Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB: Recent Episodes
RNIB Connect Radio
A weekly show all about audiobooks recorded at the RNIB Talking Book studios.
We talk to your favourite authors and narrators, along with reviews and news about new audiobooks.
Presented by Red Szell in Camden and produced by Robert Kirkwood in Glasgow, you'll find a new episode here every Friday at 1pm plus bonus content such as longer uncut interviews and episodes of our occasional extra show, The Book Group.
Talking Books is a free service from RNIB giving access to over 30,000 fiction and non fiction books for adults and children. Find out more by searching for RNIB Library.
Get involved and join the conversation by emailing radio@rnib.org.uk or find us on Twitter, Red is @redszell (https://twitter.com/redszell) and Robert is @Talking_Books
(https://twitter.com/Talking_Books) Other great podcast channels from RNIB Connect Radio
Connect (https://audioboom.com/channel/weeklyconnect) - Our main channel with news, features and articles on sight loss.
Conversations (https://audioboom.com/channel/conversations) - Blind and partially sighted people speaking about a wide range of topics.
Tech Talk (https://audioboom.com/channel/techtalkpodcast) - Technology for blind and partially sighted people.
Sport (https://audioboom.com/channel/sport) - See sport differently.
The Happy Hour (https://audioboom.com/channels/5022411) - Mental health, mindfulness, and overall wellbeing.
Tracks of My Life (https://audioboom.com/channel/the-welsh-connection) - Take a journey through our guest's life.
Support (https://audioboom.com/channel/rnib-support) - Other podcasts from RNIB.
TV Guide (https://audioboom.com/channel/tv-guide) - Daily audio TV listings
Today on Read On we revisit some favourite historians with Lucy Worsley on Jane Austen, Kate Williams on Rival Queens plus Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen on the history of libraries.
Plus we find some new books in the RNIB Library
Two very different authors this week on Read On, although with one thing in common, they both narrated the audio versions of the books they were speaking about at the Boswell Book Festival. Dougie Donnelly tells Robert Kirkwood about Recorded Highlights - My Life in Sport, and Dame Harriet Walter gives new scenes to some of Shakespeare's female characters in She Speaks!
Plus we find some fiction and biography in the RNIB Library.
Today on Read On, three very different authors all inspired by Shakespeare, Michael Morpurgo on his Shakespeare retellings, Nydia Hetherington on her book about the witch from the Tempest, Sycorax and Bernard Cornwell on William's brother, Richard Shakespeare, in his book Fools and Mortals.
All that plus new books in the RNIB Library.
Today on Read On, two biographical tales recorded at the Boswell Book Festival. Robert Kirkwood talks to Frances Wilson about Electric Spark - The Enigma of Muriel Spark, and author Adam Hart about Operation Pimento: My Great-Grandfather's Great Escape.
Plus we have some new books in the RNIB Library
Today on Read On, three summer themed books, One Girl One Summer with Isabel Ashdown, Hot Girl Summer with Sophie Gravia and Summer on a Sunny Island with Sue Moorcroft. All that plus some new books in the RNIB Library.
Today on Read On we hear from half spooky, half sparkly debut author Bec Manser on her debut novel Wildheart and we ask about RNIB's involvement in sensitivity reading around a blind character in the book, Amelia Hilton explores some books about myth and legend, we get a whoop of joy from Carnegie Medal winner Beth O'Brien and find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
Today on Read On we hear a full talk, sponsored by RNIB Connect Radio, from the Boswell Book Festival. Natural history cameraman Gordon Buchanan is in conversation with Robert Dawson Scott live on stage as he discusses his book In the Hide - How the Natural World Saved my Life, and how dangerous animals were not the only thing he was hiding from.
NB The podcast version of this is a slightly longer edit than the one broadcast on RNIB Connect Radio
Visually Impaired author Beth O'Brien has won the Carnegie Medal for Writing, the most prestigious award for authors of children's and young adult books.
Wolf Siren reimagines Little Red Riding Hood as a girl with vision impairment, and the audiobook, recorded at the RNIB Talking Book studios, even has a narrator with vision impairment.
Beth has been a frequent flyer on our Read On programme, her last visit being just two weeks ago, but here she is telling Robert Kirkwood about her sight condition and her award-winning book, Wolf Siren
Today on Read On we hear a talk from the Boswell Book Festival with Vice President of RNIB Penny Lancaster, on her book Someone Like Me.
She chats to Janet Smith live on stage about surviving childhood as a dyslexic and being the tallest pupil in the room, about her job as a Special Constable, about her charity work and much more.
Image shows: Penny speaking during her panel and making Janet laugh. She's sitting on the right in front of a green banner with "Boswell Book Festival" branding.
Today on Read On we talk to partially sighted author Beth O'Brien about her Carnegie Shortlisted book Wolf Siren and her brand new book Feather Vane, and about a recent tour she was on with Scottish Book Trust called Inclusive Stories.
We also hear about Monsterland from Nicolas Jubber and get a double Books of My Life from both Beth and Signa Rudovica from Scottish Book Trust.
Today on Read On, Robert Kirkwood talks to J.P. Rose about her Carnegie shortlisted book Birdie, plus they chat about her alter-ego Jacqui Rose and her best selling gangland thrillers, including collaborations with Martina Cole, and back to the world of children's fiction with her Paddock Grove series.
Plus we'll find new books in the RNIB Library.
Today on Read On, Robert Kirkwood talks to Jason Reynolds about his Carnegie Shortlisted book, Twenty-four Seconds from Now, a tender, sweet, wholesome piece of fiction discussing how to approach first sex, how to respect women, how to be gentle, how to make it about love. It shows us a refreshingly different side to male sexuality.
We also listen back to Eric Motley on Madison - A Place of Hope and find new books in the RNIB Library.
Today on Read On, a former Carnegie Medal winner, Katya Baylen, discusses this year's shortlisted title, Ghostlines and we talk about her very own Braille copy of October, October. We also find some new books in the RNIB Library.
Today we talk to Tia Fisher about her Carnegie shortlisted book, Not Going to Plan, a powerful verse novel about sexual consent, unplanned pregnancy and the breaking of taboos.
We also find some new books in the RNIB Library.
As we look forward to this year's festival, starting on the day this episode is released, let's listen back to some highlights. First up, Jen Stout takes us on a Night Train to Odesa, Alexander McCall Smith reflects on his knighthood, Nigel Havers is Playing with Fire and Dame Judy Dench talks about her sight loss.
Today we escape to the Algarve in Julie Caplin's brand new book The Hotel by the Sea, we visit a fairy tale exhibition in London, we review Ruth Ozeki's Timecode of a Face and we find some books in the RNIB Library.
Plus there's some news about an Aria nomination for Read On!
On today's Read On I'm joined by author and artist Rob Harrell from his home in Texas as we discuss his Carnegie Medal for Writing short listed book, Popcorn, plus his previous book, based on his battle with eye cancer, Wink.
We also find some new books in the RNIB Library.
Today on Read On - The Audiobook Show, Lucy Roth, who also writes under the name Lucy Nichol, talks music, mental health, and learns how to hide a body as we go to The Party To End All Parties. Plus we find some new books available from RNIB Library.
As this year's Carnegie Medal Shortlist interviews start to happen, today is a listen back to three winners of the most prestigious prize in children's fiction, Manon Steffan Ros, Joseph Coelho and Tanya Landman.
Today we go on a road trip with Ben Markovits and his book The Rest of Our Lives.
When Tom Layward's wife had an affair he resolved to leave her as soon as his youngest daughter turned eighteen. Twelve years later, while driving her to Pittsburgh to start university, he remembers his pact, and keeps driving ...
Plus we'll find some new books in the RNIB Library.
A return visit this week from Lisa Timoney, a bestselling, multi-genre author who writes emotional family dramas under her own name, uplifting book club fiction as Kate Storey, and twisty psychological thrillers as Naomi Williams.
This time we talk about The Last Page Cafe, The Lies Out Children Tell and discuss the sight condition blepharospasm in her book, The Eyewitness.
Plus we find new books in the RNIB Library.
In today's Read On we listen to some 'Marvel - Age of Comics' audiobooks, take a deep dive into the full cast audio versions of some 2000 AD graphic novels, listen to the voice of the original Dalek and Parker from Thunderbirds, the late David Graham and even talk to the producer and showrunner of Marvel/Disney's Daredevil Born Again.
From the phonautograph to a smart speaker, today's Read On not only looks at the history of 90 years of RNIB Talking Books recording (and the equipment used), but goes back to the invention of recording as a whole.
We hear the first recorded voices, about the format war between cylinder and disc, about the phonautograph, the phonograph, the graphophone and the gramophone, to single track magnetic tape, DAISY CDs and Alexa Skills and more in this 169 year trek through the history of recording the human voice.
In today's show we hear from 11 of the World Book Day books for 2026 which are available from RNIB, plus we listen back to two of our most popular children's authors, Julia Donaldson makes some illustrations in audio and the late great Michael Bond talks about the origins of Paddington.
A special (updated) documentary about the origins of the Talking Books service, recorded at the original locations around London, and featuring many voices from the past.
Historian Matthew Rubery and Robert Kirkwood explore everything from the first Talking Book machines, some failed technology, how books were chosen and much more.
An all-star ensemble comes together to celebrate RNIB Talking Books 9th decade of bringing the joy of reading to blind and partially sighted people. A special recording of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice features some of the UK’s best-known actors and today we chat to four of them.
Ben Willbond, Phil Dunster, Lisa George and Shazia Mirza talk about narrating Jane Austen and give us some great book recommendations.
A love themed show for Valentine's Day featuring Fiona Lucas on Always and Only You, Joanna Toye on The Little Penguin Bookshop, Rachel Greenlaw on The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells, and audio describer Liz Gutman on writing spicy AD for Bridgerton. Plus we find a handful of books on all sorts of love in the RNIB Library.
James Bartlett, Reading Services Manager at RNIB tells Robert Kirkwood about a new recording of Pride and Prejudice with many famous narrators, made to celebrate 90 years of Talking Books. We also hear the foreword by Julian Fellowes.
Full book - https://audioboom.com/playlists/4635906-talking-books-at-90-pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen
Today we continue our deep dive into last year's Booker shortlist as Robert Kirkwood has a long chat with Susan Choi on her novel Flashlight.
They chat about the significance of the title, the importance of historical research and even end up chatting about ashtrays from McDonalds and smoking in the office!
The year 2026 is National Year of Reading and this along with World Book Day 2026 on March 5, is a great chance for every child, including those with reading impairments and vision impairments, to enjoy and celebrate their love of reading and storytelling.
To mark the occasion, leading sight loss charity, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is running a creative writing competition so children with vision impairments can express their creativity and love of books.
The competition is open to any child or young person between the ages of 5-12 years with a vision impairment in the UK. The last date to submit entries is Monday 23 February 2026.
We can’t wait to read your submission and wish you the very best of luck!
For full details of how to enter the competition, email worldbookday@rnib.org.uk
In today's episode Robert Kirkwood chats to Katie Kitamura about her novel Audition, an exhilarating, destabilising novel that asks whether we ever really know the people we love.
They chat about dimension shifts, narration and why the book was almost called Performance.
Plus we find some new books in the RNIB Library.
The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller is an atmospheric novel set during a famously freezing 1960s winter, exploring the minutiae of married life through the interior lives of two couples. Robert Kirkwood talks to Andrew about his inspiration for the novel, why it's not based on his parents and about his first time narrating one of his novels.
A book 19 years in the making, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai is a spellbinding story of two young people whose fates intersect and diverge across continents and years – an epic of love and family, India and America, tradition and modernity. Robert Kirkwood asks Kiran about her writing process, casting the audio version and where to get a good kebab in New York.
A listen back to the times I was set free at both Boswell and Wigtown Book Festivals featuring Rupert Everett, Louise Minchin, Wayne Sleep, Dom Joly and Andrew O'Hagan.
A listen back to some 2025 highlights from later in last year including Percival Everett, Yael van der Wouden, Nate Lessore, Margaret McDonald, David Szalay and pay tribute to Frederick Forsythe and Dame Stella Rimington.
A listen back to some 2025 highlights from early last year including AJ West, Yael van der Wouden, Rachel Kushner, Clare Mackintosh, Lucy Edwards and pay tribute to narrator Steve Hodson.
In today's Read On, Robert Kirkwood chats to the Map Men, also known as Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones about their debut book This Way Up - When Maps Go Wrong (and why it matters).
In the second part of their chat they discuss accessibility, made up mountains, an audiobook co-incidence and even have a feel of a tactile map from RNIB.
Plus we'll find some more festive books in the RNIB Library.
In today's Read On, Robert Kirkwood chats to the Map Men, also known as Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones about their debut book This Way Up - When Maps Go Wrong (and why it matters).
In this first part of a two part show Jay and Mark talk about accents, breaking the fourth wall and addressing the listener directly and about turning a very visual book into an audiobook.
Plus we'll find some festive books in the RNIB Library.
Author of many favourites in the RNIB Library, Joanna herself was very aware of the importance of accessibility as she had an eye condition that made her partially sighted. Here she is on the importance of Talking Books
From her home in Los Angeles, author E.K. Wise tells Robert Kirkwood about The Keepers of the Rock - Book 1 The Debilis Rising, a thrilling YA fantasy full of secrets, crystals and history. We discuss the science behind the book, about neurodivergent representation and ask why the audio version was recorded in the UK
Plus we find some new books in the RNIB Library
In the final show this year recorded in Scotland's Book Town, we chat to author Annaliese Avery about her new series, The Wycherleys, storyteller Renita Boyle has some Wild Words and listener Charlotte Bennie, and her guide dog Christie, tell us what the Wigtown Book Festival is like for accessibility.
Plus as always, we find some new books in the RNIB Library.
Today Robert Kirkwood chats to Nicholas Jubber about Monsterland, a journey around the world's dark imagination and he also talks to an author with two heads ... those being that of Christopher Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman AKA Ambrose Parry, about the latest Raven and Fisher mystery, The Death of Shame.
We also travel to the RNIB Library to find some brand new books.
On today's Read On a long chat with the winner of the Booker Prize 2025, David Szalay. Robert Kirkwood chats to David about the life of his character István, and how he seems to live in the gaps between chapters, and about the narration of the audio version by Daniel Weyman.
We also find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
Full interview on Friday - but for now huge congratulations to David Szalay for his Booker win for Flesh - available in audio and Braille from RNIB Library.
Today a supercut of interviews with all six Booker shortlisted authors for 2025 with Susan Choi on Flashlight, Kiran Desai on The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, Katie Kitamura on Audition, Ben Markovits on The Rest of Our Lives, Andrew Miller on The Land in Winter, and David Szalay on Flesh.
All books on the shortlist are available both in audio and Braille from RNIB library.
In today's episode from Scotland's Book Town we chat to friend of the show, and author of over 300 books, Vivian French. We chat end of the world survival with author Robert Twigger and hear about King Charles' book collection from The Royal Butler, Grant Harrold.
Plus we find new books in the RNIB Library.
Today on Read On from the Wigtown Book Festival, we have some journeys, conversations and stories after dark in Dan Richards' book, Overnight and chat to Suzanne O'Sullivan about The Age of Diagnosis: How the Overdiagnosis Epidemic is Making Us Sick.
Plus we'll find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
In an episode recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival, Robert Kirkwood talks to Louise Minchin about 'Isolation Island', a novel inspired by both Agatha Christie and her time on I'm A Celeb, and to historian Lucy Hughes-Hallett about her book 'The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham' plus we find new books in the RNIB Library.
With the Booker shortlist released recently we look at who is up for the prize this year, and listen to some past winners including Shehan Karunatilaka, Paul Lynch, Douglas Stewart, Margaret Atwood & Bernardine Evaristo plus some book recommendations from last year's winner, Sam Harvey.
Today we chat to poet and author Elspeth Wilson about her debut novel, These Mortal Bodies, a gripping and atmospheric dark academia novel about toxic female friendships and obsession. Plus we find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
This week Robert Kirkwood is joined by Ali Harris as they discuss her new novel, This Wasn't Meant to Happen, a book described to be for anyone who has ever lost, longed, or held on when letting go felt impossible.
Content Warning - This book, and therefore this episode, deals with child loss and stillbirth.
Looking forward to this year's Wigtown Book Festival by listening to chats with Graham McRae Burnett, Stuart Kelly, Alex von Tunzelmann, Henry Manse, Paula Hawkins and Maggie O'Farrell.
Plus we find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
Three authors who write in very different genres all wrapped up in the one package. Lisa Timoney writes family drama, Kate Storey writes books about books, and Naomi Williams writes psychological thrillers, but they are all the same person.
As The Forgotten Book Club is released I talk to Lisa/Kate/Naomi about all her personas and why she keeps them separate.
Plus as always we find new books in the RNIB Library.
Today we're taking some books into the Garden. Ruth Scurr tells us about Napoleon: A Life in Gardens and Shadows, Monty Don tells us about sensory gardening and Victoria Bennett discusses All My Wild Mothers: Motherhood, loss and an apothecary garden. All that plus we've got some new books on all things gardening in the RNIB Library.
Today we set sail with author Caroline James and hear all about her new book, The Cruise Club, plus we dive into her background and back catalogue.
We get some self-help recommendations from the team at the Happy Hour and find some new books in the RNIB Library.
Today Robert Kirkwood is joined by journalist and author Clémence Michallon from her home in New York, as we explore Our Last Resort, the brand new psychological thriller from the bestselling author of The Quiet Tenant
We also find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
Charlotte Butterfield joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about The Sister Switch, the brand new hilarious, emotional and thought-provoking book club read about twin sisters who make a bet to switch lives for a week
We also find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
"The Light of Day" by Christopher Stephens and Louise Radnofsky, tells the story of Roger Butler, a man who came out as gay in the British press in 1960, before the decriminalization of homosexuality. The book explores Butler's life, his activism, and his later struggles with blindness and isolation.
Plus Blind Poet Dave Steele and filmmaker Matt Hopkins discuss 'The Film I'll Never See' and we get some book recommendations from poet and Carnegie Shortlisted author Matt Goodfellow.
Author Dame Stella Rimington has died at the age of 90. As the first female director of MI5 she poured years of lived experience into her spy novels featuring both Liz Carlyle and Manon Tyler. She spoke to RNIB Connect Radio's Read On show about her latest novel, her career and her membership to RNIB Talking Books.
For that full interview you can download Read On episode number 420 from wherever you get your podcasts, just search for RNIB Read On
Today Robert Kirkwood is joined by Alis Hawkins as we explore 'The Oxford Mysteries' with her books A Bitter Remedy and The Skeleton Army, plus we explore her past series on 'The Teifi Valley Coroner' with blind protagonist Harry Probert-Lloyd.
In today's final visit to Dumfries House and the Boswell Book Festival we get out in nature as we forage for Free Food with Mo Wilde and find the Wilderness Cure, we go to Bird School with Adam Nicolson and we travel behind the former Iron Curtain with Charlie English and the CIA Book Club.
Plus we'll find some new books in the RNIB Library.
In today's Read On we hear from Andrew O'Hagan after his keynote address on humour, sponsored by RNIB Connect Radio, and discuss his book Caledonian Road which is set to become a recurring series on Netflix.
Former News at Ten host John Suchet goes In Search of Beethoven in his latest book about the composer, plus in the sprit of Boswell we find some new biography and memoir in the RNIB Library.
In today's edition of Read On, we're once again on location at Dumfries House at this year's Boswell Book Festival.
Robert Kirkwood chats to Wayne Sleep OBE about his book, Just Different, artist Juano Diaz tells us about Slum Boy, his heart-breaking memoir that he insisted be available in audio and comedian Dom Joly becomes The Conspiracy Tourist and asks if Finland really exists.
We step away from the festival for some book recommendations from author Clare Furniss and find new memoir and biography in the RNIB Library.
In today's edition of Read On, we're on location at Dumfries House at this year's Boswell Book Festival.
Robert Kirkwood chats to Hollywood Icon Rupert Everett about his book, The American No, Buddhist monk, meditation teacher and author Gelong Thubten tells us about his Handbook for Hard Times and comedian Helen Lederer tells us about her memoir, Not That I'm Bitter. Plus in the spirit of the festival we find some new biographies in the RNIB Library.
Today we travel to the Isle of Skye with Sue Moorcroft as the third volume of her best selling Skye Sisters Trilogy is released. Plus we find some new books entering the RNIB Library.
Our final Carnegie Medal for Writing show with winner of the Shadowing Award Nathanael Lessore for King of Nothing and winner of this year's Medal for Writing, Margaret McDonald on Glasgow Boys.
Plus we take a swift visit to the RNIB Library to find some brand new books.
Today on Read On we're continuing our interviews with authors on the shortlist for the Carnegie Medal for Writing. This week Kelly McCaughrain on Little Bang and Matt Goodfellow on The Final Year, plus we find some new audiobooks out now and available from RNIB Library.
Frederick Forsyth, the author of The Day Of The Jackal, has died at the age of 86 after a brief illness.
He was a great supporter of RNIB Talking Books, visiting the studios many times to record messages and raise awareness, and even to record a small non-fiction tale he wrote for us as part of a fundraising effort to re-archive our old tape recordings to a digital format.
On one visit, Robert Kirkwood grabbed him for a chat about his books and his dangerous research trips and to ask why he supported RNIB.
In today's episode, we talk to two more authors on the Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlist, Luke Palmer on his book Play and Brian Conaghan on Treacle Town, plus we find some new books out now and available from the RNIB Library.
In today's episode, we talk to two authors on the Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlist, Blessing Musariri on her book All That It Ever Meant and Clare Furniss on The Things We Leave Behind, plus we find some new books out now and available from the RNIB Library.
A mix of fiction and non-fiction in today's show as Becky C Brynolf tells us about her debut I Found A Body in which an influencer gets mixed up in a murder investigation.
We also hear from writer and savant Daniel Tammet about Nine Minds: Inner Lives on the Spectrum, delving into the extraordinary lives of nine neurodivergent men and women from around the globe, including blind academic Amanda in Australia.
All that plus some new books in the RNIB Library.
Winner of the National Book Award and now the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, James is a subversive reimagining of “Huckleberry Finn” told from the perspective of Jim, Huck's enslaved companion on the raft ride. Percival Everett tells Robert Kirkwood about the book and reveals he read Huck Finn too many times in the research!
We also hear about the science behind James Bond's gadgets and Agatha Christie's poisons with Kathryn Harkup and find some new books in the RNIB Library.
As I'm off recording at Dumfries House at the moment, here's selection of interviews from past Boswell Book Festival events including Lady Anne Glenconner, founder of Private Eye Richard Ingrams, biographer Ben McIntyre, Winston Churchill's granddaughter Emma Soames, Andrew Cotter with Olive and Mabel, and we're Cloistered with Catherine Coldstream.
On this week's Read On, Robert Kirkwood chats to Celia Silvani about her debut novel Baby Teeth, a cautionary tale about how vulnerable, isolated people can be lured into toxic communities and the catastrophic consequences this can have.
Trigger Warning: This interview contains discussions and references to pregnancy and infertility. There is also a scene of pregnancy loss in the book.
This week on Read On a captivating chat with Beth O'Brien, visually impaired author of new HarperCollins Children’s Book 'Wolf Siren', which also has a visually impaired narrator. Beth talks about her writing, watching the narration process and her passion project, 'Disabled Tales.'
Stella Rimington was the first female director general of MI5 and brings true authenticity to her books about spying and espionage. She talks to Robert Kirkwood about her career, her Liz Carlyle books and her imagined end, plus her two new Manon Tyler books. Dame Rimington also talks about how her failing eyesight due to AMD is affecting her ability to write.
