Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

472: Lucy Roth/Lucy Nichol - The Party To End All Parties

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Read On - The Audiobook Show, Lucy Roth, who also writes under the name Lucy Nichol, talks music, mental health, and learns how to hide a bod...

471: Carnegie Medal Winners

10 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As this year's Carnegie Medal Shortlist interviews start to happen, today is a listen back to three winners of the most prestigious prize in children'...

470: Ben Markovits - The Rest of Our Lives

03 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today we go on a road trip with Ben Markovits and his book The Rest of Our Lives.When Tom Layward's wife had an affair he resolved to leave her as so...

469: Lisa Timoney/Kate Storey/Naomi Williams - The Last Page Cafe

27 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A return visit this week from Lisa Timoney, a bestselling, multi-genre author who writes emotional family dramas under her own name, uplifting book c...

468: Comicbooks as Audiobooks featuring Daredevil: Born Again

20 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Read On we listen to some 'Marvel - Age of Comics' audiobooks, take a deep dive into the full cast audio versions of some 2000 AD graphic n...

467: Talking Books at 90 - The First Recorded Voices (and the equipment used)

13 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From the phonautograph to a smart speaker, today's Read On not only looks at the history of 90 years of RNIB Talking Books recording (and the equipme...

466: World Book Day 2026

06 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we hear from 11 of the World Book Day books for 2026 which are available from RNIB, plus we listen back to two of our most popular chi...

465: Talking Books at 90 - Ian Fraser and the first Talking Books

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A special (updated) documentary about the origins of the Talking Books service, recorded at the original locations around London, and featuring many ...

464: Talking Books at 90 - Recording Pride and Prejudice with Ben Willbond, Phil Dunster, Lisa George and Shazia Mirza

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An all-star ensemble comes together to celebrate RNIB Talking Books 9th decade of bringing the joy of reading to blind and partially sighted people. ...

463: Love Stories for Valentine

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A love themed show for Valentine's Day featuring Fiona Lucas on Always and Only You, Joanna Toye on The Little Penguin Bookshop, Rachel Greenlaw on Th...

Talking Books at 90 - Pride & Prejudice multi-cast recording

11 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

James Bartlett, Reading Services Manager at RNIB tells Robert Kirkwood about a new recording of Pride and Prejudice with many famous narrators, made t...

462: Susan Choi - Flashlight

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Today we continue our deep dive into last year's Booker shortlist as Robert Kirkwood has a long chat with Susan Choi on her novel Flashlight. They c...

World Book Day Children's Writing Competition

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The year 2026 is National Year of Reading and this along with World Book Day 2026 on March 5, is a great chance for every child, including those with...

461: Katie Kitamura - Audition

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode Robert Kirkwood chats to Katie Kitamura about her novel Audition, an exhilarating, destabilising novel that asks whether we ever r...

460: Andrew Miller - The Land in Winter

23 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller is an atmospheric novel set during a famously freezing 1960s winter, exploring the minutiae of married life throug...

459: Kiran Desai - The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A book 19 years in the making, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai is a spellbinding story of two young people whose fates intersect and ...

458: Best of the Fests

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A listen back to the times I was set free at both Boswell and Wigtown Book Festivals featuring Rupert Everett, Louise Minchin, Wayne Sleep, Dom Joly a...

457: Review of 2025 - Part 2

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A listen back to some 2025 highlights from later in last year including Percival Everett, Yael van der Wouden, Nate Lessore, Margaret McDonald, David ...

456: Review of 2025 - Part 1

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A listen back to some 2025 highlights from early last year including AJ West, Yael van der Wouden, Rachel Kushner, Clare Mackintosh, Lucy Edwards and ...

455: Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones - Christmas with the Map Men Part 2

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Read On, Robert Kirkwood chats to the Map Men, also known as Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones about their debut book This Way Up - When Ma...

454: Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones - Christmas with the Map Men Part 1

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Read On, Robert Kirkwood chats to the Map Men, also known as Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones about their debut book This Way Up - When Ma...

