Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

This week we’re kicking off the New Year with a look ahead to the Costa Book Awards…. Stuart Turton mixes murder, mayhem and sci-fi in his dazzling debut: ‘The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle’. (starts at 1 min 20 secs) Professor Richard Wiseman examines why we like to scare ourselves with spine-chilling stories. (starts at 21 mins) And Candy Gourlay takes the long view of colonialism and gender politics in her gripping adventure story: ‘Bone Talk’. (starts at 32 mins in) Please note, in order to keep this podcast feed as navigable as possible, especially with screen readers, we've decided not to post individual features, just the whole show. Let us know if you have any objections or strong feelings about this at [email protected] or find me on Twitter @Talking_Books Thanks.

A retrospective of some interviews from the past year and beyond, including Red's first appearance on Read On with Robert at Wigtown in 2015, Anthony Horowitz on Fleming, Gail Honeyman on Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Andy Secombe on narrating, recording with Spike Milligan, Nevermoor with Jessica Townsend and mountaineering with Chris Bonnington.

Nigella Lawson on the new version of 'How To Eat', Sue Moorcroft on her Christmas books and we listen to some Game of Thrones companion books.

Red chats to Nigella Lawson about the re-issued version of her book, 'How To Eat' and about narrating the new version.

Robert Kirkwood has a listen to Fire and Blood: 300 Years Before A Game of Thrones, a history of the Targaryens and The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones, both available in the Talking Books library.

Sir Derek Jacobi reflects on of bringing characters to life off the page. Tony Hawks reveals why he ended up ‘Playing the Moldovans at Tennis’ And Regina Reagan talks about Rosemary’s Baby, Tales of The City…and cakes!

Regina Reagan talks about Rosemary’s Baby, Tales of The City…and cakes.Clipped from Read On #98

We find out how to be an audiobook narrator with Lorelei King and Ali Muirden, How to sponsor a Talking Book with Angela Preston, Jessica Taylor-Bearman discusses her memoir 'A Girl Behind Dark Glasses' and Nicolas Parsons gives us the books of his life.

Red Szell chats to Audible Hall of Fame narrator Lorelei King and award-winning director Ali Muirden who tell all about what goes into audio book narration.Clipped from Read On 97

Cara Hunter takes us behind the veneer of genteel Oxford with Detective Inspector Fawley.Mitch Cullin reveals what Sherlock Holmes is up to aged 93.Narrator David Thorpe tells us about Nightingales in November.And Red Szell reviews the spy story that 007 author Anthony Horowitz selected as one of the books of his life.

This time our blind and partially sighted readers discuss the RNIB Talking Book of 'The Disappearance of Adèle Bedeau' by Graeme Macrae Burnet.

This week Read On is celebrating Book Week Scotland with the Scottish Book Trust. Every year RNIB produce the audio version of the free Book Week Scotland book, and this year it's called Rebel. Listen out for a selection of short stories about Drag Nuns, Chunky Boots, fare dodging, stealing cakes and much more. And for a free copy of the book in audio head to http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/reading/book-week-scotland/rebel-audiobook

This week... Deborah Frances White reveals what makes her ‘The Guilty Feminist’. Poet Aidan Flynn takes a funny and poignant look at sight loss. Author NB Dixon reviews a new Hercule Poirot mystery. And RNIB Chair Ellie Southwood shares her passion for books and reading.

N.B. Dixon reviews the latest Poirot from Sophie Hannah.Clipped from Read On #94

This week were commemorating the centenary of the Armistice that brought an end to the First World War. Blind author Gordon Anthony describes dog-fights over the desert in his Great War story ‘Hunting Icarus’. As Blind Veterans UK unveils a unique monument to commemorate The Armistice, and we reflect upon our shared history. Writer Lisa Andrews tells us about working with 26characters and the Imperial War Museums to bring First World War stories back to life. And Robert Kirkwood explores the role played by women during the 1914 – 18 War.

