Rnib Talking Books

This week we’ve got a crime scene special: Former CSI T Orr Munro reveals how her work in the field informed her debut thriller 'Breakneck Point'. Graeme Macrae Burnet discusses the  real crime memoir that inspired him to write 'His Bloody Project'. Emma Flint re-examines the evidence in one of the most notorious unsolved crimes in American history in her novel ‘Little Deaths’.  And we return to T Orr Munro for the Books of Your Life.

World War II may be over for the shop girls of Marlow’s, but as their creator Joanna Toye tells us, post-war Britain still has its battles, in 'Wedding Bells for the Victory Girls'. Children’s author Jane Clarke helps us celebrate Easter with some try-this-at-home experiments and an ostrich egg. And narrator Becky Wright reveals some of the highs and lows of her recording career.

This week there is a musical note to proceedings: As Bob Dylan turns 80, Spencer Leigh takes us back down some of the many routes taken by this most mercurial of musicians. We catch up with the Bookshop Band and hear how they condense tomes into tunes. Is it a book or an album?  Well both actually; Laura Barnett discusses her multimedia novel 'Greatest Hits'. And Penny Melville-Brown helps us get in tune with Scandinavian crime fiction.

Dr Ranj Singh will talk us through his new book  ‘Brain Power’. A group of RNIB Talking Book narrators including Steve Hodson will be sharing some favourite titles. And Professor Richard Wiseman will discuss the psychology of fear, and share a tip that is guaranteed to make you smile. 

This week we’ve got a Mother’s Day special:  Erica James examines the shift in family dynamics that occurs when children grow up and start acting like parents, in her new novel 'Mothers and Daughters'. Alex Hyde talks to Hannah Tausz about her debut novel 'Violets', a story of motherhood set at the end of World War II.    Juliet Stevenson reveals why she likes nothing better than narrating a great big novel for the RNIB. And we return to Erica James for the Books of Your Life

Sophie Haydock introduces us to the four women who dared to model for controversial Austrian artist Egon Schiele in 'The Flames'. Top actor Adjoa Andoh looks back on the long and varied list of books that she has brought to life as an RNIB narrator. Best-selling author Mark Sullivan retells the story of an extraordinary escape from Ukraine during World War II.  And we return to Sophie Haydock for the Books of Your Life.

Cathy Bramley explores the regenerative power of friendship and laughter in her new novel 'The Summer that Changed Us'. RNIB Publishing Relationships Manager Richard Holmes opens his Library to share some of the books that he has been enjoying. The Former Director of the British Museum reveals the inspiration behind A History of the World in 100 Objects. And we return to Cathy Bramley for the Books of Your Life.

This week we’re leafing back through the pages of historical non-fiction. Journalist and author John Carlin gives us a first-hand account of the day that South Africa had a Glimpse of Utopia Jeremy Paxman talks to Robert Kirkwood about 'Britain's Great War' Narrator Sherri Baines reveals how parliament tried to stop women getting the vote I receive a history lesson from the RNIB librarians. And Kate Summerscale shares her love of storytelling through the Books of Her Life.

We’ll be celebrating World Book Day with Lynne Livingstone and taking a look at some of the wonderful stories on offer from The RNIB Library. Paulina Kuchorew goes in search of Practical Happiness with Pamela Gail Johnson, the founder of the Society of Happy People. Onjali Q Rauf shares a right royal adventure featuring The Boy at the Back of the Class. And Jenni Murray shares the books of her life.

Dr Richard Firth-Godbehere explores 'A Human History of Emotions', and explains the role that emotions have played in shaping society. Sarah Stovell takes a wry look at the maxim that you should never criticise how 'Other Parents' bring up their kids.  We meet Regina Regan, the perfect candidate to narrate Mary Berry’s autobiography!  And we return to Dr Richard Firth-Godbehere for the Books of Your Life.

We take a dystopian trip to the near future with partially sighted author Fiona Scott-Barrett. The former host of Woman’s Hour, Jenni Murray discusses her book 'A History of the World in 21 Women'. We meet Becky Wright, the RNIB narrator who proves that there’s life after death in The Archers. And we return to Fiona Scott-Barrett for the Books of Your Life.