And for episode 420, we also find some influential musical biographies in the RNIB Library.
This week in Read On, author Nydia Hetherington tells us how living with a chronic yet hidden illness inspired her to write the untold story of Shakespeare's witch, Sycorax and also her debut novel, A Girl Made of Air. She also tells us how many spoons it took to narrate the audio version herself.
Emma is sick. Just not in the way you thought.
In today's Read On - The Audiobook Show, we're mixing a thriller with a hidden disability in Chris Bridges debut novel Sick To Death.
Plus we find some brand new books the RNIB Library, one written and read by actor, Brian Cox.
In this week's Read On - The Audiobook Show we chat to debut novelist Kate Kemp about murder and intrigue on Warrah Place, a sweltering Australian suburban cul-de-sac, in her novel The Grape Vine.
We also hear from Mark McCree and Simon Savidge from Share the Vision, a coalition of UK organisations that work together to improve the quality, availability and accessibility of library services for visually impaired and print disabled people.
And talking of accessible libraries, we'll find new books entering the RNIB Talking Books Library.
In today's Read On we enter the world of DC Ffion Morgan and DS Leo Brady with author Clare Mackintosh with the release of the third book in the series, Other People's Houses. We also listen back to earlier books from Clare and find some brand new books in the Talking Books library.
In today's show we chat to blind broadcaster, social media creator and author, Lucy Edwards, about her books Blind Not Broken and Ella Jones vs The Sun Stealer, and about her campaigns for equality and becoming an RNIB ambassador.
We also find some brand new books entering the Talking Books library.
In today's show we hear about the new thriller from Mari Hannah, Her Sister's Killer, the latest in the Stone and Oliver series.
We also pay tribute to narrator Steve Hodson and hear from Nero book of the year Maurice and Maralyn by Sophie Elmhirst
A familiar and warm voice to listeners of RNIB Talking Books, and audiobook and radio drama listeners everywhere, Steve Hodson, has passed away at 77.
We listen back to him telling us how he became a narrator, hear some stories and listen to a clip of one of his favourite books.
Photo of Steve. He has salt and pepper tousled hair and is staring to the side with an intense gaze. His soft white dress shirt is open and relaxed at the collar.
In today's show a chat with World Book Day author Tom Palmer about his books on sport, history and his travels for research, plus we find out about the free books you can get this World Book Day from RNIB.
In today's show two category winners from the Nero Book Awards, Children's Fiction winner Liz Hyder on her book The Twelve, and Adam S Leslie with his Fiction category winning folk-horror, Lost in the Garden.
A short extract from my interview with Lucy Edwards about her new book Ella Jones Vs the Sun Stealer and about being an RNIB Ambassador. Full interview coming soon.
We're loved up this Valentines Day on Read On.
In Penguin Books 90th year, Robert Kirkwood chats to author Joanna Toye about the second book in the heart-warming, romantic, and uplifting world war two series about community, friendship and books, A New Chapter at the Little Penguin Bookshop.
And as this show is going out on Valentine's Day we find some new romance in the RNIB Library.
Another comedian compilation as we hear from stand-ups Jo Caulfield and Richard Herring and comedic actor, audiobook narrator and Neil from The Young Ones, Nigel Planer.
Plus we find some brand new books in the RNIB Library
This week on Read On, Robert Kirkwood chats to Rachel Kushner about her book Creation Lake, which is a taut, dazzling story of espionage and intrigue and beneath lies a tale of a woman caught in the crossfire between the past and the future. Thanks to The Booker Foundation it's available to borrow from RNIB in both audio and Braille.
Plus we find some new audiobooks out now and also in the RNIB Library.
Today we're joined by award winning Australian novelist Charlotte Wood who chats about her book Stone Yard Devotional, in which a women 'unsubscribes' from her life in the city to live in isolation with nuns, and a lot of mice!
We'll also hear some new books in the RNIB Library
In today's show Robert Kirkwood has a long chat with Yael van der Woulden about her debut novel, The Safekeep, an exhilarating tale of twisted desire, histories and homes, and the unexpected shape of revenge.
We hear from Bart van Es about The Cutout Girl and find new books in the RNIB Library.
In today's Read On Robert Kirkwood chats to author and narrator A.J. West about his books The Betrayal of Thomas True and The Spirit Engineer and why he didn't narrate them, but also about the book he is narrating, Death in the Sauna. Plus we find some new books in the RNIB Library.
In our second look back at 2024, Momfluencers clash in Jesse Q. Sutanto's book You Will Never Be Me, Gregg Mosse tells us about The Coming Storm, we have a Hot Girl Summer with Sophie Gravia, Kirsten Miller tells us about Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books, Jo Piazza has A Sicilian Inheritance and we go Orbital with Booker winner Samantha Harvey.
In today's round up of the first half of 2024 we hear from Hiba Noor Khan and Sophia's War, we visit Harlem After Midnight with author Louise Hare, Michael McGee stays Close to Home, Becky Holmes tells us Keanu Reeves is Not in Love With You, Lynda Marron has a Last Chance in Paris and we talk about The Beholders with Hester Musson.
In today's festive show we have a new chat with one of Britain's best loved children's authors, Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE, about retelling the bard's work for a modern audience in his Tales from Shakespeare and we get to bring in games in the form of live D&D shows in the RNIB Library, and we find some festive and not so festive brand new audiobooks.
What would you do if you walk down the aisle and find the wrong man waiting for you? And no-one else sees anything wrong?
This week a return visit from Fiona Lucas with her deeply emotional story of love, secrets and second chances, Always and Only You. Plus we find four brand new books in the RNIB Library.
This week we chat to Anita Frank about the Sunday Times bestselling WW1 historical fiction murder mystery thriller, The Good Liars. Plus we find some brand new audio out now and also available from RNIB.
In today’s 400th episode of Read On – The Audiobook Show, Robert Kirkwood chats to Anne Michaels about her book ‘Held’, which last week was the winner of the $100K Giller Prize in Canada. The audio version of the book, which was also Booker shortlisted in the UK, is narrated by the author and she tells us why she was the only person for the job.
We also find some brand new books in the RNIB Library and have a very quick look back over 400 episodes.
This week author Rachel Greenlaw tells us about a cosy new tale of witches, magic, mystery, family and romance, The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells plus we here from Blind Poet Dave Steele about The Big Test. All that plus some new books in the RNIB Library.
The image is a book cover with a magical, mystical theme. The background is a deep navy blue, scattered with golden and turquoise stars, crescent moons, and glowing accents. At the top, the text reads: “Love can be a curse…” in a delicate, curved font.
In the center, the title of the book is displayed in bold, white letters: "The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells". Below it, there’s an illustration of an open book emitting faint, glowing light, with ornate decorative patterns on either side.
The author’s name, Rachel Greenlaw, is written at the bottom in white uppercase text.
The corners of the cover are framed with intricate golden floral and vine-like designs, which give the image a whimsical and enchanting look.
Today a long chat with Booker Winner 2024 Samantha Harvey and a listen to her winning book Orbital. We hear about the quirks of living on the ISS, about sleeping in orbit, and closer to home we hear about the importance of accessible reading and that Samantha is currently training a guide dog puppy. All that plus some new books in the RNIB Library on today's Read On.
Image is the cover of the book Orbital by Samantha Harvey, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2024. The design features a cosmic or abstract space-themed illustration with a black background dotted by colorful, cloud-like shapes in blue, orange, white, and green. The design gives an impression of planets or nebulae in space, with Earth visible in the lower left. The title "Orbital" is prominently centred in large, white text, and the author's name appears below in smaller, yellow font. The Penguin Books logo is at the bottom right.
Full interview on Friday's show, but here's a clip from my interview with Booker winner 2024, Samantha Harvey
We have spoken to all of the Booker Shortlisted authors here at Read On, many on the days leading up to, or in one case the day of, the award ceremony, far too soon to get them onto a regular episode of the show.
So here, ahead of the ceremony tonight, is a supercut of all six interviews featuring Percival Everett, Samantha Harvey, Yael van der Wouden, Charlotte Wood, Rachel Kushner and Anne Michaels.
We'll have all of the interviews, uncut, on future editions of Read On.
The image showcases six book covers from the Booker shortlist 2024
James by Percival Everett - The cover features bold typography with a striking orange background. A small illustrated figure appears at the bottom, rowing a boat.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey - This cover has a cosmic theme with abstract celestial shapes in vibrant colours against a dark background, resembling planets or bubbles in space.
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner - The cover uses bold, playful typography with red and yellow text. An upside-down black-and-white photograph of a woman wearing sunglasses adds a surreal element.
Held by Anne Michaels - The cover is minimalist and grayscale, with the word "Held" repeated multiple times vertically. A small orange dot pattern adds subtle colour.
The Safe Keep by Yael Van Der Wouden - This cover depicts an interior scene, looking into a room with an open door, hinting at themes of mystery or domesticity.
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood - The cover shows a dilapidated room with peeling walls and sunlight filtering in, suggesting an exploration of decay or solitude.
This week features each book on the 2024 Booker Prize shortlist and a listen to the audio versions, plus some book recommendations from last year’s winner Paul Lynch.
Image shows the shortlisted books on a shelf, spines towards the camera.
This week on Read On we have three very different authors,
Ariane Bankes discovers her mother's and aunt's correspondence in The Quality of Love: Twin Sisters at the Heart of the Century, Irvine Welsh tells us about the third Ray Lennox book, Resolution, and Elizabeth Oldfield is Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times in her book, Fully Alive.
All that plus some new books (including the new Sally Rooney) in the RNIB Library.
The image features elements associated with the Wigtown Book Festival
- Top Left Corner: The book cover for The Quality of Love: Twin Sisters at the Heart of the Century by Ariane Bankes. The cover has a bright green background with a vintage-style image of two women, likely representing the twin sisters mentioned in the title, facing each other.
- Top Center: A photograph of Irvine Welsh and Robert Kirkwood. Irvine, on the left, is bald, with a slight smile, dressed casually in a light brown jacket over a striped shirt. Robert, on the right, is taking the selfie, recognizable by his glasses and beard.
- Bottom Left Corner: The logo for the Wigtown Book Festival, featuring stylized text with a tree sprouting from the letter “W.” Below this is the logo for RNIB Connect Radio
- Bottom Center: A smiling portrait of Elizabeth Oldfield, who is standing indoors, wearing a black top with a blue and turquoise jacket. Her open, warm smile and relaxed pose convey a friendly, engaging presence.
- Bottom Right Corner: The book cover for Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times by Elizabeth Oldfield. This cover has a circular design with green and yellow rings radiating from the title.
Today we're chatting to Josie Lloyd about her brand new cosy crime adventure Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency and we get an exclusive news about a brand new book Josie is writing with Emlyn Rees. Plus we'll find some new books in the RNIB Library.
The image shows the cover of the book "Miss Beeton's Murder Agency" by Josie Lloyd. The design features a red, townhouse-like building with three stories, each having large, white-framed windows. The top two floors have windows decorated with Christmas wreaths, while the bottom floor has a green door, also adorned with a wreath, and a small dog sitting nearby. Snow is falling across the scene, suggesting a festive, winter setting. The title is written in large, golden-yellow letters, with "Murder Agency" being the most prominent.
The background is a dark blue, adding to the nighttime wintery atmosphere. The author's name, Josie Lloyd, is written at the bottom in white, with the subtitle "Sunday Times Bestselling Author" in smaller text.
There's a food theme in this week's episode as we head to Wigtown to chat to The Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod, food historian Pen Vogler on her books Scoff and Stuffed and philosopher Julian Baggini tells us How The World Eats. Plus we get the Books of Your Life from Gareth Brown and find new books in the RNIB Library.
The image used is a fun collage featuring moments from the Wigtown Book Festival, along with some of the authors and their works.
On the top left, there’s the festival’s lovely handwritten-style logo with little birds fluttering around it. Just beside that, we see the cover of The Hebridean Baker by Coinneach MacLeod, showcasing a man in a kilt standing in the rugged Scottish outdoors—probably hinting at some great Scottish baking stories!
To the right, we have the RNIB Connect Radio logo.
In the middle left, there’s a picture of three smiling people: Robert Kirkwood (who you might know from RNIB Radio) is standing on the left, holding a microphone. Next to him is Coinneach MacLeod holding a book, and to the right of him is Pen Vogler, who is holding her book Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times.
Then, on the center right, there’s a nice portrait of Pen Vogler herself, looking thoughtful and confident, with her book cover prominently displayed next to her.
Moving down to the bottom, on the left is the colorful cover of How the World Eats by Julian Baggini, which seems to explore food from different cultures across the globe. And on the bottom right, there’s a picture of Julian Baggini himself, standing casually outdoors against a stone wall.
All in all, this collage gives a taste of the authors and books you’d encounter at the festival, with a nice focus on food and culture.
In a talk sponsored by RNIB Connect Radio, Gareth Brown talks to Teddy Jameson live on stage at the Wigtown Book Festival about his best-selling time-travelling page turner, The Book of Doors. Plus we find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
Another collection of narrators in today's show as we celebrate the voices who bring RNIB Talking Books to life, including two very personal tales for becoming a narrator, how an epic stream of consciousness was recorded over months, and we get the Books of Your Life from Yoto Carnegie Shadower Award winner, Tia Fisher. Plus some new books entering the RNIB Library.
Influencer Meredith Lee didn't teach Aspen Palmer how to blossom on social media just to be ditched as soon as Aspen became big. So can anyone really blame Mer for doing a little stalking? Nothing serious, more like Stalking Lite.
Jesse Sutanto joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about her new black comedy thriller, You Will Never Be Me. Plus we'll find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
A compilation episode today of the times Read On was recorded live on stage in front of an audience. We hear from Booker Shortlisted author Graeme Macrae Burnet, former presenter Red Szell, comedian Juliette Burton and there's an extended interview with actor and writer John Gordon Sinclair.
Two tales of recording books today. Julia Donaldson works out how to make an audio version of a very visual book, and Elizabeth Proud talks about how audiobook narration has changed over the years. Plus we'll find some new books in the RNIB Library.
This week Robert Kirkwood chats to Sophie Gravia about her Glasgow Kiss trilogy and her new book Hot Girl Summer, and why she started writing while working as a nurse during the pandemic. Plus we find some new book in the RNIB Library.
This week, Robert Kirkwood chats to Isabel Ashdown about her new book One Girl, One Summer which sees a return to Highcap in Dorset and a reappearance of DS Ali Samson. We also find some brand new audiobooks available from RNIB.
Today's Read On features three very distinctive voices, Adjoa Andoh on being the voice of the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Derek Jacobi on bringing characters to life off the page and we get a masterclass in narration from Martin Jarvis. All that plus some new books available in audio from RNIB.
The Bridgerton books are available from RNIB in accessible formats, but how do you make the TV version accessible? Robert Kirkwood takes a deep dive into the world of Audio Description with Liz Gutman, head Audio Description writer at IDC and finds out if writing 'that scene' make Liz feel like a romance novelist!
And, as always, we find some new books in the RNIB Library.
Liz's podcast is available here
This week we chat to Kirsten Miller, author of The Change, about her new book, a gripping and deeply moving novel of bravery, friendship and standing up against censorship, Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books. Plus we find some new books in the RNIB library.
This week, bestselling author and award-winning journalist Jo Piazza, talks about a novel rooted in the author's own family history about a trip to Sicily, a disputed inheritance, and a family secret that some will kill to protect, plus Amelia Hilton chats to blind author and world traveller, Tony Giles. All that plus some new books in the RNIB Library.
In today's episode we hear from Love Island star and disability campaigner Tasha Ghouri about her novel, 'Hits Different' plus from Race Across the World we get some audiobook recommendations from Trish Sail. All that plus we listen to four brand new RNIB Talking Books.
Recorded on location at the Boswell Book Festival, this week Kirsty Logan tells us about 'The Unfamiliar: A Queer Motherhood Memoir', journalist and author Xinran Xue uncovers 'The Book of Secrets: A Personal History of Betrayal in Red China', Nigel Toon tells us 'How AI thinks' and we end with Vivian French with 'Bibi and the Box of Fairy Tales!' All that plus some brand new audiobooks that are also in the Talking Books library.
Three authors today who all recorded the audio versions of their books, Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant champions quality over consumption in his book 'Less', John Niven talks about his heart-breaking and sometimes hilarious memoir 'Oh, Brother' and Christian Lewis takes us around the UK coastline in 'Finding Hildasay'.
Plus we find some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
More authors from the Boswell Book Festival this week including Catherine Coldstream on her book Cloistered: My Years As a Nun and two great but very different poetry collections with Jackie Kay's Mayday and Donna Ashworth's Wild Hope.
Plus, away from the festival, we get the books of your life from Yoto Carnegie Medal Winner Joseph Coelho and find new books available in the RNIB Library.
A show chiefly in the Scottish dialect this week as we head to the Boswell Book Festival to talk to writer, broadcaster and language activist Billy Kay about his book Born in Kyle; poet, Scots language and mental-health advocate Len Pennie reads us some Poyums and we hear from the prolific author and now Knight of the Realm, Sir Alexander McCall Smith, plus, in the spirit of the festival, we find some memoirs in the RNIB library.
Our final two Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing Shortlisted authors join us this week, Nathanael Lessore with Steady For This and Sophie Cameron with Away with Words. Plus we discover some new books entering the Talking Books library.
More Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlisted authors on the show this week. Zillah Bethell on The Song Walker, Tia Fisher on Crossing the Line and Nicola Davies talks about Choose Love. Plus some new books in the RNIB library.
To commemorate D-Day we’ve taken a journey into the RNIB Library to listen to some great history books about the Normandy landings and beyond.
In today's show we feature two authors on the shortlist for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing. Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho tells us how Greek myth inspired his book 'The Boy Lost in the Maze', and Hiba Noor Khan tells us the lesser known story of how the Great Mosque in Paris helped the Jewish community in World War Two in 'Safiyyah's War'
On today's show we listen to the brand new thriller The Deadly Spark from debut novelist Roxie Key, plus following on from last week's climate chat we turn to non-fiction and Mark Lynas' book Our Final Warning. All that plus four brand new audiobooks available from the RNIB Library.
Today we take a deep dive into climate fiction with Greg Mosse and his books The Coming Darkness and The Coming Storm plus we find some brand new audio books that are also available from RNIB.
As we start gearing up for this year's Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, we listen back to four previous winners with four very different books ... Elizabeth Acevedo, Tanya Landman, Geraldine McCaughrean and Ruta Sepetys.
In today's show we hear the Books of My Life from both Nero debut novel winner Michael Magee and Booker shortlisted Sarah Bernstein. We also chat to C.J. Tudor about the Gathering, The Drift and more, plus find new books in the RNIB library.
We interview Lord Jeffrey Archer as he records a special introduction to his book Traitors Gate exclusively for RNIB Talking Books, plus as her book 'Nobody Does it Better than Me: The Story of Alma' is recorded for the library, Robert Kirkwood chats to Dr Lin Berwick MBE.
In today's show we talk to Leeanne O'Donnell about spirit and matter, love and lust, and reality and magic, all in her book Sparks of Bright Matter. We also look forward to the Boswell Book Festival with Gordon Turnbull and find new books in the RNIB Library.
Read On this week features Chioma Okereke with her coming of age audio book Water Baby set in the floating slum of Makoko in Lagos. We hear about The Trees: A Novel by Percival Everett and find new books entering the RNIB Library.
In today's show we're re-joined by Louise Hare as she tells us about the sequel to Miss Aldridge Regrets, Harlem After Midnight. Plus we delve into the archive to talk to Sara Collins about The Confessions of Frannie Langton, and find some brand new audiobooks that are also available from RNIB Talking Books.
This week Robert Kirkwood talks to former military policeman and former Met Detective, Neil Lancaster about the latest DS Max Craigie Book, The Devil You Know and how his career influenced his writing. Plus we find some brand new books out now and entering the Talking Books library.
In today’s show we listen to some books about music and musicians. We chat to Beth and Ben of The Bookshop Band, talk to the author of Outlaw Blues, a 500 page biography of Bob Dylan and then get some book recommendations from former Never Mind the Buzzcocks team captain, Phill Jupitus. Plus we find some brand new gems in the Talking Books library.
In today's show we feature all four category winners in the first ever Nero Book Awards,
First up we listen to a clip from the Non-Fiction winning book Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
We have a long chat with Michael Magee about his Debut Fiction winning book, Close to Home
We listen to a clip from The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, the Children’s Fiction winner
Then, from the Booker Prize shows, we chat to the Fiction winner Paul Murray about The Bee Sting
Then (after a swift last minute edit) we reveal the overall winner.
In today's show we celebrate World Book Day with Michael Morpurgo, Julia Donaldson, Betsy Griffin and find out about the free £1 from RNIB.
In today's show we dive into the murky world of romance fraud with Becky Holmes and her book Keanu Reeves is Not In Love With You which she narrated herself. Plus we find some brand new books in the Talking Books library.
The First Man to Time Travel is the debut sci-fi comedy novel from Alex Leam. He tells Robert Kirkwood about the book, his inspirations and reading the audio version.
Plus, staying in the sci-fi theme, we listen back to how Jeff Wayne turned War of the Worlds into a best selling album.
All that plus some brand new books in the RNIB Library.
In today's show Alistair Lee, Australia’s only blind Voice Over Artist, talks to Amelia Hilton about his career so far. We also listen back to Keith Brymer Jones from The Great Pottery Throw Down talk about his book, Boy in A China Shop and find some new books in the RNIB Library.
The picture is of King, Alistair Lee's guide dog.
This week Lynda Marron chats to Robert Kirkwood about her book Last Chance in Paris, a funny, moving, above all life-affirming story of a make-or-break trip to Paris by an Irish couple following a tragedy.
Plus we find some brand new audiobooks donated to the RNIB library.
In today's show we re-visit some Boswell Book Festival favourites and chat to Frank Skinner, Denise Mina, Nigel Havers, Giles and Mary from Gogglebox and Winston Churchill's granddaughter, Emma Soames. Plus we find some brand new books in the RNIB Talking Books library.
This week Mari Hannah joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about her brand new Kate Daniels thriller, The Longest Goodbye, a book she didn't want to write.
Also among some new books entering the Talking Books library we find one written and read by Cliff Richard and one that goes behind the scene of the Disney plus show, Welcome to Wrexham.
This week Robert Kirkwood is joined by Hester Musson to discuss her gothic, historical debut thriller about power and corruption, The Beholders.
Plus, as always, we find some new gems in the RNIB library.
Read On this week has more of the best interviews of 2023 with Joe Haddow, Charlotte Levin, Victoria Bennett, Carnegie Winner Manon Steffan Ros, and a round up of new books for January
We listen back to some interviews from last year including Randee Dawn on Tune in Tomorrow, C.K. McDonnell on The Stranger Times, Catherine Simpson on One Body and hear from narrator Gabriel Woolf.
Plus we find some brand new books for January.
On today's show we curl up with some Christmas TV, or at least the books that they came from. Julia Donaldson and Charlie Mackesy talk about turning very visual books into audiobooks, we hear about the science behind James Bond, and listen to books about both Doctor Who and Ghosts.
Another festive book on The Audiobook Show, this week Rachel Greenlaw tells Robert Kirkwood about her groundhog day inspired novel, One Christmas Morning.
We also dive into the history of fairy tales and find some new listens in the RNIB Talking Books library.
In today's show Robert Kirkwood talks to Peter Swanson about his festive novella The Christmas Guest, and how the murder mystery at Christmas genre is unique to Britain.
We also listen back to Tony Hawk's tennis adventure in Moldova and find some new books in the RNIB Library, one of which is written by Judy Dench.
