Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

382: Jo Piazza - The Sicilian Inheritance & Blind Author and World Traveller, Tony Giles

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, bestselling author and award-winning journalist Jo Piazza, talks about a novel rooted in the author's own family history about a trip to Si...

381: Tasha Ghouri and Trish Sail

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A Reality Show Double Bill - In today's episode we hear from Love Island star and disability campaigner Tasha Ghouri about her novel, 'Hits Different'...

380: Kirsty Logan, Xinran, Nigel Toon and Vivian French - Boswell Book Festival

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded on location at the Boswell Book Festival, this week Kirsty Logan tells us about 'The Unfamiliar: A Queer Motherhood Memoir', journalist and a...

379: Patrick Grant, John Niven and Christian Lewis - Boswell Book Festival

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Three authors today who all recorded the audio versions of their books, Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant champions quality over consumptio...

378: Donna Ashworth, Jackie Kay, Catherine Coldstream and Joseph Coelho - Boswell Book Festival

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

More authors from the Boswell Book Festival this week including Catherine Coldstream on her book Cloistered: My Years As a Nun and two great but very ...

377: Billy Kay, Len Pennie and Sir Alexander McCall Smith - Boswell Book Festival

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A show chiefly in the Scottish dialect this week as we head to the Boswell Book Festival to talk to writer, broadcaster and language activist Billy Ka...

376: Nathanael Lessore and Sophie Cameron - Yoto Carnegie Medal Shortlist

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our final two Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing Shortlisted authors join us this week, Nathanael Lessore with Steady For This and Sophie Cameron with Aw...

375: Zillah Bethell, Tia Fisher and Nicola Davies - Yoto Carnegie Medal Shortlist

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

More Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing shortlisted authors on the show this week. Zillah Bethell on The Song Walker, Tia Fisher on Crossing the Line and...

Books on D-Day in the RNIB Library

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To commemorate D-Day we’ve taken a journey into the RNIB Library to listen to some great history books about the Normandy landings and beyond.

374: Hiba Noor Khan and Joseph Coelho - Yoto Carnegie Medal Shortlist

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we feature two authors on the shortlist for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing. Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho tells us how Greek ...

373: Roxie Key - The Deadly Spark

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's show we listen to the brand new thriller The Deadly Spark from debut novelist Roxie Key, plus following on from last week's climate chat we...

372: Greg Mosse - The Coming Darkness & The Coming Storm

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we take a deep dive into climate fiction with Greg Mosse and his books The Coming Darkness and The Coming Storm plus we find some brand new audi...

371: Elizabeth Acevedo, Tanya Landman, Geraldine McCaughrean and Ruta Sepetys

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we start gearing up for this year's Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, we listen back to four previous winners with four very different books ... Eli...

370: C. J. Tudor, Michael McGee and Sarah Bernstein

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we hear the Books of My Life from both Nero debut novel winner Michael Magee and Booker shortlisted Sarah Bernstein. We also chat to C...

369: Lord Jeffrey Archer & Dr Lin Berwick MBE

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We interview Lord Jeffrey Archer as he records a special introduction to his book Traitors Gate exclusively for RNIB Talking Books, plus as her book '...

368: Leeanne O'Donnell - Sparks of Bright Matter

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we talk to Leeanne O'Donnell about spirit and matter, love and lust, and reality and magic, all in her book Sparks of Bright Matter. W...

367: Chioma Okereke - Water Baby & Percival Everett on The Trees: A Novel

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Read On this week features Chioma Okereke with her coming of age audio book Water Baby set in the floating slum of Makoko in Lagos. We hear about The ...

366: Louise Hare - Harlem After Midnight

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we're re-joined by Louise Hare as she tells us about the sequel to Miss Aldridge Regrets, Harlem After Midnight. Plus we delve into th...

365: Neil Lancaster - The Devil You Know

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robert Kirkwood talks to former military policeman and former Met Detective, Neil Lancaster about the latest DS Max Craigie Book, The Devil ...

