All about Talking Books

Talking Books give joy to thousands of readers

Almost two million people are living with sight loss in the UK. When you lose your sight, you feel like you lose everything.

Listening to a Talking Book is one of the things that people can enjoy without having to rely on anyone else. That feeling of independence is so important.

It costs RNIB £4 million a year to run the Talking Book service.

39,000 people like Louie and Sue already know how amazing the service can be. But that's just a fraction of the people who could benefit. Please donate today and help someone find their life again.

Discover the world of Talking Books

How Talking Book service works - a great read!How the Talking Book service works

So how does this fantastic service work? We explain the life of a Talking Book from the studio to the reader. And even where they end up - you might look at flowerpots in a different way from now on!

Talking Books facts, figures and FAQsFacts and figures

Our quick guide to Talking Books. From why less than seven per cent of published books are ever transcribed into audio to how much it costs to run. Plus famous connections, borrowing stats and more!

Many soldiers were blinded in the First World WarHistory of Talking Books

75 years of Talking Books - from trail-blazing gramophone records for blinded First World War veterans to modern digital recordings, we're incredibly proud of this flagship service.

Last updated: 2 March 2011

Listen to a Talking BookListen to a Talking Book

On 7 November 1935, RNIB sent out the first Talking Books to blind and partially sighted people including 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd' by Agatha Christie. Here you can listen to the extract discover how Talking Books has changed over the last 75 years

Fundraising Standards BoardFundraising promise

RNIB is proud to be a member of the Fundraising Standards Board.

Make a donation

Right now we can only reach one in three of the people who need our help most.

Please make a donation and help us support more blind and partially sighted people.

Watch our video

Talking Book users tell their story and describe the difference RNIB has made to their lives.

Talking Books put Sue 'back in the land of living'Sue's story

'All of a sudden I had to stop doing the things I loved, things that I had done all my life. Talking Books was truly a lifeline for me'. Watch Sue's video.