In today's show a round up of some of the best science writing we've had on the show including Stephen and Jane Hawking, Chris Lintott, Marcus du Sautoy and The Boy Who Played with Fire. Plus we find some new science books in the RNIB Library.
In today's show we listen to some previous winners of the Booker, the youngest ever winner Eleanor Catton on The Luminaries, Marlon James on his winning book, A Brief History of Seven Killings plus last year's winner Shehan Karunatilaka with The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida,
Plus we listen to some brand new books available in the RNIB Library.
In today's show we chat to Jonathan Escoffery about his debut novel, shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2023, If I Survive You.
We also find some new books in the talking books library and discover why Google recently held a conference on accessible publishing.
In today's show we talk to Paul Murray about the multiple narrators in the audio version of his Booker shortlisted book, The Bee Sting, plus we hear a clip from Western Lane by Chetna Maroo. We'll also hear about some new books entering the Talking Books library.
In today's episode we chat to two authors on the Booker Shortlist 2023.
Paul Lynch takes us to a dystopian Ireland in Prophet Song and Sarah Bernstein spins a web of culpability and criminality in Study for Obedience.
In today's show Robert Kirkwood finds out about Rachel Hore’s captivating new novel of secrets, loss and betrayal - set on the beautiful Cornish coast during World War Two and the heady days of the 1960s, The Hidden Years.
Plus we find four brand new books entering the Talking Books Library.
Three more authors interviewed at the Wigtown Book Festival in this week's show. Ex-BBC technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones tells Robert Kirkwood about his memoir Ruskin Park, we go swashbuckling with Kate Mosse and her book The Ghost Ship, and we time travel with actor and writer Nigel Planer as he tells us about Jeremiah Bourne in Time.
Plus we find some new books entering the Talking Books Library.
In a second visit this year to Wigtown, Robert Kirkwood talks to comedian Jo Caulfield about her moving memoir The Funny Thing About Death, we get poisons, monsters and some secret lairs in Kathryn Harkup's Superspy Science and we take a trip during the Italian Renaissance with Maggie O'Farrell and her book, The Marriage Proposal.
All that plus four new gems in the Talking Books library, one of which is narrated by Meryl Streep!
This week Robert Kirkwood travels to Scotland's Book Town and talks to novelist Lynsey May about her debut book, Weak Teeth, Stuart Paterson reads his viral poem, Here's the Weather, historian Ruth Scurr talks about Napoleon: A Life told in Gardens and Shadow and author Louise Doughty talks about her brand new thriller, A Bird in Winter.
Plus we find four new gems in the Talking Books Library.
As RNIB Connect Radio turns 20, Read On this week looks back at some of the first authors, narrators and looks behind the scenes we've had on the show.
Actor Allan Tall talks about preparing a Christopher Brookmyre book for narration and being thrown from his horse during the filming of Braveheart.
Author Alan Bissett joins Robert Kirkwood after narrating his book, The Incredible Adam Spark.
And former manager of the Talking Book Studios, Ian Turner, talks about all the famous narrators who recorded books exclusively for RNIB.
Plus, as always, we find four new gems in the library
This week author M.A. Kuzniar joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about her bestseller Midnight in Everwood, a magical retelling of The Nutcracker, and her brand-new book, Upon a Frosted Star where The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake.
We also find some new gems in the RNIB Talking Books library.
Out now is Ava Glass’s second book in the Alia Emma series, The Traitor. Ava joins us to talk about her background as a journalist in America and with MI5 and MI6 in the UK and how it all shaped her main character.
We also hear some new books in the RNIB Talking Books Library.
As RNIB Connect Radio turns 20, Read On this week looks at books of the same vintage.
2003 was a great year for books with bestsellers including Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, The DaVinci Code and even The Atkins Diet. Robert Kirkwood picks five books from 2003 available from the Talking Books library, and we chat to authors Lynne Truss (Eats, Shoots and Leaves), Mark Haddow (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time) and Bill Bryson (A Short History of Nearly Everything).
Plus, as always, we find some new gems in the library.
This week Robert Kirkwood is joined again by Charlotte Levin, who was last on the show with her debut novel, 'If I can't Have You' which was released at the height of lockdown. Now a few years later, Charlotte is back to discuss a gripping, darkly comic tale of searing loss, coercive control and the consequences of taking the wrong path, her new novel 'If I Let You Go' ... and also to blame Robert for her new, full blown, audiobook addiction
Plus we find four new gems in the Talking Books library.
A sporty feel in today's show as we chat to commentator Mike Ingham about his book 'After Extra Time and Penalties: Memories of a BBC Football Correspondent' and why he had to narrate the audio version. John Carlin tells us about his book 'Playing the Enemy' and the Rugby World Cup Final that united South Africa, plus we find some old and new books about sport in the RNIB Talking Books library.
In today's show, two extreme travellers. We hear about Royal Marine Commando Mick Dawson 'Rowing the Pacific' and his subsequent adventure with ex-marine Sparky Sparkes, who was not only a rowing novice, but also blind.
Plus 25 years on, we revisit Chris Stewart, the eternal optimist. A man who flies to Spain, sees a peasant farm on the wrong side of the river and, with scarcely a second thought, hands over a cash deposit, as documented in 'Driving Over Lemons'
Plus we find four new gems in the Talking Books Library.
In today's show we've been banged up! We hear the real life story about a prisoner of war escaping jail and execution as his cell was destroyed in the Dresden bombings, Rachel Kushner tells Robert Kirkwood about her jail novel, The Mars Room, and real life prisoner Erwin James talks about learning Braille in jail.
We'll also find four new gems in the Talking Books Library.
In today's show author Maggie Craig tells Robert Kirkwood about the six books in her Glasgow and Clydebank Sagas and the people and places that inspired them. She also talks about her non-fiction history books, a forgotten hero, and gives us the books of her life. Plus we find some brand new titles entering the Talking Book library.
On today's show Cathy Bramley tells us about old fears, happy endings and new beginnings in The Summer that Changed Us, Monty Don tells Robert Kirkwood about his French Garden Journey, we find some new books generously donated to the RNIB Talking Books Library by some top UK audio publishers and end the show with some self-help books for summer.
Today is the second part of Robert Kirkwood's interview with broadcaster and author Selina Mills about her brand-new book 'Life Unseen: A Story of Blindness', today looking at technology, education and asking, 'What is Blindness?'
We also find four new gems in the Talking Books Library.
In today's show we have the first part of an interview with broadcaster and author Selina Mills about her brand-new book 'Life Unseen: A Story of Blindness' a personal and unsentimental historical quest through the lives, stories and achievements of blind people.
We also find some new books in the RNIB library and get the books of your life from film-maker Antony Baxter.
Joe Haddow is a super-fan of all forms of art. He is on a mission to show everyone how art can be found in so many different places, and created by so many different people.
Robert Kirkwood chats to Joe about this inspiring, friendly guide to art and why it matters.
Plus with Lynne Livingston of RNIB we find four great new gems in the Talking Book Library.
In today's show we talk to three very different narrators. Joan Walker talks to us about other publications recorded at the studios, Tam Dean Burn tells Robert Kirkwood how he became the voice of Irvine Welsh and Stephanie Ellyne talks about one the hardest books she has ever narrated.
Plus we hear about some books available from RNIB in the Summer Reading Challenge and also some new books entering the RNIB library with Lynne Livingston.
Today Amelia Hilton chats to author Elodie Harper about her Wolf Den Trilogy, we get the books of your life from Louise Finch, hear some new books in the RNIB Library and find out the winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal for writing.
Today we chat to the three remaining authors on the Yoto Carnegie Shortlist. Katya Balen on the sweet but turbulent, 'The Light in Everything', Louise Finch gets us caught in a time loop with 'The Eternal Return of Clara Hart' and Sita Brahmachari finds light in the tragedy and trauma of 'When Shadows Fall'.
Plus with Lynne Livingston, we find some new books in the RNIB Library.
This week we listen to two more books shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal.
Forget everything you've been told about Medusa as author Jessie Burton flips the script in this astonishing retelling of Greek myth. Plus a powerful and heart-rending exploration of a teenager's journey through grief, rage and getting caught in the criminal justice system in the book Needle from author Patrice Lawrence.
Plus with Lynne Livingston we find some new gems in the RNIB Talking Book Library.
Two interviews about HiVis fortnight and accessibility in local libraries. Robert Kirkwood talks to Lara Marshall of RNIB and Hywel Davies chats to Mark McCree from Reading Sight
In our first show featuring the shortlisted authors for this year's Yoto Carnegie Medal, Manon Steffan Ros talks about writing and translating 'The Blue Book of Nebo' and Ruta Sepetys takes us to Romania in her chilling book, 'I Must Betray You'.
Plus with Lynne Livingston we find out what's new in the RNIB Library.
In the second of two Boswell Book Festival shows, Robert Kirkwood talks to Michael Morpurgo about 'The Boy Who Would Be King' and why we should leave Roald Dhal books alone, Esme Young from Sewing Bee goes 'Behind the Seams', Val McDermid says why her books '1979' and '1989' were written due to Covid, and Andrew Cotter decides which one of his labs, Olive or Mabel, would make the better guide dog.
Plus, with Lynne Livingston, we look for some non-fiction books in the Talking Books library.
In the first of two Boswell Book Festival shows, Robert Kirkwood talks to Boswell expert Gordon Turnbull about Boswell's travel writing, takes a journey through history, nature and the people of a Bulgarian valley with Katba Kassabova and her book Elixir and talks to reluctant TV stars Giles and Mary from Gogglebox about the peaks and troughs of county life. Plus, in the spirit of the Boswell festival we find four new biographies in the Talking Books Library.
At seven months pregnant, Victoria Bennett was looking forward to new motherhood and all that was to come. But when the telephone rang, the news she received changed everything.
In today's episode we chat to Victoria Bennett about her memoir All My Wild Mothers, the story of how sometimes life grows, not in spite of what is broken, but because of it.
Plus with Lynne Livingston we find three new gems in the RNIB Talking Books Library.
In today's show we hear about the history of coronations with author Lucinda Gosling, hear some books by, and about, King Charles, and talk to Baroness Glenconner about her book Lady in Waiting - My Life in the Shadow of the Crown. Plus Lynne Livingston will be along with her round up of some new books entering the Talking Books Library
There are so many books entering the RNIB Talking Book Library at the moment it can be hard to keep up, so with help from audio publisher Dominic Gribben from Hachette, senior audio manager at Orion, Paul Stark and Lynne Livingston from RNIB Library, Robert Kirkwood takes a deep dive to find some new gems.
The Invisible Pen and The Power of Words - two fascinating worlds of writing and speaking.
Marcia Layton Turner has written over 30 books, and her work has appeared in major publications such as The New York Times and USA Today. She will share her secrets on how to bring someone else's story to life, the importance of trust and communication in the ghostwriting process, and how to maintain authenticity while writing for someone else.
Blazin’ Blake Lindsay, is a blind motivational speaker and life coach He will share his wisdom on the power of words and how to inspire and motivate others. Blake has spoken to audiences across the globe, and he knows how to use his words to make a lasting impact. He will discuss the art of storytelling, the role of vulnerability in public speaking, and the importance of connecting with your audience.
Robert Kirkwood talks to debut author Ryan Love about the brand new 'warm hug' of a book, Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out
Plus we listen back to a chat with an author and presenter listed in The Independent's list of most influential gay people, Neil McGregor
From the sinking of the Titanic, Great Britain's Great War and the importance of preserving historical audio this show explores great works of history available from RNIB Talking Books, and even the history of RNIB itself.
From the 166 voices in Lincoln in the Bardo, the dramatisation of a selection of 2000AD comics, or the multiple voices in The Golden Compass, today we explore the world of audiobooks that feature multiple voice actors.
Featuring interviews with author George Saunders and head of audio production at Penguin Random House, Chris Thompson, join us as we dive into the world of multi-voice audiobooks and discover the magic that comes from hearing a story come to life through the voices of multiple talented actors.
This week, let's explore the fascinating world of translating books. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of language and the art of transforming literary works from one tongue to another. Nicola Smalley chats about her work translating Norwegian and Swedish into English and instead of a 'books of your life' she gives us three favourites she's translated. Plus we listen back to how 'The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree' was translated from Italian.
Today's show features a celebration of, and a chat with, one of the most distinctive and prolific voices in the RNIB Talking Books library, who first recorded for RNIB around 60 years ago, Gabriel Woolf.
From All Quiet on the Western Front, to 12 Years a Slave, and possibly returning to All Quiet on the Western Front, many winners of the Best Picture Oscar have been based on books. Robert Kirkwood grabs some popcorn and explores which of those books including Forest Gump, Silence of the Lambs, Gone with the Wind and the Godfather, amongst many others, are available in the RNIB Talking Books library.
This week blind author Ami Turnbull tells the Tech Talk team how she wrote her book 'More!', we talk to children's author Laura Ellen Anderson about Amelia Fang and being a previous World Book Day Book author and we hear all 13 titles that blind and partially sighted children can get for free on this year's World Book Day.
On today's show Robert Kirkwood chats to Catherine Simpson about her memoir One Body: A Retrospective and how anyone can pick up a free audio copy on World Book Night.
Rosanna Amaka weaves together the realities of war and the pain of first love in the brand new book 'Rose and the Burma Sky'.
We also get some more healthy book recommendations from Paulina Kuchorew and Barry Snell talks to someone who has been volunteering with Talking Books for over 50 years.
In today's show we talk to C.K. McDonnell about his series of books, The Stranger Times, including the brand new book 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and also the "increasingly inaccurately titled" Dublin Trilogy.
In today's episode we hear from author Jon Gingerich about his book The Appetite Factory, and how he raced to finish the book as his eyesight failed.
We chat to our friends at Tech Talk about the new batch of AI narrators that are reading commercially available audiobooks.
And we chat to a proper human narrator and voice of everything from Daleks to Peppa Pig's grandpa via Parker in Thunderbirds, David Graham.
This week Paulina Kuchorew talks to Meik Wiking about his book, My Hygge Home, Robert Kirkwood talks to Professor Richard Wiseman about fear, magic and smiling, Amelia Hilton reviews Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton and we get the books of your life from Booker shortlisted author Percival Everett
On today's show we get some healthy book recommendations from the RNIB Talking Books Library, hear the Books of Your Life from Booker shortlisted author Claire Keegan, listen to Candida McWilliam's 'What to Look for in Winter - A Memoir in Blindness' and there's some news for RNIB Library members.
On today's Read On we remember Fay Weldon and play her interview with Robert Kirkwood from the RNIB Talking Book Studios. We review Richard Osman's 'The Bullet that Missed', talk to Jonathan Dimbleby about 'Destiny in the Desert' and hear the Books of Your Life from twice Booker shortlisted author NoViolet Bulawayo.
'Tune in Tomorrow' is a funny, thrilling and mysterious adventure into the world of alternate reality television. We speak to both author Randee Dawn and narrator Rebecca LaChance about 'The Curious, Calamitous, Cockamamie Story Of Starr Weatherby And The Greatest Mythic Reality Show Ever'
A compilation of the times we escaped the studio and got out and about, featuring Nigel Havers, Kate Williams, George Dunn, Eric Motley, Bill Clegg KC and a complete history of Boswell and his eponymous festival.
Timmy Mallet joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about the best gifts to give for Christmas and about how his late brother with Down's Syndrome was the inspiration for an epic journey detailed in his book, 'Utterly Brilliant, My Life's Journey', plus we hear from Noddy Holder about his acting career and how the Slade song 'Merry Xmas Everybody' was recorded.
In the 300th episode of Read On we listen back to the three most popular interviews as judged by podcast downloads, comedian Limmy, travel writer and historian Bill Bryson and Sandman author Neil Gaiman. Plus there are honourable mentions from Nigella Lawson, Alan Bennett, a small story about RNIB Talking Books from Joanna Lumley, and a cameo from a past host of the show.
Fiona Lucas deals with memory loss and hope for lost love in 'Never Forget You'
Amelia Henley tells us an emotional story about love and second chances in 'From Now On'
Plus Robert Kirkwood finds some Christmas reads in the RNIB Library.
Robert Kirkwood listens back to some winners of the Booker Prize including George Saunders, Richard Flanagan, Eleanor Catton and Marlon James, plus we have the Books of Your Life from this year's winner, Shehan Karunatilaka.
Alan Garner joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about the origin of his Booker Shortlisted book, Treacle Walker. Plus we listen back to an interview with J.O. Morgan after he recorded his Costa poetry winning book, 'Assurances' exclusively for RNIB Talking Books.
Author Jan Grue talks to Paulina Kuchorew about his autobiography 'I Live a Life Like Yours' now available in an English translation as an audiobook,
Melanie Reid discusses her book, 'The World I fell Out Of',
Amelia Hilton finds out about a new sustainable bookshop in the borders,
And as the hype builds for the world cup, Robert Kirkwood finds some RNIB Talking Books for the armchair sportsman.
Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place across the country, this year taking place from the 14th to the 20th of November.
Every year, Scottish Book Trust ask people to share stories as part of our 'Your Stories' campaign and feature all the stories on their website. They then include a handful of our favourites in a free book for Book Week Scotland. This year's theme is Scotland’s Stories.
The audio version of the Book Week Scotland Book is always produced by RNIB, with many of the stories being recorded at home by the authors. Today's show is a small selection of those tales.
For the whole audiobook or ebook click HERE
Jenny Ashcroft tells Robert Kirkwood about her most personal novel to date, The Echoes of Love, Elizabeth Strout tells Toby Davey about Booker shortlisted Oh William!, and after his passing Robert listens back to the only time his Dad was on the show, proudly talking about the replica printing press he conceived to celebrate Robert Burns' Kilmarnock Edition.
Helen Fields talks to Robert Kirkwood about 'The Last Girl to Die' a haunting mystery set on the ancient ocean-battered Isle of Mull.
And as we experience political turmoil, we listen back to Red Szell's chat with John Bew about his biography of Atlee, 'Citizen Clem'
All That's Left Unsaid is an "unmissable and compelling" debut novel from Tracy Lien, subject to a nine way auction in the UK and USA, she joins Robert Kirkwood to chat about her book and explains the model minority.
Also today, we hear from the familiar voice of narrator Garrick Hagon, actor, producer and X-Wing Pilot!
Robert Kirkwood interviews Shehan Karunatilaka about his Booker winning book The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida ... and off screen had a grey beard off!
We talk to four of the six Booker shortlisted authors (with the other two coming soon)
Percival Everett with The Trees, in which a violent history refuses to be buried.
NoViolet Bulawayo with her re-telling of Animal Farm, Glory.
Shehan Karunatilaka with his murder mystery The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
And Claire Keegan with Small Things Like These, which is aptly titled as it's the shortest book ever to be on the shortlist.
In a packed show recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival, Robert Kirkwood chats to a whole host of writers, including three very different historians, Nick Jubber on the Fairy Tellers, Alex von Tunzelmann on toppled statues in Fallen Idols and Estelle Paranque on Fire, Blood and Gold - the relationship between Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici.
There are some Wigtown natives ... we speak to storyteller Renita Boyle, and bookshop diarist Shaun Bythell.
Plus a trio of female Scottish writers, Olga Wojtas on Maria Blane's Prefect, Lynne McEwan on Dead Man Deep and In Dark Water plus recent guest on the show Elissa Soave on her debut Ginger and Me.
Dame Hilary Mantel, author of the Wolf Hall trilogy, has died aged 70
A statement from her publisher reads, "We are heartbroken at the death of our beloved author, Dame Hilary Mantel. Our thoughts are with her friends and family, especially her husband, Gerald. This is a devastating loss and we can only be grateful she left us with such a magnificent body of work."
When The Mirror and the Light was published I put together this little biography combining the two times she joined me on air, and the picture accompanying this tribute is Dame Hilary in the RNIB Talking Book studios proudly displaying her 2009 Booker Prize.
Josie Lloyd chats to Robert Kirkwood about her books The Cancer Ladies Running Club, Come Together and her new book, Lifesaving for Beginners plus fresh from the Booker Shortlist announcement we hear from head judge Neil MacGregor.
Red Szell chats to Joseph Coelho about becoming the new children's laureate, we listen back to a live interview with John Gordon Sinclair with Robert Kirkwood on stage at the Edinburgh Book Festival and as the Booker shortlist is released we hear from former winner Bernardine Evaristo with the books of her life.
Philip Reeve, author of Mortal Engines, tells us all about his new book Utterly Dark and the Heart of the Wild plus we listen back to the Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour Jamboree with Jacqueline Wilson, Chris Riddell, Pamela Butchart and Cressida Cowell.
Another listen back to some stand ups, comedy performers and funny people who've popped up over the years, this time with Julian Clary, Helen Lederer, Eddie Izzard, Cariad Lloyd, Richard Herring and Limmy.
A listen back to some funny people who've popped up on Read On, featuring Robin Ince, Susan Calman, Tony Hawks, Michael Palin, Jo Brand and Phill Jupitus.
Lexie Elliot joins Robert Kirkwood to discuss her psychological thriller, How To Kill Your Best Friend.
We travel back in time to discover the origins of a hidden gem in the Talking Books library, the specially commissioned book series, Elsewhere.
Plus Juliet Stevenson talks to Red Szell about narrating for RNIB.
Bruce Horak is the first blind actor with a lead role in Star Trek. He talks to Robert Kirkwood about his life, from losing his sight as a toddler to cancer, through his career as an artist and performer, to stepping onto the bridge of the Enterprise.
We also learn about Marcus Berkmann's book Set Phasers to Stun, and hear books narrated by William Shatner and the late Nichelle Nichols.
Elissa Soave tells Robert Kirkwood about her debut novel Ginger and Me, actor turned author Ross Armstrong takes Red Szell to a luxury private island in his murderous new thriller The Getaway and Robert asks some Talking Book narrators about what keeps them coming back.
Picture shows the cover of Ginger and Me by Elissa Soave. Orange text on a black and white photo of a young lady balancing on a tram track in the city with a Tunnock's sign in the background
In Red Szell's last show as presenter, Robert Kirkwood takes Red back through some of his favourite interviews with John LeCarre, Natalie Haynes, Lucy Scott and Al Petrie, Jessica Townsend and more.
Frances Liardet explores old wounds and new beginnings in the follow-up to her international bestseller 'We Must be Brave' .
Rebecca Stott transports us back to derelict London, 100 years after the Roman withdrawal from Britain, in her new novel 'Dark Earth'.
And we return to Frances Liardet for the Books of Your Life.
Jason Roberts talks to Red Szell about his biography of the blind traveller James Holman (Starts at 1.00)
Jasper Winn on his sea kayak adventure documented in his book 'Paddle, A Long Way Around Ireland' (Starts at 28.00)
John Keay chats to Robert Kirkwood about his books China, and Eccentric Travellers. (Starts at 38.00)
Chris McMillan talks about China Vision and the importance of literacy (starts at 43.00)
This week we'll be considering some of the less savoury consequences of human civilization:
Ruta Sepetys takes us behind the Iron Curtain and back to Ceausescu’s Romania, in her gripping new novel 'I Must Betray You'.
We visit the slums of modern day India through the pages of Varsha Shah’s dazzling debut 'Ajay and the Mumbai Sun'.
David Farrier considers how the items that we discard will inform on us for generations to come in 'Footprints'.
And we return to Varsha Shah for the Books of Your Life.
This week we're coming from The British Library, and the award ceremony for this year’s Yoto Carnegie Medal.
Yusef Salaam tells us about his experience as a member of the Exonerated Five and how it fed into 'Punching the Air'.
