This episode of Read On contains subject matter that some listeners may find upsetting.

Today Robert Kirkwood is recording on location at the Boswell Book Festival with Gavin Francis on The Unfragile Mind - Making Sense of Mental Health, Stephen McGinty on One Morning in March - Dunblane and the Shooting that Changed Britain and Darren McGarvey on Trauma Industrial Complex - The Dangers of Oversharing in a Digital World.

Plus in the spirt of Boswell, we find some new biographies in the RNIB Library

Today on Read On we revisit some favourite historians with Lucy Worsley on Jane Austen, Kate Williams on Rival Queens plus Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen on the history of libraries.

Plus we find some new books in the RNIB Library

Two very different authors this week on Read On, although with one thing in common, they both narrated the audio versions of the books they were speaking about at the Boswell Book Festival. Dougie Donnelly tells Robert Kirkwood about Recorded Highlights - My Life in Sport, and Dame Harriet Walter gives new scenes to some of Shakespeare's female characters in She Speaks!

Plus we find some fiction and biography in the RNIB Library.

Today on Read On, three very different authors all inspired by Shakespeare, Michael Morpurgo on his Shakespeare retellings, Nydia Hetherington on her book about the witch from the Tempest, Sycorax and Bernard Cornwell on William's brother, Richard Shakespeare, in his book Fools and Mortals.

All that plus new books in the RNIB Library.

Today on Read On, two biographical tales recorded at the Boswell Book Festival. Robert Kirkwood talks to Frances Wilson about Electric Spark - The Enigma of Muriel Spark, and author Adam Hart about Operation Pimento: My Great-Grandfather's Great Escape.

Plus we have some new books in the RNIB Library

Today on Read On we hear a full talk, sponsored by RNIB Connect Radio, from the Boswell Book Festival. Natural history cameraman Gordon Buchanan is in conversation with Robert Dawson Scott live on stage as he discusses his book In the Hide - How the Natural World Saved my Life, and how dangerous animals were not the only thing he was hiding from.

NB The podcast version of this is a slightly longer edit than the one broadcast on RNIB Connect Radio

Visually Impaired author Beth O'Brien has won the Carnegie Medal for Writing, the most prestigious award for authors of children's and young adult books.

Wolf Siren reimagines Little Red Riding Hood as a girl with vision impairment, and the audiobook, recorded at the RNIB Talking Book studios, even has a narrator with vision impairment.

Beth has been a frequent flyer on our Read On programme, her last visit being just two weeks ago, but here she is telling Robert Kirkwood about her sight condition and her award-winning book, Wolf Siren

Today on Read On we hear a talk from the Boswell Book Festival with Vice President of RNIB Penny Lancaster, on her book Someone Like Me. 

She chats to Janet Smith live on stage about surviving childhood as a dyslexic and being the tallest pupil in the room, about her job as a Special Constable, about her charity work and much more.

Image shows: Penny speaking during her panel and making Janet laugh. She's sitting on the right in front of a green banner with "Boswell Book Festival" branding. 

Today on Read On we talk to partially sighted author Beth O'Brien about her Carnegie Shortlisted book Wolf Siren and her brand new book Feather Vane, and about a recent tour she was on with Scottish Book Trust called Inclusive Stories.

We also hear about Monsterland from Nicolas Jubber and get a double Books of My Life from both Beth and Signa Rudovica from Scottish Book Trust.

Today on Read On, Robert Kirkwood talks to J.P. Rose about her Carnegie shortlisted book Birdie, plus they chat about her alter-ego Jacqui Rose and her best selling gangland thrillers, including collaborations with Martina Cole, and back to the world of children's fiction with her Paddock Grove series.

Plus we'll find new books in the RNIB Library.

Today on Read On, Robert Kirkwood talks to Jason Reynolds about his Carnegie Shortlisted book, Twenty-four Seconds from Now, a tender, sweet, wholesome piece of fiction discussing how to approach first sex, how to respect women, how to be gentle, how to make it about love. It shows us a refreshingly different side to male sexuality.

We also listen back to Eric Motley on Madison - A Place of Hope and find new books in the RNIB Library.

Today we talk to Tia Fisher about her Carnegie shortlisted book, Not Going to Plan, a powerful verse novel about sexual consent, unplanned pregnancy and the breaking of taboos.

We also find some new books in the RNIB Library.

Today we escape to the Algarve in Julie Caplin's brand new book The Hotel by the Sea, we visit a fairy tale exhibition in London, we review Ruth Ozeki's Timecode of a Face and we find some books in the RNIB Library.

Plus there's some news about an Aria nomination for Read On!

On today's Read On I'm joined by author and artist Rob Harrell from his home in Texas as we discuss his Carnegie Medal for Writing short listed book, Popcorn, plus his previous book, based on his battle with eye cancer, Wink.

