Rnib Talking Books

We’ll be celebrating World Book Day with Lynne Livingstone and taking a look at some of the wonderful stories on offer from The RNIB Library. Paulina Kuchorew goes in search of Practical Happiness with Pamela Gail Johnson, the founder of the Society of Happy People. Onjali Q Rauf shares a right royal adventure featuring The Boy at the Back of the Class. And Jenni Murray shares the books of her life.

Dr Richard Firth-Godbehere explores 'A Human History of Emotions', and explains the role that emotions have played in shaping society. Sarah Stovell takes a wry look at the maxim that you should never criticise how 'Other Parents' bring up their kids.  We meet Regina Regan, the perfect candidate to narrate Mary Berry’s autobiography!  And we return to Dr Richard Firth-Godbehere for the Books of Your Life.

We take a dystopian trip to the near future with partially sighted author Fiona Scott-Barrett. The former host of Woman’s Hour, Jenni Murray discusses her book 'A History of the World in 21 Women'. We meet Becky Wright, the RNIB narrator who proves that there’s life after death in The Archers. And we return to Fiona Scott-Barrett for the Books of Your Life.

To celebrate the announcement of the winner of the 2021 Costa Book of the Year Award this week, Read On will be looking back over some of the Costa highlights from previous years, including: Our interview with Hilary Mantel when ‘Bring Up the Bodies’ won Best Novel in 2013. Ali Smith discussing her novel ‘How to Be Both’. A review of Frances Hardinge’s brilliant story for Young adults ‘The Lie Tree’. And award-winning poet J.O. Morgan on recording his epic poem ‘Assurances’ as a Talking Book. And of course we will also bring you the reaction of this year’s winner, poet Hannah Lowe, on winning this most popular of British literary awards. 

In this, the second of our episodes on the Costa Book Awards, we introduce you to some of this year's winners. Claire Fuller, winner of the Novel Award, talks about 'Unsettled Ground' and the pitfalls of rural isolation.  Manjeet Mann, winner of the Children's Book Award, introduces us to Natalie and Sammy, two teenagers from different sides of the world, in 'The Crossing'. And John Preston, winner of the Biography Award, unveils the complex character of media mogul Robert Maxwell in 'Fall'.

In this, the first of our episodes on the Costa Book Awards, we introduce you to some of this year's winners. Caleb Azumah Nelson, winner of the Debut Novel Award, introduces us to 'Open Water'. Hannah Lowe discusses the influence of teaching in an inner city school on her book 'The Kids', winner of the Poetry Award. We look back at last year's overall winner, Monique Roffey, with her enchanting tale 'The Mermaid of Black Conch'. And we return to Caleb Azumah Nelson for the Books of Your Life.

Maud Rowell urges us to see visual impairment differently in her new book 'Blindspot' Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger introduces us to 'The Woman at the Gates', the story of how Ukrainian resistance fighters tried to save their country from both Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany during World War II. Founder of the Happiness Institute, Meik Wiking, has some tips to brighten up the long winter nights. And we return to Maud Rowell for the Books of Your Life.

This week a snowy special: Lucy Foley takes us to the Scottish Highlands in her chilling crime thriller ‘The Hunting Party’.  Robert introduces Red to a comedy classic set on the slopes of a Himalayan mountain.  Sir Chris Bonington shares some of his own, real life, tales from the snowy peaks. And we discover more about another cool customer at home in winter conditions – the robin.

We look back at the Best of Read On 2021, Part 2. Helen Fisher introduces us to a terrific time-travel story with a strong and positive link to sight loss. We’ll meet down-at-heel Victorian gum-shoe William Arrowood and his creator Mick Finlay. The Blind Poet Dave Steele gives us an exclusive preview of his new series of children’s stories in verse. We’ll hear how 81-year old Ann Rachlin built a home studio to record Talking Books for the RNIB Library during lockdown. And I share an out-of-this world conversation with astronaut Tim Peake!

We bring you the Best of Read On 2021, Part 1. Costa Book of the Year Award winner Monique Roffey introduces us to The Mermaid of Black Conch. We’ll meet an extraordinary veteran of the First World War who flew a biplane to Darjeeling then set out to become the first man to conquer Everest. Kate Wilkinson takes us onto the London Underground and into the magical world of Edie and The Box of Flits.  Top children’s author Jason Reynolds shares his reaction to winning the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal. And RNIB volunteer and blind chef Kim Jaye shares her love of reading  Through the Books of Her Life.

