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
Jan 21, 2022 • 58min
255: Costa Book Awards 2021 Part 1
In this, the first of our episodes on the Costa Book Awards, we introduce you to some of this year's winners.
Caleb Azumah Nelson, winner of the Debut Novel Award, introduces us to 'Open Water'.
Hannah Lowe discusses the influence of teaching in an inner city school on her book 'The Kids', winner of the Poetry Award.
We look back at last year's overall winner, Monique Roffey, with her enchanting tale 'The Mermaid of Black Conch'.
And we return to Caleb Azumah Nelson for the Books of Your Life.
Jan 14, 2022 • 58min
254: Maud Rowell, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger and Meik Wiking
Maud Rowell urges us to see visual impairment differently in her new book 'Blindspot'Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger introduces us to 'The Woman at the Gates', the story of how Ukrainian resistance fighters tried to save their country from both Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany during World War II.Founder of the Happiness Institute, Meik Wiking, has some tips to brighten up the long winter nights.And we return to Maud Rowell for the Books of Your Life.
Jan 7, 2022 • 58min
253: Snow Special: Lucy Foley, Sir Chris Bonnington and The Robin
This week a snowy special:
Lucy Foley takes us to the Scottish Highlands in her chilling crime thriller ‘The Hunting Party’.
Robert introduces Red to a comedy classic set on the slopes of a Himalayan mountain.
Sir Chris Bonington shares some of his own, real life, tales from the snowy peaks.
And we discover more about another cool customer at home in winter conditions – the robin.
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.
