Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB (RNIB Connect Radio)

In today's show Red and Robert get intimate! In a love story special, Red chats to Francesca Segal about her new novel and Robert gets the scoop on Mills and Boon from author Sarah Mallory. Plus we explore the Talking Books library for books on love in all its forms.

Robert Kirkwood talks to the team behind the innovative serialisation of Julian Fellowes Belgravia in audio and e-text.

Host Red Szell listens to the winning entries of this year's RNIB Writing Competition and we look back some previous winners. 

WARNING - This is the uncensored version and contains an expletive.

With Nigel Havers, Private Eye co-founder and editor Richard Ingrams and bomber pilot George Dunn, Robert Kirkwood records this week's show at the Boswell Book Festival.

Also with Festival Director Caroline Knox, Paul Tankard and Gordon Turnbull, there's a look at the life and works of James Boswell himself.

Giles Abbot talks about his sight loss and narrating, Penelope Freeman gives some tricks of the trade and Paul Birchard talks Fusion.

Giles Abbott, the UK’s only professional blind storyteller, tells Red Szell about his work for RNIB Talking Books.

Red Szell bumps into Andrew Cullum, a narrator he'd previously heard reading some terrifying books, and finds out he's not scary at all ... and that he's covered 2,500 years of history!

Tony Parsons and Gail Honeyman talk about their work and the labels that can hinder it. Dave John talks about narrating Mand and Wife and Red reviews Lady Audley's Secret.

The author tells Robert Kirkwood about her debut novel and how it came to be one of the biggest releases of 2017

Dave John, RNIB Talking Book narrator, talks about the book he's currently recording, Man & Wife by Tony Parsons.

Red Szell talks to Frank Cottrell-Boyce about Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth, Julia Donaldson records a book with Robert Kirkwood, and we get some reading suggestions from younger listeners.

From the archives, an interview with the best selling non-fiction writer, Bill Bryson. Find out about his lost book, why dogs hate him and why he could've swapped Stephen Katz for a plank of wood at one point during his Walk in the Woods. #LoveAudio

Marti Leimbach talks to Red about being an American author in England, BJ Novak tells Robert about ‘The Book With No Pictures’ and narrator Laurence Bouvard gives voice to Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

When Julia Donaldson came to RNIB to read Freddy and the Fairy a problem arose. How to deal with pages with no text? Robert Kirkwood finds out.

Red Szell reviews All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr ... even though as a person with sightloss, he avoids books with blind characters! What will he think?

From James Thurber to Mark Hardie we talk to writers who haven't let sight loss get in the way of success.

Crime writer Mark Hardie tells us how blindness doesn’t prevent him from describing a murder scene. Harriet Lane reveals how sight loss allowed her to become an author. International best-selling writer Joanna Trollope tells Leanne why she’s such a passionate supporter of Talking Books.

Ann Cleeves celebrates writing 30 books in 30 years, Robert Kirkwood talks gardening with Monty Don, Frank Cottrell-Boyce on the books of his life, and Red Szell reviews Wolf Brother

Can't get enough of the new series, or want to learn more about A Song of Ice and Fire? Well all of the books are available from RNIB

Monty talks to Robert Kirkwood about his book The Road to Le Thonolet and with blind gardener Kevin Smith talks about the sensory experience of the garden.

Louis de Bernieres talks about his "Notwithstanding" tales ... with "That's Yer Lot" in shops and in the RNIB Library we look back at Limmy's first book "Daft Wee Stories" and the RNIB Library staff review some short fiction.

With Limmy's new book "That's Yer Lot" entering the TB library we went back to his first book for our short story episode and explored some really 'Daft Wee Stories'

Sebastian Faulks talks about 'Where My Heart Used to Beat, we remember Michael Bond, there's the story of an Indian epic and more from narrator Laurence Bouvard.

In memory of the late creator of Paddington Bear, here he is when he visited the Talking Book studios to chat to Robert Kirkwood about the origins of that bear from darkest Peru.

Two brothers wrote and recorded a version of The Ramayana, and donated it to RNIB Talking Books .. Clare Carson has their story.

In another look at books for a younger audience we chat to Zana Fraillon about The Bone Sparrow, Jonathan Meres about the end of 'The World of Norm', and Lari Don about Mind Blind.

A short history of the Oscars and a listen to some books that have been adapted into winners of the Best Picture Academy Award.