We go back in time to uncover the untold history of the talking book and the roots of the RNIB Library. Robert Kirkwood gets a fascinating insight into the fragile history of libraries through the ages. CILIP Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Joseph Coelho discusses the vital role that libraries have played in his life.  Museum expert Rachel Morris tells Robert what she found in the boxes under her bed! And we return to the authors of The Library: A Fragile History for the Books of Your Life.

Val Wood discusses her new historical romance Children of Fortune and reveals how it was shaped by lockdown. Robert Kirkwood explores a true historical crime with tartan noir author Denise Mina. I meet one of the RNIB Talking Books studio’s most prolific narrators, Jeff Harding.   Robert gets a lesson in how to love animals from author Henry Mance.  And we return to Val Wood for the Books of Your Life.

Anita Frank discusses her new novel 'The Return', and reflects on the changing landscape of the home front during World War II. After the success of 'The Tower' on TV, I discuss where the series goes next with its author Kate London. We meet doyen of Audio Description Di Langford and explore her history as a Talking Books narrator. And we return to Anita Frank for the Books of Your Life. 

This week we’re reflecting on the regenerative power of nature. Salley Vickers discusses her new novel 'The Gardener' and how it grew out of her long affinity with trees and gardens. Environmentalist Mark Lynas gives us 'Our Final Warning' about climate change and outlines the bitter harvest we will reap if we ignore it. Ellie Marsh goes digging in the RNIB Library to bring us a crop of titles that focus on the environment.  Robert Kirkwood hears about some of the highs and lows of leading a more sustainable life from drummer turned farmer Chris Stewart.  And we return to Salley Vickers for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’re all at sea!  I discuss a mysterious case of people who can change into seals at the full moon, with author Melanie Golding. Ellie Marsh goes behind the scenes to explore 'The North Water' with its author Ian McGuire. Robert Kirkwood drops in on the recording of 'The Shark and The Albatross' with wildlife film maker John Aitcheson. And we return to Ian McGuire for the Books of Your Life.

91-year-old author Hilma Wolitzer discusses her new collection of short stories 'Today A Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket'. Sir Derek Jacobi reflects on his long and distinguished career and reveals some studio secrets about his work as a narrator.  And Robert Kingett reveals how and why he set out to compile a collection of short stories written by blind authors. 

Robert Kirkwood travels to a real life book festival for the first time in a few years! Read On this week was recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival and features... Booker Shortlisted author Graham Macrae Burnet on his new novel, Case Study (Starts at 1.56) Comedian Robin Ince on The Importance of being Interested (11.11) Girl on the Train author, Paula Hawkins on A Slow Fire Burning; (25.53) Autograph Hunter Adam Andrusier on Two Hitlers and a Marylin (31.41) We get the Books of My Life from literary editor of the Scotsman, Stuart Kelly. (48.13) Plus as an online bonus we also get the Books oy My Life from Graham Macrae Burnet (58.20)

This week we’ve got the second of our special episodes focussing on the novels shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize. Richard Powers reveals how a '60s sci-fi classic inspired him to create his latest novel, 'Bewilderment'. Patricia Lockwood reveals her close links to sight loss, as we discuss her razor sharp novel, 'No One is Talking About This'. And we take 'A Passage North' through war-ravaged Sri Lanka with author Anuk Arudpragasam.

This week we’re taking a look at some of the novels shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize: Maggie Shipstead considers the significant role played by women in the early history of aviation in her barnstorming novel 'Great Circle'. Damon Galgut takes a wry look at life, death and the broken promise of post-Apartheid South Africa.   Nadifa Mohamed transports us back  to 1950s Cardiff to re-examine a notorious miscarriage of justice. And we return to Maggie Shipstead for the Books of Her Life.

Alison MacLeod reimagines the circumstances surrounding the writing and suppression of 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover'. We celebrate National Poetry Day with a world exclusive from The Blind Poet.  Lisa Hall takes us to Britain’s most haunted village and introduces us to 'The Woman In the Woods'. And we return to Alison MacLeod for the Books of Your Life.