153: The Costa Book Awards with Sara Collins, Jack Fairweather, Mary Jean Chan and Jasbinder Bilan
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 collect...
58m Jan 24, 2020
58m
152: Ade Adepitan, Brian Bilston and Emma Hetherington
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.
58m Jan 17, 2020
58m
151: Robert Kirkwood and Red Szell look back at 2019
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)
58m Jan 10, 2020
58m
Happy New Year!
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.
13m Jan 03, 2020
13m
150: Episode 150 - John le Carré
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.
1hr 6m Dec 20, 2019
1hr 6m
149: Christmas Special with Noddy Holder, Charlie Grima, Sue Moorcroft and Tricia Ashley
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 ...
1hr 13m Dec 13, 2019
1hr 13m
148: Diane Jeffrey, John Cormack, plus 'The Robin' and other Christmas books
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 J...
59m Dec 06, 2019
59m
147: Joely Richardson, Philip Pullman and Danielle McLaughlin
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 ...
58m Nov 29, 2019
58m
146: Book Week Scotland (2019)
The Scottish Book Trust, for Book Week Scotland, distribute a free book of new writing around a chosen theme ... this year's it's "Blether." RNIB produce the audio version of that book, and today's show is a small selection of 15 short stories and poems, all read by their authors. We couldn't cram the whole book into an hour, and the stories here are less than half of what's in the whole book w...
58m Nov 22, 2019
58m
145: Chris Lintott, Jane Clarke and Robin Kermode
On this edition of The Audiobook show, Chris Lintott discusses ‘The Sky at Night’ and the astronomical power of The Zooniverse. (Starts at 0.57)   Jane Clarke introduces Red Szell to some awesome egg-speriments! (22.25)   Actor Robin Kermode has some surprising advice for Robert Kirkwood on improving your public speaking (41.52) And we return to Chris Lintott for the Books of His Life (50.52)
58m Nov 15, 2019
58m
144: Sita Brahmachari, Laura Ellen Anderson, Gary Younge and The Blind Mechanic
On this week's show, Marilyn Davidson Elliot introduces us to ‘The Blind Mechanic: The Amazing Story of Eric Davidson, Survivor of the 1917 Halifax Explosion’ - NB recorded on the phone from Canada, sorry about the sound quality. (Starts at 1.19) We go in search of lost yeti treasure with Amelia Fang creator Laura Ellen Anderson. (18.38)   Sita Brahmachari imagines a post-apocalyptic world in w...
58m Nov 08, 2019
58m
143: Benjamin Myers, Lucy Ellmann, Stephanie Ellyne and The Greatcoat
In today's audiobook show, Benjamin Myers discusses his haunting coming-of-age novel ‘The Offing’. (Starts at 0.54)   We eavesdrop on the afternoon an RNIB narrator, Stephanie Ellyne, met Lucy Ellmann, the author of the book she is reading. (22.32)   Red celebrates Halloween by reviewing an atmospheric ghost story by Helen Dunmore. (41.17) And we return to Ben Myers for the Books of His Life (4...
58m Nov 01, 2019
58m
142: Patricia Cornwell, Lynne Truss and narrating Ducks, Newburyport
Lynne Truss tackles crime and bad grammar in 1950s Brighton. (Starts at 1.03)   Patricia Cornwall launches her new cyber crime series after conducting her own investigations at NASA. (19.26) Stephanie Ellyne talks about narrating a thousand page novel with just eight sentences. (35.22) And we return to Lynne Truss for the books of her life. (48.22)
58m Oct 25, 2019
58m
141: The Booker Prize 2019 and more from the Wigtown Book Festival
In today's show we listen to the Booker winning audiobooks, 'Girl, Woman Other' by Bernardine Evaristo and 'The Testaments' by Margaret Atwood (Starts at 1.07) Salman Rushdie tells us about the joint narratives of 'Quichotte' (13.02) We return to the Wigtown Book Festival where founder of The Big Issue, Lord Bird, reveals how learning to read saved him from a life of crime. (28.02)   Journalist...
