Rnib Talking Books

This week we’re examining some new cases inspired by classic detective series.    Mick Finlay introduces us to Arrowood, his down-at-heel Victorian gumshoe.   Stella Duffy confesses to being delighted and daunted at being asked to complete an unfinished mystery by Ngaio Marsh.   Mitch Cullin imagines what a 93-year old Sherlock Holmes might be working on.   NB Dixon reviews a new case for Hercule Poirot. And we return to Mick Finlay for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’re investigating some notoriously great crimewriters!    After the global success of 'The Silent Patient', Alex Michaelides discusses his follow-up, 'The Maidens', another gripping blend of psychology and mythology.    Soon to be a major TV series, we revisit 'Post Mortem' in the company of murder squad detective turned author Kate London.   Penny Melville-Brown brings us some left-field thrillers to enjoy.   I review a classic slice of American noir from the pen of Michael Connolly. And we return to Alex Michaelides for the Books of Your Life.

We're back! (Sort of) Robert and Red join in the fun at this year's virtual Boswell Book Festival where this year you can hear ... Andrew Marr interviewed by Dr William Zachs on both his and Boswell's journalistic careers. Janey Godley chatting to Sally Magnusson about her autobiography, Handstands in the Dark. Helen Lewis and Chris Bryant MP in a talk about history makers airbrushed from the history books, with their books Difficult Women and The Glamour Boys And we hear how one commentator lifted our spirits in lockdown with his dogs Olive and Mabel. Andrew Cotter was interviewed by fellow sports writer Stewart Weir.

This week there’s music in the air! Pulitzer prize-winning dramatist Quiara Alegria Hudes discusses her memoir 'My Broken Language', and working with Lin Manuel Miranda to bring his stage musical 'In The Heights' to the big screen.   Australian author Maribel Steel introduces us to 'Blindness for Beginners' through her short story 'Tapping Rhythm Teaching Song'.   Ann Rachlin proves that neither age nor disability need be a barrier to sharing the joy of music with others. And we return to Quiara Alegria Hudes for the Books of Your Life.

We bring you the winner of this year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal, recognising the best in contemporary children’s literature! Political commentator Ece Temelkuran discusses her new book 'Together: 10 Choices for a Better Now'.   Best-selling author Mark Sullivan re-imagines an extraordinary true story from the Second World War in his new historical novel 'The Last Green Valley'.    Red explores a political biography and the Glasgow shipyards with narrator David Monteith. And we return to Mark Sullivan for the Books of Your Life.

Things get dark and dangerous in Adele Parks’ new psychological thriller 'Both of You'.   Robert Kirkwood provides an overview of the six novels shortlisted for this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction.   With just under a week to go before the winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal is announced, we return to last year’s winner – Anthony McGowan. And we return to Adele Parks for the Books of Your Life.  

Joseph Coelho discusses his Carnegie short-listed novel in verse – 'The Girl Who Became a Tree'; and the central role that libraries continue to play in his life.   Narrators Kate Okello and Penelope Freeman reveal their very personal reasons for becoming Talking Book readers.    Beth Morrey explores ways to overcome loneliness and grief in her bittersweet novel 'Saving Missy'. And we return to Joseph for the Books of Your Life.

With the winner of this year’s Carnegie Medal due to be announced in just a couple of weeks, we talk to debut author Manjeet Mann, whose novel 'Run Rebel' is a must read.   Narrator John Cormack shares his favourite reads, and his own surprising backstory.   Red reviews a novel with a blind protagonist that is one of the most popular Books of Your Life selections among Read On guests. And we return to Manjeet Mann for the Books of Your Life.

Lauren Wolk explores teenage resilience and alternative remedies in her Carnegie Medal shortlisted novel ‘Echo Mountain’.    Connect Radio’s Ellie Marsh learns more about an exciting online book group with author Fiona Shaw.    Sera Milano discusses her compelling new novel 'This Can  Never Not Be True', with Robert Kirkwood.   And loyal listener NB Dixon reviews a spine-tingling tale by Sarah Waters. 