Best-selling author Joanna Trollope has died aged 82

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Author of many favourites in the RNIB Library, Joanna herself was very aware of the importance of accessibility as she had an eye condition that made ...

453: E.K. Wise - The Keepers of the Rock Book 1 - The Debilis Rising

05 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From her home in Los Angeles, author E.K. Wise tells Robert Kirkwood about The Keepers of the Rock - Book 1 The Debilis Rising, a thrilling YA fantasy...

452: Annaliese Avery - The Wycherleys plus Renita Boyle and Charlotte Bennie - Wigtown Book Festival

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the final show this year recorded in Scotland's Book Town, we chat to author Annaliese Avery about her new series, The Wycherleys, storyteller Reni...

451: Nicholas Jubber and Ambrose Parry - Wigtown Book Festival

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today Robert Kirkwood chats to Nicholas Jubber about Monsterland, a journey around the world's dark imagination and he also talks to an author with tw...

450: David Szalay - Flesh - Booker Winner 2025

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On today's Read On a long chat with the winner of the Booker Prize 2025, David Szalay. Robert Kirkwood chats to David about the life of his character ...

Booker Winner 2025 - David Szalay for Flesh (Extract)

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Full interview on Friday - but for now huge congratulations to David Szalay for his Booker win for Flesh - available in audio and Braille from RNIB Li...

449: Booker Shortlist 2025 - Susan Choi, Kiran Desai, Katie Kitamura, Ben Markovits, Andrew Miller, and David Szalay

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today a supercut of interviews with all six Booker shortlisted authors for 2025 with Susan Choi on Flashlight, Kiran Desai on The Loneliness of Sonia ...

448: Grant Harrold, Robert Twigger and Vivian French - Wigtown Book Festival

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode from Scotland's Book Town we chat to friend of the show, and author of over 300 books, Vivian French. We chat end of the world surv...

447: Dan Richards and Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan - Wigtown Book Festival

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Read On from the Wigtown Book Festival, we have some journeys, conversations and stories after dark in Dan Richards' book, Overnight and chat...

446: Louise Minchin and Lucy Hughes-Hallett - Wigtown Book Festival

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In an episode recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival, Robert Kirkwood talks to Louise Minchin about 'Isolation Island', a novel inspired by...

445: Winners of the Booker Prize

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the Booker shortlist released recently we look at who is up for the prize this year, and listen to some past winners including Shehan Karunatilak...

444: Elspeth Wilson - These Mortal Bodies

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we chat to poet and author Elspeth Wilson about her debut novel, These Mortal Bodies, a gripping and atmospheric dark academia novel about toxic...

443: Ali Harris - This Wasn't Meant to Happen

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robert Kirkwood is joined by Ali Harris as they discuss her new novel, This Wasn't Meant to Happen, a book described to be for anyone who ha...

442: A look forward to the Wigtown Book Festival

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Looking forward to this year's Wigtown Book Festival by listening to chats with Graham McRae Burnett, Stuart Kelly, Alex von Tunzelmann, Henry Manse, ...

441: Lisa Timoney/Kate Storey/Naomi Williams - The Forgotten Book Club

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Three authors who write in very different genres all wrapped up in the one package. Lisa Timoney writes family drama, Kate Storey writes books about b...

440: Books in the Garden

05 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're taking some books into the Garden. Ruth Scurr tells us about Napoleon: A Life in Gardens and Shadows, Monty Don tells us about sensory gar...

439: Caroline James - The Cruise Club

29 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we set sail with author Caroline James and hear all about her new book, The Cruise Club, plus we dive into her background and back catalogue.  ...

438: Clémence Michallon - Our Last Resort

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today Robert Kirkwood is joined by journalist and author Clémence Michallon from her home in New York, as we explore Our Last Resort, the brand new p...

437: Charlotte Butterfield - The Sister Switch

15 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Charlotte Butterfield joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about The Sister Switch, the brand new hilarious, emotional and thought-provoking book club read a...