We also find some new books in the RNIB Library.

Today we go on a road trip with Ben Markovits and his book The Rest of Our Lives.

When Tom Layward's wife had an affair he resolved to leave her as soon as his youngest daughter turned eighteen. Twelve years later, while driving her to Pittsburgh to start university, he remembers his pact, and keeps driving ...

Plus we'll find some new books in the RNIB Library.

A return visit this week from Lisa Timoney, a bestselling, multi-genre author who writes emotional family dramas under her own name, uplifting book club fiction as Kate Storey, and twisty psychological thrillers as Naomi Williams.

This time we talk about The Last Page Cafe, The Lies Out Children Tell and discuss the sight condition blepharospasm in her book, The Eyewitness.

Plus we find new books in the RNIB Library.

From the phonautograph to a smart speaker, today's Read On not only looks at the history of 90 years of RNIB Talking Books recording (and the equipment used), but goes back to the invention of recording as a whole. 

We hear the first recorded voices, about the format war between cylinder and disc, about the phonautograph, the phonograph, the graphophone and the gramophone, to single track magnetic tape, DAISY CDs and Alexa Skills and more in this 169 year trek through the history of recording the human voice.

A special (updated) 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.

An all-star ensemble comes together to celebrate RNIB Talking Books 9th decade of bringing the joy of reading to blind and partially sighted people. A special recording of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice features some of the UK’s best-known actors and today we chat to four of them. 

Ben Willbond, Phil Dunster, Lisa George and Shazia Mirza talk about narrating Jane Austen and give us some great book recommendations.

James Bartlett, Reading Services Manager at RNIB tells Robert Kirkwood about a new recording of Pride and Prejudice with many famous narrators, made to celebrate 90 years of Talking Books. We also hear the foreword by Julian Fellowes.

Full book - https://audioboom.com/playlists/4635906-talking-books-at-90-pride-and-prejudice-by-jane-austen

Today we continue our deep dive into last year's Booker shortlist as Robert Kirkwood has a long chat with Susan Choi on her novel Flashlight. 

They chat about the significance of the title, the importance of historical research and even end up chatting about ashtrays from McDonalds and smoking in the office!

The year 2026 is National Year of Reading and this along with World Book Day 2026 on March 5, is a great chance for every child, including those with reading impairments and vision impairments, to enjoy and celebrate their love of reading and storytelling.

To mark the occasion, leading sight loss charity, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is running a creative writing competition so children with vision impairments can express their creativity and love of books.

The competition is open to any child or young person between the ages of 5-12 years with a vision impairment in the UK. The last date to submit entries is Monday 23 February 2026.

We can’t wait to read your submission and wish you the very best of luck!

For full details of how to enter the competition, email worldbookday@rnib.org.uk

In today's episode Robert Kirkwood chats to Katie Kitamura about her novel Audition, an exhilarating, destabilising novel that asks whether we ever really know the people we love.

They chat about dimension shifts, narration and why the book was almost called Performance.

Plus we find some new books in the RNIB Library.

The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller is an atmospheric novel set during a famously freezing 1960s winter, exploring the minutiae of married life through the interior lives of two couples. Robert Kirkwood talks to Andrew about his inspiration for the novel, why it's not based on his parents and about his first time narrating one of his novels.

In today's show Robert Kirkwood has a long chat with Yael van der Wouden about her debut novel, The Safekeep, an exhilarating tale of twisted desire, histories and homes, and the unexpected shape of revenge. 

We hear from Bart van Es about The Cutout Girl and find new books in the RNIB Library.

1. Top Left Corner: The book cover for The Quality of Love: Twin Sisters at the Heart of the Century by Ariane Bankes. The cover has a bright green background with a vintage-style image of two women, likely representing the twin sisters mentioned in the title, facing each other.
   
   
2. Top Center: A photograph of Irvine Welsh and Robert Kirkwood. Irvine, on the left, is bald, with a slight smile, dressed casually in a light brown jacket over a striped shirt. Robert, on the right, is taking the selfie, recognizable by his glasses and beard.
   
   
3. Bottom Left Corner: The logo for the Wigtown Book Festival, featuring stylized text with a tree sprouting from the letter “W.” Below this is the logo for RNIB Connect Radio
   
   
4. Bottom Center: A smiling portrait of Elizabeth Oldfield, who is standing indoors, wearing a black top with a blue and turquoise jacket. Her open, warm smile and relaxed pose convey a friendly, engaging presence.
   
   
5. Bottom Right Corner: The book cover for Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times by Elizabeth Oldfield. This cover has a circular design with green and yellow rings radiating from the title.
   
   
   

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)

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.

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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 )

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)

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)

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)

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)