Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB
506 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★ - 6 ratingsA 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 and produced by Robert Kirkwood, 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 40,000 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 [email protected] or find Robert on Twitter @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/playlists/4634228-tracks-of-my-life) - 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
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Episodes
Happy New Year!
January 03, 2020 11:16 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBA 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.
150: Episode 150 - John le Carré
December 20, 2019 12:55 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBIn 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.
149: Christmas Special with Noddy Holder, Charlie Grima, Sue Moorcroft and Tricia Ashley
December 13, 2019 12:55 - 1 hour - 66.9 MBOn 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 th...
148: Diane Jeffrey, John Cormack, plus 'The Robin' and other Christmas books
December 06, 2019 12:55 - 58 minutes - 54 MBDiane 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 broadcas...
147: Joely Richardson, Philip Pullman and Danielle McLaughlin
November 29, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBIn 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)
146: Book Week Scotland (2019)
November 22, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBThe 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.
145: Chris Lintott, Jane Clarke and Robin Kermode
November 15, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 53 MBOn 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)
144: Sita Brahmachari, Laura Ellen Anderson, Gary Younge and The Blind Mechanic
November 08, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 53 MBOn 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 ...
143: Benjamin Myers, Lucy Ellmann, Stephanie Ellyne and The Greatcoat
November 01, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBIn 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)
142: Patricia Cornwell, Lynne Truss and narrating Ducks, Newburyport
October 25, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 53 MBLynne 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)
141: The Booker Prize 2019 and more from the Wigtown Book Festival
October 18, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBIn 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 B...
140: Chigozie Obioma, Elif Shafak and Margaret Atwood
October 11, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBIn 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)
139: Live at the Wigtown Book Festival (2019)
October 04, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 53 MBIn 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 Books...
138: Bernardine Evaristo, Lucy Ellmann and Joanna MacGregor
September 27, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBWe’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)
137: Mary Beard, Chris McQueer, Andy Stanton, Booker Shortlist and an audiobook party
September 20, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBA 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 Gu...
Chris McQueer - narrating short stories n' that.
September 16, 2019 11:43 - 8 minutes - 7.97 MBAs 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.
Chris McQueer - Hings and HWFG
September 16, 2019 11:43 - 8 minutes - 7.97 MBAs 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.
136: Booker Prize Retrospective
September 13, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBAs 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 t...
135: Celia Anderson, Jackie Kay and Christopher Scott
September 06, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBToday 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)
134: Patrice Lawrence, Peter Robinson and Kate London
August 30, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBThis 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)
133: Hope Through Adversity
August 23, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBHarriet 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)
132: All at Sea
August 16, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 53 MBToday 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 ...
131: Liz Fenwick, Mark Billingham and Di Langford
August 09, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBLiz 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)
130: Holiday Special
August 02, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MBIn 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)
129: Jess Butterworth, Andy Stanton and Jess Townsend
July 26, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBJess 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)
128: The Moon Landings in Literature
July 19, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBCelebrating 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)
127: Frances Hardinge, Kwame Alexander, Elizabeth Acevedo and New College Worcester
July 12, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBFrances 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)
Summer Reading Challenge 2019 with RNIB
July 12, 2019 08:41 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBIt'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
126: Dame Stella Rimington, Frederick Forsyth and Frank Gardner
July 05, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBDame 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)
125: Joe Heap, Niq Mhlongo, Celestial Bodies and more
June 28, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBOn 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 Ga...
Read On presenter Red Szell conquers Am Buachaille
June 27, 2019 14:26 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBWhat 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.
124: Ursula Buchan on John Buchan, Joanne Ramos on The Farm, plus Pen & Inc
June 21, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBThis 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)
Elizabeth Acevedo wins the CILIP Carnegie Medal
June 18, 2019 15:34 - 8 minutes - 7.93 MBIn 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.
123: CILIP Carnegie Special with Jason Reynolds, Sally Nicholls and Candy Gourlay, plus remembering narrator Stephen Thorne
June 14, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBIn 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)
122: CILIP Carnegie Special with Elizabeth Acevedo, Sophie Anderson, Kate Saunders and more.
June 07, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 53 MBSophie 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)
121: Roz Watkins, Jon McGregor and a Game of Thrones
May 31, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBRoz 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)
120: Lee Child and Lucie Whitehouse
May 24, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBThis 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)
119: Live at the Boswell Book Festival (2019)
May 17, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBA 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 an...
118: Best of Boswell Book Festival
May 10, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBRobert 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...
117: Leah Hazard, Ian Skewis and Talking Book Tech
May 03, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBLeah 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 ...
How do you audio describe Game of Thrones?
May 02, 2019 10:30 - 8 minutes - 8.17 MBEvery 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.
116: Nicola Cornick, Bernard Cornwell and John Carlin
April 26, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBNicola 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)
115: Authors and Narrators Easter Holiday Special
April 19, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBRed 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 Edinb...
114: Stella Duffy, Beth O'Leary and J.O. Morgan
April 12, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBIn 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)
113: The Creativity Code with Marcus du Sautoy and Talking Books technology
April 05, 2019 11:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBMarcus 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 )
112: Judy Leigh, Marcus Berkmann and Simon Mahoney
March 29, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBThis 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)
111: Doctor Who, Star Trek and Pokemon with Louise Jameson, Ellie Wallwork, Marcus Berkmann and Veronica Taylor
March 22, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBLouise 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 ...
110: Fionnuala Kearney, Chris Stewart and Esther Freud
March 15, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBThis 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)
109: Topical Non-Fiction with Ece Temelkuran, Jonathan Haskel and Trina Beckett.
March 08, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBPolitical 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)
108: Onjali Q Raúf, Anthony McGowan and World Book Day
March 01, 2019 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBToday 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)