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
Jul 30, 2021 • 58min
230: Catherine Raven, David Gange & Barbara Kingsolver
This week we’re heading out into the wilderness to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.
Catherine Raven introduces us to her contemplative scientific memoir 'Fox and I'.
David Gange takes us kayaking down 'The Frayed Atlantic Edge' of the British Isles.
Read On producer Hannah Tausz investigates the work of wildlife inspired novelist Barbara Kingsolver.
And we return to Catherine Raven for the Books of Your Life.
Jul 23, 2021 • 58min
229: Ellen Alpsten, Claire Entwhistle & CKBK
This week we’ve got buckets of books for the summer break!
Ellen Alpsten returns with 'The Tsarina’s Daughter', her next chapter in the astounding true story of the Russian royal family in the 18th century.
We hear about CKBK, an app that promises to be Spotify for cookbooks.
Lynne Livingstone brings us some great news about a flock of Penguins coming to the RNIB Talking Books Library.
Claire Entwistle tells us how lockdown inspired her to write a memoir about her life with Nystagmus.
And we return to Ellen Alpsten for the Books of Your Life.
Jul 16, 2021 • 58min
228: Mick Finlay, Stella Duffy & Mitch Cullin
This week we’re examining some new cases inspired by classic detective series.
Mick Finlay introduces us to Arrowood, his down-at-heel Victorian gumshoe.
Stella Duffy confesses to being delighted and daunted at being asked to complete an unfinished mystery by Ngaio Marsh.
Mitch Cullin imagines what a 93-year old Sherlock Holmes might be working on.
NB Dixon reviews a new case for Hercule Poirot.
And we return to Mick Finlay for the Books of Your Life.
Jul 9, 2021 • 58min
227: Alex Michaelides, Kate London, Penny Melville-Brown
This week we’re investigating some notoriously great crimewriters!
After the global success of 'The Silent Patient', Alex Michaelides discusses his follow-up, 'The Maidens', another gripping blend of psychology and mythology.
Soon to be a major TV series, we revisit 'Post Mortem' in the company of murder squad detective turned author Kate London.
Penny Melville-Brown brings us some left-field thrillers to enjoy.
I review a classic slice of American noir from the pen of Michael Connolly.
And we return to Alex Michaelides for the Books of Your Life.
Jul 2, 2021 • 58min
226: Boswell Book Festival 2021
We're back! (Sort of)
Robert and Red join in the fun at this year's virtual Boswell Book Festival where this year you can hear ...
Andrew Marr interviewed by Dr William Zachs on both his and Boswell's journalistic careers.
Janey Godley chatting to Sally Magnusson about her autobiography, Handstands in the Dark.
Helen Lewis and Chris Bryant MP in a talk about history makers airbrushed from the history books, with their books Difficult Women and The Glamour Boys
And we hear how one commentator lifted our spirits in lockdown with his dogs Olive and Mabel. Andrew Cotter was interviewed by fellow sports writer Stewart Weir.
Jun 25, 2021 • 58min
225: Quiara Alegria Hudes, Ann Rachlin and Maribel Steel
This week there’s music in the air!
Pulitzer prize-winning dramatist Quiara Alegria Hudes discusses her memoir 'My Broken Language', and working with Lin Manuel Miranda to bring his stage musical 'In The Heights' to the big screen.
Australian author Maribel Steel introduces us to 'Blindness for Beginners' through her short story 'Tapping Rhythm Teaching Song'.
Ann Rachlin proves that neither age nor disability need be a barrier to sharing the joy of music with others.
And we return to Quiara Alegria Hudes for the Books of Your Life.
Jun 18, 2021 • 58min
224: Ece Temelkuran, Mark Sullivan, David Monteith and the winner of the Cilip Carnegie Medal 2021
We bring you the winner of this year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal, recognising the best in contemporary children’s literature!
Political commentator Ece Temelkuran discusses her new book 'Together: 10 Choices for a Better Now'.
Best-selling author Mark Sullivan re-imagines an extraordinary true story from the Second World War in his new historical novel 'The Last Green Valley'.
Red explores a political biography and the Glasgow shipyards with narrator David Monteith.
And we return to Mark Sullivan for the Books of Your Life.
Jun 11, 2021 • 58min
223: Adele Parks, Anthony McGowan, Women's Prize for Fiction
Things get dark and dangerous in Adele Parks’ new psychological thriller 'Both of You'. Robert Kirkwood provides an overview of the six novels shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction. With just under a week to go before the winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal is announced, we return to last year’s winner – Anthony McGowan.And we return to Adele Parks for the Books of Your Life.
Jun 4, 2021 • 58min
222: Joseph Coelho, Beth Morrey, Kate Okello & Penelope Freeman
Joseph Coelho discusses his Carnegie short-listed novel in verse – 'The Girl Who Became a Tree'; and the central role that libraries continue to play in his life.
Narrators Kate Okello and Penelope Freeman reveal their very personal reasons for becoming Talking Book readers.
Beth Morrey explores ways to overcome loneliness and grief in her bittersweet novel 'Saving Missy'.
And we return to Joseph for the Books of Your Life.
May 28, 2021 • 58min
221: Manjeet Mann, John Cormack and All the Light We Cannot See
With the winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal due to be announced in just a couple of weeks, we talk to debut author Manjeet Mann, whose novel 'Run Rebel' is a must read.
Narrator John Cormack shares his favourite reads, and his own surprising backstory.
Red reviews a novel with a blind protagonist that is one of the most popular Books of Your Life selections among Read On guests.
And we return to Manjeet Mann for the Books of Your Life.