As we look forward to this year's event in Edinburgh, let's go back to 2016 with Robert Kirkwood interviewing the host of Read On, Red Szell about his book, 'The Blind Man of Hoy'.

Author of the year 2017, Graeme Macrae Burnet, joined Robert Kirkwood on stage for a live recording of Read On Air and told us the story behind 'His Bloody Project', The Disappearance of Adele Badeau' and the upcoming 'Accident on the A35'.

Read by Jim Broadbent exclusively for RNIB Talking Books, the Death of Diana by David Lodge is the author's reflections of Diana as a public figure and an attempt to understand the outpouring of grief felt 20 years ago.

Red Szell talks to Jasper Win about his book Paddle where he circumnavigates Ireland in a kayak. Robert Kirkwood chats to historian John Keay about blind traveller John Holman and to Bill Bryson about America in 1927. Ken Reid gives us the books of his life and the books he raised money for by cycling around the UK and Red reviews a spoof travel guide.

Lin Anderson tells Red Sell about Bloody Scotland, Ben MacIntyre talks about spies and espionage and Ruta Sepetys talks about winning this year's Cilip Carnegie medal.

In today's show Red Szell talks to Emma Flint about her book 'Little Deaths' retelling a shocking New York murder, Madeline Brolly talks about accents for Talking Books, Robert Kirkwood discovers some Stephen Hawking works in the Talking Books library and Jacqueline Wilson talks about her latest book.

Red Szell chats to Emma Flint about her love of crime and her novel, 'Little Deaths'

Kim Normanton chats to Madeleine Brolly, Talking Books narrator and voice of the Neapolitan series.

As we gear up for this year's Wigtown Book Festival here's what Robert Kirkwood got up to last year with Susan Calman, Helen Sedgwick, Hardeep Singh Kohli and much more!

Red Szell talks to David about some of the books he has narrated for RNIB and hears his Tartan Noir villain voice!

Adventurer Mick Dawson tells us about 'Rowing the Pacific: 7,000 Miles from Japan to San Francisco', Tony Hawks moves to the West Country, the book group talk about Bill Bryson and narrator David Monteath talks about some favourite books.

In a packed show, Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood talk to Anne de Courcy about her book 'The Husband Hunters', Christopher Brookmyre on 'Want You Gone', Anthony McGowan on 'The Art of Failing', Adam Macqueen on 'The Lies of the Land'.

Peggy Hughes gives us the Books of her Life, Adrian Turpin gives us a history of the Wigtown Festival, we explore the The Diary of a Bookseller with Sean Bythell and hear about the festival's charity partner Fight for Sight.

In today's show Robert Kirkwood talks to Erwin James learning Braille whilst serving a life sentence, we hear how Give A Book are helping people in custody, Emma Donoghue talks about 'Room' and Red Szell visits Shawshank.

Jeff Wayne talks about how 'War of the Worlds' inspired a whole rock opera, Red revisits 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep', Philip Reeve gives us the books of his life, and we speak to Parker, Brains, Peppa Pig's grandfather, the first Dalek and more all rolled up in narrator David Graham.

The composer tells Robert Kirkwood how H.G. Wells inspired a whole rock opera.

The Booker shortlisted author talks to Robert Kirkwood about his novel '4 3 2 1' and about reading the 36 hour audio version himself. - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.

The Booker shortlisted author talks to Red Szell about 'Elmet' and how she was influenced by Westerns and wrote some of the book on her phone - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.

The author talks to Robert Kirkwood about her novel, and about being a bit distracted when she discovered she was on the Booker Longlist - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.

With a fourth book on the Booker shortlist, Ali Smith talks to Red Szell about how quickly it was published, about Brexit, and about keeping excitement at bay - - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.

Red Szell chats to the Booker Shortlisted author about 'Exit West', about loss and religion and how Mohsin reads all the American audio versions of his books.

The Booker shortlisted author tells Robert Kirkwood about his first full length novel after a career as the 'master of the short story', and discusses the work involved in having over 160 narrators on a book.

Before George Saunders was announced as the winner, we talked to all six shortlisted authors up for the 2017 Man Booker Prize.

On Unesco World Day for Audiovisual Heritage we explore the importance of audio archives, Red Szell talks to author David Szalay, and as it's near Halloween we pick some scary books and hear from the late James Herbert.