58m Oct 18, 2019
58m
140: Chigozie Obioma, Elif Shafak and Margaret Atwood
In our second Booker Prize special,  Elif Shafak discusses her sensual novel ’10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World’. (Starts at 1.52)   Chigoze Obioma reveals the real-life tragedy that inspired his novel ‘An Orchestra of Minorities’. (19.43)   Margaret Atwood unveils her sequel to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. (30.14) And we return to Elif Shafak for the Books of her Life (50.10)
58m Oct 11, 2019
58m
139: Live at the Wigtown Book Festival (2019)
In a packed show Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood report from the Wigtown Book Festival with ... Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson on his book, 'In My Life: A Musical Memoir' (Starts at 1.34) Kerry Hudson on Lowborn (Down the Chipper) (7.00) Shaun Bythell has some 'Confessions of a Bookseller' (13.41) Sarah Jane Douglas treats illness and grief as 'Just Another Mountain' (21.08) Chair of RNIB Sco...
58m Oct 04, 2019
58m
138: Bernardine Evaristo, Lucy Ellmann and Joanna MacGregor
We’re checking out some of the titles short-listed for this year’s Booker Prize.   Bernardine Evaristo reflects on the vibrant lives of 12 black, British women in her novel ‘Girl Woman Other’ (Starts at 1.00) Joanna MacGregor tells us about the tsunami of books she had to read as a Booker judge. (26.39)   Lucy Ellmann takes us into the strange world of her eight sentence novel ‘Ducks Newburypor...
58m Sep 27, 2019
58m
137: Mary Beard, Chris McQueer, Andy Stanton, Booker Shortlist and an audiobook party
A packed show this week with Red Szell out and about at a party and a picnic ...   A chat with Eve Smith from the Booker Foundation at the 2019 shortlist party.(Starts at 1.14)   Chris McQueer tells Robert Kirkwood how he started writing. (8.35)   Mary Beard on history books and contemporary politics. (17.25) From RNIB Library, Lynne Livingston gives us some new book recommendations. (28.28)   ...
58m Sep 20, 2019
58m
Chris McQueer - narrating short stories n' that.
As his books 'Hings' and 'HWFG' are released in audio, author Chris McQueer joins Robert Kirkwood in the RNIB Talking Book Studios to chat about writing, narrating and ending up in Twitter jail.
9m Sep 16, 2019
9m
136: Booker Prize Retrospective
As the 2019 shortlist is announced, Robert Kirkwood and Red Szell listen back to some past Booker winners 2018 - Red reviews Milkman by Anna Burns (Starts at 1.20) 2017 - Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (4.38) 2016 - The Sellout by Paul Beatty (15.42) 2015 - A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (23.58) 2014 -The Long Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan (33.10) 2013 -...
58m Sep 13, 2019
58m
135: Celia Anderson, Jackie Kay and Christopher Scott
Today we’re exploring life’s long and winding road ...   Celia Anderson transports us to Cornwall for a stroll down to '59 Memory Lane'. (Starts at 1.10)   Jackie Kay traces her roots along ‘The Red Dust Road’. (16.45)   Christopher Scott reflects on his career as a Talking Book narrator, and how it changed his life. (28.00) And we return to Celia Anderson for the books of her life. (46.30)
58m Sep 06, 2019
58m
134: Patrice Lawrence, Peter Robinson and Kate London
This week we’re investigating crime fiction: Patrice Lawrence discusses her eagerly anticipated new novel ‘Rose Interrupted’. (Starts at 2.04) Peter Robinson opens the case file on his best-selling detective DCI Banks. (14.10) Former Met Police Officer Kate London tackles knife crime in ‘Gallowstree Lane’. (29.40) Red investigates the crime story that made him want to become a writer. (37.00) A...
58m Aug 30, 2019
58m
133: Hope Through Adversity
Harriet Shawcross explores the awkwardness of silence in her book “Unspeakable”. (Starts at 1.00) Carolina Setterwall reveals how writing helped her navigate bereavement. (21.08) Zena Cooper takes an upbeat look at what you can see when you can’t see. (35.38) And we return to Carolina Setterwall for the Books of her Life. (48.43)
58m Aug 23, 2019
58m
132: All at Sea
Today we’re manning the boats and taking to the sea.    Historian David Gange takes us on a journey of discovery around ‘The Frayed Atlantic Edge’ of Britain and Ireland. (Starts at 1.14)   Robert Kirkwood plunges into some books about The Titanic. (19.50)   Adventurer Mick Dawson recounts the highs and lows he encountered when rowing The Pacific. (31.30)   Coastal dweller Joanna Streetly discu...
58m Aug 16, 2019
58m
131: Liz Fenwick, Mark Billingham and Di Langford
Liz Fenwick transports us to the Cornish coast in her atmospheric new novel ‘The Path to the Sea’. (1.20)   Mark Billingham reveals how narrating his Thom Thorne detective thrillers has changed the way he writes them. (20.00)   The doyen of audio description Di Langford reflects on bringing books, plays, TV series and feature films to life for those of us who have difficulty seeing them. (36.15...
