Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB
507 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 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
58: Comedy with Robin Ince, Helen Lederer and writer of Mr. Bean, Robin Driscoll
March 09, 2018 12:50 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBActor 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 [email protected]
57: Patrick Gale, David Munro, Verity Smith and the RNIB Writing Competition
March 02, 2018 12:50 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBRed 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.
56: Jess Townsend on Nevermoor, a visit to AyeWrite!, a Thunderdog and more.
February 23, 2018 12:50 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBWith 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 [email protected]
Author Interview - Jessica Townsend
February 23, 2018 12:50 - 22 minutes - 21 MBThe 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
AyeWrite! - Favourite moments from Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, Alan Bisset, Louise Welsh and Zoe Strachan
February 23, 2018 12:49 - 6 minutes - 5.67 MBAs 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.
55: Lucinda Hawksley, Peter Ross, David Aldwinckle and making a Talking Book
February 16, 2018 12:50 - 57 minutes - 53.3 MBCharles 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 [email protected]
54: A.L. Kennedy and Mark Haddon
February 09, 2018 12:50 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBA.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.
53: Rachel Ward, Peter Kenny, Harry Potter and the Costa Book of the Year
February 02, 2018 12:50 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBAuthor 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.
52: The Costa Book Awards with Jon McGregor, Rebecca Stott and Katherine Rundell
January 26, 2018 12:50 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBWe 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.
51: The Costa Book Awards with Gail Honeyman, Ali Smith and Sebastian Barry
January 19, 2018 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBWe 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.
50: Peter Ross, Ali Smith, Philip Reeve and the Book Group.
January 12, 2018 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBWe 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.
49: Neil Gaiman, Mark Miodownik and Laurence Bouvard
January 05, 2018 12:46 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBA 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.
Philip Pullman - 'The Book of Dust'
December 22, 2017 12:55 - 20 minutes - 19.1 MBThe 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
48: Philip Pullman, Andy Miller and Andy Secombe
December 22, 2017 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBPhilip 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.
47: Eddie Izzard's Lost Christmas and 'The Robin: A biography'
December 15, 2017 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBStephen 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'.
46: John Bew, Marian Veevers and Jonathan Dimbleby
December 08, 2017 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBJohn 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.
45: Book Week Scotland (2017)
December 01, 2017 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBWith 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
44: Mountains, Horses and Guns with Chris Bonington, Gary Younge, and Susanna Forrest.
November 24, 2017 12:55 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBRed 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.
Narrator Interview - Adjoa Andoh
November 17, 2017 13:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBThe 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
43: YA Books and more with Lauren St. John, Andrew Beasley, Adjoa Andoh and His Dark Materials
November 17, 2017 12:58 - 57 minutes - 54 MBLauren 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.
42: The First Talking Books - Documentary Special
November 10, 2017 12:45 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBA 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.
41: David Mitchell, Jessica Fox and Gail Honeyman
November 03, 2017 12:59 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBDavid 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.
James Herbert - Uncut
October 27, 2017 12:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBWe 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.)
James Herbert - Unedited interview
October 27, 2017 12:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBWe 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.)
40: David Szalay, James Herbert, audio archives and books for Halloween.
October 27, 2017 12:00 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBOn 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.
39: Man Booker 2017
October 23, 2017 15:56 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBBefore George Saunders was announced as the winner, we talked to all six shortlisted authors up for the 2017 Man Booker Prize.
Man Booker 2017 Winner - George Saunders 'Lincoln in the Bardo'
October 17, 2017 12:02 - 10 minutes - 9.5 MBThe 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.
Man Booker 2017 - Mohsin Hamid 'Exit West'
October 16, 2017 14:43 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBRed 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.
Man Booker 2017 - Ali Smith 'Autumn'
October 13, 2017 15:48 - 13 minutes - 13.5 MBWith 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.
Man Booker 2017 - Emily Fridlund 'History of Wolves'
October 13, 2017 15:46 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBThe 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.
Man Booker 2017 - Fiona Mozley - 'Elmet'
October 13, 2017 15:41 - 9 minutes - 9.01 MBThe 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.
Man Booker 2017 - Paul Auster '4-3-2-1'
October 13, 2017 15:33 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBThe 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.
Review - 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'
October 13, 2017 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.27 MBRed Szell reads the inspiration for the first Blade Runner film.
38: Sci-Fi with Jeff Wayne, Blade Runner, Philip Reeve and the first Dalek.
October 13, 2017 12:00 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBJeff 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.
Jeff Wayne on 'War of the Worlds'
October 13, 2017 12:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBThe composer tells Robert Kirkwood how H.G. Wells inspired a whole rock opera.
37: Literature Locked Up
October 06, 2017 11:59 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBIn 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.
Wigtown Book Festival 2017 - Ann De Courcy
September 29, 2017 12:00 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBThe 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.
36: Live at the Wigtown Book Festival (2017)
September 29, 2017 12:00 - 57 minutes - 53.3 MBIn 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.
35: Rowing the Pacific, Tony Hawks in the West Country and narrating for RNIB.
September 22, 2017 12:00 - 57 minutes - 53 MBAdventurer 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.
Narrator Interview - David Monteath
September 22, 2017 12:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBRed Szell talks to David about some of the books he has narrated for RNIB and hears his Tartan Noir villain voice!
Live at Wigtown Book Festival (2016)
September 21, 2017 11:10 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBAs 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!
Jane and Stephen Hawking - The Theory of Everything
September 19, 2017 13:02 - 10 minutes - 9.91 MBRobert 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.
Narrator Interview - Madeleine Brolly
September 19, 2017 12:53 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBKim Normanton chats to Madeleine Brolly, Talking Books narrator and voice of the Neapolitan series.
Author Interview - Emma Flint
September 19, 2017 12:03 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBRed Szell chats to Emma Flint about her love of crime and her novel, 'Little Deaths'
34: Little Deaths, Clover Moon and The Theory of Everything
September 15, 2017 12:36 - 57 minutes - 53.3 MBIn 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.
33: Ben MacIntyre, Ruta Sepetys and Lin Anderson on Bloody Scotland,
September 08, 2017 11:53 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBLin 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.
32: Travel Special with Bill Bryson, Jasper Winn, and John Keay.
September 01, 2017 12:00 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBRed 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.
The Death of Diana - A Talking Books Special read by Jim Broadbent
August 31, 2017 09:07 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBRead 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.
31: Graeme Macrae Burnet - Live at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (2017)
August 25, 2017 11:59 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBAuthor 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'.
30: Live at the Edinburgh International Book Festival with Red Szell
August 18, 2017 12:00 - 57 minutes - 52.9 MBAs 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'.