We remember the master of horror fiction James Herbert in an interview Robert Kirkwood conducted with him shortly before his death, discussing how his childhood influenced his books and how protective he was of his work. (This is a much longer version of the interview that appeared on-air.)

David Mitchell tells Red Szell how his characters write to him, Jessica A. Fox talks about leaving NASA to work in a Scottish bookshop, Gail Honeyman gives us the books of her life and Robert Kirkwood finds the links between Star Wars and Talking Books.

A special documentary about the origins of the Talking Books service, recorded at the original locations around London, and featuring many voices from the past.

Historian Matthew Rubery and Robert Kirkwood explore everything from the first Talking Book machines, some failed technology, how books were chosen and much more.

Lauren St. John tells us how books can actually change minds, Andrew Beasley makes us S.C.R.E.A.M. We re-visit His Dark Materials and Adjoa Andoh talks about her work, including the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency.

The actress talks about being the voice of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, narrating Sci-Fi and discusses some favourites. Clipped from Read On Episode 43

Red Szell visits the Petworth Literary Festival and meets his hero, Chris Bonington and finds out about the festival from artistic director Stewart Collins. We hear about 'Another Day in the Death of America' from journalist and author Gary Younge and at the Wigtown Book Festival we hear the remarkable history of horses from Susanna Forrest.

With the Scottish Book Trust we hear tales from this year's free book, 'Nourish'. Stories from Dave Myres, Mary Contini and much more on Nourishment for body and soul. We also talk to the Scottish Book Trust and hear what they do to encourage reading and writing.

Get the whole free audio book 'Nourish' at www.scottishbooktrust.com/nourish

John Bew talks to host Red Szell about the Orwell Prize winning Citizen Clem: A Biography of Attlee ... at the Wigtown Book Festival we chat to Marian Veevers, author of 'Jane and Dorothy: A True Tale of Sense and Sensibility' and Robert Kirkwood hears Jonathan Dimbleby's Churchill impression.

Stephen Moss tells us the history behind the Robin's connection to Christmas, Steven Scott and Red discuss some reading technology, Robert Kirkwood delves into RNIB Library for some festive books and chats to Eddie Izzard about narrating 'Lost Christmas'.

Philip Pullman joins Red Szell in the Talking Book studios to talk about 'The Book of Dust' Book 1: La Belle Sauvage. Andy Miller tells Robert Kirkwood about 'The Year of Reading Dangerously' and narrator and author Andy Secombe tells Red about growing up with the Goons and a few of his famous voices.

The author of 'His Dark Materials' joins Red Szell in the Talking Book studios to talk about his new trilogy, 'The Book of Dust' and the first book which is out now, 'La Belle Sauvage.'

Clipped from Read On Episode 48

We explore Daunderlust with journalist Peter Ross, Ali Smith talks Autumn, which is then reviewed by the RNIB Connect Radio Book Group plus Philip Reeve on the books of his life.

We have a listen to all of the category winners as we wait for the announcement of the Costa Book of the Year and chat to First Novel winner Gail Honeyman. We also chat to previous winners Ali Smith and Sebastian Barry and review Frances Hardinge's The Lie Tree.

We talk to three winners of The Costa Book Award 2017. 

Jon McGregor talks about 'Reservoir 13', winner of the Novel of the Year, Rebecca Stott talks about her Biography of the Year 'In the Days of Rain: A Daughter. A Father. A Cult', and we go exploring with Children's Book of the Year winner, Katherine Rundell ... who also gives us the books of her life.

Author Rachel Ward tells us about her new book, 'The Cost of Living', narrator Peter Kenny demonstrates just how versatile he is, we reveal the winner of the Costa Book of the Year award and we pay a visit to a new Harry Potter exhibition an the British Library.

A.L. Kennedy talks to Red Szell about all the forms of her writing and her outlook on life, Mark Haddon talks about life after that 'Curious Incident ...', Giles Coren and Victoria Coren Mitchell talk about 'Chocolate and Cuckoo Clocks' to Robert Kirkwood and listener Paul Chennel recommends one of his favourites.

Charles Dickens' great great great granddaughter, Lucinda Hawksley talks about her latest book, 'March, Women, March' as it enters the RNIB Talking Book Library. 

David Aldwinckle talks about his position within RNIB and tells Red Szell about some of his favourite books.

Robert Kirkwood goes behind the scenes at the Talking Books studios and journalist and author Peter Ross returns to the show for 'The Books of My Life.'

