Podcasts about rnib talking books

A familiar and warm voice to listeners of RNIB Talking Books, and audiobook and radio drama listeners everywhere, Steve Hodson, has passed away at 77.  We listen back to him telling us how he became a narrator, hear some stories and listen to a clip of one of his favourite books. Photo of Steve. He has salt and pepper tousled hair and is staring to the side with an intense gaze. His soft white dress shirt is open and relaxed at the collar. 

Another collection of narrators in today's show as we celebrate the voices who bring RNIB Talking Books to life, including two very personal tales for becoming a narrator, how an epic stream of consciousness was recorded over months, and we get the Books of Your Life from Yoto Carnegie Shadower Award winner, Tia Fisher. Plus some new books entering the RNIB Library.

In today's episode we hear from Love Island star and disability campaigner Tasha Ghouri about her novel, 'Hits Different' plus from Race Across the World we get some audiobook recommendations from Trish Sail. All that plus we listen to four brand new RNIB Talking Books.

Are you looking for a sizzling summer romance to listen to this summer? Well just landed in the RNIB Talking Books Library is ‘Hits Different' by social media influencer, proud cochlear implant wearer and global ambassador for DeafKidz International, pre-loved brand ambassador for eBay, and brand ambassador for Ann Summers, Loreal Paris, Essie and Sky, Tasha Ghouri, who was also the first deaf contestant on Love Island too.   RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey caught up with Tasha when she came into the RNIB Talking Books studios to record an exclusive introduction to 'Hits Different' to find out more about her debut sizzling summer romance and to find out what it was like for her taking part in Love Island and whether any of her experiences on Love Island made it into Hits Different. About ‘Hits Different' Based on Tasha's own experiences as a deaf dancer ‘Hits Different' is a sizzling romance with an empowering message of self-love, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Talia Hibbert. Cassie needs a change. She's in a job she hates, dating a guy who couldn't care less about her, and secretly dreaming of making her dance ambitions a reality. But that's all they are, dreams. Because no way could she actually do it . . . right? But then an opportunity to dance on tour with a global superstar presents itself and Cassie decides to give it a shot. Jetting off for a hot summer in Ibiza, her dreams seem closer than ever, and so does real love. Levi, the guy she keeps bumping into, sees and uplifts her in a way no one else ever has. If only Cassie could believe in herself like he does, she might find that life hits different when you learn to love yourself first . . .  To find out more about Tasha, why not join her 1.5 million followers on Instagram @tashaghouri 'Hits Different' by Tasha Ghouri and Lizzie Huxley-Jones published on 6th June 2024 by Bonnier Books is now available to listen to from the RNIB Talking Books Library - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/independent-living/reading-and-books/talking-books/  (Image shows Tasha, Toby and Toby's guide dog Willow with the Grimaldi building in the background)

The RNIB See Differently Awards 2024 supported by the People's Postcode Lottery winners took place in London on Tuesday 21st of May. Actor Lucy Scott has been supporting RNIB Talking Books for 35 years and got her husband, actor Alistair Petrie involved in volunteering as well. RNIB Connect Radio grabbed a quick word with them before the event kicked off. Photo: A grand ballroom with high ceilings and chandeliers and at the front a white lightbox with RNIB logo on one side of the cube and RNIB See Differently Awards 2024 on the other. The box is atop green foliage at a round table with a black table cloth and contrasting white linen. Beyond the lightbox more set tables. A very glamorous set up indeed.

We interview Lord Jeffrey Archer as he records a special introduction to his book Traitors Gate exclusively for RNIB Talking Books, plus as her book 'Nobody Does it Better than Me: The Story of Alma' is recorded for the library, Robert Kirkwood chats to Dr Lin Berwick MBE.

In today's show we're re-joined by Louise Hare as she tells us about the sequel to Miss Aldridge Regrets, Harlem After Midnight. Plus we delve into the archive to talk to Sara Collins about The Confessions of Frannie Langton, and find some brand new audiobooks that are also available from RNIB Talking Books.

In today's show we re-visit some Boswell Book Festival favourites and chat to Frank Skinner, Denise Mina, Nigel Havers, Giles and Mary from Gogglebox and Winston Churchill's granddaughter, Emma Soames. Plus we find some brand new books in the RNIB Talking Books library.

Another festive book on The Audiobook Show, this week Rachel Greenlaw tells Robert Kirkwood about her groundhog day inspired novel, One Christmas Morning. We also dive into the history of fairy tales and find some new listens in the RNIB Talking Books library. 

This week author M.A. Kuzniar joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about her bestseller Midnight in Everwood, a magical retelling of The Nutcracker, and her brand-new book, Upon a Frosted Star where The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake. We also find some new gems in the RNIB Talking Books library.