Best-selling author Josie Lloyd introduces us to 'The Cancer Ladies’ Running Club'.   Narrator Paul Birchard shares his enthusiasm for an explosive   Talking Book with Robert Kirkwood.   And we continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist by going deep into the Snow Forest with author Sophie Anderson and 'The Girl Who Speaks Bear'.

We continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist with author Ruta Sepetys and and her novel  'The Fountains of Silence'. Hollywood actress Joely Richardson reveals what it was that profoundly moved her when she visited the RNIB Talking Books studios. Red reviews the spy story that 007 author Anthony Horowitz selected as one of the Books of His Life. And we return to Ruta Sepetys for the Books of Her Life.

We continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist, with the author of ‘On Midnight Beach’, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick.    Red reviews a classic Victorian suspense novel, 'Lady Audley’s Secret'.     Lynne Truss takes us back to the 1950s for a seaside crime caper. And we return to Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick for the Books of Your Life.

International best-seller B.A. Paris discusses her latest psychological thriller ‘The Therapist’. Penny Melville-Brown introduces us to her favourite spy writer. We continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist, with middle-grade sensation Jason Reynolds. And we go back to B.A. Paris for the Books of Your Life.

Blind chef Kim Jaye tells us how lockdown inspired her to write two accessible cookbooks, and shares her passion for reading. Narrator David John discusses the joys and challenges of recording Talking Books. We begin our review of the shortlist for this year’s CILIP Carnegie Medal by interviewing former winner and 2021 contender, Elizabeth Acevedo. And we go back to Kim Jaye for the Books of Your Life.

Femi Kayode transports us to Nigeria for his tense thriller, ‘Lightseekers’. Children’s author Onjali Q Rauf introduces us to ‘The Boy at The Back of the Class’. And Blind author Bill Skipworth discusses his memoir ‘Now I  See’.

We learn how our canine companions can help us become better human beings, as Ericka Waller walks us through her novel 'Dog Days'. Robert Kirkwood discovers how a selection of 2000AD graphic novels, including Judge Dredd, have been transformed into audio. Bestselling children’s author, Frances Hardinge, gets darkly supernatural in her historical novel ‘A Skinful of Shadows’. And we return to Ericka Waller for the Books of Your Life.

Fiona Lucas talks about moving on in her new novel 'The Last Goodbye', and tells us why writing for Mills and Boon was such a great apprenticeship.   We go behind the scenes with actor Samuel West as he records new versions of the House Of Cards trilogy.    Sita Brahmachari discusses the importance of tackling the big global issues in her books for children. And we return to Fiona Lucas for the Books of Your Life

E.J. Harper introduces us to 'Lazarus Remembered', her novel on family and redemption, written specifically to be an immersive audiobook experience. Andrew Cullum talks about his life as an audiobook narrator. Jessica Townsend discusses the world of 'Nevermore' and her heroine, Morrigan Crow.  And we return to E.J. Harper for the Books of Her Life.

Richard Herring discusses 'The Problem with Men', his new book about toxic masculinity, and reveals the extra features available in the audiobook version. Deborah Frances-White talks about turning The Guilty Feminist podcast  into a bestselling audiobook. And we take a look at some of the terrific titles available to younger listeners this World Book Day.

World Book Day on 4 March 2021 is all about celebrating the magic of books and reading. RNIB is proud to continue to support World Book Day's mission to give every child and young person a book of their own, by making 13 titles available in audio (DAISY CD) and braille. Titles can be pre-ordered from 1 February 2021 for despatch on 1 March 2021. Orders will be taken until 31 March 2021. Titles are also available in large print (English) or giant print (Welsh). To order the English-language titles in large print, contact Guide Dogs by calling 0118 9838275. The Welsh-language title can be ordered in giant print by contacting the RNIB Helpline. Only one title per person can be ordered, in one format.