60: Ben McIntyre, James Boswell and Shaun Bythell's ' The Diary of a Bookseller'
In a non-fiction 'best of' episode we learn about spies, double agents and espionage with Ben McIntyre, we go behind the scene's of The Bookshop in Wigtown with Shaun Bythell and learn about the father of biography, James Boswell.
58m Mar 23, 2018
58m
59: Susie Steiner, Julian Barnes, narrator Beverly Klein and The Book Group
Author Susie Steiner discusses writing and sight loss with host Red Szell. We go back and listen to Julian Barnes on 'The Sense of an Ending' before handing it over to our radio book group, and narrator Beverly Klein gives vice to some Corner House Girls.
58m Mar 16, 2018
58m
58: Comedy with Robin Ince, Helen Lederer and writer of Mr. Bean, Robin Driscoll
Actor and writer Robin Driscoll joins Red Szell to talk about his book 'Rough Music', comedian Robin Ince tells Robert Kirkwood about his book, 'The Bad Book Club' and Helen Lederer talks about 'Losing It'.  We hear a short comic tale from a blind writer, a narrator on a favourite of his by Garrison Keeler and much more on today's show. Contact the show by emailing readonair@rnib.org.uk
58m Mar 09, 2018
58m
57: Patrick Gale, David Munro, Verity Smith and the RNIB Writing Competition
Red Szell chats to Patrick Gale about the upcoming RNIB Member's Writing Competition and about the differences between novel and short story writing. Author David Munro talks about The Time Jigsaw and writing with a visual impairment. And we hear again from Verity Smith on her both funny and sad memoir, The Groper's Guide.
58m Mar 02, 2018
58m
Author Interview - Jessica Townsend
The author of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow tells Red Szell all about the book and her life as an author. Clipped from Read On episode 56
23m Feb 23, 2018
23m
56: Jess Townsend on Nevermoor, a visit to AyeWrite!, a Thunderdog and more.
With author Jess Townsend Red Szell explores Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow. Robert Kirkwood looks forward to AyeWrite!, Glasgow's Book Festival with Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, Louise Welsh, Zoe Strachan and Alan Bissett. A listener recommends a tale of heroism and blindness in the face on 9/11 and Red reviews The Transition by Luke Kennard. Contact the show on readonair@rnib.org.uk
58m Feb 23, 2018
58m
AyeWrite! - Favourite moments from Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, Alan Bisset, Louise Welsh and Zoe Strachan
As this year's AyeWrite! approaches, Robert Kirkwood chats to Denise Mina, Chris Brookmyre, Alan Bisset, Louise Welsh and Zoe Strachan about some of their favourite memories of the Glasgow Book Festival.
6m Feb 23, 2018
6m
55: Lucinda Hawksley, Peter Ross, David Aldwinckle and making a Talking Book
Charles Dickens' great great great granddaughter, Lucinda Hawksley talks about her latest book, 'March, Women, March' as it enters the RNIB Talking Book Library.  David Aldwinckle talks about his position within RNIB and tells Red Szell about some of his favourite books. Robert Kirkwood goes behind the scenes at the Talking Books studios and journalist and author Peter Ross returns to the show ...
58m Feb 16, 2018
58m
54: A.L. Kennedy and Mark Haddon
A.L. Kennedy talks to Red Szell about all the forms of her writing and her outlook on life, Mark Haddon talks about life after that 'Curious Incident ...', Giles Coren and Victoria Coren Mitchell talk about 'Chocolate and Cuckoo Clocks' to Robert Kirkwood and listener Paul Chennel recommends one of his favourites.
58m Feb 09, 2018
58m
53: Rachel Ward, Peter Kenny, Harry Potter and the Costa Book of the Year
Author Rachel Ward tells us about her new book, 'The Cost of Living', narrator Peter Kenny demonstrates just how versatile he is, we reveal the winner of the Costa Book of the Year award and we pay a visit to a new Harry Potter exhibition an the British Library.
