Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

In today's audiobook show, Benjamin Myers discusses his haunting coming-of-age novel ‘The Offing’. (Starts at 0.54) We eavesdrop on the afternoon an RNIB narrator, Stephanie Ellyne, met Lucy Ellmann, the author of the book she is reading. (22.32) Red celebrates Halloween by reviewing an atmospheric ghost story by Helen Dunmore. (41.17)And we return to Ben Myers for the Books of His Life (48.53)

Lynne Truss tackles crime and bad grammar in 1950s Brighton. (Starts at 1.03) Patricia Cornwall launches her new cyber crime series after conducting her own investigations at NASA. (19.26)Stephanie Ellyne talks about narrating a thousand page novel with just eight sentences. (35.22)And we return to Lynne Truss for the books of her life. (48.22)

In today's show we listen to the Booker winning audiobooks, 'Girl, Woman Other' by Bernardine Evaristo and 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood (Starts at 1.07) Salman Rushdie tells us about the joint narratives of 'Quichotte' (13.02) We return to the Wigtown Book Festival where founder of The Big Issue, Lord Bird, reveals how learning to read saved him from a life of crime. (28.02) Journalist Melanie Reid discusses coming to terms with disability and recording her memoir as a Talking Book. (37.00) And Professor Steve Jones shares some fascinating facts about the vital role the sun plays in our lives. (45.42)

In our second Booker Prize special, Elif Shafak discusses her sensual novel ’10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World’. (Starts at 1.52) Chigoze Obioma reveals the real-life tragedy that inspired his novel ‘An Orchestra of Minorities’. (19.43) Margaret Atwood unveils her sequel to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. (30.14) And we return to Elif Shafak for the Books of her Life (50.10)

In a packed show Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood report from the Wigtown Book Festival with ... Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson on his book, 'In My Life: A Musical Memoir' (Starts at 1.34) Kerry Hudson on Lowborn (Down the Chipper) (7.00) Shaun Bythell has some 'Confessions of a Bookseller' (13.41) Sarah Jane Douglas treats illness and grief as 'Just Another Mountain' (21.08) Chair of RNIB Scotland Sandra Wilson on sponsoring a Talking Book (25.03) Music from, and chat with, The Bookshop Band (27.08) We go 'Under the Wig' with William Clegg QC (36.00) Richard Frazer describes his 'Travels with a Stick' (41.04) Jon Day races pigeons and combines memoir, philosophy and culture in 'Homing' (44.49) And we get the Books of Your Life from stand up classicist Natalie Haynes. (51.03) Thanks to @MarkMcKie1 for the cover picture depicting fireworks over Wigtown.

We’re checking out some of the titles short-listed for this year’s Booker Prize. Bernardine Evaristo reflects on the vibrant lives of 12 black, British women in her novel ‘Girl Woman Other’ (Starts at 1.00)Joanna MacGregor tells us about the tsunami of books she had to read as a Booker judge. (26.39) Lucy Ellmann takes us into the strange world of her eight sentence novel ‘Ducks Newburyport’ (36.30)And we return to Bernardine Evaristo for the books of her life. (43.30)

A packed show this week with Red Szell out and about at a party and a picnic ... A chat with Eve Smith from the Booker Foundation at the 2019 shortlist party.(Starts at 1.14) Chris McQueer tells Robert Kirkwood how he started writing. (8.35) Mary Beard on history books and contemporary politics. (17.25) From RNIB Library, Lynne Livingston gives us some new book recommendations. (28.28) We hear some familiar voices enjoying The Audiobook Workers Picnic. (34.25) And Mr Gum author Andy Stanton shares the books of his life. (48.05)

As his books 'Hings' and 'HWFG' are released in audio, author Chris McQueer joins Robert Kirkwood in the RNIB Talking Book Studios to chat about writing, narrating and ending up in Twitter jail.

As the 2019 shortlist is announced, Robert Kirkwood and Red Szell listen back to some past Booker winners2018 - Red reviews Milkman by Anna Burns (Starts at 1.20)2017 - Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (4.38)2016 - The Sellout by Paul Beatty (15.42)2015 - A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (23.58)2014 -The Long Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan (33.10)2013 - The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (44.50)... all interviews recorded before the winner of that year was announced.