436: Christopher Stephens and Louise Radnofsky - The Light of Day - plus Dave Steele, Matt Hopkins and Matt Goodfellow

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"The Light of Day" by Christopher Stephens and Louise Radnofsky, tells the story of Roger Butler, a man who came out as gay in the British press in 19...

Author Dame Stella Rimington dies aged 90

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Author Dame Stella Rimington has died at the age of 90. As the first female director of MI5 she poured years of lived experience into her spy novels f...

435: Alis Hawkins - The Oxford Mysteries

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today Robert Kirkwood is joined by Alis Hawkins as we explore 'The Oxford Mysteries' with her books A Bitter Remedy and The Skeleton Army, plus we exp...

434: Charlie English, Mo Wilde and Adam Nicholson - Boswell Book Festival

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's final visit to Dumfries House and the Boswell Book Festival we get out in nature as we forage for Free Food with Mo Wilde and find the Wild...

433: Andrew O'Hagan and John Suchet - Boswell Book Festival

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Read On we hear from Andrew O'Hagan after his keynote address on humour, sponsored by RNIB Connect Radio, and discuss his book Caledonian R...

432: Wayne Sleep, Juano Diaz and Dom Joly - Boswell Book Festival

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's edition of Read On, we're once again on location at Dumfries House at this year's Boswell Book Festival. Robert Kirkwood chats to Wayne Sl...

431: Rupert Everett, Gelong Thubten and Helen Lederer - Boswell Book Festival

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's edition of Read On, we're on location at Dumfries House at this year's Boswell Book Festival. Robert Kirkwood chats to Hollywood Icon Ruper...

430: Sue Moorcroft - The Skye Sisters Trilogy

27 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we travel to the Isle of Skye with Sue Moorcroft as the third volume of her best selling Skye Sisters Trilogy is released. Plus we find some new...

429: Margaret McDonald & Nathanael Lessore - Carnegie Medal for Writing

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our final Carnegie Medal for Writing show with winner of the Shadowing Award Nathanael Lessore for King of Nothing and winner of this year's Medal for...

428: Kelly McCaughrain & Matt Goodfellow - Carnegie Medal for Writing

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today on Read On we're continuing our interviews with authors on the shortlist for the Carnegie Medal for Writing. This week Kelly McCaughrain on Litt...

Frederick Forsyth at the RNIB Studios

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Frederick Forsyth, the author of The Day Of The Jackal, has died at the age of 86 after a brief illness.  He was a great supporter of RNIB Talking B...

427: Brian Conaghan & Luke Palmer - Carnegie Medal for Writing

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we talk to two more authors on the Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlist, Luke Palmer on his book Play and Brian Conaghan on Treacl...

426: Blessing Musariri & Clare Furniss - Carnegie Medal for Writing

30 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we talk to two authors on the Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlist, Blessing Musariri on her book All That It Ever Meant and Clare...

425: Becky C Brynolf and Daniel Tammet

23 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A mix of fiction and non-fiction in today's show as Becky C Brynolf tells us about her debut I Found A Body in which an influencer gets mixed up in a ...

424: Percival Everett on James - Winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for fiction

16 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Winner of the National Book Award and now the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, James is a subversive reimagining of “Huckleberry Finn” told from the pe...

423: Boswell Book Festival Interview Special

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As I'm off recording at Dumfries House at the moment, here's selection of interviews from past Boswell Book Festival events including Lady Anne Glenco...

422: Celia Silvani - Baby Teeth

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's Read On, Robert Kirkwood chats to Celia Silvani about her debut novel Baby Teeth, a cautionary tale about how vulnerable, isolated peop...

421: Beth O'Brien - Wolf Siren

25 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Read On a captivating chat with Beth O'Brien, visually impaired author of new HarperCollins Children’s Book 'Wolf Siren', which also ha...

420: Dame Stella Rimington - The Hidden Hand

18 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Stella Rimington was the first female director general of MI5 and brings true authenticity to her books about spying and espionage. She talks to Rober...