58m Aug 09, 2019
58m
130: Holiday Special
In a round up of some books we think you might pack in your suitcase, we listen back to ... Stuart Turton on 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle'  (Starts at 1.18) Joanne Ramos on 'The Farm' (7.31) Bart Van Es on 'The Cut Out Girl' (18.45) C.J. Tudor on 'The Chalk Man' and 'The Taking of Annie Thorne' (28.12) Lucy Foley on 'The Hunting Party' (36.40) And for the first time ever, Robert asks ...
58m Aug 02, 2019
58m
129: Jess Butterworth, Andy Stanton and Jess Townsend
Jess Butterworth takes us deep into the Louisiana swamp in her new novel ‘Swimming Against the Storm’. (Starts at 1.25)   Mr Gum author Andy Stanton reflects on how history can inform our view of the present. (11.53)   Jessica Townsend picks up the story of her cursed and magical heroine, Morrigan Crow, in ‘Wundersmith.’ (26.48) Blind author N.B. Dixon reviews a medieval adventure (42.18) And w...
58m Jul 26, 2019
58m
128: The Moon Landings in Literature
Celebrating 50 years since we first walked on the moon. Andrew Smith reveals the stories of what the moon walkers did next in a brand new reissue of ‘Moondust” (Starts at 2.08) Robert Kirkwood explores the works of fact and fiction inspired by space exploration. (21.15) Commander Chris Hadfield reflects on his time as an astronaut. (34.43)  And we return to Andrew Smith for the Books of his Lif...
58m Jul 19, 2019
58m
127: Frances Hardinge, Kwame Alexander, Elizabeth Acevedo and New College Worcester
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’. (3...
58m Jul 12, 2019
58m
Summer Reading Challenge 2019 with RNIB
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 
14m Jul 12, 2019
14m
126: Dame Stella Rimington, Frederick Forsyth and Frank Gardner
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)
58m Jul 05, 2019
58m
125: Joe Heap, Niq Mhlongo, Celestial Bodies and more
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 yea...
58m Jun 28, 2019
58m
Read On presenter Red Szell conquers Am Buachaille
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.
11m Jun 27, 2019
11m
124: Ursula Buchan on John Buchan, Joanne Ramos on The Farm, plus Pen & Inc
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 ret...
58m Jun 21, 2019
58m
Elizabeth Acevedo wins the CILIP Carnegie Medal
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.
9m Jun 18, 2019
9m
123: CILIP Carnegie Special with Jason Reynolds, Sally Nicholls and Candy Gourlay, plus remembering narrator Stephen Thorne
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)
58m Jun 14, 2019
58m
122: CILIP Carnegie Special with Elizabeth Acevedo, Sophie Anderson, Kate Saunders and more.
Exploring the shortlist for this year's CILIP Carnegie Medal.
58m Jun 07, 2019
58m
121: Roz Watkins, Jon McGregor and a Game of Thrones
The show all about audiobooks recorded at the RNIB Talking Book studios.
58m May 31, 2019
58m
120: Lee Child and Lucie Whitehouse
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)
58m May 24, 2019
58m
119: Live at the Boswell Book Festival (2019)
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) Be...
58m May 17, 2019
58m
118: Best of Boswell Book Festival
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 degeneratio...
58m May 10, 2019
58m
117: Leah Hazard, Ian Skewis and Talking Book Tech
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 ...
58m May 03, 2019
58m
How do you audio describe Game of Thrones?
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' ...
9m May 02, 2019
9m
116: Nicola Cornick, Bernard Cornwell and John Carlin
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 he...
58m Apr 26, 2019
58m
115: Authors and Narrators Easter Holiday Special
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...
58m Apr 19, 2019
58m
114: Stella Duffy, Beth O'Leary and J.O. Morgan
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 ...
58m Apr 12, 2019
58m
113: The Creativity Code with Marcus du Sautoy and Talking Books technology
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 )
58m Apr 05, 2019
58m
112: Judy Leigh, Marcus Berkmann and Simon Mahoney
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...
58m Mar 29, 2019
58m
111: Doctor Who, Star Trek and Pokemon with Louise Jameson, Ellie Wallwork, Marcus Berkmann and Veronica Taylor
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 P...
58m Mar 22, 2019
58m
110: Fionnuala Kearney, Chris Stewart and Esther Freud
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)
58m Mar 15, 2019
58m