Read On - The Audiobook Show from RNIB

J.M. Joseph introduces us to ‘Fire Boy’, a superhero whose superpower comes with unfortunate consequences (Starts at 0.50) Dave Steele shares the latest chapters in his life as The Blind Poet, including plans for a series of children’s stories. (10.25) Tendai Huchu introduces us to ‘The Hairdresser of Harare’. (26.50) Onjali Q Rauff mixes light and dark in her new book ‘The Star Outside My Window’. (35.00) And we return to J.M. Joseph for the books of his life. (45.40)

On this weeks show, Beth Morrey reveals the strands she wove together to create her breathtaking debut novel ‘Saving Missy’. (Starts at 1.06) We hear from author Jenny McLachlan and Alison David from Egmont publishing about a petition to make Storytime part of the national school curriculum. (16.04) Blogger Holly Tuke shares her thoughts about ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ by Matt Hague. (27.50) There’s important news about how you download your books from the RNIB Library. (34.20) And we return to Beth Morrey for the Books of her Life. (47.38)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)