364: Music and Literature

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s show we listen to some books about music and musicians. We chat to Beth and Ben of The Bookshop Band, talk to the author of Outlaw Blues,...

363: Nero Book Awards 2024

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we feature all four category winners in the first ever Nero Book Awards, First up we listen to a clip from the Non-Fiction winning bo...

362: World Book Day 2024

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we celebrate World Book Day with Michael Morpurgo, Julia Donaldson, Betsy Griffin and find out about the free £1 from RNIB.

361: Becky Holmes - Keanu Reeves is Not In Love With You

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we dive into the murky world of romance fraud with Becky Holmes and her book Keanu Reeves is Not In Love With You which she narrated h...

360: Alex Leam - The First Man to Time Travel

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The First Man to Time Travel is the debut sci-fi comedy novel from Alex Leam. He tells Robert Kirkwood about the book, his inspirations and reading th...

359: Alistair Lee - Australia's only blind voice over artist

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show Alistair Lee, Australia’s only blind Voice Over Artist, talks to Amelia Hilton about his career so far. We also listen back to Keith...

358: Lynda Marron - Last Chance in Paris

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Lynda Marron chats to Robert Kirkwood about her book Last Chance in Paris, a funny, moving, above all life-affirming story of a make-or-brea...

357: Boswell Book Festival Special

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we re-visit some Boswell Book Festival favourites and chat to Frank Skinner, Denise Mina, Nigel Havers, Giles and Mary from Gogglebox ...

356: Mari Hannah - The Longest Goodbye

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Mari Hannah joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about her brand new Kate Daniels thriller, The Longest Goodbye, a book she didn't want to write. ...

355: Hester Musson - The Beholders

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robert Kirkwood is joined by Hester Musson to discuss her gothic, historical debut thriller about power and corruption, The Beholders. Plus...

354: Books of 2023 - Part 2

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Read On this week has more of the best interviews of 2023 with Joe Haddow, Charlotte Levin, Victoria Bennett, Carnegie Winner Manon Steffan Ros, and a...

353: Books of 2023 - Part 1

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We listen back to some interviews from last year including Randee Dawn on Tune in Tomorrow, C.K. McDonnell on The Stranger Times, Catherine Simpson on...

352: Christmas Special

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's show we curl up with some Christmas TV, or at least the books that they came from. Julia Donaldson and Charlie Mackesy talk about turning v...

351: Rachel Greenlaw - One Christmas Morning

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Another festive book on The Audiobook Show, this week Rachel Greenlaw tells Robert Kirkwood about her groundhog day inspired novel, One Christmas Morn...

350: Peter Swanson - The Christmas Guest

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show Robert Kirkwood talks to Peter Swanson about his festive novella The Christmas Guest, and how the murder mystery at Christmas genre is...

349: Science Special

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show a round up of some of the best science writing we've had on the show including Stephen and Jane Hawking, Chris Lintott, Marcus du Saut...

Paul Lynch wins the Booker 2023

26 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Winner of the Booker 2023, Paul Lynch. For the full interview head to episode 345.

348: Booker Prize Winners Special

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we listen to some previous winners of the Booker, the youngest ever winner Eleanor Catton on The Luminaries, Marlon James on his winni...

347: Jonathan Escoffery - Booker Prize 2023

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we chat to Jonathan Escoffery about his debut novel, shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2023, If I Survive You. We also find some new b...

346: Paul Murray - Booker Prize 2023

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we talk to Paul Murray about the multiple narrators in the audio version of his Booker shortlisted book, The Bee Sting, plus we hear a...

345: Paul Lynch & Sarah Bernstein - Booker Prize 2023

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we chat to two authors on the Booker Shortlist 2023.  Paul Lynch takes us to a dystopian Ireland in Prophet Song and Sarah Bernst...

344: Rachel Hore - The Hidden Years

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show Robert Kirkwood finds out about Rachel Hore’s captivating new novel of secrets, loss and betrayal - set on the beautiful Cornish coa...

