Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

With Red away in San Fransico this week, Robert Kirkwood recorded this packed show live on location at the Wigtown Book Festival and coming up today … Robin Ince on a comedian's guide to what makes us human, Broadcaster Sally Magnusson on her first novel and her links to Iceland, Ann Cleeves on her last 'Shetland' book, John Connell on his bestselling book about the humble cow, William Davies on 'Nervous States,' a look at our new political reality, Shaun Bythell on life at the Bookshop during the festival, and Lee Randall with the books of her life.

Before the Booker Prize was announced in 2016, Robert Kirkwood spoke to Paul Beatty before he was declared the winner.

From the archives, Robert Kirkwood chats to Marlon James about his book, 'A Brief History of Seven Killings '.

From the archives, Robert Kirkwood chats to Richard Flannigan about 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' before it wins the Booker.

From the archives, Robert Kirkwood speaks to Eleanor Catton, just before she wins the Booker Prize in 2013

From the archives, Robert Kirkwood speaks to Booker Prize winning author Hilary Mantel.

From the archives, Robert Kirkwood talks to Julian Barnes about 'The Sense of an Ending' before it won the Booker in 2011

This week we're exploring the life, legacy and literature of one of the countries best loved authors – Catherine Cookson.We explore her extraordinary life with her biographer, Kathleen Jones.Discover some of the artefacts at the South Shields museum dedicated to preserving her memory.Narrator Elizabeth Proud reminisces about recording Cookson’s novels for the RNIB Talking Books Library.And we immerse ourselves in the harsh realities of the ‘The 15 Streets’.

It's Catherine Cookson Week on RNIB Connect Radio and all week we're celebrating one of the UKs best loved authors and thanking the Catherine Cookson Charitable trust for their continued support of RNIB and the Talking Books service.Today playwright Tom Kelly chats about the musical Tom and Catherine, which charts Catherine Cookson and her husband's 50 year marriage.

This week we’ll be using our little grey cells to investigate some new developments in classic crime... Sophie Hannah tells us why Hercule Poirot is working with a new partner, and her publisher talks about how the collaboration came about. Lynn Shepherd discusses adding crime scenes to stories inspired by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. And Red finds the book in The Library that made me want to be a crime writer. Join the conversation by emailing [email protected]

This week we’re going transatlantic with some great contemporary tales from America. Tessa Fontaine tells us about running away to join the circus, in her memoir ‘The Electric Woman’. Paul Birchard recounts the remarkable story of ‘The Boy Who Played With Fusion’. And Deborah Harkness talks about transforming ‘A Discovery of Witches’ from best-selling books to primetime TV. Join the conversation on [email protected]

A listen to Roald Dahl at the Talking Books studios from 1986, introducing and narrating his first children's book, 'James and the Giant Peach'.

Today we’re raising the stakes and opening some books on betting. Debut author Martin Nathan discusses writing and playing poker with blind friends. Biographer Anthony Holden delves into the history of poker and its importance in his life. Victoria Coren-Mitchell shares her confessions of a poker player and what it’s like to win a million. And racehorse owner Alan Pickering discusses a life spent with sight loss and pensions.

Our blind and partially sighted Book Group discuss a book with sight loss at its core, The Rules of Seeing by Joe Heap.Please note there are some small SPOILERS in this episode but as its a book that has been just released we avoided talking about its later chapters ... at least while the mics were still on!

This month the book group discuss the winner of the Man Booker Prize from 2011, The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. What will our group of blind and partially sighted book lovers think about it as they listen to the RNIB Talking Book version?

This month our blind and partially sighted readers discuss Autumn by Ali Smith, shortlisted for the 2017 Booker Prize. Please note this show contains SPOILERS for the book.

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.