RNIB Connect Radio

Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

Arts EN ↓ 500 episodes

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 emaili...

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RNIB Connect Radio

Category

Arts

Podcast website

www.rnib.org.uk

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

176: Mark Lynas, Joanna Toye and Dame Vera Lynne 03.07.2020

Mark Lynas tells us about 'Our Final Warning - Six Degrees of Climate Emergency' (Starts at 0.45) Joanna Toye has a new shop girls book, this time the WW2 saga 'Heartache for the Shopgirls' (19.10) After her passing, we explore some books written by Dame Vera Lynn available from RNIB (35.14) And we return to Mark Lynas for the books of his life (47.00)

175: Simon Stephenson, Lori Nelson Spielman and Tony Hawks 26.06.2020

Simon Stephenson talks to Red Szell about 'Set My Heart to Five', the tale of a robot learning to love, which has already been sold to Hollywood. (Starts at 1.00) Lori Nelson Spielman takes us on a virtual romantic trip in 'One Italian Summer' and we hear the books of her life (18.55) From the archives Tony Hawks talks to Robert Kirkwood about his second book, 'Playing The Moldovans At Tennis' (37...

174: Afia Atakora, Sara Collins, Andrea Levy and Eric Motley 19.06.2020

Afia Atakora explores Black Lives in the immediate aftermath of the American Civil War in her new novel Conjure Women (Starts at 1.04) We follow a servant and former slave girl from a Jamaican plantation to Georgian London in The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins (16.00) We travel back in time to hear from the late Andrea Levy about her book The Long Song and how her father arrived in...

173: Salman Rushdie, Nicola Cornick, Bella Osborne and Sue Lawrence's Cabin Fever Fables 12.06.2020

Nicola Cornick takes us back to 1560 in her Tudor-set dual time book, The Forgotten Sister (Starts at 1.00) Cookery writer and winner of Masterchef, Sue Lawrence joins Saraband books for Cabin Fever Fables (17.10) Bella Osborne tells us about her new novel, Meet Me At Pebble Beach (28.00) There's an update on the reopening of the RNIB Braille Library from Ali Long (42.06) And we get the books of y...

172: Caroline Lawrence, Tim Finch and Cabin Fever Fables with Nicola Martin 05.06.2020

Caroline Lawrence takes us to Ancient Greece in her 'Time Travel Diaries' (Starts at 0.45) Author Tim Finch and Red Szell negotiate some 'Peace Talks' (19.00) Nicola Martin reads from her debut novel, the thriller Dead Ringer for Saraband Books in her Cabin Fever Fable (31.30) And we return to Caroline Lawrence for the books of her life (48.15)  

171: Sarah Morgan, Alistair Petrie, Lucy Scott and more Cabin Fever Fables 29.05.2020

Sarah Morgan escapes to the Lake District in her new novel, 'Family for Beginners' (Starts at 1.10) Narrator couple Al Petrie and Lucy Scott talk about narrating for RNIB and the Talking Book as a theatre for one. (17.28) Saraband Books have more Cabin Fever Fables, this time with Marion Dunn (36.00) And we return to Sarah Morgan for the books of her life. (57.45)

170: Ellen Alpsten, L.D. Lapinski and Gary Bridson-Daley 22.05.2020

Ellen Alpsten tells us about 'Tsarina', the most powerful woman that history forgot. (Starts at 0.50) L. D. Lapinski takes us on a journey via the 'Strangeworlds Travel Agency' and gives us the books of her life. (21.45) Gary Bridson-Daley talks about his book 'The Last Heroes: Voices of British and Commonwealth Veterans' (37.15) And we return to Ellen Alpsten for the books of her life. (50.18)

169: Hayley Doyle, Molly Flatt and David Farrier 15.05.2020

In this week's show from the broom cupboard and bedroom, Hayley Doyle on her new rom-com, Never Saw You Coming (Starts at 1.00) Molly Flatt on the recording of her book, The Charmed Life of Alex Moore, plus we hear the books of her life (14.30) David Farrier explores what traces we will leave for the very deep future in his book 'Footprints' (31.05) And we return to Hayley Doyle for the books of h...