58m Feb 02, 2018
58m
52: The Costa Book Awards with Jon McGregor, Rebecca Stott and Katherine Rundell
We talk to three winners of The Costa Book Award 2017.  Jon McGregor talks about 'Reservoir 13', winner of the Novel of the Year, Rebecca Stott talks about her Biography of the Year 'In the Days of Rain: A Daughter. A Father. A Cult', and we go exploring with Children's Book of the Year winner, Katherine Rundell ... who also gives us the books of her life.
58m Jan 26, 2018
58m
51: The Costa Book Awards with Gail Honeyman, Ali Smith and Sebastian Barry
We have a listen to all of the category winners as we wait for the announcement of the Costa Book of the Year and chat to First Novel winner Gail Honeyman. We also chat to previous winners Ali Smith and Sebastian Barry and review Frances Hardinge's The Lie Tree.
58m Jan 19, 2018
58m
50: Peter Ross, Ali Smith, Philip Reeve and the Book Group.
We explore Daunderlust with journalist Peter Ross, Ali Smith talks Autumn, which is then reviewed by the RNIB Connect Radio Book Group plus Philip Reeve on the books of his life.
58m Jan 12, 2018
58m
49: Mark Miodownik, Laurence Bouvard and more.
A listen back to three interviews from last year, one fiction, one non-fiction and one from an RNIB Talking Book narrator. Mark Miodownik on Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvellous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World, Laurence Bouvard on bringing audio books to life.
58m Jan 05, 2018
58m
Philip Pullman - 'The Book of Dust'
The author of 'His Dark Materials' joins Red Szell in the Talking Book studios to talk about his new trilogy, 'The Book of Dust' and the first book which is out now, 'La Belle Sauvage.' Clipped from Read On Episode 48
21m Dec 22, 2017
21m
48: Philip Pullman, Andy Miller and Andy Secombe
Philip Pullman joins Red Szell in the Talking Book studios to talk about 'The Book of Dust' Book 1: La Belle Sauvage. Andy Miller tells Robert Kirkwood about 'The Year of Reading Dangerously' and narrator and author Andy Secombe tells Red about growing up with the Goons and a few of his famous voices.
58m Dec 22, 2017
58m
47: Eddie Izzard's Lost Christmas and 'The Robin: A biography'
Stephen Moss tells us the history behind the Robin's connection to Christmas, Steven Scott and Red discuss some reading technology, Robert Kirkwood delves into RNIB Library for some festive books and chats to Eddie Izzard about narrating 'Lost Christmas'.
58m Dec 15, 2017
58m
46: John Bew, Marian Veevers and Jonathan Dimbleby
John Bew talks to host Red Szell about the Orwell Prize winning Citizen Clem: A Biography of Attlee ... at the Wigtown Book Festival we chat to Marian Veevers, author of 'Jane and Dorothy: A True Tale of Sense and Sensibility' and Robert Kirkwood hears Jonathan Dimbleby's Churchill impression.
58m Dec 08, 2017
58m
45: Book Week Scotland (2017)
With the Scottish Book Trust we hear tales from this year's free book, 'Nourish'. Stories from Dave Myres, Mary Contini and much more on Nourishment for body and soul. We also talk to the Scottish Book Trust and hear what they do to encourage reading and writing. Get the whole free audio book 'Nourish' at www.scottishbooktrust.com/nourish
58m Dec 01, 2017
58m
44: Mountains, Horses and Guns with Chris Bonington, Gary Younge, and Susanna Forrest.
Red Szell visits the Petworth Literary Festival and meets his hero, Chris Bonington and finds out about the festival from artistic director Stewart Collins. We hear about 'Another Day in the Death of America' from journalist and author Gary Younge and at the Wigtown Book Festival we hear the remarkable history of horses from Susanna Forrest.
58m Nov 24, 2017
58m
Narrator Interview - Adjoa Andoh
The actress talks about being the voice of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, narrating Sci-Fi and discusses some favourites. Clipped from Read On Episode 43
14m Nov 17, 2017
14m
43: YA Books and more with Lauren St. John, Andrew Beasley, Adjoa Andoh and His Dark Materials
Lauren St. John tells us how books can actually change minds, Andrew Beasley makes us S.C.R.E.A.M. We re-visit His Dark Materials and Adjoa Andoh talks about her work, including the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency.