To celebrate the announcement of the winner of the 2021 Costa Book of the Year Award this week, Read On will be looking back over some of the Costa highlights from previous years, including: Our interview with Hilary Mantel when ‘Bring Up the Bodies’ won Best Novel in 2013. Ali Smith discussing her novel ‘How to Be Both’. A review of Frances Hardinge’s brilliant story for Young adults ‘The Lie Tree’. And award-winning poet J.O. Morgan on recording his epic poem ‘Assurances’ as a Talking Book. And of course we will also bring you the reaction of this year’s winner, poet Hannah Lowe, on winning this most popular of British literary awards. 

In this, the second of our episodes on the Costa Book Awards, we introduce you to some of this year's winners. Claire Fuller, winner of the Novel Award, talks about 'Unsettled Ground' and the pitfalls of rural isolation.  Manjeet Mann, winner of the Children's Book Award, introduces us to Natalie and Sammy, two teenagers from different sides of the world, in 'The Crossing'. And John Preston, winner of the Biography Award, unveils the complex character of media mogul Robert Maxwell in 'Fall'.

In this, the first of our episodes on the Costa Book Awards, we introduce you to some of this year's winners. Caleb Azumah Nelson, winner of the Debut Novel Award, introduces us to 'Open Water'. Hannah Lowe discusses the influence of teaching in an inner city school on her book 'The Kids', winner of the Poetry Award. We look back at last year's overall winner, Monique Roffey, with her enchanting tale 'The Mermaid of Black Conch'. And we return to Caleb Azumah Nelson for the Books of Your Life.

Maud Rowell urges us to see visual impairment differently in her new book 'Blindspot' Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger introduces us to 'The Woman at the Gates', the story of how Ukrainian resistance fighters tried to save their country from both Soviet Russia and Nazi Germany during World War II. Founder of the Happiness Institute, Meik Wiking, has some tips to brighten up the long winter nights. And we return to Maud Rowell for the Books of Your Life.

This week a snowy special: Lucy Foley takes us to the Scottish Highlands in her chilling crime thriller ‘The Hunting Party’.  Robert introduces Red to a comedy classic set on the slopes of a Himalayan mountain.  Sir Chris Bonington shares some of his own, real life, tales from the snowy peaks. And we discover more about another cool customer at home in winter conditions – the robin.

We look back at the Best of Read On 2021, Part 2. Helen Fisher introduces us to a terrific time-travel story with a strong and positive link to sight loss. We’ll meet down-at-heel Victorian gum-shoe William Arrowood and his creator Mick Finlay. The Blind Poet Dave Steele gives us an exclusive preview of his new series of children’s stories in verse. We’ll hear how 81-year old Ann Rachlin built a home studio to record Talking Books for the RNIB Library during lockdown. And I share an out-of-this world conversation with astronaut Tim Peake!

We bring you the Best of Read On 2021, Part 1. Costa Book of the Year Award winner Monique Roffey introduces us to The Mermaid of Black Conch. We’ll meet an extraordinary veteran of the First World War who flew a biplane to Darjeeling then set out to become the first man to conquer Everest. Kate Wilkinson takes us onto the London Underground and into the magical world of Edie and The Box of Flits.  Top children’s author Jason Reynolds shares his reaction to winning the 2021 CILIP Carnegie Medal. And RNIB volunteer and blind chef Kim Jaye shares her love of reading  Through the Books of Her Life.

We go back in time to uncover the untold history of the talking book and the roots of the RNIB Library. Robert Kirkwood gets a fascinating insight into the fragile history of libraries through the ages. CILIP Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Joseph Coelho discusses the vital role that libraries have played in his life.  Museum expert Rachel Morris tells Robert what she found in the boxes under her bed! And we return to the authors of The Library: A Fragile History for the Books of Your Life.

Val Wood discusses her new historical romance Children of Fortune and reveals how it was shaped by lockdown. Robert Kirkwood explores a true historical crime with tartan noir author Denise Mina. I meet one of the RNIB Talking Books studio’s most prolific narrators, Jeff Harding.   Robert gets a lesson in how to love animals from author Henry Mance.  And we return to Val Wood for the Books of Your Life.