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
Dec 31, 2021 • 58min
252: The Best of Read On 2021 Part 2
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!
Dec 24, 2021 • 58min
251: The Best of Read On 2021 Part 1
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.
Dec 17, 2021 • 58min
250: Libraries and Museums: Joseph Coelho, Rachel Morris, The Library: A Fragile History and The History of the Talking Book
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.
Dec 10, 2021 • 58min
249: Val Wood, Denise Mina, Henry Mance and Jeff Harding
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.
Dec 3, 2021 • 58min
248: Anita Frank, Kate London and Di Langford
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.
Nov 26, 2021 • 58min
247: Salley Vickers, Mark Lynas, Chris Stewart & Climate Change Books
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.
Nov 19, 2021 • 58min
246: Melanie Golding, Ian McGuire and John Aitcheson
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.
Nov 12, 2021 • 58min
245: Hilma Wolitzer, Sir Derek Jacobi and Robert Kingett
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.
Nov 5, 2021 • 1h 5min
244: Wigtown Book Festival 2021
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)
Oct 29, 2021 • 58min
243: Booker Special 2: Richard Powers, Patricia Lockwood and Anuk Arudpragasam
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.