Contact the show on readonair@rnib.org.uk

With author Jess Townsend Red Szell explores Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow.

Robert Kirkwood looks forward to AyeWrite!, Glasgow's Book Festival with Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, Louise Welsh, Zoe Strachan and Alan Bissett.

A listener recommends a tale of heroism and blindness in the face on 9/11 and Red reviews The Transition by Luke Kennard.

Contact the show on readonair@rnib.org.uk

As this year's AyeWrite! approaches, Robert Kirkwood chats to Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, Alan Bisset, Louise Welsh and Zoe Strachan about some of their favourite memories of the Glasgow Book Festival.

The author of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow tells Red Szell all about the book and her life as an author.

Clipped from Read On episode 56

Red Szell chats to Patrick Gale about the upcoming RNIB Member's Writing Competition and about the differences between novel and short story writing.

Author David Munro talks about The Time Jigsaw and writing with a visual impairment.

And we hear again from Verity Smith on her both funny and sad memoir, The Groper's Guide.

Actor and writer Robin Driscoll joins Red Szell to talk about his book 'Rough Music', comedian Robin Ince tells Robert Kirkwood about his book, 'The Bad Book Club' and Helen Lederer talks about 'Losing It'. 

We hear a short comic tale from a blind writer, a narrator on a favourite of his by Garrison Keeler and much more on today's show.

Contact the show by emailing readonair@rnib.org.uk

Author Susie Steiner discusses writing and sight loss with host Red Szell. We go back and listen to Julian Barnes on 'The Sense of an Ending' before handing it over to our radio book group, and narrator Beverly Klein gives vice to some Corner House Girls.

In a non-fiction 'best of' episode we learn about spies, double agents and espionage with Ben McIntyre, we go behind the scene's of The Bookshop in Wigtown with Shaun Bythell and learn about the father of biography, James Boswell.

We go behind the counter and learn about the sometimes funny and sometimes frustrating life of owning a bookshop as Shaun Bythell talks about his 'Diary of a Bookseller'.

Clipped from the non-fiction 'best of' Read On episode 60, first played September 2017. Updated to include clips of the audiobook.

Tony Parsons chats to Red Szell about his work and being the 'Father of Man-Lit', Phill Jupitus discusses some of his favourite books, old and new, and with the stage version of 'Alys, Always' about to open in London we talk to Harriet Lane.

As his memoir 'Over and Out' is released as an RNIB Talking Book at the same time as the print version, Red Szell talks to national treasure, Henry 'Blowers' Blofeld.

Caroline Lennon tells us about being a Talking Books narrator and about her life, and death, on The Archers.

And Neil Oliver talks to Robert Kirkwood from the other side of the world about conservation, history and his historical fiction.

In this episode Red Szell chats to Dave Steele about his poetry collections 'Stand by Me RP'.

Robert Kirkwood finds out about Liz Pichon's character Tom Gates.

And we hear some notable poems from last year's RNIB Writing Competition.

Marion Rankine unfurls a history of the umbrella. (apologies for audio quality in some of this item)

Historian Lucy Worsley tells us why she thinks Jane Austen failed to find success in her own lifetime.

And listener John Banfield reveals how a classic tale of imprisonment and escape inspired him to write his own memoirs.

Historian Lucy Worsley tells us why she thinks Jane Austen failed to find success in her own lifetime.

Clipped from Read On 64

Laura Barnett blends writing and music in her new multi-media bestseller ‘Greatest Hits'.

Minette Walters reveals the parental dilemma at the heart of her latest novel.

And listener Jacqueline Brown recommends an account of wartime heroism by the RAF.

We chat to Anthony about 'Rook' his book shortlisted for the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal.

Clipped from Read On #66

In our first CILIP Carnegie show of 2018 we chat to three of the shortlisted authors  

Marcus Sedgwick on Saint Death, 

Anthony McGowan on Rook,

And Lauren Wolk on Beyond the Bright Sea.

A packed show recorded live at the Boswell Book Festival featuring ...

Dame Judi Dench on acting and how Macular Degeneration has robbed her of books and reading.

Andrew O'Hagan on his new book and how formative an early job at Blind Veteran's UK was for his writing.

Jackie Kay - Scotland's Poet Laureate on the importance of poetry in audio.

Anthony Horowitz - On his new book writing Bond as Ian Fleming.

Shaun Bythell - On his book and audiobook, The Diary of A Bookseller.

