
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

Apr 26, 2024 • 58min
369: Lord Jeffrey Archer & Dr Lin Berwick MBE
We interview Lord Jeffrey Archer as he records a special introduction to his book Traitors Gate exclusively for RNIB Talking Books, plus as her book 'Nobody Does it Better than Me: The Story of Alma' is recorded for the library, Robert Kirkwood chats to Dr Lin Berwick MBE.

Apr 19, 2024 • 58min
368: Leeanne O'Donnell - Sparks of Bright Matter
In today's show we talk to Leeanne O'Donnell about spirit and matter, love and lust, and reality and magic, all in her book Sparks of Bright Matter. We also look forward to the Boswell Book Festival with Gordon Turnbull and find new books in the RNIB Library.

Apr 12, 2024 • 58min
367: Chioma Okereke - Water Baby & Percival Everett on The Trees: A Novel
Read On this week features Chioma Okereke with her coming of age audio book Water Baby set in the floating slum of Makoko in Lagos. We hear about The Trees: A Novel by Percival Everett and find new books entering the RNIB Library.

Apr 5, 2024 • 58min
366: Louise Hare - Harlem After Midnight
In today's show we're re-joined by Louise Hare as she tells us about the sequel to Miss Aldridge Regrets, Harlem After Midnight. Plus we delve into the archive to talk to Sara Collins about The Confessions of Frannie Langton, and find some brand new audiobooks that are also available from RNIB Talking Books.

Mar 29, 2024 • 58min
365: Neil Lancaster - The Devil You Know
This week Robert Kirkwood talks to former military policeman and former Met Detective, Neil Lancaster about the latest DS Max Craigie Book, The Devil You Know and how his career influenced his writing. Plus we find some brand new books out now and entering the Talking Books library.

Mar 22, 2024 • 58min
364: Music and Literature
In today’s show we listen to some books about music and musicians. We chat to Beth and Ben of The Bookshop Band, talk to the author of Outlaw Blues, a 500 page biography of Bob Dylan and then get some book recommendations from former Never Mind the Buzzcocks team captain, Phill Jupitus. Plus we find some brand new gems in the Talking Books library.

Mar 15, 2024 • 58min
363: Nero Book Awards 2024
In today's show we feature all four category winners in the first ever Nero Book Awards,
First up we listen to a clip from the Non-Fiction winning book Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
We have a long chat with Michael Magee about his Debut Fiction winning book, Close to Home
We listen to a clip from The Swifts by Beth Lincoln, the Children’s Fiction winner
Then, from the Booker Prize shows, we chat to the Fiction winner Paul Murray about The Bee Sting
Then (after a swift last minute edit) we reveal the overall winner.

Mar 8, 2024 • 58min
362: World Book Day 2024
In today's show we celebrate World Book Day with Michael Morpurgo, Julia Donaldson, Betsy Griffin and find out about the free £1 from RNIB.

Mar 1, 2024 • 58min
361: Becky Holmes - Keanu Reeves is Not In Love With You
In today's show we dive into the murky world of romance fraud with Becky Holmes and her book Keanu Reeves is Not In Love With You which she narrated herself. Plus we find some brand new books in the Talking Books library.

Feb 23, 2024 • 58min
360: Alex Leam - The First Man to Time Travel
The First Man to Time Travel is the debut sci-fi comedy novel from Alex Leam. He tells Robert Kirkwood about the book, his inspirations and reading the audio version.
Plus, staying in the sci-fi theme, we listen back to how Jeff Wayne turned War of the Worlds into a best selling album.
All that plus some brand new books in the RNIB Library.