Today we’re exploring life’s long and winding road ... Celia Anderson transports us to Cornwall for a stroll down to '59 Memory Lane'. (Starts at 1.10) Jackie Kay traces her roots along ‘The Red Dust Road’. (16.45) Christopher Scott reflects on his career as a Talking Book narrator, and how it changed his life. (28.00) And we return to Celia Anderson for the books of her life. (46.30)

This week we’re investigating crime fiction:Patrice Lawrence discusses her eagerly anticipated new novel ‘Rose Interrupted’. (Starts at 2.04)Peter Robinson opens the case file on his best-selling detective DCI Banks. (14.10)Former Met Police Officer Kate London tackles knife crime in ‘Gallowstree Lane’. (29.40)Red investigates the crime story that made him want to become a writer. (37.00)And we return to Patrice Lawrence for the books of her life. (45.05)

Harriet Shawcross explores the awkwardness of silence in her book “Unspeakable”. (Starts at 1.00) Carolina Setterwall reveals how writing helped her navigate bereavement. (21.08) Zena Cooper takes an upbeat look at what you can see when you can’t see. (35.38) And we return to Carolina Setterwall for the Books of her Life. (48.43)

Today we’re manning the boats and taking to the sea. Historian David Gange takes us on a journey of discovery around ‘The Frayed Atlantic Edge’ of Britain and Ireland. (Starts at 1.14) Robert Kirkwood plunges into some books about The Titanic. (19.50) Adventurer Mick Dawson recounts the highs and lows he encountered when rowing The Pacific. (31.30) Coastal dweller Joanna Streetly discusses her ‘Wild Fierce Life’ beside, and in, the sea. (43.00)And we return to David Gange for the books of his life. (49.39)

Liz Fenwick transports us to the Cornish coast in her atmospheric new novel ‘The Path to the Sea’. (1.20) Mark Billingham reveals how narrating his Thom Thorne detective thrillers has changed the way he writes them. (20.00) The doyen of audio description Di Langford reflects on bringing books, plays, TV series and feature films to life for those of us who have difficulty seeing them. (36.15) And we return to Liz Fenwick for the books of her life. (52.12)

In a round up of some books we think you might pack in your suitcase, we listen back to ... Stuart Turton on 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' (Starts at 1.18) Joanne Ramos on 'The Farm' (7.31) Bart Van Es on 'The Cut Out Girl' (18.45) C.J. Tudor on 'The Chalk Man' and 'The Taking of Annie Thorne' (28.12) Lucy Foley on 'The Hunting Party' (36.40) And for the first time ever, Robert asks Red for The Books of His Life. (49.10)

Jess Butterworth takes us deep into the Louisiana swamp in her new novel ‘Swimming Against the Storm’. (Starts at 1.25) Mr Gum author Andy Stanton reflects on how history can inform our view of the present. (11.53) Jessica Townsend picks up the story of her cursed and magical heroine, Morrigan Crow, in ‘Wundersmith.’ (26.48) Blind author N.B. Dixon reviews a medieval adventure (42.18) And we return to Jess Butterworth for the books of her life. (49.28)

Celebrating 50 years since we first walked on the moon. Andrew Smith reveals the stories of what the moon walkers did next in a brand new reissue of ‘Moondust” (Starts at 2.08) Robert Kirkwood explores the works of fact and fiction inspired by space exploration. (21.15) Commander Chris Hadfield reflects on his time as an astronaut. (34.43) And we return to Andrew Smith for the Books of his Life (46.15)

Frances Hardinge revisits The English Civil War through her tale of dark inheritance: ‘A Skinful of Shadows’. (Starts at 1.00) A group of students from New College Worcester tell us what they look for in a good book. (17.50) The winner of this years CILIP Carnegie Medal considers the merits of literary awards. (24.00) Kwame Alexander extols the benefits of basketball in his novel, ‘Rebound’. (35.38) And we return to Frances Hardinge for the books of her life. (46.55)

It's time for this year's Summer Reading Challenge, where children aged 4 to 11 are encouraged to visit their local libraries and read over the summer. The aim is to get each child to read 6 books. But what if print is not accessible? Well RNIB Library have the answerThis year's theme is 'Space Chase' ... and Lynne Livingston has more

Dame Stella Rimington reveals that she still keeps a sharp eye out for espionage despite retiring as chief of MI5. (Starts at 1.10)Frederick Forsyth and Frank Gardner go head to head in Cheltenham and spill the beans about how close fact comes to fiction (Starts at 25.25)And we return to Dame Stella Rimington for the books of her life (Starts at 51.00)

