Rnib Talking Books

Ellen Alpsten tells us about 'Tsarina', the most powerful woman that history forgot. (Starts at 0.50) L. D. Lapinski takes us on a journey via the 'Strangeworlds Travel Agency' and gives us the books of her life. (21.45) Gary Bridson-Daley talks about his book 'The Last Heroes: Voices of British and Commonwealth Veterans' (37.15) And we return to Ellen Alpsten for the books of her life. (50.18)

In this week's show from the broom cupboard and bedroom, Hayley Doyle on her new rom-com, Never Saw You Coming (Starts at 1.00) Molly Flatt on the recording of her book, The Charmed Life of Alex Moore, plus we hear the books of her life (14.30) David Farrier explores what traces we will leave for the very deep future in his book 'Footprints' (31.05) And we return to Hayley Doyle for the books of her life (48.52)

Author Molly Flatt tells us all about a virtual book Festival, The Big Book Weekend (Starts at 1.30) We hear about The Poetry Generation and hear a poem read by David Blunkett (12.10) Narrator Chris Devon talks about recording books from home (19.32) And Instagram sensation Raven Smith tells Red about Yoga, relationships and Ikea meatballs ... and gives us the books of his life (30.34)

Holly Watt talks to Red Szell about her new thriller 'The Dead Line' (Starts at 0.45) Narrator Peter Kenny chats to Robert Kirkwood about accents and recording books at a social distance (16.10) Sue Moorcroft tells us about a summer romance, 'Summer on a Sunny Island' (34.00) And we return to Holly Watt for the books of her life. (48.30)

Joanna Briscoe talks exclusively about her new novel 'The Seduction', and gives us the books of her life (Starts at 1.24) Saraband Books have more Cabin Fever Fables, this time with Chris Dolan - Listen to more episodes here (26.20) And never heard before John le Carre gives us the books of his life (44.10)

Recorded in a bedroom and a cupboard under the stairs, this week we have ... Beth O'Leary tells us about her follow up to 'The Flat Share', 'The Switch'. (Starts at 0.48) There's more Cabin Fever Fables from Sarah Hunt at Saraband, this time with Olga Wojtas. Listen to more episodes here. (16.50) And narrator John Banks goes through the books he's narrated for RNIB. (32.00)

In our first properly home-made episode, Narrator Leighton Pugh on recording books, including Samuel Pepys views on the plague (Starts at 1.30) Robert Kirkwood finds some great books to self isolate with (13.30) Juliet Stevenson on narrating books for RNIB (23.40) Sara Hunt from Saraband books talks to Graham MacRae Burnet in episode 1 of Cabin Fever Fables ... listen to more episodes here (37.27) And Frances Hardinge gives us the books of her life (50.30)

We go down-under to meet Maribel Steel and her new book ‘Blindness for Beginners’ (Starts at 1.27) Julian Fellowes on the writing and publication of Belgravia (20.00) Publishers Orion on the making of Belgravia (26.45) Red Szell reviews Lady Audley's Secret (40.30) And we return to Maribel Steel for the books of her life (48.30)

J.M. Joseph introduces us to ‘Fire Boy’, a superhero whose superpower comes with unfortunate consequences (Starts at 0.50)   Dave Steele shares the latest chapters in his life as The Blind Poet, including plans for a series of children’s stories. (10.25)   Tendai Huchu introduces us to ‘The Hairdresser of Harare’. (26.50)   Onjali Q Rauff mixes light and dark in her new book ‘The Star Outside My Window’. (35.00)    And we return to J.M. Joseph for the books of his life. (45.40)

On this weeks show, Beth Morrey reveals the strands she wove together to create her breathtaking debut novel ‘Saving Missy’. (Starts at 1.06)   We hear from author Jenny McLachlan and Alison David from Egmont publishing about a petition to make Storytime part of the national school curriculum. (16.04)   Blogger Holly Tuke shares her thoughts about ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ by Matt Hague. (27.50)   There’s important news about how you download your books from the RNIB Library. (34.20) And we return to Beth Morrey for the Books of her Life. (47.38)