We go back to 2021 winner, Jason Reynolds, who examines the walk home from school in 'Look Both Ways'.
Lynne Livingstone, Manjeet Mann and Derek Atta stop by for a quick chat at the awards.
And we speak to the 2022 winner on the excitement of winning - and the Books of Their Life!
A Thriller Special!
Scott Kershaw reveals how a spate of dog-nappings inspired his chilling high-concept thriller ‘The Game’.
Femi Kayode transports us to Nigeria for his tense thriller, ‘Lightseekers’.
CJ Tudor tells us how an innocent game with her daughter morphed into her creepy debut 'The Chalk Man'.
And we return to Scott Kershaw for the Books of His Life.
This week we will be taking a look at more of the books short-listed for this year’s Yoto Carnegie Medal.
Katya Balen helps us find some inner-city wilderness and ponders our possessions in 'October, October'.
Phil Earle takes us to London during the blitz, where a gorilla changes the life of an angry boy in 'When the Sky Falls'.
Sue Divin looks to bridge sectarian divides in her Derry-based debut 'Guard Your Heart'.
And we return to Katya Balen for the Books of Your Life.
This week we're celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Sarah, Duchess of York, will share some royal reminiscences and explore her own lineage through her new historical romance ‘Her Heart For a Compass’.
Robert Kirkwood discovers some Crown jewels in the RNIB Library.
Onjali Q Rauf takes us on a right royal adventure as ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class' struggles to keep a royal appointment.
Hannah Tausz celebrates some of the great reads from across The Commonwealth among the 70 titles selected for The Big Jubilee Read.
And we return to Sarah, Duchess of York, for the Books of Your Life.
Robert Kirkwood takes us to Dumfries House in Ayrshire for the Boswell Book Festival, the world's only festival of biography and memoir.
We hear from Keith Brymer Jones, host of the Great Pottery Throwdown and author of Boy in a China Shop,
Katherine McInnes tells us about the Snow Widows left behind by Scott's ill-fated South Pole mission,
Andrew O'Hagan talks about his book Mayflies and his old job at Blind Veterans UK,
Emma Soames edits her mother's diaries for Mary Churchill's War,
Giles Milton has some Fascinating Footnotes from History,
Frank Skinner and Denise Mina talk about retracing Johnson and Boswell's Grand Tour of Scotland,
Lady Glenconner talks about her depiction in The Crown and narrating an audiobook at 89, and we return to Keith Brymer Jones for the books of his life.
The first of our Yoto Carnegie Medal specials!
Julian Sedgwick blends prose and manga to revisiting the aftermath of the Fukishima nuclear catastrophe in 'Tsunami Girl'.
Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock tackles teen issues in her series of short stories 'Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town'.
Manjeet Man explores the things we have in common, no matter where we come from, through her verse novel 'The Crossing'.
And we return to Julian Sedgwick for The Books of Your Life.
This week, we’re focussing on blind authors:
Fiona Scott-Barrett charts the journey of her book ‘The Exit Facility’ from first concept to fully accessible print and audiobook.
84-year-old debut author Jill Fry describes what life was like for her as a low-vision child in her memoir ‘Born Too Soon’.
Blind crime writer Mark Hardie shares some of the tricks of his trade.
I dust off a gem written by a man who lost his sight when his brother shot him in the eye with an arrow!
And we return to Fiona Scott-Barrett for the Books of Your Life.
Ahead of the Yoto Carnegie Medal, we will be considering how children’s books approach some of the more sensitive topics life has to offer:
LD Lapinski takes us to a dark place in the final adventure with her Strangeworlds Travel Agency
Kwame Alexander gets poetic as he considers bereavement in his novel 'Rebound'.
Angie Thomas addresses gun violence and racism in her breath-taking debut 'The Hate U Give'.
Lou Kuenzler tells us how she approached writing a story aimed at giving early years readers a better understanding of sight loss.
And we return to LD Lapinski for the Books of Your Life.
We’re investigating some novels inspired by the Golden Age of Crime-writing:
Louise Hare takes us onboard the Queen Mary for a transatlantic cruise with a side-order of murder, in her new book 'Miss Aldridge Regrets'.
Stuart Turton blends Agatha Christie, Cluedo, Groundhog Day and Quantum Leap then lets the murder and mayhem fizz, in his dazzling debut 'The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle'.
Vicki Goldie introduces us to her blind detective and reveals how he was inspired by both her husband and Agatha Christie!
And we return to Louise Hare for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’ve got a crime scene special:
Former CSI T Orr Munro reveals how her work in the field informed her debut thriller 'Breakneck Point'.
Graeme Macrae Burnet discusses the real crime memoir that inspired him to write 'His Bloody Project'.
Emma Flint re-examines the evidence in one of the most notorious unsolved crimes in American history in her novel ‘Little Deaths’.
And we return to T Orr Munro for the Books of Your Life.
World War II may be over for the shop girls of Marlow’s, but as their creator Joanna Toye tells us, post-war Britain still has its battles, in 'Wedding Bells for the Victory Girls'.
Children’s author Jane Clarke helps us celebrate Easter with some try-this-at-home experiments and an ostrich egg.
And narrator Becky Wright reveals some of the highs and lows of her recording career.
This week there is a musical note to proceedings:
As Bob Dylan turns 80, Spencer Leigh takes us back down some of the many routes taken by this most mercurial of musicians.
We catch up with the Bookshop Band and hear how they condense tomes into tunes.
Is it a book or an album? Well both actually; Laura Barnett discusses her multimedia novel 'Greatest Hits'.
And Penny Melville-Brown helps us get in tune with Scandinavian crime fiction.
Dr Ranj Singh will talk us through his new book ‘Brain Power’.
A group of RNIB Talking Book narrators including Steve Hodson will be sharing some favourite titles.
And Professor Richard Wiseman will discuss the psychology of fear, and share a tip that is guaranteed to make you smile.
This week we’ve got a Mother’s Day special:
Erica James examines the shift in family dynamics that occurs when children grow up and start acting like parents, in her new novel 'Mothers and Daughters'.
Alex Hyde talks to Hannah Tausz about her debut novel 'Violets', a story of motherhood set at the end of World War II.
Juliet Stevenson reveals why she likes nothing better than narrating a great big novel for the RNIB.And we return to Erica James for the Books of Your Life
Sophie Haydock introduces us to the four women who dared to model for controversial Austrian artist Egon Schiele in 'The Flames'.
Top actor Adjoa Andoh looks back on the long and varied list of books that she has brought to life as an RNIB narrator.
Best-selling author Mark Sullivan retells the story of an extraordinary escape from Ukraine during World War II.
And we return to Sophie Haydock for the Books of Your Life.
Cathy Bramley explores the regenerative power of friendship and laughter in her new novel 'The Summer that Changed Us'.
RNIB Publishing Relationships Manager Richard Holmes opens his Library to share some of the books that he has been enjoying.
The Former Director of the British Museum reveals the inspiration behind A History of the World in 100 Objects.
And we return to Cathy Bramley for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’re leafing back through the pages of historical non-fiction.
Journalist and author John Carlin gives us a first-hand account of the day that South Africa had a Glimpse of Utopia
Jeremy Paxman talks to Robert Kirkwood about 'Britain's Great War'
Narrator Sherri Baines reveals how parliament tried to stop women getting the vote
I receive a history lesson from the RNIB librarians.
And Kate Summerscale shares her love of storytelling through the Books of Her Life.
We’ll be celebrating World Book Day with Lynne Livingstone and taking a look at some of the wonderful stories on offer from The RNIB Library.
Paulina Kuchorew goes in search of Practical Happiness with Pamela Gail Johnson, the founder of the Society of Happy People.
Onjali Q Rauf shares a right royal adventure featuring The Boy at the Back of the Class.
And Jenni Murray shares the books of her life.
Dr Richard Firth-Godbehere explores 'A Human History of Emotions', and explains the role that emotions have played in shaping society.
Sarah Stovell takes a wry look at the maxim that you should never criticise how 'Other Parents' bring up their kids.
We meet Regina Regan, the perfect candidate to narrate Mary Berry’s autobiography!
And we return to Dr Richard Firth-Godbehere for the Books of Your Life.
We take a dystopian trip to the near future with partially sighted author Fiona Scott-Barrett.
The former host of Woman’s Hour, Jenni Murray discusses her book 'A History of the World in 21 Women'.
We meet Becky Wright, the RNIB narrator who proves that there’s life after death in The Archers.
And we return to Fiona Scott-Barrett for the Books of Your Life.
To celebrate the announcement of the winner of the 2021 Costa Book of the Year Award this week, Read On will be looking back over some of the Costa highlights from previous years, including:
Our interview with Hilary Mantel when ‘Bring Up the Bodies’ won Best Novel in 2013.
Ali Smith discussing her novel ‘How to Be Both’.
A review of Frances Hardinge’s brilliant story for Young adults ‘The Lie Tree’.
And award-winning poet J.O. Morgan on recording his epic poem ‘Assurances’ as a Talking Book.
And of course we will also bring you the reaction of this year’s winner, poet Hannah Lowe, on winning this most popular of British literary awards.
In this, the second of our episodes on the Costa Book Awards, we introduce you to some of this year's winners.
Claire Fuller, winner of the Novel Award, talks about 'Unsettled Ground' and the pitfalls of rural isolation.
Manjeet Mann, winner of the Children's Book Award, introduces us to Natalie and Sammy, two teenagers from different sides of the world, in 'The Crossing'.
And John Preston, winner of the Biography Award, unveils the complex character of media mogul Robert Maxwell in 'Fall'.
In this, the first of our episodes on the Costa Book Awards, we introduce you to some of this year's winners.
Caleb Azumah Nelson, winner of the Debut Novel Award, introduces us to 'Open Water'.
Hannah Lowe discusses the influence of teaching in an inner city school on her book 'The Kids', winner of the Poetry Award.
We look back at last year's overall winner, Monique Roffey, with her enchanting tale 'The Mermaid of Black Conch'.
And we return to Caleb Azumah Nelson for the Books of Your Life.
Maud Rowell urges us to see visual impairment differently in her new book 'Blindspot'
Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger introduces us to 'The Woman at the Gates', the story of how Ukrainian resistance fighters tried to save their country from both Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany during World War II.
Founder of the Happiness Institute, Meik Wiking, has some tips to brighten up the long winter nights.
And we return to Maud Rowell for the Books of Your Life.
This week a snowy special:
Lucy Foley takes us to the Scottish Highlands in her chilling crime thriller ‘The Hunting Party’.
Robert introduces Red to a comedy classic set on the slopes of a Himalayan mountain.
Sir Chris Bonington shares some of his own, real life, tales from the snowy peaks.
And we discover more about another cool customer at home in winter conditions – the robin.
We look back at the Best of Read On 2021, Part 2.
Helen Fisher introduces us to a terrific time-travel story with a strong and positive link to sight loss.
We’ll meet down-at-heel Victorian gum-shoe William Arrowood and his creator Mick Finlay.
The Blind Poet Dave Steele gives us an exclusive preview of his new series of children’s stories in verse.
We’ll hear how 81-year old Ann Rachlin built a home studio to record Talking Books for the RNIB Library during lockdown.
And I share an out-of-this world conversation with astronaut Tim Peake!
We bring you the Best of Read On 2021, Part 1.
Costa Book of the Year Award winner Monique Roffey introduces us to The Mermaid of Black Conch.
We’ll meet an extraordinary veteran of the First World War who flew a biplane to Darjeeling then set out to become the first man to conquer Everest.
Kate Wilkinson takes us onto the London Underground and into the magical world of Edie and The Box of Flits.
Top children’s author Jason Reynolds shares his reaction to winning the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal.
And RNIB volunteer and blind chef Kim Jaye shares her love of reading Through the Books of Her Life.
We go back in time to uncover the untold history of the talking book and the roots of the RNIB Library.
Robert Kirkwood gets a fascinating insight into the fragile history of libraries through the ages.
CILIP Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Joseph Coelho discusses the vital role that libraries have played in his life.
Museum expert Rachel Morris tells Robert what she found in the boxes under her bed!
And we return to the authors of The Library: A Fragile History for the Books of Your Life.
Val Wood discusses her new historical romance Children of Fortune and reveals how it was shaped by lockdown.
Robert Kirkwood explores a true historical crime with tartan noir author Denise Mina.
I meet one of the RNIB Talking Books studio’s most prolific narrators, Jeff Harding.
Robert gets a lesson in how to love animals from author Henry Mance.
And we return to Val Wood for the Books of Your Life.
Anita Frank discusses her new novel 'The Return', and reflects on the changing landscape of the home front during World War II.
After the success of 'The Tower' on TV, I discuss where the series goes next with its author Kate London.
We meet doyen of Audio Description Di Langford and explore her history as a Talking Books narrator.
And we return to Anita Frank for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’re reflecting on the regenerative power of nature.
Salley Vickers discusses her new novel 'The Gardener' and how it grew out of her long affinity with trees and gardens.
Environmentalist Mark Lynas gives us 'Our Final Warning' about climate change and outlines the bitter harvest we will reap if we ignore it.
Ellie Marsh goes digging in the RNIB Library to bring us a crop of titles that focus on the environment.
Robert Kirkwood hears about some of the highs and lows of leading a more sustainable life from drummer turned farmer Chris Stewart.
And we return to Salley Vickers for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’re all at sea!
I discuss a mysterious case of people who can change into seals at the full moon, with author Melanie Golding.
Ellie Marsh goes behind the scenes to explore 'The North Water' with its author Ian McGuire.
Robert Kirkwood drops in on the recording of 'The Shark and The Albatross' with wildlife film maker John Aitcheson.
And we return to Ian McGuire for the Books of Your Life.
91-year-old author Hilma Wolitzer discusses her new collection of short stories 'Today A Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket'.
Sir Derek Jacobi reflects on his long and distinguished career and reveals some studio secrets about his work as a narrator.
And Robert Kingett reveals how and why he set out to compile a collection of short stories written by blind authors.
Robert Kirkwood travels to a real life book festival for the first time in a few years!
Read On this week was recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival and features...
Booker Shortlisted author Graham Macrae Burnet on his new novel, Case Study (Starts at 1.56)
Comedian Robin Ince on The Importance of being Interested (11.11)
Girl on the Train author, Paula Hawkins on A Slow Fire Burning; (25.53)
Autograph Hunter Adam Andrusier on Two Hitlers and a Marylin (31.41)
We get the Books of My Life from literary editor of the Scotsman, Stuart Kelly. (48.13)
Plus as an online bonus we also get the Books oy My Life from Graham Macrae Burnet (58.20)
This week we’ve got the second of our special episodes focussing on the novels shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize.
Richard Powers reveals how a '60s sci-fi classic inspired him to create his latest novel, 'Bewilderment'.
Patricia Lockwood reveals her close links to sight loss, as we discuss her razor sharp novel, 'No One is Talking About This'.
And we take 'A Passage North' through war-ravaged Sri Lanka with author Anuk Arudpragasam.
This week we’re taking a look at some of the novels shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize:
Maggie Shipstead considers the significant role played by women in the early history of aviation in her barnstorming novel 'Great Circle'.
Damon Galgut takes a wry look at life, death and the broken promise of post-Apartheid South Africa.
Nadifa Mohamed transports us back to 1950s Cardiff to re-examine a notorious miscarriage of justice.
And we return to Maggie Shipstead for the Books of Her Life.
Alison MacLeod reimagines the circumstances surrounding the writing and suppression of 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover'.
We celebrate National Poetry Day with a world exclusive from The Blind Poet.
Lisa Hall takes us to Britain’s most haunted village and introduces us to 'The Woman In the Woods'.
And we return to Alison MacLeod for the Books of Your Life.
Award-winning author Shirley Mann reveals how moved she was by the reaction of an RNIB Library customer to one of her novels.
Loyal listener Penny Melville-Brown reviews some cat-and-mouse thrillers from the other side of the Atlantic.
Paralympic gold medallist Libby Clegg discusses her book, 'My Life with Hattie, A Dog who knows Everything'.
And we return to Shirley Mann for the Books of Your Life.
This week we are heading out into space!
Astronaut Tim Peake discusses his new sci-fi series for children and the risk that cosmic rays present to our eyes.
Journalist Andrew Smith reveals what happened to the astronauts who walked on the Moon after they touched back down on Earth, in his fascinating book 'Moondust’.
Robert Kirkwood goes boldly into the archives to seek out the works of fact and fiction inspired by space exploration.
And we return to Tim Peake for the Books of His Life.
Read On reporter Ellie Marsh revisits the Sunderland shipyards during wartime with author Nancy Revell.
We look back at the RNIB Talking Book's Narrators Picnic
I catch up with SD Robertson to discuss his latest novel 'The Daughter’s Choice'.
And we return to Nancy Revell for the Books of Your Life.
Award-winning author TC Boyle discusses chimpanzees, language and consciousness, with his new book 'Talk to Me'.
Narrator Caroline Lennon looks back on her long association with RNIB Talking Books, and the notorious role she played in The Archers.
Robert Kirkwood goes monster hunting with author Ian Mark.
And we return to TC Boyle for the Books of Your Life.
I’m your host Red Szell and this week we’re focusing on our furry friends.
Alex Milway transports us to 'Big Sky Mountain' and introduces us to Albert The Moose.
We travel back in time to 9/11 and hear the remarkable true story of the guide dog who led a group of survivors out of the wreckage of one of the Twin Towers.
I learn about the long and varied role that horses have played in human history.
And we return to Alex Milway to hear the Books of Your Life.
This week we’re talking about the experience of being a blind author.
Equestrian para-athlete Verity Smith tells us how she used a variety of voices to write her autobiography ‘The Groper’s Guide’.
Campaigning Paralympian Mike Brace reveals how he uses humour to help get his message across.
And Red dusts off a hidden gem that helped him come to terms with his own blindness.
This week we’ve got some terrific true stories to take on holiday with you. Richard Atkinson uncovers a tale of sugar, slavery and scandal at the heart of his family history in 'Mr Atkinson’s Rum Contract'.
We go ‘Beyond The 39 Steps’ to explore the remarkable life of author John Buchan, with his grand-daughter Ursula.
Kate Summerscale reinvestigates the original country house murder mystery.
And we return to Richard Atkinson for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’ve got some sizzling new summer titles for you. Queen of the rom-com Sophia Money-Coutts pokes fun at millionaires, marquises and matrimony in her joyous new novel ‘Did You Miss Me?’
Anna Kent imagines what happens when friends reuniting goes seriously wrong in her new novel 'The House of Whispers'.
Amanda Robson introduces Robert Kirkwood to the mother-in-law from hell in her latest novel, 'The Unwelcome Guest'!
And we return to Sophia Money-Coutts for the Books of Your Life
This week we’ve got some top new titles for the school summer holidays.
Kate Wilkinson takes us onto the London Underground and into the magical world of Edie and The Box of Flits.
We catch up with JM Joseph and his combustible hero Aidan Sweeney – aka Fireboy! Sarah Moore Fitzgerald wonders whether ‘All the Money in the World’ will really buy you happiness.
And we return to Kate Wilkinson for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’ve got some top choices for your summer reading list.
John Patrick McHugh discusses his hotly anticipated debut ‘Pure Gold’; and being friends with Sally Rooney.
Joanna Toye reveals what her Shop-girls have been up to as World War 2 draws to a close in ‘The Victory Girls’.
Arthur Turner shares his memoir about growing up as a blind child in the 1970s.
And we return to JP Mcugh for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’re heading out into the wilderness to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
Catherine Raven introduces us to her contemplative scientific memoir 'Fox and I'.
David Gange takes us kayaking down 'The Frayed Atlantic Edge' of the British Isles.
Read On producer Hannah Tausz investigates the work of wildlife inspired novelist Barbara Kingsolver.
And we return to Catherine Raven for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’ve got buckets of books for the summer break! Ellen Alpsten returns with 'The Tsarina’s Daughter', her next chapter in the astounding true story of the Russian royal family in the 18th century.
We hear about CKBK, an app that promises to be Spotify for cookbooks.
Lynne Livingstone brings us some great news about a flock of Penguins coming to the RNIB Talking Books Library. Claire Entwistle tells us how lockdown inspired her to write a memoir about her life with Nystagmus.
And we return to Ellen Alpsten for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’re examining some new cases inspired by classic detective series. Mick Finlay introduces us to Arrowood, his down-at-heel Victorian gumshoe. Stella Duffy confesses to being delighted and daunted at being asked to complete an unfinished mystery by Ngaio Marsh. Mitch Cullin imagines what a 93-year old Sherlock Holmes might be working on. NB Dixon reviews a new case for Hercule Poirot.
And we return to Mick Finlay for the Books of Your Life.
This week we’re investigating some notoriously great crimewriters! After the global success of 'The Silent Patient', Alex Michaelides discusses his follow-up, 'The Maidens', another gripping blend of psychology and mythology. Soon to be a major TV series, we revisit 'Post Mortem' in the company of murder squad detective turned author Kate London. Penny Melville-Brown brings us some left-field thrillers to enjoy. I review a classic slice of American noir from the pen of Michael Connolly.
And we return to Alex Michaelides for the Books of Your Life.
We're back! (Sort of)
Robert and Red join in the fun at this year's virtual Boswell Book Festival where this year you can hear ...
Andrew Marr interviewed by Dr William Zachs on both his and Boswell's journalistic careers.
Janey Godley chatting to Sally Magnusson about her autobiography, Handstands in the Dark.
Helen Lewis and Chris Bryant MP in a talk about history makers airbrushed from the history books, with their books Difficult Women and The Glamour Boys
And we hear how one commentator lifted our spirits in lockdown with his dogs Olive and Mabel. Andrew Cotter was interviewed by fellow sports writer Stewart Weir.
This week there’s music in the air!
Pulitzer prize-winning dramatist Quiara Alegria Hudes discusses her memoir 'My Broken Language', and working with Lin Manuel Miranda to bring his stage musical 'In The Heights' to the big screen. Australian author Maribel Steel introduces us to 'Blindness for Beginners' through her short story 'Tapping Rhythm Teaching Song'. Ann Rachlin proves that neither age nor disability need be a barrier to sharing the joy of music with others.
And we return to Quiara Alegria Hudes for the Books of Your Life.
We bring you the winner of this year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal, recognising the best in contemporary children’s literature!
Political commentator Ece Temelkuran discusses her new book 'Together: 10 Choices for a Better Now'. Best-selling author Mark Sullivan re-imagines an extraordinary true story from the Second World War in his new historical novel 'The Last Green Valley'. Red explores a political biography and the Glasgow shipyards with narrator David Monteith.
And we return to Mark Sullivan for the Books of Your Life.
Things get dark and dangerous in Adele Parks’ new psychological thriller 'Both of You'. Robert Kirkwood provides an overview of the six novels shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction. With just under a week to go before the winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal is announced, we return to last year’s winner – Anthony McGowan.
And we return to Adele Parks for the Books of Your Life.
Joseph Coelho discusses his Carnegie short-listed novel in verse – 'The Girl Who Became a Tree'; and the central role that libraries continue to play in his life. Narrators Kate Okello and Penelope Freeman reveal their very personal reasons for becoming Talking Book readers. Beth Morrey explores ways to overcome loneliness and grief in her bittersweet novel 'Saving Missy'.
And we return to Joseph for the Books of Your Life.
With the winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal due to be announced in just a couple of weeks, we talk to debut author Manjeet Mann, whose novel 'Run Rebel' is a must read. Narrator John Cormack shares his favourite reads, and his own surprising backstory. Red reviews a novel with a blind protagonist that is one of the most popular Books of Your Life selections among Read On guests.