58m Nov 17, 2017
58m
42: The First Talking Books - Documentary Special
A special documentary about the origins of the Talking Books service, recorded at the original locations around London, and featuring many voices from the past. Historian Matthew Rubery and Robert Kirkwood explore everything from the first Talking Book machines, some failed technology, how books were chosen and much more.
58m Nov 10, 2017
58m
41: David Mitchell, Jessica Fox and Gail Honeyman
David Mitchell tells Red Szell how his characters write to him, Jessica A. Fox talks about leaving NASA to work in a Scottish bookshop, Gail Honeyman gives us the books of her life and Robert Kirkwood finds the links between Star Wars and Talking Books.
58m Nov 03, 2017
58m
James Herbert - Uncut
We remember the master of horror fiction James Herbert in an interview Robert Kirkwood conducted with him shortly before his death, discussing how his childhood influenced his books and how protective he was of his work. (This is a much longer version of the interview that appeared on-air.)
35m Oct 27, 2017
35m
40: David Szalay, James Herbert, audio archives and books for Halloween.
On Unesco World Day for Audiovisual Heritage we explore the importance of audio archives, Red Szell talks to author David Szalay, and as it's near Halloween we pick some scary books and hear from the late James Herbert.
58m Oct 27, 2017
58m
39: Man Booker 2017
Before George Saunders was announced as the winner, we talked to all six shortlisted authors up for the 2017 Man Booker Prize.
58m Oct 23, 2017
58m
Man Booker 2017 Winner - George Saunders 'Lincoln in the Bardo'
The Booker shortlisted author tells Robert Kirkwood about his first full length novel after a career as the 'master of the short story', and discusses the work involved in having over 160 narrators on a book.
10m Oct 17, 2017
10m
Man Booker 2017 - Mohsin Hamid 'Exit West'
Red Szell chats to the Booker Shortlisted author about 'Exit West', about loss and religion and how Mohsin reads all the American audio versions of his books.
20m Oct 16, 2017
20m
Man Booker 2017 - Ali Smith 'Autumn'
With a fourth book on the Booker shortlist, Ali Smith talks to Red Szell about how quickly it was published, about Brexit, and about keeping excitement at bay - - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.
14m Oct 13, 2017
14m
Man Booker 2017 - Emily Fridlund 'History of Wolves'
The author talks to Robert Kirkwood about her novel, and about being a bit distracted when she discovered she was on the Booker Longlist - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.
14m Oct 13, 2017
14m
Man Booker 2017 - Fiona Mozley - 'Elmet'
The Booker shortlisted author talks to Red Szell about 'Elmet' and how she was influenced by Westerns and wrote some of the book on her phone - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.
10m Oct 13, 2017
10m
Man Booker 2017 - Paul Auster '4-3-2-1'
The Booker shortlisted author talks to Robert Kirkwood about his novel '4 3 2 1' and about reading the 36 hour audio version himself. - Extended interview including parts that didn't make the broadcast.
12m Oct 13, 2017
12m
Jeff Wayne on 'War of the Worlds'
The composer tells Robert Kirkwood how H.G. Wells inspired a whole rock opera.
12m Oct 13, 2017
12m
38: Sci-Fi with Jeff Wayne, Blade Runner, Philip Reeve and the first Dalek.
Jeff Wayne talks about how 'War of the Worlds' inspired a whole rock opera, Red revisits 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep', Philip Reeve gives us the books of his life, and we speak to Parker, Brains, Peppa Pig's grandfather, the first Dalek and more all rolled up in narrator David Graham.
58m Oct 13, 2017
58m
37: Literature Locked Up
In today's show Robert Kirkwood talks to Erwin James learning Braille whilst serving a life sentence, we hear how Give A Book are helping people in custody, Emma Donoghue talks about 'Room' and Red Szell visits Shawshank.
