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)

Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

160: World Book Night 2020 with Brian Wood, Sally Nicholls and The Reading Agency

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)

159: Hilary Mantel, Ade Adepitan and World Book Day

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)

158: Liz Mistry, Caroline Lennon and reviewing A Thousand Ships

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 (https://www.rnib.org.uk/reading-services/world-book-day-2020)

World Book Day 2020 with RNIB Library

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)

157: Kika and Me by Amit Patel, Costa Book of the Year and some shaggy dog tales.

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)

156: Preti Taneja, Francesca Segal and narrator David Monteath

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 (https://lifeofablindgirl.com/) And a return to Holly Kyte for the books of her life. (49.15)

155: Holly Kyte, Jeremy Paxman, Ursula and Alasdair Buchan, and Holly Tuke

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)

154: Natalie Haynes, Jonathan Coe, Kate Saunders and The Costa Book of the Year

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!)

153: The Costa Book Awards with Sara Collins, Jack Fairweather, Mary Jean Chan and Jasbinder Bilan

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.

152: Ade Adepitan, Brian Bilston and Emma Hetherington

Beth O'Leary talks about her best-selling and award winning debut, 'The Flat Share' (Starts at 1.34) Limmy talks about his autobiography, 'Surprisingly Down to Earth and Very Funny' (13.13) Ursula Buchan chats about 'Beyond the 39 Steps: A Life of John Buchan' (34.04) Chigozie Obioma give us the (never before heard) Books of His Life (52.00)

151: Robert Kirkwood and Red Szell look back at 2019

A little bonus chat from Robert and Red (that was supposed to be 5 minutes but ended up at almost 13) wishing you a Happy New Year, chatting about the show, some favourite interviews and a couple of behind the scenes stories.

Happy New Year!

In an hour long special, John le Carré talks about his life and work, Brexit, his confidence trickster father, and much more. This longer version contains around 10 extra minutes that were cut for broadcast.

150: Episode 150 - John le Carré

On today's Christmas Special, romantic fiction meets glam rock! Trisha Ashley shares her recipe for a cosy romantic Christmas. (Starts at 1.20)   Wizzard drummer Charlie Grima recalls a Christmas showdown on Top of The Pops. (14.00)   Queen of Christmas, Sue Moorcroft finds snow and chocolate while researching her new novel. (28.05)   And Noddy Holder joins Red in the studio for a special glam rock ‘n’ roll Christmas. (40.45) Plus ... There's an extra 15 minutes of Noddy Holder at the end of this episode that we couldn't fit on air.

149: Christmas Special with Noddy Holder, Charlie Grima, Sue Moorcroft and Tricia Ashley

Diane Jeffrey discusses her taut psychological thriller – ‘The Guilty Mother’ and her novel approach to research. (Starts at 1.05)   Narrator John Cormack reveals his own surprising back story. (16.30)   Lynne Livingstone walks us through the Winter Wonderland of Christmas books in the RNIB Library. (29.00)   We find out more about that Yuletide icon: The Robin. (36.00) And we return to Diane Jeffrey for the Books of her Life (51.47) (This podcast is slightly longer than the broadcast version)

148: Diane Jeffrey, John Cormack, plus 'The Robin' and other Christmas books

Read On - a weekly show all about audiobooks recorded at the RNIB Talking Book studios. Top author and narrator interviews, along with reviews and news about new audiobooks, presented by Red Szell in Camden and produced by Robert Kirkwood in Glasgow. You'll find a new episode here every Friday at 1pm plus bonus content such as longer uncut interviews and episodes of our occasional extra show, The Book Group. Talking Books is a free service from RNIB giving access to over 30,000 fiction and non fiction books for adults and children. Find out more by searching for RNIB Library. Get involved and join the conversation by emailing readonair@rnib.org.uk

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Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

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