168: Raven Smith, Chris Devon and The Big Book Weekend 08.05.2020

Author Molly Flatt tells us all about a virtual book Festival, The Big Book Weekend (Starts at 1.30) We hear about The Poetry Generation and hear a poem read by David Blunkett (12.10) Narrator Chris Devon talks about recording books from home (19.32) And Instagram sensation Raven Smith tells Red about Yoga, relationships and Ikea meatballs ... and gives us the books of his life (30.34)

167: Holly Watt, Peter Kenny and Sue Moorcroft 01.05.2020

Holly Watt talks to Red Szell about her new thriller 'The Dead Line' (Starts at 0.45) Narrator Peter Kenny chats to Robert Kirkwood about accents and recording books at a social distance (16.10) Sue Moorcroft tells us about a summer romance, 'Summer on a Sunny Island' (34.00) And we return to Holly Watt for the books of her life. (48.30)

166: Joanna Briscoe, John le Carre and Chris Dolan's Cabin Fever Fables 24.04.2020

Joanna Briscoe talks exclusively about her new novel 'The Seduction', and gives us the books of her life (Starts at 1.24) Saraband Books have more Cabin Fever Fables, this time with Chris Dolan - Listen to more episodes here (26.20) And never heard before John le Carre gives us the books of his life (44.10)

165: Beth O'Leary, Narrator John Banks and more Cabin Fever Fables 17.04.2020

Recorded in a bedroom and a cupboard under the stairs, this week we have ... Beth O'Leary tells us about her follow up to 'The Flat Share', 'The Switch'. (Starts at 0.48) There's more Cabin Fever Fables from Sarah Hunt at Saraband, this time with Olga Wojtas. Listen to more episodes here. (16.50) And narrator John Banks goes through the books he's narrated for RNIB. (32.00)

164: Juliet Stevenson, Leighton Pugh and Cabin Fever Fables 10.04.2020

In our first properly home-made episode, Narrator Leighton Pugh on recording books, including Samuel Pepys views on the plague (Starts at 1.30) Robert Kirkwood finds some great books to self isolate with (13.30) Juliet Stevenson on narrating books for RNIB (23.40) Sara Hunt from Saraband books talks to Graham MacRae Burnet in episode 1 of Cabin Fever Fables ... listen to more episodes here (37.27)...

163: Julian Fellowes on Belgravia, Maribel Steel on Blindness for Beginners and Lady Audley's Secret 03.04.2020

We go down-under to meet Maribel Steel and her new book ‘Blindness for Beginners’ (Starts at 1.27) Julian Fellowes on the writing and publication of Belgravia (20.00) Publishers Orion on the making of Belgravia (26.45) Red Szell reviews Lady Audley's Secret (40.30) And we return to Maribel Steel for the books of her life (48.30)

162: J.M. Joseph, Onjali Q Rauff, Dave Steele and Tendai Huchu 27.03.2020

J.M. Joseph introduces us to ‘Fire Boy’, a superhero whose superpower comes with unfortunate consequences (Starts at 0.50)   Dave Steele shares the latest chapters in his life as The Blind Poet, including plans for a series of children’s stories. (10.25)   Tendai Huchu introduces us to ‘The Hairdresser of Harare’. (26.50)   Onjali Q Rauff mixes light and dark in her new book ‘The Star Outside My W...

161: Beth Morrey on Saving Missy, Egmont Publishing on Storytime and Holly Tuke on Matt Haig 20.03.2020

On this weeks show, Beth Morrey reveals the strands she wove together to create her breathtaking debut novel ‘Saving Missy’. (Starts at 1.06)   We hear from author Jenny McLachlan and Alison David from Egmont publishing about a petition to make Storytime part of the national school curriculum. (16.04)   Blogger Holly Tuke shares her thoughts about ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ by Matt Hague. (27.50)   T...

160: World Book Night 2020 with Brian Wood, Sally Nicholls and The Reading Agency 13.03.2020

NOTE - The audio in this show has been slightly updated to reflect the current situation This week we look forward to World Book Night by exploring some of the top titles in its great book giveaway. Debbie Hicks of The Reading Agency sets the scene and tells us all about World Book Night. (Starts at 1.20)   Brian Wood takes us from the battlefields of Iraq to the trials of the courtroom in his mem...

