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
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.
Oct 22, 2021 • 58min
242: Booker Special 2021 Part 1: Maggie Shipstead, Damon Galgud & Nadifa Mohamed
This week we’re taking a look at some of the novels shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize:
Maggie Shipstead considers the significant role played by women in the early history of aviation in her barnstorming novel 'Great Circle'.
Damon Galgut takes a wry look at life, death and the broken promise of post-Apartheid South Africa.
Nadifa Mohamed transports us back to 1950s Cardiff to re-examine a notorious miscarriage of justice.
And we return to Maggie Shipstead for the Books of Her Life.
Oct 15, 2021 • 58min
241: Alison MacLeod, The Blind Poet Dave Steele and Lisa Hall
Alison MacLeod reimagines the circumstances surrounding the writing and suppression of 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover'.
We celebrate National Poetry Day with a world exclusive from The Blind Poet.
Lisa Hall takes us to Britain’s most haunted village and introduces us to 'The Woman In the Woods'.
And we return to Alison MacLeod for the Books of Your Life.
Oct 8, 2021 • 58min
240: Shirley Mann, Libby Clegg and some cat-and-mouse thrillers
Award-winning author Shirley Mann reveals how moved she was by the reaction of an RNIB Library customer to one of her novels.
Loyal listener Penny Melville-Brown reviews some cat-and-mouse thrillers from the other side of the Atlantic.
Paralympic gold medallist Libby Clegg discusses her book, 'My Life with Hattie, A Dog who knows Everything'.
And we return to Shirley Mann for the Books of Your Life.
Oct 1, 2021 • 58min
239: Tim Peake, Andrew Smith & Books inspired by the Moon
This week we are heading out into space!
Astronaut Tim Peake discusses his new sci-fi series for children and the risk that cosmic rays present to our eyes.
Journalist Andrew Smith reveals what happened to the astronauts who walked on the Moon after they touched back down on Earth, in his fascinating book 'Moondust’.
Robert Kirkwood goes boldly into the archives to seek out the works of fact and fiction inspired by space exploration.
And we return to Tim Peake for the Books of His Life.
Sep 24, 2021 • 58min
238: Nancy Revell, SD Robertson & a Narrator's Picnic
Read On reporter Ellie Marsh revisits the Sunderland shipyards during wartime with author Nancy Revell.
We look back at the RNIB Talking Book's Narrators Picnic
I catch up with SD Robertson to discuss his latest novel 'The Daughter’s Choice'.
And we return to Nancy Revell for the Books of Your Life.
Sep 17, 2021 • 58min
237: TC Boyle, Ian Mark and Caroline Lennon
Award-winning author TC Boyle discusses chimpanzees, language and consciousness, with his new book 'Talk to Me'.
Narrator Caroline Lennon looks back on her long association with RNIB Talking Books, and the notorious role she played in The Archers.
Robert Kirkwood goes monster hunting with author Ian Mark.
And we return to TC Boyle for the Books of Your Life.
Sep 10, 2021 • 58min
236: Alex Milway, Thunderdog and Susanna Forrest
I’m your host Red Szell and this week we’re focusing on our furry friends.
Alex Milway transports us to 'Big Sky Mountain' and introduces us to Albert The Moose.
We travel back in time to 9/11 and hear the remarkable true story of the guide dog who led a group of survivors out of the wreckage of one of the Twin Towers.
I learn about the long and varied role that horses have played in human history.
And we return to Alex Milway to hear the Books of Your Life.
Sep 3, 2021 • 58min
235: Verity Smith and Mike Brace
This week we’re talking about the experience of being a blind author.
Equestrian para-athlete Verity Smith tells us how she used a variety of voices to write her autobiography ‘The Groper’s Guide’.
Campaigning Paralympian Mike Brace reveals how he uses humour to help get his message across.
And Red dusts off a hidden gem that helped him come to terms with his own blindness.
Aug 27, 2021 • 58min
234: Richard Atkinson, Kate Summerscale & Ursula Buchan
This week we’ve got some terrific true stories to take on holiday with you.
Richard Atkinson uncovers a tale of sugar, slavery and scandal at the heart of his family history in 'Mr Atkinson’s Rum Contract'.
We go ‘Beyond The 39 Steps’ to explore the remarkable life of author John Buchan, with his grand-daughter Ursula.
Kate Summerscale reinvestigates the original country house murder mystery.
And we return to Richard Atkinson for the Books of Your Life.