343: Nigel Planer, Kate Mosse and Rory Cellan-Jones - Wigtown Book Festival

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Three more authors interviewed at the Wigtown Book Festival in this week's show. Ex-BBC technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones tells Robert Kirkw...

342: Maggie O'Farrell, Kathryn Harkup and Jo Caulfield - Wigtown Book Festival

13 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In a second visit this year to Wigtown, Robert Kirkwood talks to comedian Jo Caulfield about her moving memoir The Funny Thing About Death, we get poi...

341: Louise Doughty, Lynsey May, Stuart Paterson and Ruth Scurr - Wigtown Book Festival

06 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robert Kirkwood travels to Scotland's Book Town and talks to novelist Lynsey May about her debut book, Weak Teeth, Stuart Paterson reads his...

340: 20 Years of RNIB Connect Radio with Read On - Part 2

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As RNIB Connect Radio turns 20, Read On this week looks back at some of the first authors, narrators and looks behind the scenes we've had on the show...

339: M.A. Kuzniar - Upon A Frosted Star and Midnight in Everwood

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week author M.A. Kuzniar joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about her bestseller Midnight in Everwood, a magical retelling of The Nutcracker, and her ...

338: Ava Glass - Alias Emma: The Chase and The Traitor

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Out now is Ava Glass’s second book in the Alia Emma series, The Traitor. Ava joins us to talk about her background as a journalist in America and wi...

337: 20 Years of RNIB Connect Radio with Read On

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As RNIB Connect Radio turns 20, Read On this week looks at books of the same vintage.  2003 was a great year for books with bestsellers including Ha...

336: Charlotte Levin - If I Let You Go

01 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Robert Kirkwood is joined again by Charlotte Levin, who was last on the show with her debut novel, 'If I can't Have You' which was released ...

335: See Sport Differently

25 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A sporty feel in today's show as we chat to commentator Mike Ingham about his book 'After Extra Time and Penalties: Memories of a BBC Football Corresp...

334: Extreme Travel

18 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show, two extreme travellers. We hear about Royal Marine Commando Mick Dawson 'Rowing the Pacific' and his subsequent adventure with ex-mar...

333: Books Behind Bars

11 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we've been banged up! We hear the real life story about a prisoner of war escaping jail and execution as his cell was destroyed in the...

332: Maggie Craig - The Glasgow and Clydebank Sagas

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show author Maggie Craig tells Robert Kirkwood about the six books in her Glasgow and Clydebank Sagas and the people and places that inspir...

331: Summer Reads

28 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's show Cathy Bramley tells us about old fears, happy endings and new beginnings in The Summer that Changed Us, Monty Don tells Robert Kirkwoo...

330: Life Unseen: A Story of Blindness with Selina Mills - Part 2

21 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today is the second part of Robert Kirkwood's interview with broadcaster and author Selina Mills about her brand-new book 'Life Unseen: A Story of Bli...

329: Life Unseen: A Story of Blindness with Selina Mills - Part 1

14 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we have the first part of an interview with broadcaster and author Selina Mills about her brand-new book 'Life Unseen: A Story of Blin...

328: Art is Everywhere with Joe Haddow

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Haddow is a super-fan of all forms of art. He is on a mission to show everyone how art can be found in so many different places, and created by so...

327: Narrator Special and the Summer Reading Challenge

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we talk to three very different narrators. Joan Walker talks to us about other publications recorded at the studios, Tam Dean Burn tel...

326: Elodie Harper on The Wolf Den

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today Amelia Hilton chats to author Elodie Harper about her Wolf Den Trilogy, we get the books of your life from Louise Finch, hear some new books in ...

325: Louise Finch, Katya Balen and Sita Brahmachari

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we chat to the three remaining authors on the Yoto Carnegie Shortlist. Katya Balen on the sweet but turbulent, 'The Light in Everything', Louise...

324: Jessie Burton and Patrice Lawrence

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we listen to two more books shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal.  Forget everything you've been told about Medusa as author Jessie Bur...

