Rnib Talking Books

Louise Jameson talks about her time in the TARDIS playing Leela, and her reincarnation as a narrator. (Starts at 1.26) Blind actor Ellie Wallwork discusses her recent role in Doctor Who and her love of reading. (Starts at 19.18) We 'Set Phasers to Stun' as Marcus Berkmann takes us through the history of Star Trek. (Starts at 31.35) We chat to audiobook narrator and the voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokemon, Veronica Taylor. (Starts at 43.30) And a return to Louise Jameson for the books of her life. (Starts at 48.00)

This week, Author Fionnuala Kearney explores relationships and marriage in ‘The Book of Love’. (Starts at 1.12) We journey to Spain with writer and farmer Chris Stewart. (Starts at 18.00) 20 years since the film version was released, Esther Freud revisits her childhood memoir ‘Hideous Kinky’. (Starts at 35.45) And a return to Fionnuala Kearney for the books of her life. (Starts at 49.00)

Political journalist Ece Temelkuran confronts rising populism in ‘How to Lose a Country: The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship’. (Starts at 1.20) Bank of England advisor Jonathan Haskel introduces us to the dark matter of investment in ‘Capitalism without Capital’. (Starts at 20.22) Trina Beckett uncovers the fascinating lives of ‘The Wives of The Generals’ in her biography ‘Deadlier Than the Male’. (Starts at 45.10)

Today we're opening our satchels for some great contemporary children’s books. Onjali Q Raúf introduces us to ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’. (Starts at 1.08) Anthony McGowan takes us onto The Moors in a snowstorm in his new novel ‘Lark’. (Starts at 20.55) We go behind the scenes to discover how RNIB is celebrating World Book Day. (Starts at 34.55) Then return to Onjali Q Raúf for the books of her life. (Starts at 49.30)

A thrilling episode this week as C. J. Tudor reveals her new novel, 'The Taking of Annie Thorne' (Starts at 1.20) Ian Skewis tells Robert Kirkwood about the brooding background to 'A Murder of Crows' (Starts at 25.50) Ex cop and now novelist Kate London tells Red Szell about 'Gallowstree Lane' (Starts at 39.15) And finally a return to C.J. Tudor for the books of her life. (Starts at 46.05)

World Book Day on 7 March 2019 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 14 new titles available in audio and braille. Lynne Livingston from RNIB Library tells us more. [Find out more here](https://www.rnib.org.uk/our-services/reading-choices/world-book-day-2019)

At Read On and RNIB Talking Books we were saddened to hear of the death of British author Andrea Levy at the age of 62. In 2010 the Long Song was nominated for the Booker Prize, and at the time she joined Robert Kirkwood down to line to talk about the book.  

On this week’s Read On we’ve got some brand new books to share Joanna Toye considers romance, retail and air raids in her novel ‘A Store at War’.  Comedian Limmy gets surprisingly down-to-earth and very funny in his autobiography. (Starts at 17.40) Crime novelist Sophie Hannah considers holding a grudge. (Starts at 38.10) And, with a nod to Valentine’s Day, Red reviews Sally Rooney’s millennial love story - ’Normal People'. (Starts at 43.20)

Jason Roberts talks to Red Szell about his biography of the blind traveller James Holman (Starts at 1.00) Jasper Winn on his sea kayak adventure documented in his book 'Paddle, A Long Way Around Ireland'  (Starts at 28.00) John Keay chats to Robert Kirkwood about his books China, and Eccentric Travellers.  (Starts at 38.00) Chris McMillan talks about China Vision and the importance of literacy (starts at 43.00)

In a packed Read On this week: Winner of the Costa Book of the year, Bart Van Es. (Starts at 1.45) Juliet Stevenson shares her passion for narrating Talking Books, and reveals the one that got away. (Starts at 12.00) Janice Galloway extolls the virtues of short stories. (Starts at 27.20) NB Dixon explores a medieval revolt through a hidden gem in the Library. (Starts at 37.55) Angus McDonald introduces us to a tale of love and blindness in The First World War. (Starts at 43.00) Then a return to Juliet Stevenson for The Books of Her Life. (Starts at 46.30)

After recording the audio version of his autobiography at the RNIB Talking Book studios in Glasgow, Brian Limond, better known as Limmy, chats to Robert Kirkwood about mental health, Yoker, book tours and Twitch ... and he turns the weans against us.

This week we’ve got a trio of Costa Prize winners Costa Book of the Year winner Bart van Es introduces us to his biography of ‘The Cut-out Girl’. (Starts at 2.00) Hilary McKay reveals which real-life character inspired her children’s book ‘The Skylark’s War’. (Starts at 22.30) And poet J O Morgan considers the 4-minute warning in his cold-war epic ‘Assurances’. (Starts at 39.00)

Lucy Foley takes us to the wilds of Scotland in her brand new thriller ‘The Hunting Party’. (Starts at 1.20) Guy Kennaway discusses assisted dying in his forthcoming memoir ‘Time to Go’. (Starts at 19.20) And we say farewell to June Whitfield and look back at her contribution to the RNIB Library. (Starts at 40.30)

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 readonair@rnib.org.uk 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