Rnib Talking Books

Award-winning author Shirley Mann reveals how moved she was by the reaction of an RNIB Library customer to one of her novels. Loyal listener Penny Melville-Brown reviews some cat-and-mouse thrillers from the other side of the Atlantic.  Paralympic gold medallist Libby Clegg discusses her book, 'My Life with Hattie, A Dog who knows Everything'. And we return to Shirley Mann for the Books of Your Life.

This week we are heading out into space! Astronaut Tim Peake discusses his new sci-fi series for children and the risk that cosmic rays present to our eyes.  Journalist Andrew Smith reveals what happened to the astronauts who walked on the Moon after they touched back down on Earth, in his fascinating book 'Moondust’. Robert Kirkwood goes boldly into the archives to seek out the works of fact and fiction inspired by space exploration.  And we return to Tim Peake for the Books of His Life.

Read On reporter Ellie Marsh revisits the Sunderland shipyards during wartime with author Nancy Revell.  We look back at the RNIB Talking Book's Narrators Picnic I catch up with SD Robertson to discuss his latest novel 'The Daughter’s Choice'. And we return to Nancy Revell for the Books of Your Life.

Award-winning author TC Boyle discusses chimpanzees, language and consciousness, with his new book 'Talk to Me'. Narrator Caroline Lennon looks back on her long association with RNIB Talking Books, and the notorious role she played in The Archers. Robert Kirkwood goes monster hunting with author Ian Mark. And we return to TC Boyle for the Books of Your Life.

I’m your host Red Szell and this week we’re focusing on our furry friends.  Alex Milway transports us to 'Big Sky Mountain' and introduces us to Albert The Moose. We travel back in time to 9/11 and hear the remarkable true story of the guide dog who led a group of  survivors out of the wreckage of one of the Twin Towers.    I learn about the long and varied role that horses have played in human history.    And we return to Alex Milway to hear the Books of Your Life.

This week we’re talking about the experience of being a blind author. Equestrian para-athlete Verity Smith tells us how she used a variety of voices to write her autobiography ‘The Groper’s Guide’. Campaigning Paralympian Mike Brace reveals how he uses humour to help get his message across. And Red dusts off a hidden gem that helped him come to terms with his own blindness.

This week we’ve got some terrific true stories to take on holiday with you.     Richard Atkinson uncovers a tale of sugar, slavery and scandal at the heart of his family history in 'Mr Atkinson’s Rum Contract'. We go ‘Beyond The 39 Steps’ to explore the remarkable life of author John Buchan, with his grand-daughter Ursula. Kate Summerscale reinvestigates the original country house murder mystery. And we return to Richard Atkinson for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’ve got some sizzling new summer titles for you.    Queen of the rom-com Sophia Money-Coutts pokes fun at millionaires, marquises and matrimony in her joyous new novel ‘Did You Miss Me?’ Anna Kent  imagines what happens when friends reuniting goes seriously wrong in her new novel 'The House of Whispers'. Amanda Robson introduces Robert Kirkwood to the mother-in-law from hell in her latest novel, 'The Unwelcome Guest'! And we return to Sophia Money-Coutts for the Books of Your Life