323: Manon Steffan Ros and Ruta Sepetys

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In our first show featuring the shortlisted authors for this year's Yoto Carnegie Medal, Manon Steffan Ros talks about writing and translating 'The Bl...

322: Michael Morpurgo, Esme Young, Val McDermid & Andrew Cotter - Boswell Book Festival 2023 Part 2

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the second of two Boswell Book Festival shows, Robert Kirkwood talks to Michael Morpurgo about 'The Boy Who Would Be King' and why we should leave ...

321: Giles and Mary, Gordon Turnbull and Katba Kassabova - Boswell Book Festival 2023 Part 1

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the first of two Boswell Book Festival shows, Robert Kirkwood talks to Boswell expert Gordon Turnbull about Boswell's travel writing, takes a journ...

320: Victoria Bennett - All My Wild Mothers: Motherhood, Loss and an Apothecary Garden

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

At seven months pregnant, Victoria Bennett was looking forward to new motherhood and all that was to come. But when the telephone rang, the news she r...

319: The Coronation in Literature

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we hear about the history of coronations with author Lucinda Gosling, hear some books by, and about, King Charles, and talk to Barones...

318: New Books in the RNIB Library

28 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are so many books entering the RNIB Talking Book Library at the moment it can be hard to keep up, so with help from audio publisher Dominic Grib...

317: Ghost-writing with Marcia Layton Turner and motivational speaking with Blazin’ Blake Lindsay

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Invisible Pen and The Power of Words - two fascinating worlds of writing and speaking.  Marcia Layton Turner has written over 30 books, and her ...

316: Ryan Love - Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Kirkwood talks to debut author Ryan Love about the brand new 'warm hug' of a book, Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out Plus we listen back to a ch...

315: History Books Special

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From the sinking of the Titanic, Great Britain's Great War and the importance of preserving historical audio this show explores great works of history...

314: Multi-Cast Audiobooks

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From the 166 voices in Lincoln in the Bardo, the dramatisation of a selection of 2000AD comics, or the multiple voices in The Golden Compass, today we...

313: Lost in Translation

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, let's explore the fascinating world of translating books. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of language and the art of transforming ...

312: Narrator Gabriel Woolf

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's show features a celebration of, and a chat with, one of the most distinctive and prolific voices in the RNIB Talking Books library, who first ...

311: Books that Won the Oscar for Best Picture

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From All Quiet on the Western Front, to 12 Years a Slave, and possibly returning to All Quiet on the Western Front, many winners of the Best Picture O...

310: World Book Day 2023 and Tips on Writing with Sight Loss

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week blind author Ami Turnbull tells the Tech Talk team how she wrote her book 'More!', we talk to children's author Laura Ellen Anderson about A...

309: Catherine Simpson and Rosanna Amaka

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's show Robert Kirkwood chats to Catherine Simpson about her memoir One Body: A Retrospective and how anyone can pick up a free audio copy on ...

308: C.K. McDonnell - The Stranger Times and The Dublin "Trilogy"

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's show we talk to C.K. McDonnell about his series of books, The Stranger Times, including the brand new book 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' and al...

307: Jon Gingerich, David Graham and some AI narrators

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we hear from author Jon Gingerich about his book The Appetite Factory, and how he raced to finish the book as his eyesight failed. ...

306: Meik Wiking, Richard Wiseman, Percival Everett and Everything I Know About Love

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Paulina Kuchorew talks to Meik Wiking about his book, My Hygge Home, Robert Kirkwood talks to Professor Richard Wiseman about fear, magic an...

305: Claire Keegan, Candia McWilliam and some healthy book recommendations

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's show we get some healthy book recommendations from the RNIB Talking Books Library, hear the Books of Your Life from Booker shortlisted auth...

304: Remembering Fay Weldon, The Bullet That Missed reviewed, plus NoViolet Bulawayo and Jonathan Dimbleby

20 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's Read On we remember Fay Weldon and play her interview with Robert Kirkwood from the RNIB Talking Book Studios. We review Richard Osman's 'T...