On today's show, as ‘The Rules of Seeing’ is crowned Debut Romantic Novel of 2019, its author, Joe Heap, tells us what inspired him to write about sight loss. (Starts at 1.30) Robert Kirkwood talks to Niq Mhlongo about how much things have changed for South African authors since the birth of The Rainbow Nation. (21.40) We learn more about the Omani novel, Celestial Bodies, that won this year’s Man Booker International prize from publishers Sandstone Press (30.50) Listener Gill Garret recommends a hidden gem that celebrates the beauty of The Lake District. (43.40) And author of Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds, shares the books of his life. (51.12)

What Red Szell did on his holidays!A blind British sportsman has successfully completed a unique extreme triathlon, including climbing a sea stack taller than Nelson’s Column, as part of a global challenge to show that disability is no barrier to adventure. Robert Kirkwood talks to our very own Red Szell.

This week, Ursula Buchan takes us Beyond The Thirty-Nine Steps to reveal the remarkable life of her grandfather John Buchan. (Starts at 1.02) Joanne Ramos asks what price would you pay for a new life in her extraordinary debut novel ‘The Farm’. (19.40) We bring you news of 'Pen & Inc' a new magazine dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity in children’s literature. (33.50)And a return to Ursula Buchan for the books of her life (46.50)

In an exclusive interview at the CILIP Carnegie award ceremony, Hannah Tausz talks to this year's winner of both the medal and the Shadowing prize, Elizabeth Acevedo.

In our second CILIP Carnegie Special, We remember Talking Book narrator Stephen Thorne who has died at the age of 84 (Starts at 1.12) Jason Reynolds reveals the real life tragedy that inspired his book ‘Long Way Down’ (9.50) Sally Nicholls discusses ‘Things a Bright Girl Can Do’. (27.00) And Candy Gourlay reimagines the US conquest of The Philippines in ‘Bone Talk’. (38.00)

Sophie Anderson opens the door to ‘The House With Chicken Legs' (Starts at 1.50)Elizabeth Acevedo combats teenage angst with slam poetry in ‘The Poet X’. (11.42)Kate Saunders finds relief from grief in ‘The Land of Neverendings’. (29.10)We talk to previous winner Geraldine McCaughrean (40.00) And return to Sophie Anderson for the books of her life. (48.32)

Roz Watkins explores the dark side of the Peak District in her new detective thriller 'Dead Man's Daughter'. (Starts at 1.17) Robert Kirkwood meets the man who provides audio description for the Game of Thrones TV series. (18.27) N B Dixon reviews a medieval fantasy that's become her book of the year so far. (28.51) Jon McGregor discusses his haunting novel 'Reservoir 13'. (33.43) Then a return to Roz Watkins for the books of her life. (48.43)

This week we’re joined by one of the world’s best selling authors. Lee Child discusses his hugely successful Jack Reacher series, and shares some surprising insights. (Starts at 1.03) Lucie Whitehouse introduces her new thriller ‘Critical Incidents’, and a link to Lee Child. (Starts at 34.50) And we return to Lee Child for the Books of his Life. (Starts at 48.30)

A packed show recorded on location at the Boswell Book Festival 2019, with … Eric Motley on his journey from Alabama to the White House via Scotland in 'Madison Park: A Place of Hope' (Starts at 1.34) Susan Calman on her #calmanifesto of kindness, 'Sunny Side Up' (10.00) Federico Varese on 'Mafia Life' (16.00) Vivian French on writing, illustration and the Boswell Children's Festival (19.18) Ben MacIntyre on 'The Spy and the Traitor' (23.00) Kate Williams on sightloss in Tudor times and 'Rival Queens' (31.36) Rowena Murray on writer George Mackay Brown and composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, both of whom inspired by Orkney (35.55) Chris Brookmyre and Mark Billingham on crime writing and playing Glastonbury (42.27) And a return to Eric Motley for the Books of his Life (52.00) Presented by Robert Kirkwood - Red Szell will be back next week.

