Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

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 Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, The DaVinci Code and even The Atkins Diet. Robert Kirkwood picks five books from 2003 available from the Talking Books library, and we chat to authors Lynne Truss (Eats, Shoots and Leaves), Mark Haddow (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time) and Bill Bryson (A Short History of Nearly Everything). Plus, as always, we find some new gems in the library.

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 at the height of lockdown. Now a few years later, Charlotte is back to discuss a gripping, darkly comic tale of searing loss, coercive control and the consequences of taking the wrong path, her new novel 'If I Let You Go' ... and also to blame Robert for her new, full blown, audiobook addiction Plus we find four new gems in the Talking Books library.

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 Correspondent' and why he had to narrate the audio version. John Carlin tells us about his book 'Playing the Enemy' and the Rugby World Cup Final that united South Africa, plus we find some old and new books about sport in the RNIB Talking Books library.

In today's show, two extreme travellers. We hear about Royal Marine Commando Mick Dawson 'Rowing the Pacific' and his subsequent adventure with ex-marine Sparky Sparkes, who was not only a rowing novice, but also blind.Plus 25 years on, we revisit Chris Stewart, the eternal optimist. A man who flies to Spain, sees a peasant farm on the wrong side of the river and, with scarcely a second thought, hands over a cash deposit, as documented in 'Driving Over Lemons'Plus we find four new gems in the Talking Books Library.

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 Dresden bombings, Rachel Kushner tells Robert Kirkwood about her jail novel, The Mars Room, and real life prisoner Erwin James talks about learning Braille in jail. We'll also find four new gems in the Talking Books Library.

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 inspired them. She also talks about her non-fiction history books, a forgotten hero, and gives us the books of her life. Plus we find some brand new titles entering the Talking Book library.

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 Kirkwood about his French Garden Journey, we find some new books generously donated to the RNIB Talking Books Library by some top UK audio publishers and end the show with some self-help books for summer.

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 Blindness', today looking at technology, education and asking, 'What is Blindness?' We also find four new gems in the Talking Books Library.

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 Blindness' a personal and unsentimental historical quest through the lives, stories and achievements of blind people.We also find some new books in the RNIB library and get the books of your life from film-maker Antony Baxter.

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 many different people. Robert Kirkwood chats to Joe about this inspiring, friendly guide to art and why it matters. Plus with Lynne Livingston of RNIB we find four great new gems in the Talking Book Library.

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 tells Robert Kirkwood how he became the voice of Irvine Welsh and Stephanie Ellyne talks about one the hardest books she has ever narrated. Plus we hear about some books available from RNIB in the Summer Reading Challenge and also some new books entering the RNIB library with Lynne Livingston.

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 the RNIB Library and find out the winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal for writing.

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 Finch gets us caught in a time loop with 'The Eternal Return of Clara Hart' and Sita Brahmachari finds light in the tragedy and trauma of 'When Shadows Fall'.Plus with Lynne Livingston, we find some new books in the RNIB Library.

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 Burton flips the script in this astonishing retelling of Greek myth. Plus a powerful and heart-rending exploration of a teenager's journey through grief, rage and getting caught in the criminal justice system in the book Needle from author Patrice Lawrence.Plus with Lynne Livingston we find some new gems in the RNIB Talking Book Library.

In our first show featuring the shortlisted authors for this year's Yoto Carnegie Medal, Manon Steffan Ros talks about writing and translating 'The Blue Book of Nebo' and Ruta Sepetys takes us to Romania in her chilling book, 'I Must Betray You'. Plus with Lynne Livingston we find out what's new in the RNIB Library.

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 Roald Dhal books alone, Esme Young from Sewing Bee goes 'Behind the Seams', Val McDermid says why her books '1979' and '1989' were written due to Covid, and Andrew Cotter decides which one of his labs, Olive or Mabel, would make the better guide dog. Plus, with Lynne Livingston, we look for some non-fiction books in the Talking Books library.

In the first of two Boswell Book Festival shows, Robert Kirkwood talks to Boswell expert Gordon Turnbull about Boswell's travel writing, takes a journey through history, nature and the people of a Bulgarian valley with Katba Kassabova and her book Elixir and talks to reluctant TV stars Giles and Mary from Gogglebox about the peaks and troughs of county life. Plus, in the spirit of the Boswell festival we find four new biographies in the Talking Books Library.

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 received changed everything. In today's episode we chat to Victoria Bennett about her memoir All My Wild Mothers, the story of how sometimes life grows, not in spite of what is broken, but because of it. Plus with Lynne Livingston we find three new gems in the RNIB Talking Books Library.

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 Baroness Glenconner about her book Lady in Waiting - My Life in the Shadow of the Crown. Plus Lynne Livingston will be along with her round up of some new books entering the Talking Books Library

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 Gribben from Hachette, senior audio manager at Orion, Paul Stark and Lynne Livingston from RNIB Library, Robert Kirkwood takes a deep dive to find some new gems.

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 work has appeared in major publications such as The New York Times and USA Today. She will share her secrets on how to bring someone else's story to life, the importance of trust and communication in the ghostwriting process, and how to maintain authenticity while writing for someone else. Blazin’ Blake Lindsay, is a blind motivational speaker and life coach He will share his wisdom on the power of words and how to inspire and motivate others. Blake has spoken to audiences across the globe, and he knows how to use his words to make a lasting impact. He will discuss the art of storytelling, the role of vulnerability in public speaking, and the importance of connecting with your audience.

Robert Kirkwood talks to debut author Ryan Love about the brand new 'warm hug' of a book, Arthur and Teddy Are Coming OutPlus we listen back to a chat with an author and presenter listed in The Independent's list of most influential gay people, Neil McGregor

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 available from RNIB Talking Books, and even the history of RNIB itself.

