bookbabble Episode 4: Ebooks?  That's doolally! Recorded 3 May 2008 Babblers: Lars, Gem, Donny Synopsis: Lars invites the others to ponder on the importance of language, of the responsibilities of translators and of the English language's propensity to adapt words from other languages into its own.  Also discussed are the good and bad about ebooks, and if it could this be the future of reading.  Discover Gem's secret feelings for the Kindle.  Other chitchat include finding love in the library, mobile bookstores and Donny's book warehouse sales haul! Show Length: 53:40mins Links: Can we have a word?Singles Night offered at libraryNew, a pop-up book(shop)

Bookbabble Episode 3: The New Shakespeare: Gary Barlow? Recorded 26 April 2008 Babblers: Lars, Gem, Donny Synopsis: Shakespeare was the topic of the day, with the babblers talking about his influence and the various incarnations of the bard's work today.  Also touched on the supposed controversy surrounding the authenticity of Shakespeare.  Also, Donny gives some tips and tricks for speed reading, and talks about World Book Day.  Finally a gem (sorry!) of a story on the ultimate list: the world's best books as voted by the people, and why the results are not what they seem.  Lars's parting soundbite says it all. Show Length: 51:31 mins Links: pollthepeople.com Research explores what 1.3 billion Muslims think - http://shrinkster.com/xjm

Bookbabble Episode 2: Harry Potter News Correspondent Recorded 20 April 2008 Babblers: Lars, Gem, Donny Synopsis: The significance of the Orange Prize for Fiction and Donny attempts to explain the perceived differences between male and female authors. The babblers disagree on Rowling's decision to block the publication of a fan-created encyclopedia of Harry Potter's universe, and ponders on the absolutely, incredibly difficult question of reading vs watching TV. Also in the menu: book blogs, a turkish writer's quest for freedom of speech, and Jose Saramago. Show Length: 52:58 mins Important Notes: - A couple of words unsuitable for young listeners towards the end. I think. - I mention running times during the show, but the times are inaccurate, as I've edited stuff out. - There's a spoiler for the Hobbit, so if you haven't read it yet, and intend to, please plug your ears (or unplug them, if you're using earphones) at 40:41 for 5 seconds. Links: Orange Prize for Literature - http://www.orangeprize.co.uk/show/feature/home/orange-prize-2008-shortlist Turkish Writer - http://shrinkster.com/x57 hp-lexicon.org Booklit - http://www.booklit.com/blog/ Jabberwock - http://jaiarjun.blogspot.com/

Bookbabble Episode 1: Podcast Starting Recorded 28 March 2008 Babblers: Bjorn, Lars, Gem, Donny Synosis: Inaugural episode! The cast is introduced, and starts off the projected weekly podcast on everything that a booklover would love to talk about in the world of reading. Here, the babblers talk about the the causes and effects of book banning, whether book lists or book charts barometers of what's really good out there, and what Umberto Eco thinks about his bestsellers. Also find out the latest planned incarnation of Enid Blyton's Famous Five, and what Lars thinks about The Wheel of Time as he re-reads the series in preparation for the forthcoming Memory of Light.