Robert Kirkwood goes through the archive to find some of the best interviews from previous Boswell Book Festivals as he looks forward to this year's event.Gordon Turnbull tells Red Szell about the history of James Boswell. (Starts at 1.20)Victor Gregg tells Robert the story behind his book Rifleman (Starts at 6.50)Dame Judi Dench talks to Red about narrating books and her macular degeneration. (Starts at 18.10)Guardian columnist and convicted murderer Erwin James talks about his book Redeemable (Starts at 22.30)Bomber pilot George Dunn talks to Robert Kirkwood about his remarkable military service (Starts at 33.35) Nigel Havers talks about his autobiography 'Playing With Fire' (Starts at 38.45)And never heard before, Alexander McCall Smith gives Red Szell the books of his life (Starts at 49.00)

Leah Hazard delivers the truth about being a midwife to Robert Kirkwood with her new book ‘Hard Pushed’. (Contains material not suitable for family listening - Starts at 1.03) Connect Radio’s Steven Scott introduces us to the latest tech for listening to books, and tells us what he’s been reading. (Starts at 15.42) Red Szell reviews a dystopian classic written by an author better known for her crime fiction, The Children of Men by P.D. James. (Starts at 38.00) And crime writer Ian Skewis returns to the show with the books of his life. (Starts at 48.25)

Every Saturday during the run of the show, audio describer Neville Watchurst is in a booth at SKY, writing and recording the audio description for the brand new episodes of Game of Thrones. How does he convey the action, how does he avoid giving spoilers, and how does he fit it all in? Robert Kirkwood finds out. Every published book in George R. R. Martin's epic saga 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is available in Braille, giant print and audio from RNIB Library.

Nicola Cornick blends romance and social history in her new time-slip mystery ‘The Woman In the Lake’. (Starts at 1.02) Bernard Cornwell appears on-stage to talk about Shakespeare’s past, and his novel ‘Fools and Mortals’. (Starts at 18.45) John Carlin recalls how rugby played a pivotal part in the birth of The Rainbow Nation. (Starts at 29.45) And a return to Nicola Cornick for the books of her life. (Starts at 49.07)

Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood go through the Read On and Talking Books archive for some great interviews. Narrators Kate Okello and Penelope Freeman tell Red about some favourites. (Starts at 1.00) Will Self talks to Robert Kirkwood about his Booker shortlisted book Umbrella (Starts at 8.22) Giles Abbot, the UK's only blind narrator, tells Red how he got started in the industry (Starts at 23.38) Robert Kirkwood interviews comedienne and narrator Juliette Burton live on stage at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (Starts at 35.00) And finally Red Szell talks to psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz about his book 'The Examined Life' (Starts at 42.22)

In this week's show, Stella Duffy takes us to New Zealand during World War 2, in her continuation of Ngaio Marsh’s unfinished novel ‘Money In The Morgue’. (Starts at 1.05) J O Morgan discusses turning his Costa Award-winning poem ‘Assurances’ into an RNIB Talking Book. (Starts at 23.40) Debut author Beth O’Leary introduces us to ‘The Flatshare’, a love story with a twist. (Starts at 38.50) And a return to Stella Duffy for the books of her life. (Starts at 50.00)

Marcus du Sautoy discusses whether artificial intelligence might soon think and write like we do. (Starts at 1.00) Sidney Harbour reminisces on 50 years of repairing Talking Book machines. (Starts at 26.30) Rosie O’Dowd tells us about life as an audiobook producer. (Starts at 40.20) And a return to Marcus du Sautoy for the books of his life. (Starts at 50.00 )

This week we’re laughing in the face of adversity.Judy Leigh takes us on the run with three generations of women in ‘The Age of Misadventure’. (Starts at 1.17)Marcus Berkmann suggests confronting your mid-life crisis in ‘A Shed of One’s Own’. (Starts at 19.10)Former Marine Simon Mahony has a field guide to combat negative attitudes to sight loss. (Starts at 29.47)Then a return to Judy Leigh for the books of her life. (Starts at 46.10)

Louise Jameson talks about her time in the TARDIS playing Leela, and her reincarnation as a narrator. (Starts at 1.26) Blind actor Ellie Wallwork discusses her recent role in Doctor Who and her love of reading. (Starts at 19.18) We 'Set Phasers to Stun' as Marcus Berkmann takes us through the history of Star Trek. (Starts at 31.35) We chat to audiobook narrator and the voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokemon, Veronica Taylor. (Starts at 43.30) And a return to Louise Jameson for the books of her life. (Starts at 48.00)

