Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

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...

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. 

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 tha...

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...

91-year-old author Hilma Wolitzer discusses her new collection of short stories 'Today A Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket'. Sir Derek Jacobi reflects on his long and distinguished career and reveals some studio secrets about his work as a narrator.  And Robert Kingett reveals how and why he set out to compile a collection of short stories written by blind authors. 

Robert Kirkwood travels to a real life book festival for the first time in a few years! Read On this week was recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival and features... Booker Shortlisted author Graham Macrae Burnet on his new novel, Case Study (Starts at 1.56) Comedian Robin Ince on The Importance of being Interested (11.11) Girl on the Train author, Paula Hawkins on A Slow Fire Burning; (...

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-ravag...

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...

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.

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 Li...

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...

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.

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.

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 hi...

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.

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....

This week we’ve got some sizzling new summer titles for you.    Queen of the rom-com Sophia Money-Coutts pokes fun at millionaires, marquises and matrimony in her joyous new novel ‘Did You Miss Me?’ Anna Kent  imagines what happens when friends reuniting goes seriously wrong in her new novel 'The House of Whispers'. Amanda Robson introduces Robert Kirkwood to the mother-in-law from hell in her lat...

This week we’ve got some top new titles for the school summer holidays. Kate Wilkinson takes us onto the London Underground and into the magical world  of Edie and The Box of Flits.  We catch up with JM Joseph and his combustible hero Aidan Sweeney – aka Fireboy!    Sarah Moore Fitzgerald wonders whether ‘All the Money in the World’ will really buy you happiness.  And we return to Kate Wilkinson f...

This week we’ve got some top choices for your summer reading list. John Patrick McHugh discusses his hotly anticipated debut ‘Pure Gold’; and being friends with Sally Rooney. Joanna Toye reveals what her Shop-girls have been up to as World War 2 draws to a close in ‘The Victory Girls’.   Arthur Turner shares his memoir about growing up as a blind child in the 1970s. And we return to JP Mcugh for t...

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 fo...

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.    Clair...

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...

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-fi...

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 hist...

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 a...