A sporty feel in today's show as we chat to commentator Mike Ingham about his book 'After Extra Time and Penalties: Memories of a BBC Football Correspondent' and why he had to narrate the audio version. John Carlin tells us about his book 'Playing the Enemy' and the Rugby World Cup Final that united South Africa, plus we find some old and new books about sport in the RNIB Talking Books library.

From the sinking of the Titanic, Great Britain's Great War and the importance of preserving historical audio this show explores great works of history available from RNIB Talking Books, and even the history of RNIB itself. 

Today's show features a celebration of, and a chat with, one of the most distinctive and prolific voices in the RNIB Talking Books library, who first recorded for RNIB around 60 years ago, Gabriel Woolf. 

From All Quiet on the Western Front, to 12 Years a Slave, and possibly returning to All Quiet on the Western Front, many winners of the Best Picture Oscar have been based on books. Robert Kirkwood grabs some popcorn and explores which of those books including Forest Gump, Silence of the Lambs, Gone with the Wind and the Godfather, amongst many others, are available in the RNIB Talking Books library.

In the 300th episode of Read On we listen back to the three most popular interviews as judged by podcast downloads, comedian Limmy, travel writer and historian Bill Bryson and Sandman author Neil Gaiman. Plus there are honourable mentions from Nigella Lawson, Alan Bennett, a small story about RNIB Talking Books from Joanna Lumley, and a cameo from a past host of the show.

Alan Garner joins Robert Kirkwood to talk about the origin of his Booker Shortlisted book, Treacle Walker. Plus we listen back to an interview with J.O. Morgan after he recorded his Costa poetry winning book, 'Assurances' exclusively for RNIB Talking Books.

Author Jan Grue talks to Paulina Kuchorew about his autobiography 'I Live a Life Like Yours' now available in an English translation as an audiobook, Melanie Reid discusses her book, 'The World I fell Out Of', Amelia Hilton finds out about a new sustainable bookshop in the borders, And as the hype builds for the world cup, Robert Kirkwood finds some RNIB Talking Books for the armchair sportsman.

Happy Book Lovers Day! Did you know that you can access over 37,000 Talking Book titles with just a simple voice command? Charity RNIB has worked with Amazon to develop and launch an RNIB Talking Books ‘skill', which allows to access the charity's extensive audio-library by simply saying ‘Alexa, open RNIB Talking Books'. Find out how to use it as our Robert Kirkwood checks the skill out.  Image shows an elderly woman with white hair and bright blue headphones. She's smiling as she cups her hands around the earpieces. 

There are lots of ways to enjoy books these days with formats including audio, braille and large print, as well as regular paperback and hardback. And with services out there such as iBooks, Kindle and Audible accessing books on our devices has been made easier too making books more portable. However, with the advent of smart speakers like Amazon's Echo it is now possible to listen to our audiobooks on devices in our living rooms or bedrooms. Audible already offer their audiobook collection via the Amazon Echo but it does cost a monthly or annual subscription to use, but there is an option for blind and partially sighted readers who want access to books without the cost. The RNIB Talking Books service offers tens of thousands of books for free to blind listeners in various formats but also now on the Amazon Echo range of devices. Today on the podcast Hannah Rowlatt from RNIB's Technology for Life team joins Blind Guy Steven Scott to show how the skill works and how to enjoy a new book just by asking for it. If you'd like more support from RNIB's Technology for Life team contact them by calling the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email the team tfl@rnib.org.uk. How do you consume your books? We love hearing from you so why not get in touch. Email us hello@blindguytalkstech.com or call 0204 571 3354.

Each week we chat with RNIB's CEO Matt Stringer to discuss the big news affecting the charity. This week we start with an update on the ‘Don't take away my right to vote in secret' #BlindVotersCount and a reminder to sign the petition if you have not already done so. You can sign the petition by visiting the following link - https://e-activist.com/page/98590/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=web As it is National Apprenticeship week this week Matt shares his thoughts on the opportunities for blind and partially sighted people through apprenticeship schemes and what can be done to provide greater apprenticeship opportunities for visually impaired people. Finally as this week marks six months since the launch of the RNIB Talking Books Alexa skill Matt shares some of the feedback from blind and partially sighted people who have been listening to RNIB Talking Books via their Amazon Echo and how even one visually impaired student has been using the skill to listen to his course books too.  If you have any questions at all relating to sight loss or just looking for help and advice please do call the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999 or use your Amazon device and ask Lady A to call the RNIB and speak to one of our Sight Loss Advisors or do visit the RNIB website where you will find a wealth of information and advice too - https://www.rnib.org.uk (Image shows a photo of a smiling Matt)

