Rnib Talking Books

In our first properly home-made episode, Narrator Leighton Pugh on recording books, including Samuel Pepys views on the plague (Starts at 1.30) Robert Kirkwood finds some great books to self isolate with (13.30) Juliet Stevenson on narrating books for RNIB (23.40) Sara Hunt from Saraband books talks to Graham MacRae Burnet in episode 1 of Cabin Fever Fables ... listen to more episodes here (37.27) And Frances Hardinge gives us the books of her life (50.30)

We go down-under to meet Maribel Steel and her new book ‘Blindness for Beginners’ (Starts at 1.27) Julian Fellowes on the writing and publication of Belgravia (20.00) Publishers Orion on the making of Belgravia (26.45) Red Szell reviews Lady Audley's Secret (40.30) And we return to Maribel Steel for the books of her life (48.30)

J.M. Joseph introduces us to ‘Fire Boy’, a superhero whose superpower comes with unfortunate consequences (Starts at 0.50)   Dave Steele shares the latest chapters in his life as The Blind Poet, including plans for a series of children’s stories. (10.25)   Tendai Huchu introduces us to ‘The Hairdresser of Harare’. (26.50)   Onjali Q Rauff mixes light and dark in her new book ‘The Star Outside My Window’. (35.00)    And we return to J.M. Joseph for the books of his life. (45.40)

On this weeks show, Beth Morrey reveals the strands she wove together to create her breathtaking debut novel ‘Saving Missy’. (Starts at 1.06)   We hear from author Jenny McLachlan and Alison David from Egmont publishing about a petition to make Storytime part of the national school curriculum. (16.04)   Blogger Holly Tuke shares her thoughts about ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ by Matt Hague. (27.50)   There’s important news about how you download your books from the RNIB Library. (34.20) And we return to Beth Morrey for the Books of her Life. (47.38)

NOTE - The audio in this show has been slightly updated to reflect the current situation This week we look forward to World Book Night by exploring some of the top titles in its great book giveaway. Debbie Hicks of The Reading Agency sets the scene and tells us all about World Book Night. (Starts at 1.20)   Brian Wood takes us from the battlefields of Iraq to the trials of the courtroom in his memoir ‘Double Crossed’. (8.00) Robert Kirkwood tells us about the free World Book Night audiobooks and goes hitchhiking through some other rollicking reads in the RNIB Library. (28.30)   Sally Nicholls imagines the lives of three young Suffragettes in ‘Things a Bright Girl Can Do’. (37.10) And we return to Brian Wood for the Books of his Life. (48.30)

This week, for World Book Day Robert Kirkwood guides us through all the great titles available from RNIB Library. (Starts at 1.17) Ade Adepitan joins us again with another Cyborg-Cat adventure. (18.30)   We celebrate the long-anticipated publication of ‘The Mirror and The Light’ the concluding volume in Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell trilogy with a look back at Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. (25.50)

This week, It’s murder in Bradford, as thriller writer Liz Mistry introduces us to her new detective. (Starts at 0.55) Author NB Dixon tells us what she thought of  ‘A Thousand Ships’. (21.45) Narrator Caroline Lennon discusses her love of Irish literature, and her role in The Archers. (29.45) And a return to Liz Mistry for the Books of her Life (48.10)

World Book Day on 5 March 2020 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 13 titles available in audio (DAISY CD) and braille. Robert Kirkwood finds out what books are available, for free, from RNIB Library.   Organised by UNESCO, World Book Day is marked in more than 100 countries around the world, with 2020 being the 23rd year of celebrations. RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999 RNIB and World Book Day  

This week we talk to the winner of the Costa Book of the Year, Jack Fairweather (Starts at 1.00) We celebrate the publication of ‘Kika and Me: How One Extraordinary Guide Dog Changed My Life’ we have an in-depth conversation with Dr Amit Patel - the other half of a winning team. (10.00)   And to keep Kika happy Robert Kirkwood chases up some of the other shaggy dog stories in the RNIB Library (39.30) Then a return to Amit Patel for the Books of his Life. (50.50)

This week, Author Preti Taneja re-imagines King Lear in modern-day India. (Starts at 1.02) Narrator David Monteach recalls some of the terrific titles he has turned into Talking Books. (19.22) We celebrate Valentine’s Day with Francesca Segal - author of ‘The Innocents’ and daughter of the man who wrote ‘Love Story’. (31.10) And a return to Preti Taneja for the books of her life. (47.30)