And we return to Manjeet Mann for the Books of Your Life.
Lauren Wolk explores teenage resilience and alternative remedies in her Carnegie Medal shortlisted novel ‘Echo Mountain’. Connect Radio’s Ellie Marsh learns more about an exciting online book group with author Fiona Shaw. Sera Milano discusses her compelling new novel 'This Can Never Not Be True', with Robert Kirkwood. And loyal listener NB Dixon reviews a spine-tingling tale by Sarah Waters.
Best-selling author Josie Lloyd introduces us to 'The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club'. Narrator Paul Birchard shares his enthusiasm for an explosive Talking Book with Robert Kirkwood. And we continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist by going deep into the Snow Forest with author Sophie Anderson and 'The Girl Who Speaks Bear'.
We continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist with author Ruta Sepetys and and her novel 'The Fountains of Silence'.
Hollywood actress Joely Richardson reveals what it was that profoundly moved her when she visited the RNIB Talking Books studios.
Red reviews the spy story that 007 author Anthony Horowitz selected as one of the Books of His Life.
And we return to Ruta Sepetys for the Books of Her Life.
We continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist, with the author of ‘On Midnight Beach’, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick. Red reviews a classic Victorian suspense novel, 'Lady Audley’s Secret'. Lynne Truss takes us back to the 1950s for a seaside crime caper.
And we return to Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick for the Books of Your Life.
International best-seller B.A. Paris discusses her latest psychological thriller ‘The Therapist’.
Penny Melville-Brown introduces us to her favourite spy writer.
We continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist, with middle-grade sensation Jason Reynolds.
And we go back to B.A. Paris for the Books of Your Life.
Blind chef Kim Jaye tells us how lockdown inspired her to write two accessible cookbooks, and shares her passion for reading.
Narrator David John discusses the joys and challenges of recording Talking Books.
We begin our review of the shortlist for this year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal by interviewing former winner and 2021 contender, Elizabeth Acevedo.
And we go back to Kim Jaye for the Books of Your Life.
Femi Kayode transports us to Nigeria for his tense thriller, ‘Lightseekers’.
Children’s author Onjali Q Rauf introduces us to ‘The Boy at The Back of the Class’.
And Blind author Bill Skipworth discusses his memoir ‘Now I See’.
We learn how our canine companions can help us become better human beings, as Ericka Waller walks us through her novel 'Dog Days'.
Robert Kirkwood discovers how a selection of 2000AD graphic novels, including Judge Dredd, have been transformed into audio.
Bestselling children’s author, Frances Hardinge, gets darkly supernatural in her historical novel ‘A Skinful of Shadows’.
And we return to Ericka Waller for the Books of Your Life.
Fiona Lucas talks about moving on in her new novel 'The Last Goodbye', and tells us why writing for Mills and Boon was such a great apprenticeship. We go behind the scenes with actor Samuel West as he records new versions of the House Of Cards trilogy. Sita Brahmachari discusses the importance of tackling the big global issues in her books for children.
And we return to Fiona Lucas for the Books of Your Life
E.J. Harper introduces us to 'Lazarus Remembered', her novel on family and redemption, written specifically to be an immersive audiobook experience.
Andrew Cullum talks about his life as an audiobook narrator.
Jessica Townsend discusses the world of 'Nevermore' and her heroine, Morrigan Crow.
And we return to E.J. Harper for the Books of Her Life.
Richard Herring discusses 'The Problem with Men', his new book about toxic masculinity, and reveals the extra features available in the audiobook version.
Deborah Frances-White talks about turning The Guilty Feminist podcast into a bestselling audiobook.
And we take a look at some of the terrific titles available to younger listeners this World Book Day.
World Book Day on 4 March 2021 is all about celebrating the magic of books and reading.
RNIB is proud to continue to support World Book Day's mission to give every child and young person a book of their own, by making 13 titles available in audio (DAISY CD) and braille.
Titles can be pre-ordered from 1 February 2021 for despatch on 1 March 2021. Orders will be taken until 31 March 2021.
Titles are also available in large print (English) or giant print (Welsh). To order the English-language titles in large print, contact Guide Dogs by calling 0118 9838275. The Welsh-language title can be ordered in giant print by contacting the RNIB Helpline.
Only one title per person can be ordered, in one format.
Sarah Leipciger breathes new life into two historical figures and lets her imagination flow in her novel 'Coming Up for Air'. We celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month by revisiting 'How To Be Both' with author Ali Smith. And winner of last year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal for children’s literature, Anthony McGowan, discusses the series of books he has created for reluctant readers.
Journalist Saba Salman introduces us to 'Made Possible', a collection of stories that she hopes will change the public perception of people with learning disabilities.
Sarah Waters talks to Robert Kirkwood about 'The Little Stranger', a novel in which she changed era and also for the first time, the gender of the protagonist.
And children’s author Caroline Lawrence, famous for her 'Roman Mysteries', takes us to Ancient Greece with her 'Time Travel Diaries'.
CJ Skuse reveals why girl-next-door serial killer Rhiannon Lewis is feeling all at sea in her latest novel, 'Dead Head'. Costa winner Monique Roffey reveals which books have resonated most with her as a writer. Robert Kirkwood looks back on the day that creator of 'The Gruffalo', Julia Donaldson, visited the RNIB Talking Books Studios. We celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month by reviewing the short-story that became the Oscar-winning film 'Brokeback Mountain'.
And we return to CJ Skuse for the Books of Her Life.
Amy Raphael takes us back to The English Civil War in her new children’s adventure ‘The Forest of Moon and Sword ‘.
Story-teller and Talking Book narrator Giles Abbott reveals how sight loss has influenced the way he brings stories to life.
And Jane Harris transports us to Victorian Glasgow in her novel Gillespie and I.
Helen Fisher introduces us to Space Hopper, her must-read debut novel, featuring a blind character drawn from her years working at RNIB.
We bring you news of the winner of this year's Costa Book of the Year Award.
Narrator David Graham reminisces on his many years of working for RNIB, and the iconic roles he helped create in Thunderbirds and Dr Who.
And Laura Barnett brings words and music together in her soulful novel Greatest Hits.
This week Read On is focusing on The Costa Book Awards, which recognise the most enjoyable books published in the UK over the past year in five categories:
Novel, Debut Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Books.
The five category winners were selected earlier this month.
And next week, one overall winner will be crowned Costa Book of the Year, winning the author £30,000.
And Red Szell brings you interviews with four of the five authors in contention: Ingrid Persaud, Monique Roffey, Lee Lawrence and Natasha Farrant, and talks to the friend and publisher of Eavan Boland, who died shortly before she won the Costa Poetry Award.
In Read On this week, we are focusing on resilience:
Mick Dawson and blind veteran Steve Sparky Sparks discuss their gruelling journey to row across the Pacific Ocean.
Sarah Jane Douglas and Richard Frazer reveal the reconciliation each of them found through walking and contemplation.
Ed Caesar introduces us to 'The Moth and The Mountain': the extraordinary story of a World War One veteran who sought to climb Mount Everest.
And we return to Mick Dawson, to hear the books of his life.
Vicky Goldie reveals how working for RNIB and her own personal circumstances informed the character of her blind detective. Paul Mylrea reviews Ngaio Marsh's 'Scales of Justice'. Tim Finch discusses his novel Peace Talks, which has been short listed for the Costa Award.
And Anna Bell shares a cautionary tale in her new rom com We Just Clicked.
In this Read On 2020 Booker Prize special episode, host Red Szell interviews each of the six shortlisted authors, shares some fun facts about the world's most prestigious literary prize and reveals the winner through the Books of Their Life.
The Best of Read On 2020 Part 2:
Robert Kirkwood talks to the winner of the Costa First Novel award, Sarah Collins.
Stuart Turton takes us on a mysterious and murderous voyage in his new novel The Devil and the Dark Water. We hear the heart warming story of how an RNIB volunteer, a musician and a holocaust survivor came together to create a Talking Book The RNIB Library’s Lynne Livingstone gives us her literary antidote to lockdown. Best selling novelist Sarah Morgan transports us to the Lake District in search of family harmony. And SD Robertson shares the Books of His Life.
The Best of Read on 2020: Part 1
Costa Award Winner Jack Fairweather introduces us to 'The Volunteer'.
We hitch a ride with an enchanted suitcase and author LD Lapinski’s 'Strange Worlds Travel Agency'. Husband and wife narrators Alastair Petrie and Lucy Scott reveal how they kept calm and carried on narrating despite lockdown. Blade Runner meets Forrest Gump in Simon Stephenson’s android rom-com, Set My Heart To 5. And loyal listener Penny Melville Brown shares some of her audiobook highlights of 2020.
Charlie Mackesy discusses both writing, illustrating and recording (in his barn) 'The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse'.
Joanna Toye catches us up with the goings on at Marlow's Department Store in 'Christmas for the Shop Girls'.
Emma Powell talks about narrating RNIB's Read-A-Long book 'Red and the Wolf'.
And we return to Charlie Mackesy for the Books of his Life.
In today's show, we focus on Contemporary Crime. Mark Billingham on 'The Killing Habit' Matthew Parris on 'Scorn' Chris Brookmyre on 'Want You Gone' Emma Swan on narrating 'That'll Be The Day' And Red reviews 'Trunk Music' by Michael Connelly
Sally Gardner brings us a fairy tale for adults with The Snow Song.
Tineka Smith and Alex Court on 'Mixed Up: Confessions of an Interracial Couple'.
Robert Kirkwood talks to Charlotte Levin about her debut novel 'If I Can't Have You'.
And we return to Sally Gardner for the Books of her Life.
This week we’ll be using our little grey cells to investigate some new developments in classic crime... Sophie Hannah tells us why Hercule Poirot is working with a new partner, and her publisher talks about how the collaboration came about. Lynn Shepherd discusses adding crime scenes to stories inspired by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. And Red finds the book in The Library that made him want to be a crime writer.
Val Wood discusses her new historical romance ‘The Lonely Wife’ and her long-standing role supporting those with sight loss in her local area of Hull and Yorkshire’s East Riding. Amanda Robson leads us into the dark psychological world of her new domestic thriller ‘My Darling’. Loyal listener, Penny Melville-Brown takes us on a European tour of her favourite crime fiction. And we have a tribute to the recently departed actor and narrator Geoffrey Palmer.
Ahead of next week’s announcement of who has won The 2020 Booker Prize, Read On this week features interviews with all six of the short listed authors as they discuss the background to their novels and the material they explore. Ranging from a re-examination of the role played by African women during Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia to a dystopian near future in which a group of people live as hunter gatherers in the last wilderness on Earth, the six novels in contention for the World’s most prestigious literary prize reveal some surprising facts about their books and show a common concern with examining how people behave under pressure. And we finish up hearing from one of last year’s joint winners, Bernardine Evaristo, who shares the Books of Her Life.
Booker shortlisted author Maaza Mengiste takes us back to 1935 and introduces us to the African women who fought Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia in 'The Shadow King'. MJ Ford introduces us to his dark new crime thriller 'Watch Over You'. And Brandon Taylor reveals how his Booker shortlisted debut 'Real Life' had to be saved from the trash!
Polly Crosby leads us into the haunting world of her debut novel ‘The Illustrated Child’. Douglas Stuart reveals how a childhood afflicted by poverty and addiction in 1980s' Glasgow informed his Booker shortlisted novel ‘Shuggie Bain’. Avni Doshi discusses the themes behind her debut ‘Burnt Sugar’, reveals how it has changed her view on audiobooks and her delight at also being shortlisted for this year’s Booker.
And we return to Polly Crosby for the Books of her Life.
Caroline Corcoran introduces us to her disturbing new psychological thriller ‘The Baby Group’. Tsitsi Dangarembga discusses her Booker short-listed novel ‘This Mournable Body’, and reflects on post-colonial life in Zimbabwe. We hear from the joint-winner of last year's Booker Prize, Bernadine Evaristo. And we return to share the Books of Caroline Corcoran’s Life.
Gill Paul re-imagines the love triangle between the world’s richest man, the President’s widow, and one of the greatest soprano of all time in her historical novel ‘The Second Marriage’. Diane Cook walks us through her debut novel The New Wilderness, which has been shortlisted for this years Booker Prize. And we return to Gill Paul to hear the books of her life.
Morten Bonde discusses his self-help memoir Sentenced to Blindness: Now What?
Robert Kirkwood looks at Notes on Blindness, and the source material Touching the Rock by John Hull (Starts at 23.25)
And Stu Turton unveils his dazzling new novel 'The Devil and the Dark Water'
Claire Allan discusses her dark new psychological thriller, The Liar's Daughter
Janice Galloway joins Robert Kirkwood in the Glasgow studios to record her collection of short stories, Jellyfish (Starts at 21.36)
Gail Honeyman tells us all about Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, before the book was released (31.20)
And we return to Claire Allan for the books of her life. (46.46)
In today's show we hear the shortlist for this year's Booker Prize.
Clare Marchant introduces us to her timeslip novel, The Secrets of Saffron Hall. (Starts at 7.30)
A gathering of Talking Book narrators tell Robert Kirkwood about their favourite reads. (22.00)
We timeslip back to Nicola Cornick's first visit to Read On. (34.11)
And we return to Clare Marchant for the books of her life (51.48)
Miranda Emmerson transports us to Soho in the swinging sixties for ' A Little London Scandal'
For Roald Dahl Day, Robert Kirkwood discovers more than children's books in the RNIB Library (Starts at 18.25)
Penny Melville Brown reviews some thrillers and more. (26.20)
B.J. Novak talks about and reads from his 'Book With No Pictures' (33.50)
And we return to Miranda Emmerson for the Books of her Life. (44.34)
Eleanor Wasserberg chats about 'The Light at the End of the Day' and being inspired by a painting.
Neil MacGregor talks about the book version of his radio show ' A History of the World in 100 Objects' and how he also was inspired by art. (Starts at 22.25)
Narrator Ray Sawyer chats about narrating Alan Bennett. (34.04)
We listen to a couple of books narrated by actors who were in Star Wars. (36.16)
And as the Booker Prize approaches, we hear the books of last year's joint winner, Bernardine Evaristo (43.12)
S.D. Robertson introduces us to his new book, 'How to Save A Life'
Charlotte Levin talks about her debut novel, released while in lockdown, 'If I Can't Have You' and gives us the books of her life. (Starts at 17.30)
Tam Dean Burn on the works of Irvine Welsh for Talking Books. (36.30)
And we return to S.D. Robertson for the books of his life. (48.12)
Seni Glaister takes us on a rural retreat in 'Growing Season' (Starts at 0.45)
Luan Goldie explores race, family and loss in 'Homecoming' (13.35)
We've got short extract from Maribel Steel's book 'Blindness for Beginners' (34.28)
A listener reviews a classic detective novel narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch (39.10)
And we return to Seni Glaister for The Books of her Life (43.50)
A special edition of Read On - The Audiobook Show featuring part two of 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' by Agatha Christie adapted by Ross Burman and performed by The Wireless Theatre Company.
This episode also goes behind the scenes and interviews the actors, producer and even spot effects.
A special edition of Read On - The Audiobook Show featuring part one of 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' by Agatha Christie adapted by Ross Burman and performed by The Wireless Theatre Company. The cast includes Juliette Stevenson, Steve Hodson, Ben Whitehead and more.
We also explore why this book was chosen to represent the RNIB Talking Book service.
We investigate a drowned village and some distinctly creepy goings on in The Peak District with Roz Watkins and her new novel ‘Cut to the Bone’ (Starts at 0.45)
Rosanna Amaka discusses the inspiration behind her absorbing debut ‘The Book of Echoes’ and gives us the books of her life (17.00)
Susie Steiner talks about her latest book in the DS Manon Bradshaw series and her own experiences of sight loss (35.15)
And we return to Roz Watkins for the books of her life (48.52)
Amanda Jennings explores both the sunny and darker sides of life in Cornwall in her latest suspense novel ‘The Storm' (Starts at 0.40)
We discover the heart-warming story behind the recording of ‘The Tin Ring’ – a tale of Holocaust survival that’s just entered the RNIB library (15.12)
We return to the South West with Philippa Ashley for ‘A Perfect Cornish Escape’ (32.55)
And back to Amanda Jennings for the books of her life (47.06)
Alyson Rudd takes us underground in her new suspense mystery ‘Eleven Lines to Somewhere’. (Starts at 0.40) Former BBC football correspondent Mike Ingham discusses the recording of his autobiography ‘’After Extra Time and Penalties’ with Toby Davey (19.08)
And we return to Alyson Rudd for the Books of Her Life (45.11)
Natasha Pulley on her new Keita Mori novel, 'The Lost Future of Pepperharrow' (Starts at 0.44)
Anthony McGowan gives us his reaction to winning the 2020 CILIP Carnegie medal for his book 'Lark' (25.05)
Katerina Diamond on her crime thriller 'The Woman in the Water' (34.35)
And we return to Natasha Pulley for the books of her life (45.16)
Mark Lynas tells us about 'Our Final Warning - Six Degrees of Climate Emergency' (Starts at 0.45)
Joanna Toye has a new shop girls book, this time the WW2 saga 'Heartache for the Shopgirls' (19.10)
After her passing, we explore some books written by Dame Vera Lynn available from RNIB (35.14)
And we return to Mark Lynas for the books of his life (47.00)
Simon Stephenson talks to Red Szell about 'Set My Heart to Five', the tale of a robot learning to love, which has already been sold to Hollywood. (Starts at 1.00)
Lori Nelson Spielman takes us on a virtual romantic trip in 'One Italian Summer' and we hear the books of her life (18.55)
From the archives Tony Hawks talks to Robert Kirkwood about his second book, 'Playing The Moldovans At Tennis' (37.47)
And we return to Simon Stephenson for the books of his life. (45.19)
Afia Atakora explores Black Lives in the immediate aftermath of the American Civil War in her new novel Conjure Women (Starts at 1.04)
We follow a servant and former slave girl from a Jamaican plantation to Georgian London in The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins (16.00)
We travel back in time to hear from the late Andrea Levy about her book The Long Song and how her father arrived in the UK on the Empire Windrush (31.14)
And travel from racially charged Alabama to the Oval Office with Eric Motley (40.45)
Plus there's a return to Afia Atakora for the books of her life. (49.00)
Nicola Cornick takes us back to 1560 in her Tudor-set dual time book, The Forgotten Sister (Starts at 1.00)
Cookery writer and winner of Masterchef, Sue Lawrence joins Saraband books for Cabin Fever Fables (17.10)
Bella Osborne tells us about her new novel, Meet Me At Pebble Beach (28.00)
There's an update on the reopening of the RNIB Braille Library from Ali Long (42.06)
And we get the books of your life from Sir Salman Rushdie (48.08)
Caroline Lawrence takes us to Ancient Greece in her 'Time Travel Diaries' (Starts at 0.45)
Author Tim Finch and Red Szell negotiate some 'Peace Talks' (19.00)
Nicola Martin reads from her debut novel, the thriller Dead Ringer for Saraband Books in her Cabin Fever Fable (31.30)
And we return to Caroline Lawrence for the books of her life (48.15)
Sarah Morgan escapes to the Lake District in her new novel, 'Family for Beginners' (Starts at 1.10)
Narrator couple Al Petrie and Lucy Scott talk about narrating for RNIB and the Talking Book as a theatre for one. (17.28)
Saraband Books have more Cabin Fever Fables, this time with Marion Dunn (36.00)
And we return to Sarah Morgan for the books of her life. (57.45)
Ellen Alpsten tells us about 'Tsarina', the most powerful woman that history forgot. (Starts at 0.50)
L. D. Lapinski takes us on a journey via the 'Strangeworlds Travel Agency' and gives us the books of her life. (21.45)
Gary Bridson-Daley talks about his book 'The Last Heroes: Voices of British and Commonwealth Veterans' (37.15)
And we return to Ellen Alpsten for the books of her life. (50.18)
In this week's show from the broom cupboard and bedroom,
Hayley Doyle on her new rom-com, Never Saw You Coming (Starts at 1.00)
Molly Flatt on the recording of her book, The Charmed Life of Alex Moore, plus we hear the books of her life (14.30)
David Farrier explores what traces we will leave for the very deep future in his book 'Footprints' (31.05)
And we return to Hayley Doyle for the books of her life (48.52)
Author Molly Flatt tells us all about a virtual book Festival, The Big Book Weekend (Starts at 1.30)
We hear about The Poetry Generation and hear a poem read by David Blunkett (12.10)
Narrator Chris Devon talks about recording books from home (19.32)
And Instagram sensation Raven Smith tells Red about Yoga, relationships and Ikea meatballs ... and gives us the books of his life (30.34)
Holly Watt talks to Red Szell about her new thriller 'The Dead Line' (Starts at 0.45)
Narrator Peter Kenny chats to Robert Kirkwood about accents and recording books at a social distance (16.10)
Sue Moorcroft tells us about a summer romance, 'Summer on a Sunny Island' (34.00)
And we return to Holly Watt for the books of her life. (48.30)
Joanna Briscoe talks exclusively about her new novel 'The Seduction', and gives us the books of her life (Starts at 1.24)
Saraband Books have more Cabin Fever Fables, this time with Chris Dolan - Listen to more episodes here (26.20)
And never heard before John le Carre gives us the books of his life (44.10)
Recorded in a bedroom and a cupboard under the stairs, this week we have ...
Beth O'Leary tells us about her follow up to 'The Flat Share', 'The Switch'. (Starts at 0.48)
There's more Cabin Fever Fables from Sarah Hunt at Saraband, this time with Olga Wojtas. Listen to more episodes here. (16.50)
And narrator John Banks goes through the books he's narrated for RNIB. (32.00)
In our first properly home-made episode,
Narrator Leighton Pugh on recording books, including Samuel Pepys views on the plague (Starts at 1.30)
Robert Kirkwood finds some great books to self isolate with (13.30)
Juliet Stevenson on narrating books for RNIB (23.40)
Sara Hunt from Saraband books talks to Graham MacRae Burnet in episode 1 of Cabin Fever Fables ... listen to more episodes here (37.27)
And Frances Hardinge gives us the books of her life (50.30)
We go down-under to meet Maribel Steel and her new book ‘Blindness for Beginners’ (Starts at 1.27)
Julian Fellowes on the writing and publication of Belgravia (20.00)
Publishers Orion on the making of Belgravia (26.45)
Red Szell reviews Lady Audley's Secret (40.30)
And we return to Maribel Steel for the books of her life (48.30)
J.M. Joseph introduces us to ‘Fire Boy’, a superhero whose superpower comes with unfortunate consequences (Starts at 0.50) Dave Steele shares the latest chapters in his life as The Blind Poet, including plans for a series of children’s stories. (10.25) Tendai Huchu introduces us to ‘The Hairdresser of Harare’. (26.50) Onjali Q Rauff mixes light and dark in her new book ‘The Star Outside My Window’. (35.00)
And we return to J.M. Joseph for the books of his life. (45.40)
On this weeks show, Beth Morrey reveals the strands she wove together to create her breathtaking debut novel ‘Saving Missy’. (Starts at 1.06) We hear from author Jenny McLachlan and Alison David from Egmont publishing about a petition to make Storytime part of the national school curriculum. (16.04) Blogger Holly Tuke shares her thoughts about ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ by Matt Hague. (27.50) There’s important news about how you download your books from the RNIB Library. (34.20)
And we return to Beth Morrey for the Books of her Life. (47.38)
NOTE - The audio in this show has been slightly updated to reflect the current situation
This week we look forward to World Book Night by exploring some of the top titles in its great book giveaway.