This week we’ve got some top new titles for the school summer holidays. Kate Wilkinson takes us onto the London Underground and into the magical world  of Edie and The Box of Flits.  We catch up with JM Joseph and his combustible hero Aidan Sweeney – aka Fireboy!    Sarah Moore Fitzgerald wonders whether ‘All the Money in the World’ will really buy you happiness.  And we return to Kate Wilkinson for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’ve got some top choices for your summer reading list. John Patrick McHugh discusses his hotly anticipated debut ‘Pure Gold’; and being friends with Sally Rooney. Joanna Toye reveals what her Shop-girls have been up to as World War 2 draws to a close in ‘The Victory Girls’.   Arthur Turner shares his memoir about growing up as a blind child in the 1970s. And we return to JP Mcugh for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’re heading out into the wilderness to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. Catherine Raven introduces us to her contemplative scientific memoir 'Fox and I'. David Gange takes us kayaking down 'The Frayed Atlantic Edge' of the British Isles.  Read On producer Hannah Tausz investigates the work of wildlife inspired novelist Barbara Kingsolver.  And we return to Catherine Raven for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’ve got buckets of books for the summer break!    Ellen Alpsten returns with 'The Tsarina’s Daughter', her next chapter in the astounding true story of the Russian royal family in the 18th century. We hear about CKBK, an app that promises to be Spotify for cookbooks. Lynne Livingstone brings us some great news about a flock of Penguins coming to the RNIB Talking Books Library.    Claire Entwistle tells us how lockdown inspired her to write a memoir about her life with Nystagmus. And we return to Ellen Alpsten for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’re examining some new cases inspired by classic detective series.    Mick Finlay introduces us to Arrowood, his down-at-heel Victorian gumshoe.   Stella Duffy confesses to being delighted and daunted at being asked to complete an unfinished mystery by Ngaio Marsh.   Mitch Cullin imagines what a 93-year old Sherlock Holmes might be working on.   NB Dixon reviews a new case for Hercule Poirot. And we return to Mick Finlay for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’re investigating some notoriously great crimewriters!    After the global success of 'The Silent Patient', Alex Michaelides discusses his follow-up, 'The Maidens', another gripping blend of psychology and mythology.    Soon to be a major TV series, we revisit 'Post Mortem' in the company of murder squad detective turned author Kate London.   Penny Melville-Brown brings us some left-field thrillers to enjoy.   I review a classic slice of American noir from the pen of Michael Connolly. And we return to Alex Michaelides for the Books of Your Life.

We're back! (Sort of) Robert and Red join in the fun at this year's virtual Boswell Book Festival where this year you can hear ... Andrew Marr interviewed by Dr William Zachs on both his and Boswell's journalistic careers. Janey Godley chatting to Sally Magnusson about her autobiography, Handstands in the Dark. Helen Lewis and Chris Bryant MP in a talk about history makers airbrushed from the history books, with their books Difficult Women and The Glamour Boys And we hear how one commentator lifted our spirits in lockdown with his dogs Olive and Mabel. Andrew Cotter was interviewed by fellow sports writer Stewart Weir.

This week there’s music in the air! Pulitzer prize-winning dramatist Quiara Alegria Hudes discusses her memoir 'My Broken Language', and working with Lin Manuel Miranda to bring his stage musical 'In The Heights' to the big screen.   Australian author Maribel Steel introduces us to 'Blindness for Beginners' through her short story 'Tapping Rhythm Teaching Song'.   Ann Rachlin proves that neither age nor disability need be a barrier to sharing the joy of music with others. And we return to Quiara Alegria Hudes for the Books of Your Life.

We bring you the winner of this year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal, recognising the best in contemporary children’s literature! Political commentator Ece Temelkuran discusses her new book 'Together: 10 Choices for a Better Now'.   Best-selling author Mark Sullivan re-imagines an extraordinary true story from the Second World War in his new historical novel 'The Last Green Valley'.    Red explores a political biography and the Glasgow shipyards with narrator David Monteith. And we return to Mark Sullivan for the Books of Your Life.

Things get dark and dangerous in Adele Parks’ new psychological thriller 'Both of You'.   Robert Kirkwood provides an overview of the six novels shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction.   With just under a week to go before the winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal is announced, we return to last year’s winner – Anthony McGowan. And we return to Adele Parks for the Books of Your Life.  

Joseph Coelho discusses his Carnegie short-listed novel in verse – 'The Girl Who Became a Tree'; and the central role that libraries continue to play in his life.   Narrators Kate Okello and Penelope Freeman reveal their very personal reasons for becoming Talking Book readers.    Beth Morrey explores ways to overcome loneliness and grief in her bittersweet novel 'Saving Missy'. And we return to Joseph for the Books of Your Life.

With the winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal due to be announced in just a couple of weeks, we talk to debut author Manjeet Mann, whose novel 'Run Rebel' is a must read.   Narrator John Cormack shares his favourite reads, and his own surprising backstory.   Red reviews a novel with a blind protagonist that is one of the most popular Books of Your Life selections among Read On guests. And we return to Manjeet Mann for the Books of Your Life.