159: Hilary Mantel, Ade Adepitan and World Book Day 06.03.2020

This week, for World Book Day Robert Kirkwood guides us through all the great titles available from RNIB Library. (Starts at 1.17) Ade Adepitan joins us again with another Cyborg-Cat adventure. (18.30)   We celebrate the long-anticipated publication of ‘The Mirror and The Light’ the concluding volume in Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell trilogy with a look back at Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies....

158: Liz Mistry, Caroline Lennon and reviewing A Thousand Ships 28.02.2020

This week, It’s murder in Bradford, as thriller writer Liz Mistry introduces us to her new detective. (Starts at 0.55) Author NB Dixon tells us what she thought of  ‘A Thousand Ships’. (21.45) Narrator Caroline Lennon discusses her love of Irish literature, and her role in The Archers. (29.45) And a return to Liz Mistry for the Books of her Life (48.10)

World Book Day 2020 with RNIB Library 24.02.2020

World Book Day on 5 March 2020 is all about celebrating the magic of books and reading. RNIB is proud to support World Book Day's mission to give every child and young person a book of their own, by making 13 titles available in audio (DAISY CD) and braille. Robert Kirkwood finds out what books are available, for free, from RNIB Library.   Organised by UNESCO, World Book Day is marked in more than...

157: Kika and Me by Amit Patel, Costa Book of the Year and some shaggy dog tales. 21.02.2020

This week we talk to the winner of the Costa Book of the Year, Jack Fairweather (Starts at 1.00) We celebrate the publication of ‘Kika and Me: How One Extraordinary Guide Dog Changed My Life’ we have an in-depth conversation with Dr Amit Patel - the other half of a winning team. (10.00)   And to keep Kika happy Robert Kirkwood chases up some of the other shaggy dog stories in the RNIB Library (39....

156: Preti Taneja, Francesca Segal and narrator David Monteath 14.02.2020

This week, Author Preti Taneja re-imagines King Lear in modern-day India. (Starts at 1.02) Narrator David Monteach recalls some of the terrific titles he has turned into Talking Books. (19.22) We celebrate Valentine’s Day with Francesca Segal - author of ‘The Innocents’ and daughter of the man who wrote ‘Love Story’. (31.10) And a return to Preti Taneja for the books of her life. (47.30)

155: Holly Kyte, Jeremy Paxman, Ursula and Alasdair Buchan, and Holly Tuke 07.02.2020

Holly Kyte introduces us to the Roaring Girls – eight women who broke the mold and paved the way for modern feminism. (Starts at 1.10)   Ursula and Alasdair Buchan describe the recording of ‘Beyond The Thirty-nine Steps: a biography of the father of the modern thriller. (17.00)   Jeremy Paxman reveals a family tie to World War 1 that compelled him to write his book ‘Great Britain’s Great War’. (28...

154: Natalie Haynes, Jonathan Coe, Kate Saunders and The Costa Book of the Year 31.01.2020

Natalie Haynes explores the enduring appeal of Greek and Roman myth and launches her new novel ‘A Thousand Ships’. (Starts at 1.08)   Jonathan Coe reveals how the characters of ‘The Rotters Club’ have responded to Brexit. (19.45) Red Szell reviews 'Fifty Days That Changed The World'. (36.00) The winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award. (44.10 - Full interview next week)   And the author of ‘The...

153: The Costa Book Awards with Sara Collins, Jack Fairweather, Mary Jean Chan and Jasbinder Bilan 24.01.2020

This week, the Costa Book Award Winners in four categories Sara Collins talks to Robert Kirkwood about her debut novel, ‘The Confessions of Frannie Langton’ (Starts at 1.55) Jack Fairweather reveals the untold story of ‘The Volunteer’ who infiltrated Auschwitz. (17.35) Jasbiner Bilan takes Red Szell on a Himalayan quest with ‘Asha and the Spirit Bird’. (32.45) Poet Mary Jean Chan on her collection...

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