Debbie Hicks of The Reading Agency sets the scene and tells us all about World Book Night. (Starts at 1.20) Brian Wood takes us from the battlefields of Iraq to the trials of the courtroom in his memoir ‘Double Crossed’. (8.00)
Robert Kirkwood tells us about the free World Book Night audiobooks and goes hitchhiking through some other rollicking reads in the RNIB Library. (28.30) Sally Nicholls imagines the lives of three young Suffragettes in ‘Things a Bright Girl Can Do’. (37.10)
And we return to Brian Wood for the Books of his Life. (48.30)
This week, for World Book Day Robert Kirkwood guides us through all the great titles available from RNIB Library. (Starts at 1.17)
Ade Adepitan joins us again with another Cyborg-Cat adventure. (18.30) We celebrate the long-anticipated publication of ‘The Mirror and The Light’ the concluding volume in Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell trilogy with a look back at Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. (25.50)
This week, It’s murder in Bradford, as thriller writer Liz Mistry introduces us to her new detective. (Starts at 0.55)
Author NB Dixon tells us what she thought of ‘A Thousand Ships’. (21.45)
Narrator Caroline Lennon discusses her love of Irish literature, and her role in The Archers. (29.45)
And a return to Liz Mistry for the Books of her Life (48.10)
World Book Day on 5 March 2020 is all about celebrating the magic of books and reading. RNIB is proud to support World Book Day's mission to give every child and young person a book of their own, by making 13 titles available in audio (DAISY CD) and braille.
Robert Kirkwood finds out what books are available, for free, from RNIB Library. Organised by UNESCO, World Book Day is marked in more than 100 countries around the world, with 2020 being the 23rd year of celebrations.
RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999
RNIB and World Book Day
This week we talk to the winner of the Costa Book of the Year, Jack Fairweather (Starts at 1.00)
We celebrate the publication of ‘Kika and Me: How One Extraordinary Guide Dog Changed My Life’ we have an in-depth conversation with Dr Amit Patel - the other half of a winning team. (10.00) And to keep Kika happy Robert Kirkwood chases up some of the other shaggy dog stories in the RNIB Library (39.30)
Then a return to Amit Patel for the Books of his Life. (50.50)
This week, Author Preti Taneja re-imagines King Lear in modern-day India. (Starts at 1.02)
Narrator David Monteach recalls some of the terrific titles he has turned into Talking Books. (19.22)
We celebrate Valentine’s Day with Francesca Segal - author of ‘The Innocents’ and daughter of the man who wrote ‘Love Story’. (31.10)
And a return to Preti Taneja for the books of her life. (47.30)
Holly Kyte introduces us to the Roaring Girls – eight women who broke the mold and paved the way for modern feminism. (Starts at 1.10) Ursula and Alasdair Buchan describe the recording of ‘Beyond The Thirty-nine Steps: a biography of the father of the modern thriller. (17.00) Jeremy Paxman reveals a family tie to World War 1 that compelled him to write his book ‘Great Britain’s Great War’. (28.10) Bringing us right up to date, blogger Holly Tuke reviews ‘It’s Not What It Looks Like’ by YouTube sensation Molly Burke.(42.50) Find Holly at Life of A Blind Girl
And a return to Holly Kyte for the books of her life. (49.15)
Natalie Haynes explores the enduring appeal of Greek and Roman myth and launches her new novel ‘A Thousand Ships’. (Starts at 1.08) Jonathan Coe reveals how the characters of ‘The Rotters Club’ have responded to Brexit. (19.45)
Red Szell reviews 'Fifty Days That Changed The World'. (36.00)
The winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award. (44.10 - Full interview next week) And the author of ‘The Belfry Witches’ conjures up the books of her life. (47.17)
This week, the Costa Book Award Winners in four categories
Sara Collins talks to Robert Kirkwood about her debut novel, ‘The Confessions of Frannie Langton’ (Starts at 1.55)
Jack Fairweather reveals the untold story of ‘The Volunteer’ who infiltrated Auschwitz. (17.35)
Jasbiner Bilan takes Red Szell on a Himalayan quest with ‘Asha and the Spirit Bird’. (32.45)
Poet Mary Jean Chan on her collection, Fleche. (41.15)
And we return to Sara Collins for the books of her life (50.10)
(We'll have Jonathan Coe next week!)
Ade Adepitan discusses wheelchair basketball, The London Paralympics and his new book - ‘CyborgCat and the Night Spider’. Emma Heatherington blends cosy romance with harsh reality in her most latest novel ‘Rewrite The Stars’. And, it started with a Tweet: the poet laureate of Twitter, Brian Bilston, gives his reaction to being shortlisted for The Costa First Novel Award.
Beth O'Leary talks about her best-selling and award winning debut, 'The Flat Share' (Starts at 1.34)
Limmy talks about his autobiography, 'Surprisingly Down to Earth and Very Funny' (13.13)
Ursula Buchan chats about 'Beyond the 39 Steps: A Life of John Buchan' (34.04)
Chigozie Obioma give us the (never before heard) Books of His Life (52.00)
A little bonus chat from Robert and Red (that was supposed to be 5 minutes but ended up at almost 13) wishing you a Happy New Year, chatting about the show, some favourite interviews and a couple of behind the scenes stories.
In an hour long special, John le Carré talks about his life and work, Brexit, his confidence trickster father, and much more.
This longer version contains around 10 extra minutes that were cut for broadcast.
On today's Christmas Special, romantic fiction meets glam rock!
Trisha Ashley shares her recipe for a cosy romantic Christmas. (Starts at 1.20) Wizzard drummer Charlie Grima recalls a Christmas showdown on Top of The Pops. (14.00) Queen of Christmas, Sue Moorcroft finds snow and chocolate while researching her new novel. (28.05) And Noddy Holder joins Red in the studio for a special glam rock ‘n’ roll Christmas. (40.45)
Plus ... There's an extra 15 minutes of Noddy Holder at the end of this episode that we couldn't fit on air.
Diane Jeffrey discusses her taut psychological thriller – ‘The Guilty Mother’ and her novel approach to research. (Starts at 1.05) Narrator John Cormack reveals his own surprising back story. (16.30) Lynne Livingstone walks us through the Winter Wonderland of Christmas books in the RNIB Library. (29.00) We find out more about that Yuletide icon: The Robin. (36.00)
And we return to Diane Jeffrey for the Books of her Life (51.47)
(This podcast is slightly longer than the broadcast version)
In today's Audiobook Show, we talk to Danielle McLaughlin about winning the UK's richest short story prize – The Sunday Times Audible Award. (Starts at 1.10) Author of ‘His Dark Materials’ Philip Pullman explores the background to Lyra’s quest. (17.12) Hollywood actress Joely Richardson reveals how she was profoundly moved by something she saw at The RNIB Talking Books studios. (38.22)
And we return to Danielle McLaughlin for the Books of her Life. (49.23)
The Scottish Book Trust, for Book Week Scotland, distribute a free book of new writing around a chosen theme ... this year's it's "Blether."
RNIB produce the audio version of that book, and today's show is a small selection of 15 short stories and poems, all read by their authors.
We couldn't cram the whole book into an hour, and the stories here are less than half of what's in the whole book which you can listen to here.
On this edition of The Audiobook show, Chris Lintott discusses ‘The Sky at Night’ and the astronomical power of The Zooniverse. (Starts at 0.57) Jane Clarke introduces Red Szell to some awesome egg-speriments! (22.25) Actor Robin Kermode has some surprising advice for Robert Kirkwood on improving your public speaking (41.52)
And we return to Chris Lintott for the Books of His Life (50.52)
On this week's show, Marilyn Davidson Elliot introduces us to ‘The Blind Mechanic: The Amazing Story of Eric Davidson, Survivor of the 1917 Halifax Explosion’ - NB recorded on the phone from Canada, sorry about the sound quality. (Starts at 1.19)
We go in search of lost yeti treasure with Amelia Fang creator Laura Ellen Anderson. (18.38) Sita Brahmachari imagines a post-apocalyptic world in which children must pollinate plants. (32.50) And writer Gary Younge shares the books of his life. (46.56)
In today's audiobook show, Benjamin Myers discusses his haunting coming-of-age novel ‘The Offing’. (Starts at 0.54) We eavesdrop on the afternoon an RNIB narrator, Stephanie Ellyne, met Lucy Ellmann, the author of the book she is reading. (22.32) Red celebrates Halloween by reviewing an atmospheric ghost story by Helen Dunmore. (41.17)
And we return to Ben Myers for the Books of His Life (48.53)
Lynne Truss tackles crime and bad grammar in 1950s Brighton. (Starts at 1.03) Patricia Cornwall launches her new cyber crime series after conducting her own investigations at NASA. (19.26)
Stephanie Ellyne talks about narrating a thousand page novel with just eight sentences. (35.22)
And we return to Lynne Truss for the books of her life. (48.22)
In today's show we listen to the Booker winning audiobooks, 'Girl, Woman Other' by Bernardine Evaristo and 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood (Starts at 1.07)
Salman Rushdie tells us about the joint narratives of 'Quichotte' (13.02)
We return to the Wigtown Book Festival where founder of The Big Issue, Lord Bird, reveals how learning to read saved him from a life of crime. (28.02) Journalist Melanie Reid discusses coming to terms with disability and recording her memoir as a Talking Book. (37.00) And Professor Steve Jones shares some fascinating facts about the vital role the sun plays in our lives. (45.42)
In our second Booker Prize special,
Elif Shafak discusses her sensual novel ’10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World’. (Starts at 1.52) Chigoze Obioma reveals the real-life tragedy that inspired his novel ‘An Orchestra of Minorities’. (19.43) Margaret Atwood unveils her sequel to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. (30.14)
And we return to Elif Shafak for the Books of her Life (50.10)
In a packed show Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood report from the Wigtown Book Festival with ...
Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson on his book, 'In My Life: A Musical Memoir' (Starts at 1.34)
Kerry Hudson on Lowborn (Down the Chipper) (7.00)
Shaun Bythell has some 'Confessions of a Bookseller' (13.41)
Sarah Jane Douglas treats illness and grief as 'Just Another Mountain' (21.08)
Chair of RNIB Scotland Sandra Wilson on sponsoring a Talking Book (25.03)
Music from, and chat with, The Bookshop Band (27.08)
We go 'Under the Wig' with William Clegg QC (36.00)
Richard Frazer describes his 'Travels with a Stick' (41.04)
Jon Day races pigeons and combines memoir, philosophy and culture in 'Homing' (44.49)
And we get the Books of Your Life from stand up classicist Natalie Haynes. (51.03)
Thanks to @MarkMcKie1 for the cover picture depicting fireworks over Wigtown.
We’re checking out some of the titles short-listed for this year’s Booker Prize.
Bernardine Evaristo reflects on the vibrant lives of 12 black, British women in her novel ‘Girl Woman Other’ (Starts at 1.00)
Joanna MacGregor tells us about the tsunami of books she had to read as a Booker judge. (26.39)
Lucy Ellmann takes us into the strange world of her eight sentence novel ‘Ducks Newburyport’ (36.30)
And we return to Bernardine Evaristo for the books of her life. (43.30)
A packed show this week with Red Szell out and about at a party and a picnic ... A chat with Eve Smith from the Booker Foundation at the 2019 shortlist party.(Starts at 1.14) Chris McQueer tells Robert Kirkwood how he started writing. (8.35) Mary Beard on history books and contemporary politics. (17.25)
From RNIB Library, Lynne Livingston gives us some new book recommendations. (28.28) We hear some familiar voices enjoying The Audiobook Workers Picnic. (34.25) And Mr Gum author Andy Stanton shares the books of his life. (48.05)
As his books 'Hings' and 'HWFG' are released in audio, author Chris McQueer joins Robert Kirkwood in the RNIB Talking Book Studios to chat about writing, narrating and ending up in Twitter jail.
As the 2019 shortlist is announced, Robert Kirkwood and Red Szell listen back to some past Booker winners
2018 - Red reviews Milkman by Anna Burns (Starts at 1.20)
2017 - Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (4.38)
2016 - The Sellout by Paul Beatty (15.42)
2015 - A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (23.58)
2014 -The Long Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan (33.10)
2013 - The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (44.50)
... all interviews recorded before the winner of that year was announced.
Today we’re exploring life’s long and winding road ... Celia Anderson transports us to Cornwall for a stroll down to '59 Memory Lane'. (Starts at 1.10) Jackie Kay traces her roots along ‘The Red Dust Road’. (16.45) Christopher Scott reflects on his career as a Talking Book narrator, and how it changed his life. (28.00)
And we return to Celia Anderson for the books of her life. (46.30)
This week we’re investigating crime fiction:
Patrice Lawrence discusses her eagerly anticipated new novel ‘Rose Interrupted’. (Starts at 2.04)
Peter Robinson opens the case file on his best-selling detective DCI Banks. (14.10)
Former Met Police Officer Kate London tackles knife crime in ‘Gallowstree Lane’. (29.40)
Red investigates the crime story that made him want to become a writer. (37.00)
And we return to Patrice Lawrence for the books of her life. (45.05)
Harriet Shawcross explores the awkwardness of silence in her book “Unspeakable”. (Starts at 1.00)
Carolina Setterwall reveals how writing helped her navigate bereavement. (21.08)
Zena Cooper takes an upbeat look at what you can see when you can’t see. (35.38)
And we return to Carolina Setterwall for the Books of her Life. (48.43)
Today we’re manning the boats and taking to the sea. Historian David Gange takes us on a journey of discovery around ‘The Frayed Atlantic Edge’ of Britain and Ireland. (Starts at 1.14) Robert Kirkwood plunges into some books about The Titanic. (19.50) Adventurer Mick Dawson recounts the highs and lows he encountered when rowing The Pacific. (31.30) Coastal dweller Joanna Streetly discusses her ‘Wild Fierce Life’ beside, and in, the sea. (43.00)
And we return to David Gange for the books of his life. (49.39)
Liz Fenwick transports us to the Cornish coast in her atmospheric new novel ‘The Path to the Sea’. (1.20) Mark Billingham reveals how narrating his Thom Thorne detective thrillers has changed the way he writes them. (20.00) The doyen of audio description Di Langford reflects on bringing books, plays, TV series and feature films to life for those of us who have difficulty seeing them. (36.15)
And we return to Liz Fenwick for the books of her life. (52.12)
In a round up of some books we think you might pack in your suitcase, we listen back to ...
Stuart Turton on 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' (Starts at 1.18)
Joanne Ramos on 'The Farm' (7.31)
Bart Van Es on 'The Cut Out Girl' (18.45)
C.J. Tudor on 'The Chalk Man' and 'The Taking of Annie Thorne' (28.12)
Lucy Foley on 'The Hunting Party' (36.40)
And for the first time ever, Robert asks Red for The Books of His Life. (49.10)
Jess Butterworth takes us deep into the Louisiana swamp in her new novel ‘Swimming Against the Storm’. (Starts at 1.25) Mr Gum author Andy Stanton reflects on how history can inform our view of the present. (11.53) Jessica Townsend picks up the story of her cursed and magical heroine, Morrigan Crow, in ‘Wundersmith.’ (26.48)
Blind author N.B. Dixon reviews a medieval adventure (42.18)
And we return to Jess Butterworth for the books of her life. (49.28)
Celebrating 50 years since we first walked on the moon.
Andrew Smith reveals the stories of what the moon walkers did next in a brand new reissue of ‘Moondust” (Starts at 2.08)
Robert Kirkwood explores the works of fact and fiction inspired by space exploration. (21.15)
Commander Chris Hadfield reflects on his time as an astronaut. (34.43)
And we return to Andrew Smith for the Books of his Life (46.15)
Frances Hardinge revisits The English Civil War through her tale of dark inheritance: ‘A Skinful of Shadows’. (Starts at 1.00)
A group of students from New College Worcester tell us what they look for in a good book. (17.50)
The winner of this years CILIP Carnegie Medal considers the merits of literary awards. (24.00)
Kwame Alexander extols the benefits of basketball in his novel, ‘Rebound’. (35.38)
And we return to Frances Hardinge for the books of her life. (46.55)
It's time for this year's Summer Reading Challenge, where children aged 4 to 11 are encouraged to visit their local libraries and read over the summer. The aim is to get each child to read 6 books.
But what if print is not accessible? Well RNIB Library have the answer
This year's theme is 'Space Chase' ... and Lynne Livingston has more
Dame Stella Rimington reveals that she still keeps a sharp eye out for espionage despite retiring as chief of MI5. (Starts at 1.10)
Frederick Forsyth and Frank Gardner go head to head in Cheltenham and spill the beans about how close fact comes to fiction (Starts at 25.25)
And we return to Dame Stella Rimington for the books of her life (Starts at 51.00)
On today's show, as ‘The Rules of Seeing’ is crowned Debut Romantic Novel of 2019, its author, Joe Heap, tells us what inspired him to write about sight loss. (Starts at 1.30) Robert Kirkwood talks to Niq Mhlongo about how much things have changed for South African authors since the birth of The Rainbow Nation. (21.40) We learn more about the Omani novel, Celestial Bodies, that won this year’s Man Booker International prize from publishers Sandstone Press (30.50) Listener Gill Garret recommends a hidden gem that celebrates the beauty of The Lake District. (43.40)
And author of Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds, shares the books of his life. (51.12)
What Red Szell did on his holidays!
A blind British sportsman has successfully completed a unique extreme triathlon, including climbing a sea stack taller than Nelson’s Column, as part of a global challenge to show that disability is no barrier to adventure. Robert Kirkwood talks to our very own Red Szell.
This week, Ursula Buchan takes us Beyond The Thirty-Nine Steps to reveal the remarkable life of her grandfather John Buchan. (Starts at 1.02) Joanne Ramos asks what price would you pay for a new life in her extraordinary debut novel ‘The Farm’. (19.40) We bring you news of 'Pen & Inc' a new magazine dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity in children’s literature. (33.50)
And a return to Ursula Buchan for the books of her life (46.50)
In an exclusive interview at the CILIP Carnegie award ceremony, Hannah Tausz talks to this year's winner of both the medal and the Shadowing prize, Elizabeth Acevedo.
In our second CILIP Carnegie Special,
We remember Talking Book narrator Stephen Thorne who has died at the age of 84 (Starts at 1.12)
Jason Reynolds reveals the real life tragedy that inspired his book ‘Long Way Down’ (9.50)
Sally Nicholls discusses ‘Things a Bright Girl Can Do’. (27.00)
And Candy Gourlay reimagines the US conquest of The Philippines in ‘Bone Talk’. (38.00)
Sophie Anderson opens the door to ‘The House With Chicken Legs' (Starts at 1.50)
Elizabeth Acevedo combats teenage angst with slam poetry in ‘The Poet X’. (11.42)
Kate Saunders finds relief from grief in ‘The Land of Neverendings’. (29.10)
We talk to previous winner Geraldine McCaughrean (40.00) And return to Sophie Anderson for the books of her life. (48.32)
Roz Watkins explores the dark side of the Peak District in her new detective thriller 'Dead Man's Daughter'. (Starts at 1.17)
Robert Kirkwood meets the man who provides audio description for the Game of Thrones TV series. (18.27)
N B Dixon reviews a medieval fantasy that's become her book of the year so far. (28.51)
Jon McGregor discusses his haunting novel 'Reservoir 13'. (33.43)
Then a return to Roz Watkins for the books of her life. (48.43)
This week we’re joined by one of the world’s best selling authors.
Lee Child discusses his hugely successful Jack Reacher series, and shares some surprising insights. (Starts at 1.03)
Lucie Whitehouse introduces her new thriller ‘Critical Incidents’, and a link to Lee Child. (Starts at 34.50)
And we return to Lee Child for the Books of his Life. (Starts at 48.30)
A packed show recorded on location at the Boswell Book Festival 2019, with …
Eric Motley on his journey from Alabama to the White House via Scotland in 'Madison Park: A Place of Hope' (Starts at 1.34)
Susan Calman on her #calmanifesto of kindness, 'Sunny Side Up' (10.00)
Federico Varese on 'Mafia Life' (16.00)
Vivian French on writing, illustration and the Boswell Children's Festival (19.18)
Ben MacIntyre on 'The Spy and the Traitor' (23.00)
Kate Williams on sightloss in Tudor times and 'Rival Queens' (31.36)
Rowena Murray on writer George Mackay Brown and composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, both of whom inspired by Orkney (35.55)
Chris Brookmyre and Mark Billingham on crime writing and playing Glastonbury (42.27)
And a return to Eric Motley for the Books of his Life (52.00)
Presented by Robert Kirkwood - Red Szell will be back next week.
Robert Kirkwood goes through the archive to find some of the best interviews from previous Boswell Book Festivals as he looks forward to this year's event.
Gordon Turnbull tells Red Szell about the history of James Boswell. (Starts at 1.20)
Victor Gregg tells Robert the story behind his book Rifleman (Starts at 6.50)
Dame Judi Dench talks to Red about narrating books and her macular degeneration. (Starts at 18.10)
Guardian columnist and convicted murderer Erwin James talks about his book Redeemable (Starts at 22.30)
Bomber pilot George Dunn talks to Robert Kirkwood about his remarkable military service (Starts at 33.35)
Nigel Havers talks about his autobiography 'Playing With Fire' (Starts at 38.45)
And never heard before, Alexander McCall Smith gives Red Szell the books of his life (Starts at 49.00)
Leah Hazard delivers the truth about being a midwife to Robert Kirkwood with her new book ‘Hard Pushed’. (Contains material not suitable for family listening - Starts at 1.03)
Connect Radio’s Steven Scott introduces us to the latest tech for listening to books, and tells us what he’s been reading. (Starts at 15.42)
Red Szell reviews a dystopian classic written by an author better known for her crime fiction, The Children of Men by P.D. James. (Starts at 38.00)
And crime writer Ian Skewis returns to the show with the books of his life. (Starts at 48.25)
Every Saturday during the run of the show, audio describer Neville Watchurst is in a booth at SKY, writing and recording the audio description for the brand new episodes of Game of Thrones.
How does he convey the action, how does he avoid giving spoilers, and how does he fit it all in? Robert Kirkwood finds out.
Every published book in George R. R. Martin's epic saga 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is available in Braille, giant print and audio from RNIB Library.
Nicola Cornick blends romance and social history in her new time-slip mystery ‘The Woman In the Lake’. (Starts at 1.02)
Bernard Cornwell appears on-stage to talk about Shakespeare’s past, and his novel ‘Fools and Mortals’. (Starts at 18.45)
John Carlin recalls how rugby played a pivotal part in the birth of The Rainbow Nation. (Starts at 29.45)
And a return to Nicola Cornick for the books of her life. (Starts at 49.07)
Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood go through the Read On and Talking Books archive for some great interviews.
Narrators Kate Okello and Penelope Freeman tell Red about some favourites. (Starts at 1.00)
Will Self talks to Robert Kirkwood about his Booker shortlisted book Umbrella (Starts at 8.22)
Giles Abbot, the UK's only blind narrator, tells Red how he got started in the industry (Starts at 23.38)
Robert Kirkwood interviews comedienne and narrator Juliette Burton live on stage at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (Starts at 35.00)
And finally Red Szell talks to psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz about his book 'The Examined Life' (Starts at 42.22)
In this week's show, Stella Duffy takes us to New Zealand during World War 2, in her continuation of Ngaio Marsh’s unfinished novel ‘Money In The Morgue’. (Starts at 1.05)
J O Morgan discusses turning his Costa Award-winning poem ‘Assurances’ into an RNIB Talking Book. (Starts at 23.40)
Debut author Beth O’Leary introduces us to ‘The Flatshare’, a love story with a twist. (Starts at 38.50)
And a return to Stella Duffy for the books of her life. (Starts at 50.00)
Marcus du Sautoy discusses whether artificial intelligence might soon think and write like we do. (Starts at 1.00)
Sidney Harbour reminisces on 50 years of repairing Talking Book machines. (Starts at 26.30)
Rosie O’Dowd tells us about life as an audiobook producer. (Starts at 40.20)
And a return to Marcus du Sautoy for the books of his life. (Starts at 50.00 )
This week we’re laughing in the face of adversity.