Holly Kyte introduces us to the Roaring Girls – eight women who broke the mold and paved the way for modern feminism. (Starts at 1.10)   Ursula and Alasdair Buchan describe the recording of ‘Beyond The Thirty-nine Steps: a biography of the father of the modern thriller. (17.00)   Jeremy Paxman reveals a family tie to World War 1 that compelled him to write his book ‘Great Britain’s Great War’. (28.10)   Bringing us right up to date, blogger Holly Tuke reviews ‘It’s Not What It Looks Like’ by YouTube sensation Molly Burke. (42.50) Find Holly at Life of A Blind Girl And a return to Holly Kyte for the books of her life. (49.15)

Natalie Haynes explores the enduring appeal of Greek and Roman myth and launches her new novel ‘A Thousand Ships’. (Starts at 1.08)   Jonathan Coe reveals how the characters of ‘The Rotters Club’ have responded to Brexit. (19.45) Red Szell reviews 'Fifty Days That Changed The World'. (36.00) The winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award. (44.10 - Full interview next week)   And the author of ‘The Belfry Witches’ conjures up the books of her life. (47.17)

This week, the Costa Book Award Winners in four categories Sara Collins talks to Robert Kirkwood about her debut novel, ‘The Confessions of Frannie Langton’ (Starts at 1.55) Jack Fairweather reveals the untold story of ‘The Volunteer’ who infiltrated Auschwitz. (17.35) Jasbiner Bilan takes Red Szell on a Himalayan quest with ‘Asha and the Spirit Bird’. (32.45) Poet Mary Jean Chan on her collection, Fleche. (41.15) And we return to Sara Collins for the books of her life (50.10) (We'll have Jonathan Coe next week!)

Ade Adepitan discusses wheelchair basketball, The London Paralympics and his new book - ‘CyborgCat and the Night Spider’.    Emma Heatherington blends cosy romance with harsh reality in her most latest novel ‘Rewrite The Stars’.   And, it started with a Tweet: the poet laureate of Twitter, Brian Bilston, gives his reaction to being shortlisted for The Costa First Novel Award.

Beth O'Leary talks about her best-selling and award winning debut, 'The Flat Share' (Starts at 1.34) Limmy talks about his autobiography, 'Surprisingly Down to Earth and Very Funny' (13.13) Ursula Buchan chats about 'Beyond the 39 Steps: A Life of John Buchan' (34.04) Chigozie Obioma give us the (never before heard) Books of His Life (52.00)

A little bonus chat from Robert and Red (that was supposed to be 5 minutes but ended up at almost 13) wishing you a Happy New Year, chatting about the show, some favourite interviews and a couple of behind the scenes stories.

In an hour long special, John le Carré talks about his life and work, Brexit, his confidence trickster father, and much more. This longer version contains around 10 extra minutes that were cut for broadcast.

On today's Christmas Special, romantic fiction meets glam rock! Trisha Ashley shares her recipe for a cosy romantic Christmas. (Starts at 1.20)   Wizzard drummer Charlie Grima recalls a Christmas showdown on Top of The Pops. (14.00)   Queen of Christmas, Sue Moorcroft finds snow and chocolate while researching her new novel. (28.05)   And Noddy Holder joins Red in the studio for a special glam rock ‘n’ roll Christmas. (40.45) Plus ... There's an extra 15 minutes of Noddy Holder at the end of this episode that we couldn't fit on air.

Diane Jeffrey discusses her taut psychological thriller – ‘The Guilty Mother’ and her novel approach to research. (Starts at 1.05)   Narrator John Cormack reveals his own surprising back story. (16.30)   Lynne Livingstone walks us through the Winter Wonderland of Christmas books in the RNIB Library. (29.00)   We find out more about that Yuletide icon: The Robin. (36.00) And we return to Diane Jeffrey for the Books of her Life (51.47) (This podcast is slightly longer than the broadcast version)

In today's Audiobook Show, we talk to Danielle McLaughlin about winning the UK's richest short story prize – The Sunday Times Audible Award. (Starts at 1.10)   Author of ‘His Dark Materials’ Philip Pullman explores the background to Lyra’s quest. (17.12)   Hollywood actress Joely Richardson reveals how she was profoundly moved by something she saw at The RNIB Talking Books studios. (38.22) And we return to Danielle McLaughlin for the Books of her Life. (49.23)