Dr. Gordon Turnbull - From Yale University, Gordon told us about the history of James Boswell and his eponymous festival.

Garrick Hagon discusses audiobooks, acting and Star Wars.

Fay Weldon takes the long view of feminism.

Joanne Harris reveals some extreme reactions to her novel about a blind character.

And the winner of last year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal for children’s fiction shares the books of her life.  

Following a recommendation from a past guest, Red Szell reads and reviews Trunk Music by Michael Connelly

Clipped from Read On 69

In today's show, Mark Billingham on 'The Killing Habit', Matthew Parris on 'Scorn', Chris Brookmyre on 'Want You Gone', Emma Swan on narrating 'That'll Be The Day' and reviewing 'Trunk Music' by Michael Connelly

In our second CILIP Carnegie show of 2018 we chat to two of the shortlisted authors and last year's winner.

Geraldine McCaughrean on 'Where the World Ends'

Will Hill on 'After the Fire'

and last year's winner Ruta Sepetys on 'Salt to the Sea'

On 6 June 2018, the Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour hosted an all-star author line-up at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

2018 is the 20th Anniversary of the Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour. To celebrate some of the UK's best children's authors and illustrators such as Jacqueline Wilson, Chris Riddell, Pamela Butchart and Cressida Cowell took to the stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall... Robert Kirkwood went along and discovered what authors have books in the RNIB Talking Books Library.

The voice acting legend David Graham tells Robert Kirkwood about being Brains and Parker in Thunderbirds, creating the voice of the Daleks and more

Clipped from Read On#71

This week…

Author Sarah J Harris introduces us to ‘The Colours of Bee Larkham’s Murder.

Poet Andrew Pettigrew waxes lyrical about Louis Braille.

Candia McWilliam shares insights into blindness, addiction and literary prizes.

And Robert Kirkwood interviews the voice acting legend David Graham.

Hannah Kohler takes us back to 1960s America and the Vietnam War.

Listener Chris Gray recommends a book about running away to join the circus.

We remember Anthony Bourdain

And coming right up-to-date, we’ve got the first instalment of Sarah J Harris’ series about ‘The Colours of Bee Larkham’s Murder'

This week we’re celebrating some outstanding books for children and young adults.

We have the winner of this year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal.

Previous winner Phillip Pullman reveals the books of his life.

Robert Kirkwood mixes with dragons and aliens, at the Scottish Friendly book jamboree. Featuring Jacqueline Wilson, Pamela Butchart, Cressida Cowell and Chris Riddell.

And Sarah J Harris gives us another peek behind the scenes of ‘The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder.

Broadcasting legend Nicholas Parsons gives us the scoop on why he was absent from Just A Minute for the first time in 50 years.

RNIB Library Collection Development Assistant Lynne Livingstone brings us some fabulous news about a new collection of Talking Books.

Author and listener N B Dixon reviews a classic woodland tale.

And Sarah J Harris gives us a final peek behind the scenes of ‘The Colours of Bee Larkham’s Murder.

This year, the Man Booker Prize is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To mark the special event, a one-off Golden Man Booker Prize is being given to a previous winner crowning the overall best work of fiction from the last five decades of the prize.

The five books thought to have best stood the test of time are: In a Free State by V. S. Naipaul; Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively; The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje; Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel; and Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders.

We listen to them all and talk to some of the authors on the shortlist in this Man Booker special.

We listen to the winning entries in the poetry and prose categories of the 2018 RNIB Writing Competition plus talk to the winners and listen to the two runner ups.

Also judge Patrick Gale gives us some hints and tips.

CILIP Carnegie shadower Carys White tells the audience at this year's award ceremony about accessible formats and chats to Red Szell about her love of reading and literature.

Clipped from Read On #77

In a packed show, blind author N.B. Dixon talks to Red Szell about re-imagining Robin Hood. 

Alan Bennett chats to Robert Kirkwood about awards, writing and Family Guy.

Angie Thomas on 'The Hate U Give' and winning the CILIP Amnesty Honour.

New College Worcester student Carys White on her love of books and accessible reading.

And we listen to new recordings of 'House of Cards'.

On today's show we round up some favourite interviews from Book Festivals such as Aye Write, Boswell and Wigtown.

Featuring Alexander McCall Smith, Anne de Courcy, Jessica A Fox, Mark Ellan and Martin Jarvis.