Judy Leigh takes us on the run with three generations of women in ‘The Age of Misadventure’. (Starts at 1.17)
Marcus Berkmann suggests confronting your mid-life crisis in ‘A Shed of One’s Own’. (Starts at 19.10)
Former Marine Simon Mahony has a field guide to combat negative attitudes to sight loss. (Starts at 29.47)
Then a return to Judy Leigh for the books of her life. (Starts at 46.10)
Louise Jameson talks about her time in the TARDIS playing Leela, and her reincarnation as a narrator. (Starts at 1.26)
Blind actor Ellie Wallwork discusses her recent role in Doctor Who and her love of reading. (Starts at 19.18)
We 'Set Phasers to Stun' as Marcus Berkmann takes us through the history of Star Trek. (Starts at 31.35)
We chat to audiobook narrator and the voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokemon, Veronica Taylor. (Starts at 43.30)
And a return to Louise Jameson for the books of her life. (Starts at 48.00)
This week, Author Fionnuala Kearney explores relationships and marriage in ‘The Book of Love’. (Starts at 1.12)
We journey to Spain with writer and farmer Chris Stewart. (Starts at 18.00)
20 years since the film version was released, Esther Freud revisits her childhood memoir ‘Hideous Kinky’. (Starts at 35.45)
And a return to Fionnuala Kearney for the books of her life. (Starts at 49.00)
Political journalist Ece Temelkuran confronts rising populism in ‘How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship’. (Starts at 1.20)
Bank of England advisor Jonathan Haskel introduces us to the dark matter of investment in ‘Capitalism without Capital’. (Starts at 20.22)
Trina Beckett uncovers the fascinating lives of ‘The Wives of The Generals’ in her biography ‘Deadlier Than the Male’. (Starts at 45.10)
Today we're opening our satchels for some great contemporary children’s books.
Onjali Q Raúf introduces us to ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’. (Starts at 1.08)
Anthony McGowan takes us onto The Moors in a snowstorm in his new novel ‘Lark’. (Starts at 20.55)
We go behind the scenes to discover how RNIB is celebrating World Book Day. (Starts at 34.55)
Then return to Onjali Q Raúf for the books of her life. (Starts at 49.30)
A thrilling episode this week as C. J. Tudor reveals her new novel, 'The Taking of Annie Thorne' (Starts at 1.20)
Ian Skewis tells Robert Kirkwood about the brooding background to 'A Murder of Crows' (Starts at 25.50)
Ex cop and now novelist Kate London tells Red Szell about 'Gallowstree Lane' (Starts at 39.15)
And finally a return to C.J. Tudor for the books of her life. (Starts at 46.05)
World Book Day on 7 March 2019 is all about celebrating the magic of books and reading.
RNIB is proud to support World Book Day's mission to give every child and young person a book of their own, by making 14 new titles available in audio and braille.
Lynne Livingston from RNIB Library tells us more.
At Read On and RNIB Talking Books we were saddened to hear of the death of British author Andrea Levy at the age of 62.
In 2010 the Long Song was nominated for the Booker Prize, and at the time she joined Robert Kirkwood down to line to talk about the book.
On this week’s Read On we’ve got some brand new books to share
Joanna Toye considers romance, retail and air raids in her novel ‘A Store at War’.
Comedian Limmy gets surprisingly down-to-earth and very funny in his autobiography. (Starts at 17.40)
Crime novelist Sophie Hannah considers holding a grudge. (Starts at 38.10)
And, with a nod to Valentine’s Day, Red reviews Sally Rooney’s millennial love story - ’Normal People'. (Starts at 43.20)
Jason Roberts talks to Red Szell about his biography of the blind traveller James Holman (Starts at 1.00)
Jasper Winn on his sea kayak adventure documented in his book 'Paddle, A Long Way Around Ireland' (Starts at 28.00)
John Keay chats to Robert Kirkwood about his books China, and Eccentric Travellers. (Starts at 38.00)
Chris McMillan talks about China Vision and the importance of literacy (starts at 43.00)
In a packed Read On this week:
Winner of the Costa Book of the year, Bart Van Es. (Starts at 1.45)
Juliet Stevenson shares her passion for narrating Talking Books, and reveals the one that got away. (Starts at 12.00)
Janice Galloway extolls the virtues of short stories. (Starts at 27.20)
NB Dixon explores a medieval revolt through a hidden gem in the Library. (Starts at 37.55)
Angus McDonald introduces us to a tale of love and blindness in The First World War. (Starts at 43.00)
Then a return to Juliet Stevenson for The Books of Her Life. (Starts at 46.30)
After recording the audio version of his autobiography at the RNIB Talking Book studios in Glasgow, Brian Limond, better known as Limmy, chats to Robert Kirkwood about mental health, Yoker, book tours and Twitch ... and he turns the weans against us.
This week we’ve got a trio of Costa Prize winners
Costa Book of the Year winner Bart van Es introduces us to his biography of ‘The Cut-out Girl’. (Starts at 2.00)
Hilary McKay reveals which real-life character inspired her children’s book ‘The Skylark’s War’. (Starts at 22.30)
And poet J O Morgan considers the 4-minute warning in his cold-war epic ‘Assurances’. (Starts at 39.00)
Lucy Foley takes us to the wilds of Scotland in her brand new thriller ‘The Hunting Party’. (Starts at 1.20)
Guy Kennaway discusses assisted dying in his forthcoming memoir ‘Time to Go’. (Starts at 19.20)
And we say farewell to June Whitfield and look back at her contribution to the RNIB Library. (Starts at 40.30)
This week we’re kicking off the New Year with a look ahead to the Costa Book Awards….
Stuart Turton mixes murder, mayhem and sci-fi in his dazzling debut: ‘The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle’. (starts at 1 min 20 secs)
Professor Richard Wiseman examines why we like to scare ourselves with spine-chilling stories. (starts at 21 mins)
And Candy Gourlay takes the long view of colonialism and gender politics in her gripping adventure story: ‘Bone Talk’. (starts at 32 mins in)
Please note, in order to keep this podcast feed as navigable as possible, especially with screen readers, we've decided not to post individual features, just the whole show. Let us know if you have any objections or strong feelings about this at readonair@rnib.org.uk or find me on Twitter @Talking_Books
Thanks.
A retrospective of some interviews from the past year and beyond, including Red's first appearance on Read On with Robert at Wigtown in 2015, Anthony Horowitz on Fleming, Gail Honeyman on Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Andy Secombe on narrating, recording with Spike Milligan, Nevermoor with Jessica Townsend and mountaineering with Chris Bonnington.
Nigella Lawson on the new version of 'How To Eat', Sue Moorcroft on her Christmas books and we listen to some Game of Thrones companion books.
Red chats to Nigella Lawson about the re-issued version of her book, 'How To Eat' and about narrating the new version.
Robert Kirkwood has a listen to Fire and Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones, a history of the Targaryens andThe World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones, both available in the Talking Books library.
Sir Derek Jacobi reflects on of bringing characters to life off the page.
Tony Hawks reveals why he ended up ‘Playing the Moldovans at Tennis’
And Regina Reagan talks about Rosemary’s Baby, Tales of The City…and cakes!
Regina Reagan talks about Rosemary’s Baby, Tales of The City…and cakes.
Clipped from Read On #98
We find out how to be an audiobook narrator with Lorelei King and Ali Muirden,
How to sponsor a Talking Book with Angela Preston,
Jessica Taylor-Bearman discusses her memoir 'A Girl Behind Dark Glasses'
and Nicolas Parsons gives us the books of his life.
Red Szell chats to Audible Hall of Fame narrator Lorelei King and award-winning director Ali Muirden who tell all about what goes into audio book narration.
Clipped from Read On 97
Cara Hunter takes us behind the veneer of genteel Oxford with Detective Inspector Fawley.
Mitch Cullin reveals what Sherlock Holmes is up to aged 93.
Narrator David Thorpe tells us about Nightingales in November.
And Red Szell reviews the spy story that 007 author Anthony Horowitz selected as one of the books of his life.
This time our blind and partially sighted readers discuss the RNIB Talking Book of 'The Disappearance of Adèle Bedeau' by Graeme Macrae Burnet.
This week Read On is celebrating Book Week Scotland with the Scottish Book Trust.
Every year RNIB produce the audio version of the free Book Week Scotland book, and this year it's called Rebel.
Listen out for a selection of short stories about Drag Nuns, Chunky Boots, fare dodging, stealing cakes and much more.
And for a free copy of the book in audio head to http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/book-week-scotland/rebel-audiobook
This week...
Deborah Frances White reveals what makes her ‘The Guilty Feminist’.
Poet Aidan Flynn takes a funny and poignant look at sight loss.
Author NB Dixon reviews a new Hercule Poirot mystery.
And RNIB Chair Ellie Southwood shares her passion for books and reading.
This week were commemorating the centenary of the Armistice that brought an end to the First World War.
Blind author Gordon Anthony describes dog-fights over the desert in his Great War story ‘Hunting Icarus’.
As Blind Veterans UK unveils a unique monument to commemorate The Armistice, and we reflect upon our shared history.
Writer Lisa Andrews tells us about working with 26characters and the Imperial War Museums to bring First World War stories back to life.
And Robert Kirkwood explores the role played by women during the 1914 – 18 War.
Gordon Anthony is the author of several historical novels including ‘Hunting Icarus’.
It’s a gripping tale and there’s also a story behind the Talking Book version.
Red Szell talks to Gordon and Robert Kirkwood chats to his sister Moira.
Clipped from Read On #93
It’s not just books that are recorded at the RNIB Talking Books studios, but also a wide range of magazines. Narrator Joan Walker will be familiar to many listeners for her brilliant work on both.
At a break in recording Red Szell asked her what she’d been reading for us this week.
Clipped from Read On #93
With never before heard clips, Robert Kirkwood explores the recording of Spike Milligan's War Diaries.
Hannah Tausz explores Michael Bentine's Book 'Doors of the Mind',
and Julian Clary tells us all about 'The Bolds'
Great news folks!
Some never heard before Spike Milligan!
Robert Kirkwood speaks to Robert Nichol about recording the audio versions of Spike's War Diaries and how it was working with Spike himself, while reviewing the books from Volume 1 Adolf Hitler my part in his Downfall to Volume 7, Peace Work.
Includes some out-takes never heard in public before.
There's a Halloween feel to this week's show with,
Kate Helm on a courtroom artist who’s haunted by visions.
NB Dixon reviews a spooky thriller that ‘s about to hit the big screen.
Daisy Johnson reveals her personal affinity with Halloween.
And David Mitchell takes us to a creepy, supernatural mansion and reveals that his characters write to him!
NB Dixon reviews ‘The Little Stranger’ by Sarah Waters, available in braille, giant print and as TB16895 from RNIB Library.
Clipped from Read On #91
This week we’re celebrating RNIB’s 150th Anniversary in books and voices both past and present....
Robert Kirkwood explores the biography of RNIB’s founding father, Thomas Rhodes Armitage
One of RNIB’s longest-serving narrators, Elizabeth Proud, discusses the evolution of the Talking Book.
RNIB’s Director of Development, Keith Valentine, talks about the future – and his love of accessible books.
And we unwrap a very special gift – a 150-word story written specially for our anniversary by gifted blind author Paula Peretti.
One of RNIB’s longest-serving narrators, Elizabeth Proud, discusses the evolution of the Talking Book.
This is an extended version of the interview heard in Read On #90
The last author we interviewed for this year's Man Booker Prize is Rachel Kushner, about her book, 'The Mars Room'. She spoke to Robert Kirkwood.
In a new interview (and this time not at a noisy party!) Red Szell talks to the youngest ever shortlisted author about her book 'Everything Under' ... and listen out for more from Daisy in our Halloween themed show soon.
Robin Robertson's 'The Long Take' is the first verse novel to make the Man Booker Shortlist. He spoke to Red Szell.
Anna Burns is the 2018 Book Prize winner for her book Milkman. Anna doesn't like giving interviews so here's Red Szell with a review of the book.
In a special show due to be broadcast at 8pm on the day of the Man Booker Prize, Robert Kirkwood and Red Szell go through the shortlist and talk to five of the authors up for this year's award.
With Robin Robertson, Richard Powers, Esi Edugyan, Daisy Johnson and Rachel Kushner.
This week in Read On we are devoting the entire show to the 2018 Man Booker Prize.
Chair of judges Kwame Anthony Appiah will reveal this year’s shortlist and how it was arrived at.
Esi Edugyan introduces us to the phenomenal story of Washington Black.
Richard Powers waxes lyrical about trees.
And we hear from both the youngest author ever to have been shortlisted and the oldest living person to have received The Man Booker Prize for fiction.
The Booker shortlisted author joins Robert Kirkwood down the line to discuss his book, 'The Overstory.'
Clipped from Read On #89
The Man Booker Prize shortlisted author talked to Red Szell via Skype about her book, 'Washington Black.'
Clipped from Read On #89
For the first time ever, sections of a book written by the founder of RNIB, have been specially recorded for RNIB Connect Radio.
Thomas Rhodes Armitage wrote about the formation of his society in 1871, and we'll let his words take up the story … It's read by talking book narrator David Thorpe and introduced by Robert Kirkwood.
From the archives, Robert Kirkwood speaks to Booker Prize winning author Hilary Mantel when she first won the award in 2009.
With Red away in San Fransico this week, Robert Kirkwood recorded this packed show live on location at the Wigtown Book Festival and coming up today …
Robin Ince on a comedian's guide to what makes us human,
Broadcaster Sally Magnusson on her first novel and her links to Iceland,
Ann Cleeves on her last 'Shetland' book,
John Connell on his bestselling book about the humble cow,
William Davies on 'Nervous States,' a look at our new political reality,
Shaun Bythell on life at the Bookshop during the festival,
and Lee Randall with the books of her life.
Before the Booker Prize was announced in 2016, Robert Kirkwood spoke to Paul Beatty before he was declared the winner.
From the archives, Robert Kirkwood chats to Marlon James about his book, 'A Brief History of Seven Killings '.
From the archives, Robert Kirkwood chats to Richard Flannigan about 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' before it wins the Booker.
From the archives, Robert Kirkwood speaks to Eleanor Catton, just before she wins the Booker Prize in 2013
From the archives, Robert Kirkwood speaks to Booker Prize winning author Hilary Mantel.
From the archives, Robert Kirkwood talks to Julian Barnes about 'The Sense of an Ending' before it won the Booker in 2011
This week we're exploring the life, legacy and literature of one of the countries best loved authors – Catherine Cookson.
We explore her extraordinary life with her biographer, Kathleen Jones.
Discover some of the artefacts at the South Shields museum dedicated to preserving her memory.
Narrator Elizabeth Proud reminisces about recording Cookson’s novels for the RNIB Talking Books Library.
And we immerse ourselves in the harsh realities of the ‘The 15 Streets’.
It's Catherine Cookson Week on RNIB Connect Radio and all week we're celebrating one of the UKs best loved authors and thanking the Catherine Cookson Charitable trust for their continued support of RNIB and the Talking Books service.
Today playwright Tom Kelly chats about the musical Tom and Catherine, which charts Catherine Cookson and her husband's 50 year marriage.
This week we’ll be using our little grey cells to investigate some new developments in classic crime...
Sophie Hannah tells us why Hercule Poirot is working with a new partner, and her publisher talks about how the collaboration came about.
Lynn Shepherd discusses adding crime scenes to stories inspired by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
And Red finds the book in The Library that made me want to be a crime writer.
Join the conversation by emailing readonair@rnib.org.uk
This week we’re going transatlantic with some great contemporary tales from America.
Tessa Fontaine tells us about running away to join the circus, in her memoir ‘The Electric Woman’.
Paul Birchard recounts the remarkable story of ‘The Boy Who Played With Fusion’.
And Deborah Harkness talks about transforming ‘A Discovery of Witches’ from best-selling books to primetime TV.
Join the conversation on readonair@rnib.org.uk
Paul Birchard tells Robert Kirkwood the remarkable story of ‘The Boy Who Played With Fusion’, which he narrated for RNIB Talking Books.
Clipped from Read On #85
A listen to Roald Dahl at the Talking Books studios from 1986, introducing and narrating his first children's book, 'James and the Giant Peach'.
Today we’re raising the stakes and opening some books on betting.
Debut author Martin Nathan discusses writing and playing poker with blind friends.
Biographer Anthony Holden delves into the history of poker and its importance in his life.
Victoria Coren-Mitchell shares her confessions of a poker player and what it’s like to win a million.
And racehorse owner Alan Pickering discusses a life spent with sight loss and pensions.
Our blind and partially sighted Book Group discuss a book with sight loss at its core, The Rules of Seeing by Joe Heap.
Please note there are some small SPOILERS in this episode but as its a book that has been just released we avoided talking about its later chapters ... at least while the mics were still on!
This month the book group discuss the winner of the Man Booker Prize from 2011, The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes.
What will our group of blind and partially sighted book lovers think about it as they listen to the RNIB Talking Book version?
This month our blind and partially sighted readers discuss Autumn by Ali Smith, shortlisted for the 2017 Booker Prize.
Please note this show contains SPOILERS for the book.
SPOILER WARNING! Don't listen unless you've read the book!
Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything.
This month our blind and partially sighted book group discuss Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. What did they think?
In this episode our blind and partially sighted book group discuss Margaret Atwood's The Haidmaid's Tale, and we're joined by new member Lillian.
What will they think this month?
This month the group discuss J.L. Carr's A Moth in the Country.
A damaged survivor of the First World War, Tom Birkin finds refuge in the quiet village church of Oxgodby where he is to spend the summer uncovering a huge medieval wall-painting. Immersed in the peace and beauty of the countryside and the unchanging rhythms of village life he experiences a sense of renewal and belief in the future. What will our group of blind and partially sighted readers think?
This month the group discuss a book voted as 'the best book about Britain'.
Do they agree with that, and did they enjoy it? Join our group of blind and partially sighted readers in the Book Group.
Join the conversation with a real group of blind and partially sighted book lovers and Talking Book users.
This month the book group discuss Chocolat by Joanne Harris.
Join our brand new book group as they talk about reading with sight loss, missing print books, and the Talking Books that have inspired and delighted them.
Michael Palin talks to Robert Kirkwood about forgetting lines and supporting RNIB, Anthony Horowitz tells us the books of his life and Colonel Chris Hadfield talks about his books for children and grown ups.
Plus we revist both Adjoa Andoh and Dame Judi Dench.
Get in touch by emailing readonair@rnib.org.uk
Today Penguin Random House UK has launched a new partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) by signing up to two of the charity’s programmes - RNIB Bookshare and Talking Books.
Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood discuss some titles ... and please note, all of the titles won't be immediately available but will be added to RNIB's collection over a number of months.
Read more at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.uk/media/news/2018/august/penguin-random-house-launches-partnership-with-the-rnib--making-/#wdhLbbOXyHm5y2sA.99
Lissa Evans chats about her books 'Old Baggage' and Wed Wabbit, Anthony McGowan narrates his own books for RNIB and Sam West on narrating new versions of 'The House of Cards' trilogy.
Red Szell chats to Moira Forsyth about her book 'A Message from the Other Side' and about her work at publisher Sandstone Press.
Bernard Cornwell chats to Robert Kirkwood about Sharpe, the Black Prince and listening to audio books in the car.
And we chat to Huw Parmenter, who recently narrated 'The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder' by Sarah J Harris, about his work as an actor and preparing a book for narration.
We explore a new book inspired by the author's own sight-loss journey, 'The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree'.
We chat to its author Paola Peretti and go behind the scenes with its publisher, translator and audio book narrator.
We also have another great review from blind author N.B. Dixon and explore the Summer reading Challenge from RNIB.
We devote a whole show to a brand new book with sight loss at its core, 'The Rules of Seeing' by Joe Heap.
We talk to its author Joe Heap, its narrator Cariad Lloyd and hand the book to our Connect Radio Book Group to get their verdict.
On today's show we round up some favourite interviews from Book Festivals such as Aye Write, Boswell and Wigtown.
Featuring Alexander McCall Smith, Anne de Courcy, Jessica A Fox, Mark Ellan and Martin Jarvis.
In a packed show, blind author N.B. Dixon talks to Red Szell about re-imagining Robin Hood.
Alan Bennett chats to Robert Kirkwood about awards, writing and Family Guy.
Angie Thomas on 'The Hate U Give' and winning the CILIP Amnesty Honour.
New College Worcester student Carys White on her love of books and accessible reading.
And we listen to new recordings of 'House of Cards'.
CILIP Carnegie shadower Carys White tells the audience at this year's award ceremony about accessible formats and chats to Red Szell about her love of reading and literature.
Clipped from Read On #77
We listen to the winning entries in the poetry and prose categories of the 2018 RNIB Writing Competition plus talk to the winners and listen to the two runner ups.
Also judge Patrick Gale gives us some hints and tips.
This year, the Man Booker Prize is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To mark the special event, a one-off Golden Man Booker Prize is being given to a previous winner crowning the overall best work of fiction from the last five decades of the prize.
The five books thought to have best stood the test of time are: In a Free State by V. S. Naipaul; Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively; The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje; Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel; and Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders.
We listen to them all and talk to some of the authors on the shortlist in this Man Booker special.
Broadcasting legend Nicholas Parsons gives us the scoop on why he was absent from Just A Minute for the first time in 50 years.
RNIB Library Collection Development Assistant Lynne Livingstone brings us some fabulous news about a new collection of Talking Books.
Author and listener N B Dixon reviews a classic woodland tale.
And Sarah J Harris gives us a final peek behind the scenes of ‘The Colours of Bee Larkham’s Murder.
This week we’re celebrating some outstanding books for children and young adults.
We have the winner of this year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal.
Previous winner Phillip Pullman reveals the books of his life.
Robert Kirkwood mixes with dragons and aliens, at the Scottish Friendly book jamboree. Featuring Jacqueline Wilson, Pamela Butchart, Cressida Cowell and Chris Riddell.
And Sarah J Harris gives us another peek behind the scenes of ‘The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder.
Hannah Kohler takes us back to 1960s America and the Vietnam War.
Listener Chris Gray recommends a book about running away to join the circus.
We remember Anthony Bourdain
And coming right up-to-date, we’ve got the first instalment of Sarah J Harris’ series about ‘The Colours of Bee Larkham’s Murder'
This week…
Author Sarah J Harris introduces us to ‘The Colours of Bee Larkham’s Murder.
Poet Andrew Pettigrew waxes lyrical about Louis Braille.
Candia McWilliam shares insights into blindness, addiction and literary prizes.
And Robert Kirkwood interviews the voice acting legend David Graham.
The voice acting legend David Graham tells Robert Kirkwood about being Brains and Parker in Thunderbirds, creating the voice of the Daleks and more
Clipped from Read On#71
On 6 June 2018, the Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour hosted an all-star author line-up at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
2018 is the 20th Anniversary of the Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour. To celebrate some of the UK's best children's authors and illustrators such as Jacqueline Wilson, Chris Riddell, Pamela Butchart and Cressida Cowell took to the stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall... Robert Kirkwood went along and discovered what authors have books in the RNIB Talking Books Library.
