Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB
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
Latest episodes
Mar 7, 2025 • 58min
414: Mari Hannah, Steve Hodson plus Maurice and Maralyn
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
Mar 5, 2025 • 8min
Tribute to narrator Steve Hodson
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.
Feb 28, 2025 • 58min
413: World Book Day with Tom Palmer
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.
Feb 21, 2025 • 58min
412: Liz Hyder & Adam S Leslie - Nero Book Awards
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.
Feb 19, 2025 • 6min
Lucy Edwards - Ella Jones Vs the Sun Stealer (Extract)
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.
Feb 14, 2025 • 58min
411: Joanna Toye - A New Chapter at the Little Penguin Bookshop
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.
Feb 7, 2025 • 58min
410: Nigel Planer, Jo Caulfield and Richard Herring
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
Jan 31, 2025 • 58min
409: Rachel Kushner - Creation Lake
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.
Jan 24, 2025 • 58min
408: Charlotte Wood - Stone Yard Devotional
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
Jan 17, 2025 • 58min
407: Yael van der Woulden - The Safekeep
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.