This week, Author Fionnuala Kearney explores relationships and marriage in ‘The Book of Love’. (Starts at 1.12) We journey to Spain with writer and farmer Chris Stewart. (Starts at 18.00) 20 years since the film version was released, Esther Freud revisits her childhood memoir ‘Hideous Kinky’. (Starts at 35.45) And a return to Fionnuala Kearney for the books of her life. (Starts at 49.00)

Political journalist Ece Temelkuran confronts rising populism in ‘How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship’. (Starts at 1.20) Bank of England advisor Jonathan Haskel introduces us to the dark matter of investment in ‘Capitalism without Capital’. (Starts at 20.22) Trina Beckett uncovers the fascinating lives of ‘The Wives of The Generals’ in her biography ‘Deadlier Than the Male’. (Starts at 45.10)

Today we're opening our satchels for some great contemporary children’s books. Onjali Q Raúf introduces us to ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’. (Starts at 1.08) Anthony McGowan takes us onto The Moors in a snowstorm in his new novel ‘Lark’. (Starts at 20.55) We go behind the scenes to discover how RNIB is celebrating World Book Day. (Starts at 34.55) Then return to Onjali Q Raúf for the books of her life. (Starts at 49.30)

A thrilling episode this week as C. J. Tudor reveals her new novel, 'The Taking of Annie Thorne' (Starts at 1.20)Ian Skewis tells Robert Kirkwood about the brooding background to 'A Murder of Crows' (Starts at 25.50)Ex cop and now novelist Kate London tells Red Szell about 'Gallowstree Lane' (Starts at 39.15)And finally a return to C.J. Tudor for the books of her life. (Starts at 46.05)

World Book Day on 7 March 2019 is all about celebrating the magic of books and reading. RNIB is proud to support World Book Day's mission to give every child and young person a book of their own, by making 14 new titles available in audio and braille.Lynne Livingston from RNIB Library tells us more.Find out more here

At Read On and RNIB Talking Books we were saddened to hear of the death of British author Andrea Levy at the age of 62.In 2010 the Long Song was nominated for the Booker Prize, and at the time she joined Robert Kirkwood down to line to talk about the book.

On this week’s Read On we’ve got some brand new books to share Joanna Toye considers romance, retail and air raids in her novel ‘A Store at War’. Comedian Limmy gets surprisingly down-to-earth and very funny in his autobiography. (Starts at 17.40) Crime novelist Sophie Hannah considers holding a grudge. (Starts at 38.10) And, with a nod to Valentine’s Day, Red reviews Sally Rooney’s millennial love story - ’Normal People'. (Starts at 43.20)

Jason Roberts talks to Red Szell about his biography of the blind traveller James Holman (Starts at 1.00) Jasper Winn on his sea kayak adventure documented in his book 'Paddle, A Long Way Around Ireland' (Starts at 28.00) John Keay chats to Robert Kirkwood about his books China, and Eccentric Travellers. (Starts at 38.00) Chris McMillan talks about China Vision and the importance of literacy (starts at 43.00)

In a packed Read On this week:Winner of the Costa Book of the year, Bart Van Es. (Starts at 1.45)Juliet Stevenson shares her passion for narrating Talking Books, and reveals the one that got away. (Starts at 12.00)Janice Galloway extolls the virtues of short stories. (Starts at 27.20)NB Dixon explores a medieval revolt through a hidden gem in the Library. (Starts at 37.55)Angus McDonald introduces us to a tale of love and blindness in The First World War. (Starts at 43.00)Then a return to Juliet Stevenson for The Books of Her Life. (Starts at 46.30)

After recording the audio version of his autobiography at the RNIB Talking Book studios in Glasgow, Brian Limond, better known as Limmy, chats to Robert Kirkwood about mental health, Yoker, book tours and Twitch ... and he turns the weans against us.

This week we’ve got a trio of Costa Prize winners Costa Book of the Year winner Bart van Es introduces us to his biography of ‘The Cut-out Girl’. (Starts at 2.00) Hilary McKay reveals which real-life character inspired her children’s book ‘The Skylark’s War’. (Starts at 22.30) And poet J O Morgan considers the 4-minute warning in his cold-war epic ‘Assurances’. (Starts at 39.00)

Lucy Foley takes us to the wilds of Scotland in her brand new thriller ‘The Hunting Party’. (Starts at 1.20) Guy Kennaway discusses assisted dying in his forthcoming memoir ‘Time to Go’. (Starts at 19.20) And we say farewell to June Whitfield and look back at her contribution to the RNIB Library. (Starts at 40.30)