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Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

RNIB Connect Radio
RNIB
Talking Books
RNIB Talking Books
Pride and Prejudice
The Rest Of Our Lives
Carnegie Medal
Daredevil Born Again
The Last Page Cafe
Accessibility
Translation
The Hotel By the Sea
Boswell Book Festival
Not Going To Plan
Popcorn (rob Harrell Book)
Jane Austen
Marvel
RNIB Library
British Literature
British Library

A weekly show all about audiobooks recorded at the RNIB Talking Book studios. We talk to your favourite authors and narrators, along with reviews and news about new audiobooks. Presented and produced by Robert Kirkwood, 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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes500Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureBooksArts

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Latest Episodes

Today on Read On we talk to partially sighted author Beth O'Brien about her Carnegie Shortlisted book Wolf Siren and her brand new book Feather Vane, and about a recent tour she was on with Scottish Book Trust called Inclusive Stories.

We also hear ... more

Today on Read On, Robert Kirkwood talks to J.P. Rose about her Carnegie shortlisted book Birdie, plus they chat about her alter-ego Jacqui Rose and her best selling gangland thrillers, including collaborations with Martina Cole, and back to the world... more

Today on Read On, Robert Kirkwood talks to Jason Reynolds about his Carnegie Shortlisted book, Twenty-four Seconds from Now, a tender, sweet, wholesome piece of fiction discussing how to approach first sex, how to respect women, how to be gentle, how... more

Today on Read On, a former Carnegie Medal winner, Katya Baylen, discusses this year's shortlisted title, Ghostlines and we talk about her very own Braille copy of October, October. We also find some new books in the RNIB Library.

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Recent Guests

Tia Fisher
Author shortlisted for Carnegie Medal for Writing Not Going To Plan
Author
Episode: 476: Tia Fisher - Not Going to Plan - Carnegie Medal for Writing
Dame Judy Dench
Renowned actress who discussed her career and royal connections to Scotland
Episode: 475: Best of the Boswell Book Festival
Nigel Havers
Actor, discussed Playing With Fire and acting experiences
Episode: 475: Best of the Boswell Book Festival
Alexander McCall Smith
Author known for series such as The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Episode: 475: Best of the Boswell Book Festival
Gordon Turnbull
Head of The Great Boswell Editorial Project, Yale University
Yale University
Episode: 475: Best of the Boswell Book Festival
Paul Tankard
Faculty at University of Otago, New Zealand
University of Otago
Episode: 475: Best of the Boswell Book Festival
Julie Caplin
Author of The Hotel by the Sea (also writes as Jules Wake)
Julie Caplin / Jules Wake (author)
Episode: 474: Julie Caplin - The Hotel by the Sea
Em Grossland
Voice actor in Popcorn (read by Em Grossland in the audiobook)
Episode: 473: Rob Harrell - Popcorn - Carnegie Medal for Writing
Lucy Roth
Author of The Party To End All Parties (pen name for Lucy Nichol)
Author, Avon publisher
Episode: 472: Lucy Roth/Lucy Nichol - The Party To End All Parties

Host

Robert Kirkwood
Host of Read On The Audiobook Show focused on author and narrator interviews, book recommendations, and RNIB library news.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 32 ratings
  • Phil Peters

    I am a big fan of Read On which contains lots of ideas of what books to listen to. Probably the best guide to audio books on the internet.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stroller Phil
    United Kingdom7 years ago
  • Informative and Entertaining!

    Informative and entertaining!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    T-RexMcChan
    Hong Kong7 years ago
  • Mr

    This is a very well put together program. The quality of production is high and the pacing is so well done that an hour goes by in an instant. They also have good access to highly acclaimed authors too. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mntbttn
    United Kingdom7 years ago
  • My favourite podcast.

    I never miss this podcast. The presenter is intelligent, insightful and always gives a great interview.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jemima ramus
    United Kingdom7 years ago
  • Quality podcast

    What I particularly like about the Read On podcast is that the RNIB seem to have the ability to draw something fresh from authors that conventional interviews fail to achieve. The authors seem less guarded and determined to connect with the Read On audience. I don’t have a visual impairment - I just enjoy quality radio.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Koko1001
    United Kingdom7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are knowledgeable and candid, making complex topics accessible.
Show delivers fresh author insights beyond standard interviews.
Listeners praise high production quality and engaging interviews.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#195
South Africa/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

475: Best of the Boswell Book Festival
Q: You've written about places, not just Botswana, but all over the world. Are you traveling to these places or are you using Google Earth?
I travel to the places I write about and use Google Earth as a great aid to geography; real acquaintance with setting is important for authenticity.
472: Lucy Roth/Lucy Nichol - The Party To End All Parties
Q: Now, what have you got against very rich narcissists?
The discussion highlights the appeal of unlikable yet compelling characters and how navigating their flaws can create a darkly entertaining, thought-provoking read.
474: Julie Caplin - The Hotel by the Sea
Q: What inspired the setting for The Hotel by the Sea?
Caplin talks about Portugal as the backdrop, specifically a hotel setting near the Algarve, and how the place shapes the romance and mood of the story, while acknowledging the fictional Quinto de Mar as the hotel in the book.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Read On

What is Read On about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly show centered on audiobooks produced by RNIB, featuring in-depth author and narrator interviews, reviews, and news about new releases. Conversations often cover storytelling craft, accessibility in audio formats, and behind-the-scenes aspects of audiobook production, including narration choices and adaptation across formats. A notable strength is its accessibility focus, long-form creator discussions, and a recurring emphasis on making literature available to readers with vision impairment. Listeners are likely aspiring authors, audiobook fans, publishing professionals, and advocates for accessibility who want practical insights into writing, narration, and how to reach broader audiences through audio.

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How many subscribers and views does Read On have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Read On?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Read On:

1. Front Row
2. The Book Club Review
3. Backlisted
4. The Rest Is Entertainment
5. The Book Show

How many episodes of Read On are there?

Read On launched 8 years ago and published 500 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Read On?

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What guests have appeared on Read On?

Recent guests on Read On include:

1. Tia Fisher
2. Dame Judy Dench
3. Nigel Havers
4. Alexander McCall Smith
5. Gordon Turnbull
6. Paul Tankard
7. Julie Caplin
8. Em Grossland

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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