Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB
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 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 radio@rnib.org.uk or find Robert on Twitter @Talking_Books
Other great podcast channels from RNIB Connect Radio
Connect - Our main channel with news, features and articles on sight loss.
Conversations - Blind and partially sighted people speaking about a wide range of topics.
Tech Talk - Technology for blind and partially sighted people.
Sport - See sport differently.
The Happy Hour - Mental health, mindfulness, and overall wellbeing.
Tracks of My Life - Take a journey through our guest's life.
Support - Other podcasts from RNIB.
TV Guide - Daily audio TV listings
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 radio@rnib.org.uk or find Robert on Twitter @Talking_Books
Other great podcast channels from RNIB Connect Radio
Connect - Our main channel with news, features and articles on sight loss.
Conversations - Blind and partially sighted people speaking about a wide range of topics.
Tech Talk - Technology for blind and partially sighted people.
Sport - See sport differently.
The Happy Hour - Mental health, mindfulness, and overall wellbeing.
Tracks of My Life - Take a journey through our guest's life.
Support - Other podcasts from RNIB.
TV Guide - Daily audio TV listings
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 11, 2022 • 58min
262: Cathy Bramley, A History of the World in 100 Objects & Richard Holmes
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.
Mar 4, 2022 • 58min
261: Days That Changed The World History Special
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.
Feb 25, 2022 • 58min
260: World Book Day, Pamela Gail Johnson, Onjali Q Rauf & Jenni Murray
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.
Feb 18, 2022 • 58min
259: Dr Richard Firth Godbehere, Sarah Stovell and Regina Regan
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.
Feb 11, 2022 • 58min
258: Jenni Murray, Fiona Scott-Barett & Becky Wright
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.
Feb 4, 2022 • 58min
257: Costa Book Award Retrospective, with winner Hannah Lowe
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.
Jan 28, 2022 • 58min
256: Costa Book Awards 2021 Part 2
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'.
Jan 21, 2022 • 58min
255: Costa Book Awards 2021 Part 1
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.
Jan 14, 2022 • 58min
254: Maud Rowell, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger and Meik Wiking
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.
Jan 7, 2022 • 58min
253: Snow Special: Lucy Foley, Sir Chris Bonnington and The Robin
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.