419: Nydia Hetherington - Sycorax & A Girl Made of Air

11 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week in Read On, author Nydia Hetherington tells us how living with a chronic yet hidden illness inspired her to write the untold story of Shakes...

418: Chris Bridges - Sick to Death

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Emma is sick. Just not in the way you thought.  In today's Read On - The Audiobook Show, we're mixing a thriller with a hidden disability in Chris Br...

417: Kate Kemp - The Grapevine plus Share The Vision

28 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's Read On - The Audiobook Show we chat to debut novelist Kate Kemp about murder and intrigue on Warrah Place, a sweltering Australian sub...

416: Clare Mackintosh - Other People's Houses

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Read On we enter the world of DC Ffion Morgan and DS Leo Brady with author Clare Mackintosh with the release of the third book in the serie...

415: Lucy Edwards - Blind Not Broken & Ella Jones vs The Sun Stealer

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we chat to blind broadcaster, social media creator and author, Lucy Edwards, about her books Blind Not Broken and Ella Jones vs The Su...

414: Mari Hannah, Steve Hodson plus Maurice and Maralyn

07 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we hear about the new thriller from Mari Hannah, Her Sister's Killer, the latest in the Stone and Oliver series. We also pay tribute ...

Tribute to narrator Steve Hodson

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A familiar and warm voice to listeners of RNIB Talking Books, and audiobook and radio drama listeners everywhere, Steve Hodson, has passed away at 77....

413: World Book Day with Tom Palmer

28 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show a chat with World Book Day author Tom Palmer about his books on sport, history and his travels for research, plus we find out about th...

412: Liz Hyder & Adam S Leslie - Nero Book Awards

21 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show two category winners from the Nero Book Awards, Children's Fiction winner Liz Hyder on her book The Twelve, and Adam S Leslie with his...

Lucy Edwards - Ella Jones Vs the Sun Stealer (Extract)

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A short extract from my interview with Lucy Edwards about her new book Ella Jones Vs the Sun Stealer and about being an RNIB Ambassador. Full intervie...

411: Joanna Toye - A New Chapter at the Little Penguin Bookshop

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're loved up this Valentines Day on Read On. In Penguin Books 90th year, Robert Kirkwood chats to author Joanna Toye about the second book in the h...

410: Nigel Planer, Jo Caulfield and Richard Herring

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Another comedian compilation as we hear from stand-ups Jo Caulfield and Richard Herring and comedic actor, audiobook narrator and Neil from The Young ...

409: Rachel Kushner - Creation Lake

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Read On, Robert Kirkwood chats to Rachel Kushner about her book Creation Lake, which is a taut, dazzling story of espionage and intrigue ...

408: Charlotte Wood - Stone Yard Devotional

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're joined by award winning Australian novelist Charlotte Wood who chats about her book Stone Yard Devotional, in which a women 'unsubscribes'...

407: Yael van der Woulden - The Safekeep

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show Robert Kirkwood has a long chat with Yael van der Woulden about her debut novel, The Safekeep, an exhilarating tale of twisted desire,...

406: A.J. West - The Betrayal of Thomas True and The Spirit Engineer

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Read On Robert Kirkwood chats to author and narrator A.J. West about his books The Betrayal of Thomas True and The Spirit Engineer and why ...

405: Recap of the Year - Part 2

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In our second look back at 2024, Momfluencers clash in Jesse Q. Sutanto's book You Will Never Be Me, Gregg Mosse tells us about The Coming Storm, we h...

404: Recap of the Year - Part 1

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's round up of the first half of 2024 we hear from Hiba Noor Khan and Sophia's War, we visit Harlem After Midnight with author Louise Hare, Mi...

403: Michael Morpurgo, D&D, and some Christmas Books

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's festive show we have a new chat with one of Britain's best loved children's authors, Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE, about retelling the bard's w...

402: Fiona Lucas - Always and Only You

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What would you do if you walk down the aisle and find the wrong man waiting for you? And no-one else sees anything wrong? This week a return visit fr...

