Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB episodes
Showing episodes 251 to 260 of 614
Jenni Murray, Fiona Scott-Barett & Becky Wright
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.
Costa Book Award Retrospective, with winner Hannah Lowe
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.
Costa Book Awards 2021 Part 2
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'.
Costa Book Awards 2021 Part 1
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, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger and Meik Wiking
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.
Libraries and Museums: Joseph Coelho, Rachel Morris, The Library: A Fragile History and The History of the Talking Book
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, Denise Mina, Henry Mance and Jeff Harding
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.
Snow Special: Lucy Foley, Sir Chris Bonnington and The Robin
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.
Anita Frank, Kate London and Di Langford
Anita Frank discusses her new novel 'The Return', and reflects on the changing landscape of the home front during World War II. After the success of 'The Tower' on TV, I discuss where the series goes next with its author Kate London. We meet doyen of Audio Description Di Langford and explore her history as a Talking Books narrator. And we return to Anita Frank for the Books of Your Life.
The Best of Read On 2021 Part 1
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.