In our second CILIP Carnegie show of 2018 we chat to two of the shortlisted authors and last year's winner.
Geraldine McCaughrean on 'Where the World Ends'
Will Hill on 'After the Fire'
and last year's winner Ruta Sepetys on 'Salt to the Sea'
In today's show, Mark Billingham on 'The Killing Habit', Matthew Parris on 'Scorn', Chris Brookmyre on 'Want You Gone', Emma Swan on narrating 'That'll Be The Day' and reviewing 'Trunk Music' by Michael Connelly
Following a recommendation from a past guest, Red Szell reads and reviews Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
Clipped from Read On 69
Garrick Hagon discusses audiobooks, acting and Star Wars.
Fay Weldon takes the long view of feminism.
Joanne Harris reveals some extreme reactions to her novel about a blind character.
And the winner of last year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal for children’s fiction shares the books of her life.
A packed show recorded live at the Boswell Book Festival featuring ...
Dame Judi Dench on acting and how Macular Degeneration has robbed her of books and reading.
Andrew O'Hagan on his new book and how formative an early job at Blind Veteran's UK was for his writing.
Jackie Kay - Scotland's Poet Laureate on the importance of poetry in audio.
Anthony Horowitz - On his new book writing Bond as Ian Fleming.
Shaun Bythell - On his book and audiobook, The Diary of A Bookseller.
Dr. Gordon Turnbull - From Yale University, Gordon told us about the history of James Boswell and his eponymous festival.
In our first CILIP Carnegie show of 2018 we chat to three of the shortlisted authors
Marcus Sedgwick on Saint Death,
Anthony McGowan on Rook,
And Lauren Wolk on Beyond the Bright Sea.
We chat to Anthony about 'Rook' his book shortlisted for the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal.
Clipped from Read On #66
Laura Barnett blends writing and music in her new multi-media bestseller ‘Greatest Hits'.
Minette Walters reveals the parental dilemma at the heart of her latest novel.
And listener Jacqueline Brown recommends an account of wartime heroism by the RAF.
Marion Rankine unfurls a history of the umbrella. (apologies for audio quality in some of this item)
Historian Lucy Worsley tells us why she thinks Jane Austen failed to find success in her own lifetime.
And listener John Banfield reveals how a classic tale of imprisonment and escape inspired him to write his own memoirs.
Historian Lucy Worsley tells us why she thinks Jane Austen failed to find success in her own lifetime.
Clipped from Read On 64
In this episode Red Szell chats to Dave Steele about his poetry collections 'Stand by Me RP'.
Robert Kirkwood finds out about Liz Pichon's character Tom Gates.
And we hear some notable poems from last year's RNIB Writing Competition.
As his memoir 'Over and Out' is released as an RNIB Talking Book at the same time as the print version, Red Szell talks to national treasure, Henry 'Blowers' Blofeld.
Caroline Lennon tells us about being a Talking Books narrator and about her life, and death, on The Archers.
And Neil Oliver talks to Robert Kirkwood from the other side of the world about conservation, history and his historical fiction.
Tony Parsons chats to Red Szell about his work and being the 'Father of Man-Lit', Phill Jupitus discusses some of his favourite books, old and new, and with the stage version of 'Alys, Always' about to open in London we talk to Harriet Lane.
We go behind the counter and learn about the sometimes funny and sometimes frustrating life of owning a bookshop as Shaun Bythell talks about his 'Diary of a Bookseller'.
Clipped from the non-fiction 'best of' Read On episode 60, first played September 2017. Updated to include clips of the audiobook.
In a non-fiction 'best of' episode we learn about spies, double agents and espionage with Ben McIntyre, we go behind the scene's of The Bookshop in Wigtown with Shaun Bythell and learn about the father of biography, James Boswell.
Author Susie Steiner discusses writing and sight loss with host Red Szell. We go back and listen to Julian Barnes on 'The Sense of an Ending' before handing it over to our radio book group, and narrator Beverly Klein gives vice to some Corner House Girls.
Actor and writer Robin Driscoll joins Red Szell to talk about his book 'Rough Music', comedian Robin Ince tells Robert Kirkwood about his book, 'The Bad Book Club' and Helen Lederer talks about 'Losing It'.
We hear a short comic tale from a blind writer, a narrator on a favourite of his by Garrison Keeler and much more on today's show.
Contact the show by emailing readonair@rnib.org.uk
Red Szell chats to Patrick Gale about the upcoming RNIB Member's Writing Competition and about the differences between novel and short story writing.
Author David Munro talks about The Time Jigsaw and writing with a visual impairment.
And we hear again from Verity Smith on her both funny and sad memoir, The Groper's Guide.
The author of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow tells Red Szell all about the book and her life as an author.
Clipped from Read On episode 56
With author Jess Townsend Red Szell explores Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow.
Robert Kirkwood looks forward to AyeWrite!, Glasgow's Book Festival with Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, Louise Welsh, Zoe Strachan and Alan Bissett.
A listener recommends a tale of heroism and blindness in the face on 9/11 and Red reviews The Transition by Luke Kennard.
Contact the show on readonair@rnib.org.uk
As this year's AyeWrite! approaches, Robert Kirkwood chats to Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, Alan Bisset, Louise Welsh and Zoe Strachan about some of their favourite memories of the Glasgow Book Festival.
Charles Dickens' great great great granddaughter, Lucinda Hawksley talks about her latest book, 'March, Women, March' as it enters the RNIB Talking Book Library.
David Aldwinckle talks about his position within RNIB and tells Red Szell about some of his favourite books.
Robert Kirkwood goes behind the scenes at the Talking Books studios and journalist and author Peter Ross returns to the show for 'The Books of My Life.'
Contact the show on readonair@rnib.org.uk
A.L. Kennedy talks to Red Szell about all the forms of her writing and her outlook on life, Mark Haddon talks about life after that 'Curious Incident ...', Giles Coren and Victoria Coren Mitchell talk about 'Chocolate and Cuckoo Clocks' to Robert Kirkwood and listener Paul Chennel recommends one of his favourites.
Author Rachel Ward tells us about her new book, 'The Cost of Living', narrator Peter Kenny demonstrates just how versatile he is, we reveal the winner of the Costa Book of the Year award and we pay a visit to a new Harry Potter exhibition an the British Library.
We talk to three winners of The Costa Book Award 2017.
Jon McGregor talks about 'Reservoir 13', winner of the Novel of the Year, Rebecca Stott talks about her Biography of the Year 'In the Days of Rain: A Daughter. A Father. A Cult', and we go exploring with Children's Book of the Year winner, Katherine Rundell ... who also gives us the books of her life.
We have a listen to all of the category winners as we wait for the announcement of the Costa Book of the Year and chat to First Novel winner Gail Honeyman. We also chat to previous winners Ali Smith and Sebastian Barry and review Frances Hardinge's The Lie Tree.
We explore Daunderlust with journalist Peter Ross, Ali Smith talks Autumn, which is then reviewed by the RNIB Connect Radio Book Group plus Philip Reeve on the books of his life.
A listen back to three interviews from last year, one fiction, one non-fiction and one from an RNIB Talking Book narrator.
Mark Miodownik on Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvellous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World, Laurence Bouvard on bringing audio books to life and Neil Gaiman on his life, work and Norse Mythology.
The author of 'His Dark Materials' joins Red Szell in the Talking Book studios to talk about his new trilogy, 'The Book of Dust' and the first book which is out now, 'La Belle Sauvage.'
Clipped from Read On Episode 48
Philip Pullman joins Red Szell in the Talking Book studios to talk about 'The Book of Dust' Book 1: La Belle Sauvage. Andy Miller tells Robert Kirkwood about 'The Year of Reading Dangerously' and narrator and author Andy Secombe tells Red about growing up with the Goons and a few of his famous voices.
Stephen Moss tells us the history behind the Robin's connection to Christmas, Steven Scott and Red discuss some reading technology, Robert Kirkwood delves into RNIB Library for some festive books and chats to Eddie Izzard about narrating 'Lost Christmas'.
John Bew talks to host Red Szell about the Orwell Prize winning Citizen Clem: A Biography of Attlee ... at the Wigtown Book Festival we chat to Marian Veevers, author of 'Jane and Dorothy: A True Tale of Sense and Sensibility' and Robert Kirkwood hears Jonathan Dimbleby's Churchill impression.
With the Scottish Book Trust we hear tales from this year's free book, 'Nourish'. Stories from Dave Myres, Mary Contini and much more on Nourishment for body and soul. We also talk to the Scottish Book Trust and hear what they do to encourage reading and writing.
Get the whole free audio book 'Nourish' at www.scottishbooktrust.com/nourish
Red Szell visits the Petworth Literary Festival and meets his hero, Chris Bonington and finds out about the festival from artistic director Stewart Collins. We hear about 'Another Day in the Death of America' from journalist and author Gary Younge and at the Wigtown Book Festival we hear the remarkable history of horses from Susanna Forrest.
The actress talks about being the voice of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, narrating Sci-Fi and discusses some favourites. Clipped from Read On Episode 43
Lauren St. John tells us how books can actually change minds, Andrew Beasley makes us S.C.R.E.A.M. We re-visit His Dark Materials and Adjoa Andoh talks about her work, including the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
A special documentary about the origins of the Talking Books service, recorded at the original locations around London, and featuring many voices from the past.
Historian Matthew Rubery and Robert Kirkwood explore everything from the first Talking Book machines, some failed technology, how books were chosen and much more.
David Mitchell tells Red Szell how his characters write to him, Jessica A. Fox talks about leaving NASA to work in a Scottish bookshop, Gail Honeyman gives us the books of her life and Robert Kirkwood finds the links between Star Wars and Talking Books.
On Unesco World Day for Audiovisual Heritage we explore the importance of audio archives, Red Szell talks to author David Szalay, and as it's near Halloween we pick some scary books and hear from the late James Herbert.
We remember the master of horror fiction James Herbert in an interview Robert Kirkwood conducted with him shortly before his death, discussing how his childhood influenced his books and how protective he was of his work. (This is a much longer version of the interview that appeared on-air.)
Before George Saunders was announced as the winner, we talked to all six shortlisted authors up for the 2017 Man Booker Prize.
The Booker shortlisted author tells Robert Kirkwood about his first full length novel after a career as the 'master of the short story', and discusses the work involved in having over 160 narrators on a book.
Red Szell chats to the Booker Shortlisted author about 'Exit West', about loss and religion and how Mohsin reads all the American audio versions of his books.
With a fourth book on the Booker shortlist, Ali Smith talks to Red Szell about how quickly it was published, about Brexit, and about keeping excitement at bay - - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.
The author talks to Robert Kirkwood about her novel, and about being a bit distracted when she discovered she was on the Booker Longlist - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.
The Booker shortlisted author talks to Red Szell about 'Elmet' and how she was influenced by Westerns and wrote some of the book on her phone - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.
The Booker shortlisted author talks to Robert Kirkwood about his novel '4 3 2 1' and about reading the 36 hour audio version himself. - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.
Jeff Wayne talks about how 'War of the Worlds' inspired a whole rock opera, Red revisits 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep', Philip Reeve gives us the books of his life, and we speak to Parker, Brains, Peppa Pig's grandfather, the first Dalek and more all rolled up in narrator David Graham.
In today's show Robert Kirkwood talks to Erwin James learning Braille whilst serving a life sentence, we hear how Give A Book are helping people in custody, Emma Donoghue talks about 'Room' and Red Szell visits Shawshank.
In a packed show, Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood talk to Anne de Courcy about her book 'The Husband Hunters', Christopher Brookmyre on 'Want You Gone', Anthony McGowan on 'The Art of Failing', Adam Macqueen on 'The Lies of the Land'.
Peggy Hughes gives us the Books of her Life, Adrian Turpin gives us a history of the Wigtown Festival, we explore the The Diary of a Bookseller with Sean Bythell and hear about the festival's charity partner Fight for Sight.
The Husband Hunters: Social Climbing in London and New York.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century and for the first few years of the twentieth, a strange invasion took place in Britain. The citadel of power, privilege and breeding in which the titled, land-owning governing class had barricaded itself for so long was breached. Red Szell talks to Ann De Coucy in this interview clipped from the full Wigtown show.
Red Szell talks to David about some of the books he has narrated for RNIB and hears his Tartan Noir villain voice!
Adventurer Mick Dawson tells us about 'Rowing the Pacific: 7,000 Miles from Japan to San Francisco', Tony Hawks moves to the West Country, the book group talk about Bill Bryson and narrator David Monteath talks about some favourite books.
As we gear up for this year's Wigtown Book Festival here's what Robert Kirkwood got up to last year with Susan Calman, Helen Sedgwick, Hardeep Singh Kohli and much more!
Robert Kirkwood talks to Jane Hawking about her memoir that was adapted into the movie, The Theory of Everything and discovers some Stephen Hawking books in the library.
Kim Normanton chats to Madeleine Brolly, Talking Books narrator and voice of the Neapolitan series.
In today's show Red Szell talks to Emma Flint about her book 'Little Deaths' retelling a shocking New York murder, Madeline Brolly talks about accents for Talking Books, Robert Kirkwood discovers some Stephen Hawking works in the Talking Books library and Jacqueline Wilson talks about her latest book.
Lin Anderson tells Red Sell about Bloody Scotland, Ben MacIntyre talks about spies and espionage and Ruta Sepetys talks about winning this year's Cilip Carnegie medal.
Red Szell talks to Jasper Win about his book Paddle where he circumnavigates Ireland in a kayak. Robert Kirkwood chats to historian John Keay about blind traveller John Holman and to Bill Bryson about America in 1927. Ken Reid gives us the books of his life and the books he raised money for by cycling around the UK and Red reviews a spoof travel guide.
Read by Jim Broadbent exclusively for RNIB Talking Books, the Death of Diana by David Lodge is the author's reflections of Diana as a public figure and an attempt to understand the outpouring of grief felt 20 years ago.
Author of the year 2017, Graeme Macrae Burnet, joined Robert Kirkwood on stage for a live recording of Read On Air and told us the story behind 'His Bloody Project', The Disappearance of Adele Badeau' and the upcoming 'Accident on the A35'.
As we look forward to this year's event in Edinburgh, let's go back to 2016 with Robert Kirkwood interviewing the host of Read On, Red Szell about his book, 'The Blind Man of Hoy'.
A short history of the Oscars and a listen to some books that have been adapted into winners of the Best Picture Academy Award.
In another look at books for a younger audience we chat to Zana Fraillon about The Bone Sparrow, Jonathan Meres about the end of 'The World of Norm', and Lari Don about Mind Blind.
Sebastian Faulks talks about 'Where My Heart Used to Beat, we remember Michael Bond, there's the story of an Indian epic and more from narrator Laurence Bouvard.
Two brothers wrote and recorded a version of The Ramayana, and donated it to RNIB Talking Books .. Clare Carson has their story.
In memory of the late creator of Paddington Bear, here he is when he visited the Talking Book studios to chat to Robert Kirkwood about the origins of that bear from darkest Peru.
With Limmy's new book "That's Yer Lot" entering the TB library we went back to his first book for our short story episode and explored some really 'Daft Wee Stories'
Louis de Bernieres talks about his "Notwithstanding" tales ... with "That's Yer Lot" in shops and in the RNIB Library we look back at Limmy's first book "Daft Wee Stories" and the RNIB Library staff review some short fiction.
The author of Coraline, The Sandman and American Gods, amongst many others, joins Hannah Tausz for an exclusive chat. They discuss his new book, Norse Mythologies, his eyesight, collaborations, and the books that shaped him, before he was old enough to know he was being shaped.
Philip Reeve talks about Railhead with Red Szell, Robert Kirkwood goes on a quest for sci-fi and fantasy in the Talking Books library and Hannah Tausz chats to Neil Gaiman about Norse Mythologies, his eyesight and much more.
Monty talks to Robert Kirkwood about his book The Road to Le Thonolet and with blind gardener Kevin Smith talks about the sensory experience of the garden.
Can't get enough of the new series, or want to learn more about A Song of Ice and Fire? Well all of the books are available from RNIB
Ann Cleeves celebrates writing 30 books in 30 years, Robert Kirkwood talks gardening with Monty Don, Frank Cottrell-Boyce on the books of his life, and Red Szell reviews Wolf Brother
From James Thurber to Mark Hardie we talk to writers who haven't let sight loss get in the way of success.
Crime writer Mark Hardie tells us how blindness doesn’t prevent him from describing a murder scene. Harriet Lane reveals how sight loss allowed her to become an author. International best-selling writer Joanna Trollope tells Leanne why she’s such a passionate supporter of Talking Books.
Red Szell reviews All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr ... even though as a person with sightloss, he avoids books with blind characters! What will he think?
When Julia Donaldson came to RNIB to read Freddy and the Fairy a problem arose. How to deal with pages with no text? Robert Kirkwood finds out.
Marti Leimbach talks to Red about being an American author in England, BJ Novak tells Robert about ‘The Book With No Pictures’ and narrator Laurence Bouvard gives voice to Buffy the Vampire Slayer!
From the archives, an interview with the best selling non-fiction writer, Bill Bryson. Find out about his lost book, why dogs hate him and why he could've swapped Stephen Katz for a plank of wood at one point during his Walk in the Woods. #LoveAudio
Red Szell talks to Frank Cottrell-Boyce about Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth, Julia Donaldson records a book with Robert Kirkwood, and we get some reading suggestions from younger listeners.
Dave John, RNIB Talking Book narrator, talks about the book he's currently recording, Man & Wife by Tony Parsons.
The author tells Robert Kirkwood about her debut novel and how it came to be one of the biggest releases of 2017
Tony Parsons and Gail Honeyman talk about their work and the labels that can hinder it. Dave John talks about narrating Mand and Wife and Red reviews Lady Audley's Secret.
Red Szell bumps into Andrew Cullum, a narrator he'd previously heard reading some terrifying books, and finds out he's not scary at all ... and that he's covered 2,500 years of history!
Giles Abbott, the UK’s only professional blind storyteller, tells Red Szell about his work for RNIB Talking Books.
Giles Abbot talks about his sight loss and narrating, Penelope Freeman gives some tricks of the trade and Paul Birchard talks Fusion.
With Nigel Havers, Private Eye co-founder and editor Richard Ingrams and bomber pilot George Dunn, Robert Kirkwood records this week's show at the Boswell Book Festival.
Also with Festival Director Caroline Knox, Paul Tankard and Gordon Turnbull, there's a look at the life and works of James Boswell himself.
Host Red Szell listens to the winning entries of this year's RNIB Writing Competition and we look back some previous winners.
WARNING - This is the uncensored version and contains an expletive.
Robert Kirkwood talks to the team behind the innovative serialisation of Julian Fellowes Belgravia in audio and e-text.
In today's show Red and Robert get intimate! In a love story special, Red chats to Francesca Segal about her new novel and Robert gets the scoop on Mills and Boon from author Sarah Mallory. Plus we explore the Talking Books library for books on love in all its forms.
Red Szell chats to Jane Harris, Robert Kirkwood talks to Alexander McCall Smith and we discover more about the making of Julian Fellowes Belgravia.
Kate London talks to Red Szell and provides evidence that crime is alive and kicking with her new novel ‘Death Message’, Peter Robinson gives us the intel on DCI Banks and we say a long goodbye to Colin Dexter.
Red finds out if Frances Hardinge's book 'The Lie Tree' lives up to the hype that surrounded it on release.
Red Szell talks to Joanne Harris about being a judge on the RNIB writing competition, Robert chats to Tanya Landman about winning the CILIP Carnegie Medal and Marc Macree talks about RNIB being nominated as the library of the year.
Red is joined in the studio by John Carlin, author of 'Playing The Enemy', Sherri Baines, narrator of Emmeline Pankhurst's autobiography and Kate Hamer, who shares the books of her life
Robert Kirkwood talks to Paul Beatty about his prize-winning book. #RNIBConnect, #readonair
Howard Jacobson talks to Red about his latest title, 'Pussy', and the critical role of satire in understanding the world we live in. RNIB Librarian Nuala gives her thoughts on the modern classic 'Brave New World' and Red passes through the portal to Discworld as he reads Terry Pratchett for the first time.
Sam Hepburn, Kate Hamer and Graeme Macrae Burnet join Red Szell as he dips his toes into the murky and dark world of psychological thrillers.
Red reviews one of his favourite Ruth Rendell novels and Robert Kirkwood digs a little deeper into her reasons for writing some of her books as Barbara Vine
Bonus Content - Verity talks to Red about the perils of writing when you can't see the page and shares some of the books of her life.
Red talks to international dressage rider Verity Smith, Paralympian Mike Brace MBE and single mum Dianne Woodford about their biographies of blindness.
Bonus Content - Jo Brand talks to Claire Carson about her experience of writing as opposed to doing the rounds on the comedy circuit and the challenges of both! #readonair #RNIBConnect
In celebration of World Book Day, Read On Air digs into the archive to bring you Roald Dahl, with his own reading of his classic story. #readonair #RNIBConnect
Bonus Content - Limmy talks to Robert Kirkwood about his new book and gives Read On Air a world exclusive preview of the audiobook. #readonair #RNIBConnect
Make 'Em Laugh: What do Limmy, Rum Doodle and Jerome K Jerome have in common? They've all made Red laugh out loud. Find out what tickles his funny bone.
What makes a good book? Red and the panel discuss this as a theme on this week's episode, plus we eavesdrop on a book group who talk about 'The Essex Serpent'. And the RNIB Librarians talk about romantic fiction. #RNIBConnect #ReadOnAir
This week we return to the age most often viewed as a time of innocence and simplicity, and reflect on memoirs written of childhood. Esther Freud tells Red Szell about the writing of ‘Hideous Kinky’ from the perspective of her 4 year old self, Poh Sim Plowright revisits one of her favourite books and the rites of passage at the heart of To Kill A Mockingbird and the RNIB Library team review Sue Perkin’s memoir, Spectacles.
Red finds out about the various books that take the written word and turn it into movie blockbusters. But which is better? We take the case in point of Brokeback Mountain. #RNIBConnect #ReadOnAir
One of Red's favourite books is The Suspicions of Mr Witcher by Kate Summerscale. He was delighted to speak to her to find out more about her writing career and background. #RNIBConnect #ReadOnAir
This week we feature a host of books from the movies including the most recent book to be made into a movie - T2: Trainspotting - plus classics available in the RNIB Talking Book library. #RNIBConnect #ReadOnAir
This week we take a look at non-fiction books in the RNIB Talking Books library including Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World by Mark Miodownik and The Shark and the Albatross by John Aitchison.
RNIBConnect #ReadOnAir
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a talking books narrator? Red decided to find out and spoke to two of RNIB's narrators at the Talking Books studio in Camden. #RNIBConnect #ReadOnAir
We talk to Costa Award winner Sebastian Barry, Joanne Harris talks about her writing and Robert Kirkwood finds out about the printing of the Kilmarnock Edition of Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect by Robert Burns.
In the second episode Red finds out which is the best spy writer - John le Carré or Ian Fleming. Also we hear from David Thorpe, the narrator of Red's book 'The Blind Man of Hoy', and there's another chance to 'Educate Red' from one of your chosen books this week. #RNIBConnect #ReadOnAir
Welcome to the first edition of Read On Air. In this first episode we learn all about how blind people were ahead of the curve with audio technology, we educate our presenter Red with a book he would never normally choose, Kate London tells us about her first novel Post Mortem and community member Graham shares some of his poetry. #ReadOnAir #RNIBConnect
Kate London tells us about how her time in the MET helped her to write her first novel Post Mortem. #ReadOnAir #RNIBConnect