58m Oct 06, 2017
58m
36: Live at the Wigtown Book Festival (2017)
In a packed show, Red Szell and Robert Kirkwood talk to Anne de Courcy about her book 'The Husband Hunters', Christopher Brookmyre on 'Want You Gone', Anthony McGowan on 'The Art of Failing', Adam Macqueen on 'The Lies of the Land'. Peggy Hughes gives us the Books of her Life, Adrian Turpin gives us a history of the Wigtown Festival, we explore the The Diary of a Bookseller with Sean Bythell an...
58m Sep 29, 2017
58m
35: Rowing the Pacific, Tony Hawks in the West Country and narrating for RNIB.
Adventurer Mick Dawson tells us about 'Rowing the Pacific: 7,000 Miles from Japan to San Francisco', Tony Hawks moves to the West Country, the book group talk about Bill Bryson and narrator David Monteath talks about some favourite books.
58m Sep 22, 2017
58m
Narrator Interview - David Monteath
Red Szell talks to David about some of the books he has narrated for RNIB and hears his Tartan Noir villain voice!
12m Sep 22, 2017
12m
Live at Wigtown Book Festival (2016)
As we gear up for this year's Wigtown Book Festival here's what Robert Kirkwood got up to last year with Susan Calman, Helen Sedgwick, Hardeep Singh Kohli and much more!
58m Sep 21, 2017
58m
Narrator Interview - Madeleine Brolly
Kim Normanton chats to Madeleine Brolly, Talking Books narrator and voice of the Neapolitan series.
11m Sep 19, 2017
11m
Author Interview - Emma Flint
Red Szell chats to Emma Flint about her love of crime and her novel, 'Little Deaths'
17m Sep 19, 2017
17m
34: Little Deaths, Clover Moon and The Theory of Everything
In today's show Red Szell talks to Emma Flint about her book 'Little Deaths' retelling a shocking New York murder, Madeline Brolly talks about accents for Talking Books, Robert Kirkwood discovers some Stephen Hawking works in the Talking Books library and Jacqueline Wilson talks about her latest book.
58m Sep 15, 2017
58m
33: Ben MacIntyre, Ruta Sepetys and Lin Anderson on Bloody Scotland,
Lin Anderson tells Red Sell about Bloody Scotland, Ben MacIntyre talks about spies and espionage and Ruta Sepetys talks about winning this year's Cilip Carnegie medal.
58m Sep 08, 2017
58m
32: Travel Special with Bill Bryson, Jasper Winn, and John Keay.
Red Szell talks to Jasper Win about his book Paddle where he circumnavigates Ireland in a kayak. Robert Kirkwood chats to historian John Keay about blind traveller John Holman and to Bill Bryson about America in 1927. Ken Reid gives us the books of his life and the books he raised money for by cycling around the UK and Red reviews a spoof travel guide.
58m Sep 01, 2017
58m
The Death of Diana - A Talking Books Special read by Jim Broadbent
Read by Jim Broadbent exclusively for RNIB Talking Books, the Death of Diana by David Lodge is the author's reflections of Diana as a public figure and an attempt to understand the outpouring of grief felt 20 years ago.
28m Aug 31, 2017
28m
31: Graeme Macrae Burnet - Live at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (2017)
Author of the year 2017, Graeme Macrae Burnet, joined Robert Kirkwood on stage for a live recording of Read On Air and told us the story behind 'His Bloody Project', The Disappearance of Adele Badeau' and the upcoming 'Accident on the A35'.
58m Aug 25, 2017
58m
30: Live at the Edinburgh International Book Festival with Red Szell
As we look forward to this year's event in Edinburgh, let's go back to 2016 with Robert Kirkwood interviewing the host of Read On, Red Szell about his book, 'The Blind Man of Hoy'.
58m Aug 18, 2017
58m
29: Oscar Winning Books
A short history of the Oscars and a listen to some books that have been adapted into winners of the Best Picture Academy Award.
58m Aug 16, 2017
58m
28: Children's and YA with Jonathan Meres, Zana Fraillon and Lari Don.
In another look at books for a younger audience we chat to Zana Fraillon about The Bone Sparrow, Jonathan Meres about the end of 'The World of Norm', and Lari Don about Mind Blind.
58m Aug 04, 2017
58m