Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

SPOILER WARNING! Don't listen unless you've read the book! Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything. This month our blind and partially sighted book group discuss Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. What did they think?

In this episode our blind and partially sighted book group discuss Margaret Atwood's The Haidmaid's Tale, and we're joined by new member Lillian. What will they think this month?

This month the group discuss J.L. Carr's A Moth in the Country.A damaged survivor of the First World War, Tom Birkin finds refuge in the quiet village church of Oxgodby where he is to spend the summer uncovering a huge medieval wall-painting. Immersed in the peace and beauty of the countryside and the unchanging rhythms of village life he experiences a sense of renewal and belief in the future. What will our group of blind and partially sighted readers think?

This month the group discuss a book voted as 'the best book about Britain'. Do they agree with that, and did they enjoy it? Join our group of blind and partially sighted readers in the Book Group.

Join the conversation with a real group of blind and partially sighted book lovers and Talking Book users. This month the book group discuss Chocolat by Joanne Harris.

Join our brand new book group as they talk about reading with sight loss, missing print books, and the Talking Books that have inspired and delighted them.

Michael Palin talks to Robert Kirkwood about forgetting lines and supporting RNIB, Anthony Horowitz tells us the books of his life and Colonel Chris Hadfield talks about his books for children and grown ups.Plus we revist both Adjoa Andoh and Dame Judi Dench. Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

Today Penguin Random House UK has launched a new partnership with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) by signing up to two of the charity’s programmes - RNIB Bookshare and Talking Books.Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood discuss some titles ... and please note, all of the titles won't be immediately available but will be added to RNIB's collection over a number of months.Read more at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.uk/media/news/2018/august/penguin-random-house-launches-partnership-with-the-rnib--making-/#wdhLbbOXyHm5y2sA.99

Lissa Evans chats about her books 'Old Baggage' and Wed Wabbit, Anthony McGowan narrates his own books for RNIB and Sam West on narrating new versions of 'The House of Cards' trilogy.

Red Szell chats to Moira Forsyth about her book 'A Message from the Other Side' and about her work at publisher Sandstone Press. Bernard Cornwell chats to Robert Kirkwood about Sharpe, the Black Prince and listening to audio books in the car. And we chat to Huw Parmenter, who recently narrated 'The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder' by Sarah J Harris, about his work as an actor and preparing a book for narration.

We explore a new book inspired by the author's own sight-loss journey, 'The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree'. We chat to its author Paola Peretti and go behind the scenes with its publisher, translator and audio book narrator. We also have another great review from blind author N.B. Dixon and explore the Summer reading Challenge from RNIB.

We devote a whole show to a brand new book with sight loss at its core, 'The Rules of Seeing' by Joe Heap. We talk to its author Joe Heap, its narrator Cariad Lloyd and hand the book to our Connect Radio Book Group to get their verdict.

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.

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'.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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… 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.

The voice acting legend David Graham tells Robert Kirkwood about being Brains and Parker in Thunderbirds, creating the voice of the Daleks and moreClipped from Read On#71

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.

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'

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

Following a recommendation from a past guest, Red Szell reads and reviews Trunk Music by Michael ConnellyClipped from Read On 69

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.

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.

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.

We chat to Anthony about 'Rook' his book shortlisted for the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal.Clipped from Read On #66

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 [email protected]

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.

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 [email protected]

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

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.

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 [email protected]

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.

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.

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.

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 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.