Gordon Anthony is the author of several historical novels including ‘Hunting Icarus’. It’s a gripping tale and there’s also a story behind the Talking Book version. Red Szell talks to Gordon and Robert Kirkwood chats to his sister Moira.Clipped from Read On #93

With never before heard clips, Robert Kirkwood explores the recording of Spike Milligan's War Diaries. Hannah Tausz explores Michael Bentine's Book 'Doors of the Mind', and Julian Clary tells us all about 'The Bolds'

Great news folks!Some never heard before Spike Milligan!Robert Kirkwood speaks to Robert Nichol about recording the audio versions of Spike's War Diaries and how it was working with Spike himself, while reviewing the books from Volume 1 Adolf Hitler my part in his Downfall to Volume 7, Peace Work.Includes some out-takes never heard in public before.

There's a Halloween feel to this week's show with,Kate Helm on a courtroom artist who’s haunted by visions.NB Dixon reviews a spooky thriller that ‘s about to hit the big screen.Daisy Johnson reveals her personal affinity with Halloween. And David Mitchell takes us to a creepy, supernatural mansion and reveals that his characters write to him!

NB Dixon reviews ‘The Little Stranger’ by Sarah Waters, available in braille, giant print and as TB16895 from RNIB Library.Clipped from Read On #91

This week we’re celebrating RNIB’s 150th Anniversary in books and voices both past and present.... Robert Kirkwood explores the biography of RNIB’s founding father, Thomas Rhodes Armitage One of RNIB’s longest-serving narrators, Elizabeth Proud, discusses the evolution of the Talking Book. RNIB’s Director of Development, Keith Valentine, talks about the future – and his love of accessible books. And we unwrap a very special gift – a 150-word story written specially for our anniversary by gifted blind author Paula Peretti.

One of RNIB’s longest-serving narrators, Elizabeth Proud, discusses the evolution of the Talking Book.This is an extended version of the interview heard in Read On #90

The last author we interviewed for this year's Man Booker Prize is Rachel Kushner, about her book, 'The Mars Room'. She spoke to Robert Kirkwood.

In a new interview (and this time not at a noisy party!) Red Szell talks to the youngest ever shortlisted author about her book 'Everything Under' ... and listen out for more from Daisy in our Halloween themed show soon.

Robin Robertson's 'The Long Take' is the first verse novel to make the Man Booker Shortlist. He spoke to Red Szell.

Anna Burns is the 2018 Book Prize winner for her book Milkman. Anna doesn't like giving interviews so here's Red Szell with a review of the book.

In a special show due to be broadcast at 8pm on the day of the Man Booker Prize, Robert Kirkwood and Red Szell go through the shortlist and talk to five of the authors up for this year's award. With Robin Robertson, Richard Powers, Esi Edugyan, Daisy Johnson and Rachel Kushner.

Authors, narrators, service users and much more wish RNIB a happy 150th!

This week in Read On we are devoting the entire show to the 2018 Man Booker Prize.Chair of judges Kwame Anthony Appiah will reveal this year’s shortlist and how it was arrived at.Esi Edugyan introduces us to the phenomenal story of Washington Black.Richard Powers waxes lyrical about trees.And we hear from both the youngest author ever to have been shortlisted and the oldest living person to have received The Man Booker Prize for fiction.

The Booker shortlisted author joins Robert Kirkwood down the line to discuss his book, 'The Overstory.'Clipped from Read On #89

The Man Booker Prize shortlisted author talked to Red Szell via Skype about her book, 'Washington Black.'Clipped from Read On #89

For the first time ever, sections of a book written by the founder of RNIB, have been specially recorded for RNIB Connect Radio.Thomas Rhodes Armitage wrote about the formation of his society in 1871, and we'll let his words take up the story … It's read by talking book narrator David Thorpe and introduced by Robert Kirkwood.

From the archives, Robert Kirkwood speaks to Booker Prize winning author Hilary Mantel when she first won the award in 2009.

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?