401: Anita Frank - The Good Liars

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we chat to Anita Frank about the Sunday Times bestselling WW1 historical fiction murder mystery thriller, The Good Liars. Plus we find some ...

400: Anne Michaels - Held

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s 400th episode of Read On – The Audiobook Show, Robert Kirkwood chats to Anne Michaels about her book ‘Held’, which last week was th...

399: Rachel Greenlaw - The Woodsmoke Women's Book of Spells plus Blind Poet Dave Steele

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week author Rachel Greenlaw tells us about a cosy new tale of witches, magic, mystery, family and romance, The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells...

398: Samantha Harvey - Orbital - Booker Winner 2024

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today a long chat with Booker Winner 2024 Samantha Harvey and a listen to her winning book Orbital. We hear about the quirks of living on the ISS, abo...

Booker Winner 2024 - Samantha Harvey (Extract)

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Full interview on Friday's show, but here's a clip from my interview with Booker winner 2024, Samantha Harvey

Bonus Episode - Booker Shortlist Special 2024

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We have spoken to all of the Booker Shortlisted authors here at Read On, many on the days leading up to, or in one case the day of, the award ceremony...

397: Booker Prize 2024

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week features each book on the 2024 Booker Prize shortlist and a listen to the audio versions, plus some book recommendations from last year’s ...

396: Ariane Bankes, Irvine Welsh and Elizabeth Oldfield - Wigtown Book Festival

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Read On we have three very different authors,  Ariane Bankes discovers her mother's and aunt's correspondence in The Quality of Love: T...

395: Josie Lloyd - Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're chatting to Josie Lloyd about her brand new cosy crime adventure Miss Beeton’s Murder Agency and we get an exclusive news about a brand ...

394: Coinneach MacLeod, Pen Vogler and Julian Baggini - Wigtown Book Festival

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's a food theme in this week's episode as we head to Wigtown to chat to The Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod, food historian Pen Vogler on her b...

393: Gareth Brown - The Book of Doors - Wigtown Book Festival

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a talk sponsored by RNIB Connect Radio, Gareth Brown talks to Teddy Jameson live on stage at the Wigtown Book Festival about his best-selling time-...

392: Wigtown Hidden Gems

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As I'm down in Wigtown recording next week's show, here's a collection of hidden gems we've recorded at the festival over the years.

391: Lucy Ellmann, Stephanie Ellyne and Tia Fisher

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Another collection of narrators in today's show as we celebrate the voices who bring RNIB Talking Books to life, including two very personal tales for...

390: Jesse Sutanto - You Will Never Be Me

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Influencer Meredith Lee didn't teach Aspen Palmer how to blossom on social media just to be ditched as soon as Aspen became big. So can anyone really ...

389: Read On - Live on Stage

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A compilation episode today of the times Read On was recorded live on stage in front of an audience. We hear from Booker Shortlisted author Graeme Mac...

388: Julia Donaldson and Elizabeth Proud

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Two tales of recording books today. Julia Donaldson works out how to make an audio version of a very visual book, and Elizabeth Proud talks about how ...

387: Sophie Gravia - Hot Girl Summer and the Glasgow Kiss Trilogy

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robert Kirkwood chats to Sophie Gravia about her Glasgow Kiss trilogy and her new book Hot Girl Summer, and why she started writing while wo...

386: Isabel Ashdown - One Girl, One Summer

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Robert Kirkwood chats to Isabel Ashdown about her new book One Girl, One Summer which sees a return to Highcap in Dorset and a reappearance...

385: Narrator special with Adjoa Andoh, Martin Jarvis and Derek Jacobi

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's Read On features three very distinctive voices, Adjoa Andoh on being the voice of the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Derek Jacobi on bringi...

384: Audio Describing Bridgerton with Liz Gutman

09 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Bridgerton books are available from RNIB in accessible formats, but how do you make the TV version accessible? Robert Kirkwood takes a deep dive i...

383: Kirsten Miller - Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we chat to Kirsten Miller, author of The Change, about her new book, a gripping and deeply moving novel of bravery, friendship and standing ...