Rnib Talking Books

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 answer This 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)