Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB episodes
Showing episodes 261 to 270 of 614
The Best of Read On 2021 Part 2
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!
Salley Vickers, Mark Lynas, Chris Stewart & Climate Change Books
This week we’re reflecting on the regenerative power of nature. Salley Vickers discusses her new novel 'The Gardener' and how it grew out of her long affinity with trees and gardens. Environmentalist Mark Lynas gives us 'Our Final Warning' about climate change and outlines the bitter harvest we will reap if we ignore it. Ellie Marsh goes digging in the RNIB Library to bring us a crop of titles that focus on the environment. Robert Kirkwood hears about some of the highs and lows of leading a more sustainable life from drummer turned farmer Chris Stewart. And we return to Salley Vickers for the Books of Your Life.
Melanie Golding, Ian McGuire and John Aitcheson
This week we’re all at sea! I discuss a mysterious case of people who can change into seals at the full moon, with author Melanie Golding. Ellie Marsh goes behind the scenes to explore 'The North Water' with its author Ian McGuire. Robert Kirkwood drops in on the recording of 'The Shark and The Albatross' with wildlife film maker John Aitcheson. And we return to Ian McGuire for the Books of Your Life.
Hilma Wolitzer, Sir Derek Jacobi and Robert Kingett
91-year-old author Hilma Wolitzer discusses her new collection of short stories 'Today A Woman Went Mad in the Supermarket'. Sir Derek Jacobi reflects on his long and distinguished career and reveals some studio secrets about his work as a narrator. And Robert Kingett reveals how and why he set out to compile a collection of short stories written by blind authors.
Wigtown Book Festival 2021
Robert Kirkwood travels to a real life book festival for the first time in a few years! Read On this week was recorded on location at the Wigtown Book Festival and features... Booker Shortlisted author Graham Macrae Burnet on his new novel, Case Study (Starts at 1.56) Comedian Robin Ince on The Importance of being Interested (11.11) Girl on the Train author, Paula Hawkins on A Slow Fire Burning; (25.53) Autograph Hunter Adam Andrusier on Two Hitlers and a Marylin (31.41) We get the Books of My Life from literary editor of the Scotsman, Stuart Kelly. (48.13) Plus as an online bonus we also get the Books oy My Life from Graham Macrae Burnet (58.20)
Booker Special 2: Richard Powers, Patricia Lockwood and Anuk Arudpragasam
This week we’ve got the second of our special episodes focussing on the novels shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize. Richard Powers reveals how a '60s sci-fi classic inspired him to create his latest novel, 'Bewilderment'. Patricia Lockwood reveals her close links to sight loss, as we discuss her razor sharp novel, 'No One is Talking About This'. And we take 'A Passage North' through war-ravaged Sri Lanka with author Anuk Arudpragasam.
Booker Special 2021 Part 1: Maggie Shipstead, Damon Galgud & Nadifa Mohamed
This week we’re taking a look at some of the novels shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize: Maggie Shipstead considers the significant role played by women in the early history of aviation in her barnstorming novel 'Great Circle'. Damon Galgut takes a wry look at life, death and the broken promise of post-Apartheid South Africa. Nadifa Mohamed transports us back to 1950s Cardiff to re-examine a notorious miscarriage of justice. And we return to Maggie Shipstead for the Books of Her Life.
Alison MacLeod, The Blind Poet Dave Steele and Lisa Hall
Alison MacLeod reimagines the circumstances surrounding the writing and suppression of 'Lady Chatterley’s Lover'. We celebrate National Poetry Day with a world exclusive from The Blind Poet. Lisa Hall takes us to Britain’s most haunted village and introduces us to 'The Woman In the Woods'. And we return to Alison MacLeod for the Books of Your Life.
Shirley Mann, Libby Clegg and some cat-and-mouse thrillers
Award-winning author Shirley Mann reveals how moved she was by the reaction of an RNIB Library customer to one of her novels. Loyal listener Penny Melville-Brown reviews some cat-and-mouse thrillers from the other side of the Atlantic. Paralympic gold medallist Libby Clegg discusses her book, 'My Life with Hattie, A Dog who knows Everything'. And we return to Shirley Mann for the Books of Your Life.
Tim Peake, Andrew Smith & Books inspired by the Moon
This week we are heading out into space! Astronaut Tim Peake discusses his new sci-fi series for children and the risk that cosmic rays present to our eyes. Journalist Andrew Smith reveals what happened to the astronauts who walked on the Moon after they touched back down on Earth, in his fascinating book 'Moondust’. Robert Kirkwood goes boldly into the archives to seek out the works of fact and fiction inspired by space exploration. And we return to Tim Peake for the Books of His Life.