NOTE - The audio in this show has been slightly updated to reflect the current situation This week we look forward to World Book Night by exploring some of the top titles in its great book giveaway. Debbie Hicks of The Reading Agency sets the scene and tells us all about World Book Night. (Starts at 1.20)   Brian Wood takes us from the battlefields of Iraq to the trials of the courtroom in his memoir ‘Double Crossed’. (8.00) Robert Kirkwood tells us about the free World Book Night audiobooks and goes hitchhiking through some other rollicking reads in the RNIB Library. (28.30)   Sally Nicholls imagines the lives of three young Suffragettes in ‘Things a Bright Girl Can Do’. (37.10) And we return to Brian Wood for the Books of his Life. (48.30)

This week, for World Book Day Robert Kirkwood guides us through all the great titles available from RNIB Library. (Starts at 1.17) Ade Adepitan joins us again with another Cyborg-Cat adventure. (18.30)   We celebrate the long-anticipated publication of ‘The Mirror and The Light’ the concluding volume in Hilary Mantel’s Thomas Cromwell trilogy with a look back at Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. (25.50)

This week, It’s murder in Bradford, as thriller writer Liz Mistry introduces us to her new detective. (Starts at 0.55) Author NB Dixon tells us what she thought of  ‘A Thousand Ships’. (21.45) Narrator Caroline Lennon discusses her love of Irish literature, and her role in The Archers. (29.45) And a return to Liz Mistry for the Books of her Life (48.10)

World Book Day on 5 March 2020 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 13 titles available in audio (DAISY CD) and braille. Robert Kirkwood finds out what books are available, for free, from RNIB Library.   Organised by UNESCO, World Book Day is marked in more than 100 countries around the world, with 2020 being the 23rd year of celebrations. RNIB Helpline 0303 123 9999 RNIB and World Book Day  

This week we talk to the winner of the Costa Book of the Year, Jack Fairweather (Starts at 1.00) We celebrate the publication of ‘Kika and Me: How One Extraordinary Guide Dog Changed My Life’ we have an in-depth conversation with Dr Amit Patel - the other half of a winning team. (10.00)   And to keep Kika happy Robert Kirkwood chases up some of the other shaggy dog stories in the RNIB Library (39.30) Then a return to Amit Patel for the Books of his Life. (50.50)

This week, Author Preti Taneja re-imagines King Lear in modern-day India. (Starts at 1.02) Narrator David Monteach recalls some of the terrific titles he has turned into Talking Books. (19.22) We celebrate Valentine’s Day with Francesca Segal - author of ‘The Innocents’ and daughter of the man who wrote ‘Love Story’. (31.10) And a return to Preti Taneja for the books of her life. (47.30)

Holly Kyte introduces us to the Roaring Girls – eight women who broke the mold and paved the way for modern feminism. (Starts at 1.10)   Ursula and Alasdair Buchan describe the recording of ‘Beyond The Thirty-nine Steps: a biography of the father of the modern thriller. (17.00)   Jeremy Paxman reveals a family tie to World War 1 that compelled him to write his book ‘Great Britain’s Great War’. (28.10)   Bringing us right up to date, blogger Holly Tuke reviews ‘It’s Not What It Looks Like’ by YouTube sensation Molly Burke. (42.50) Find Holly at Life of A Blind Girl And a return to Holly Kyte for the books of her life. (49.15)

Natalie Haynes explores the enduring appeal of Greek and Roman myth and launches her new novel ‘A Thousand Ships’. (Starts at 1.08)   Jonathan Coe reveals how the characters of ‘The Rotters Club’ have responded to Brexit. (19.45) Red Szell reviews 'Fifty Days That Changed The World'. (36.00) The winner of the Costa Book of the Year Award. (44.10 - Full interview next week)   And the author of ‘The Belfry Witches’ conjures up the books of her life. (47.17)

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 collection, Fleche. (41.15) And we return to Sara Collins for the books of her life (50.10) (We'll have Jonathan Coe next week!)

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.