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 explore the world of audiobooks that feature multiple voice actors. Featuring interviews with author George Saunders and head of audio production at Penguin Random House, Chris Thompson, join us as we dive into the world of multi-voice audiobooks and discover the magic that comes from hearing a story come to life through the voices of multiple talented actors.

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 literary works from one tongue to another. Nicola Smalley chats about her work translating Norwegian and Swedish into English and instead of a 'books of your life' she gives us three favourites she's translated. Plus we listen back to how 'The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree' was translated from Italian.

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 recorded for RNIB around 60 years ago, Gabriel Woolf.

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 Oscar have been based on books. Robert Kirkwood grabs some popcorn and explores which of those books including Forest Gump, Silence of the Lambs, Gone with the Wind and the Godfather, amongst many others, are available in the RNIB Talking Books library.

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 Amelia Fang and being a previous World Book Day Book author and we hear all 13 titles that blind and partially sighted children can get for free on this year's World Book Day.

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 World Book Night. Rosanna Amaka weaves together the realities of war and the pain of first love in the brand new book 'Rose and the Burma Sky'. We also get some more healthy book recommendations from Paulina Kuchorew and Barry Snell talks to someone who has been volunteering with Talking Books for over 50 years.

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 also the "increasingly inaccurately titled" Dublin Trilogy.

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. We chat to our friends at Tech Talk about the new batch of AI narrators that are reading commercially available audiobooks. And we chat to a proper human narrator and voice of everything from Daleks to Peppa Pig's grandpa via Parker in Thunderbirds, David Graham.

This week Paulina Kuchorew talks to Meik Wiking about his book, My Hygge Home, Robert Kirkwood talks to Professor Richard Wiseman about fear, magic and smiling, Amelia Hilton reviews Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton and we get the books of your life from Booker shortlisted author Percival Everett

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 author Claire Keegan, listen to Candida McWilliam's 'What to Look for in Winter - A Memoir in Blindness' and there's some news for RNIB Library members.

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 'The Bullet that Missed', talk to Jonathan Dimbleby about 'Destiny in the Desert' and hear the Books of Your Life from twice Booker shortlisted author NoViolet Bulawayo.

'Tune in Tomorrow' is a funny, thrilling and mysterious adventure into the world of alternate reality television. We speak to both author Randee Dawn and narrator Rebecca LaChance about 'The Curious, Calamitous, Cockamamie Story Of Starr Weatherby And The Greatest Mythic Reality Show Ever'

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 and a complete history of Boswell and his eponymous festival.

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 inspiration for an epic journey detailed in his book, 'Utterly Brilliant, My Life's Journey', plus we hear from Noddy Holder about his acting career and how the Slade song 'Merry Xmas Everybody' was recorded.

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 historian Bill Bryson. Plus there are honourable mentions from Nigella Lawson, Alan Bennett, a small story about RNIB Talking Books from Joanna Lumley, and a cameo from a past host of the show.

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 chances in 'From Now On'Plus Robert Kirkwood finds some Christmas reads in the RNIB Library.

Robert Kirkwood listens back to some winners of the Booker Prize including George Saunders, Richard Flanagan, Eleanor Catton and Marlon James, plus we have the Books of Your Life from this year's winner, Shehan Karunatilaka.

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.O. Morgan after he recorded his Costa poetry winning book, 'Assurances' exclusively for RNIB Talking Books.

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, Melanie Reid discusses her book, 'The World I fell Out Of', Amelia Hilton finds out about a new sustainable bookshop in the borders, And as the hype builds for the world cup, Robert Kirkwood finds some RNIB Talking Books for the armchair sportsman.

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 of November.Every year, Scottish Book Trust ask people to share stories as part of our 'Your Stories' campaign and feature all the stories on their website. They then include a handful of our favourites in a free book for Book Week Scotland. This year's theme is Scotland’s Stories.The audio version of the Book Week Scotland Book is always produced by RNIB, with many of the stories being recorded at home by the authors. Today's show is a small selection of those tales.For the whole audiobook or ebook click HERE

Jenny Ashcroft tells Robert Kirkwood about her most personal novel to date, The Echoes of Love, Elizabeth Strout tells Toby Davey about Booker shortlisted Oh William!, and after his passing Robert listens back to the only time his Dad was on the show, proudly talking about the replica printing press he conceived to celebrate Robert Burns' Kilmarnock Edition.

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 experience political turmoil, we listen back to Red Szell's chat with John Bew about his biography of Atlee, 'Citizen Clem'

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 Robert Kirkwood to chat about her book and explains the model minority. Also today, we hear from the familiar voice of narrator Garrick Hagon, actor, producer and X-Wing Pilot!

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

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 refuses to be buried.NoViolet Bulawayo with her re-telling of Animal Farm, Glory.Shehan Karunatilaka with his murder mystery The Seven Moons of Maali AlmeidaAnd Claire Keegan with Small Things Like These, which is aptly titled as it's the shortest book ever to be on the shortlist.

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 historians, Nick Jubber on the Fairy Tellers, Alex von Tunzelmann on toppled statues in Fallen Idols and Estelle Paranque on Fire, Blood and Gold - the relationship between Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. There are some Wigtown natives ... we speak to storyteller Renita Boyle, and bookshop diarist Shaun Bythell. Plus a trio of female Scottish writers, Olga Wojtas on Maria Blane's Prefect, Lynne McEwan on Dead Man Deep and In Dark Water plus recent guest on the show Elissa Soave on her debut Ginger and Me.

Josie Lloyd chats to Robert Kirkwood about her books The Cancer Ladies Running Club, Come Together and her new book, Lifesaving for Beginners plus fresh from the Booker Shortlist announcement we hear from head judge Neil MacGregor.