303: Randee Dawn and Rebecca LaChance on Tune in Tomorrow

13 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

'Tune in Tomorrow' is a funny, thrilling and mysterious adventure into the world of alternate reality television. We speak to both author Randee Dawn ...

302: Book Festival Special

06 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A compilation of the times we escaped the studio and got out and about, featuring Nigel Havers, Kate Williams, George Dunn, Eric Motley, Bill Clegg KC...

301: Christmas with Timmy Mallet and Noddy Holder

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Timmy Mallet joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about the best gifts to give for Christmas and about how his late brother with Down's Syndrome was the insp...

300: Bill Bryson, Limmy and much more

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the 300th episode of Read On we listen back to the three most popular interviews as judged by podcast downloads, comedian Limmy, travel writer and ...

299: Fiona Lucas and Amelia Henley

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fiona Lucas deals with memory loss and hope for lost love in 'Never Forget You' Amelia Henley tells us an emotional story about love and second chanc...

298: Shehan Karunatilaka, George Saunders, Richard Flanagan, Eleanor Catton and Marlon James

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Kirkwood listens back to some winners of the Booker Prize including George Saunders, Richard Flanagan, Eleanor Catton and Marlon James, plus we...

297: Alan Garner and J.O. Morgan

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alan Garner joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about the origin of his Booker Shortlisted book, Treacle Walker. Plus we listen back to an interview with J....

296: Jan Grue, Melanie Reid, Ineffable Books and more

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Author Jan Grue talks to Paulina Kuchorew about his autobiography 'I Live a Life Like Yours' now available in an English translation as an audiobook, ...

295: Book Week Scotland 2022

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place across the country, this year taking place from the 14th to the 20th...

294: Jenny Ashcroft, Elizabeth Strout and Robert Burns

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny Ashcroft tells Robert Kirkwood about her most personal novel to date, The Echoes of Love, Elizabeth Strout tells Toby Davey about Booker shortli...

293: Helen Fields and John Bew

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Helen Fields talks to Robert Kirkwood about 'The Last Girl to Die' a haunting mystery set on the ancient ocean-battered Isle of Mull.  And as we exp...

292: Tracy Lien and Garrick Hagon

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All That's Left Unsaid is an "unmissable and compelling" debut novel from Tracy Lien, subject to a nine way auction in the UK and USA, she joins Rober...

Booker 2022 Winner - Shehan Karunatilaka

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Kirkwood interviews Shehan Karunatilaka about his Booker winning book The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida ... and off screen had a grey beard off!

291: Booker Prize 2022 - NoViolet Bulawayo, Percival Everett, Shehan Karunatilaka and Claire Keegan

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to four of the six Booker shortlisted authors (with the other two coming soon) Percival Everett with The Trees, in which a violent history re...

290: Wigtown Book Festival 2022

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In a packed show recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival, Robert Kirkwood chats to a whole host of writers, including three very different h...

289: Josie Lloyd and Neil MacGregor with the Booker Shortlist

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Josie Lloyd chats to Robert Kirkwood about her books The Cancer Ladies Running Club, Come Together and her new book, Lifesaving for Beginners plus fre...

Tribute to Dame Hilary Mantel

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dame Hilary Mantel, author of the Wolf Hall trilogy, has died aged 70 A statement from her publisher reads, "We are heartbroken at the death of our b...

288: Joseph Coelho, John Gordon Sinclair and Bernardine Evaristo

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Red Szell chats to Joseph Coelho about becoming the new children's laureate, we listen back to a live interview with John Gordon Sinclair with Robert ...

287: Philip Reeve, Jacqueline Wilson, Chris Riddell, Pamela Butchart and Cressida Cowell

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Philip Reeve, author of Mortal Engines, tells us all about his new book Utterly Dark and the Heart of the Wild plus we listen back to the Scottish Fri...