With Covid very much in the news at the moment with the Omicron variant and booster vaccinations too, for this weeks regular check in with Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick from New Life Pharmacy in Glasgow Connect Radio's Toby Davey began by asking Elizabeth if there was any update on the new medicine that was brought out at the beginning of December to treat Covid.   Elizabeth also gave some suggestions on home remedies to have in stock just in case over the holiday period and with maybe some of us eating more chocolate than we would normally do over Christmas, Elizabeth answered that burning question whether chocolate is really bad for us? And finally if you are stuck for a book to read this Christmas you can always listen to the audio version of Elizabeth's book ‘Call the Pharmacist' which is available from the RNIB Talking Books library. To get in touch with Elizabeth Roddick email  Elizabeth.r@newlifepharmacy.co.uk or for more information visit https://newlifepharmacy.co.uk. Image:  Picture showing Elizabeth standing in her pharmacy, dressed in her white pharmacist coat and a colourful bandana around her neck, she's smiling. warmly at the camera with her hands slightly raised.

Hey and welcome to another episode of Blind Guy Talks Tech with your hosts Steven Scott, Shaun Preece and Tim Schwartz. This time around the guys are talking about the best tech of 2021 which includes a lot of chat about TV, gaming and reading books. There’s a heated discussion on the availability of audio description on TV, especially with the news of Sky Glass being made available in the UK. Considering the amount of work Sky has done this year to make it’s Sky Q boxes more accessible, the team ponder why those same accessibility functions are not added into the latest generation of its hardware. There’s also a lot of talk about gaming and how the world of console gaming has become so much more inclusive in 2021 with games such as Forza Horizon 5 following in the footsteps of games such as The Last Of Us Part 2 in becoming more accessible and usable for the blind and low vision community, as well as those in the wider disability community. And in terms of reading, there has been a major addition to the Amazon smart speaker this year when UK blind charity RNIB announced its partnership work with Amazon to create a way for users of the RNIB Talking Books library to call up and enjoy their favourite reads on their Amazon Echo device. What’s your best tech of 2021 and do you have a favourite new gadget to tell us about? Email the show Hello@BlindGuyTalksTech.Com to let us know. Our new podcast starts officially on January 10th 2022 where we will be here every weekday talking about the stories of interest to the blind and low vision community. Share your stories with us and tell us what you think of the show by emailing us on that address or follow the show on Twitter @BlindGuyTech. Thanks for downloading/subscribing!

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.

Award-winning author TC Boyle discusses chimpanzees, language and consciousness, with his new book 'Talk to Me'. Narrator Caroline Lennon looks back on her long association with RNIB Talking Books, and the notorious role she played in The Archers. Robert Kirkwood goes monster hunting with author Ian Mark. And we return to TC Boyle for the Books of Your Life.

Welcome back everyone, the Tech Talk team returns for another jam-packed show! No Robin this week, I'm afraid, he's away on holiday, but we have a returning Tim, and Shaun is also amongst us once again! They join Steven and Emails Andy to cover everything in the world of tech, accessible tech and more! We kick off with a discussion about screen time - according to a report from regulator Ofcom, UK adults spent nearly a third of their waking hours watching TV and online video content in 2020. This provokes a discussion about if this is a healthiest way to live life, and more importantly, for those of us who have children, how vital it is that we monitor and regulate this for them. Yes, the internet is full of wonderful learning resources and advice, but there's plenty of Minecraft videos they'd rather be watching into the early hours! The report also stresses that streaming is now far more popular than regular TV - Steven thinks he'll see the end of one major channel in his lifetime, so how long before our media consumption is 100% on demand? If all this stresses you out a little bit, fear not! Holly Tuke from RNIB Connect Radio's Happy Hour show talks us through the meditation app called Oak, which is free! So sit cross legged, breathe deeply, and relax... or else! In emails this week - fixing your telephone microfilter may be the cause of bad internet and crackly lines, a lovely review of the RNIB Talking Books skill on Lady A, and some recommendations from a listener for Steven to try in the crime thriller book category All that, plus nodding dogs, new phones from Samsung, Apple rumours, the Fonz, forgetting your Ubereats password, a little more on Euro Truck Simulator, as Andy has now fallen into that pit, as have a handful of our audience base! To share your thoughts and feelings, or just to tell us you too are now driving virtual trucks around in a computer game, email TechTalk@RNIB.org.uk! Chat to you all soon!

Special vision-related one today. Now you can access all your RNIB talking books via the A-lady. Sign up at http://rnib.org.uk/reading-services. ---- Feedback, comments, demos pleas to ✉️ thedottodotpodcast@gmail.com

You are now able to access RNIB's Talking Books library through your Amazon Smart Speaker.  Here's Hannah from RNIB's Technology For Life team, with all the information on how to do so. For more information about the new Amazon skill visit: https://rnib.in/AlexaSkill Sign up for the RNIB Library here: https://readingservices.rnib.org.uk/ Image shows a woman listening through a set of blue headphones, her eyes closed and smiling as her hands cup the headset gently. 

Welcome back to Tech Talk! This week we've got a bit of a special treat for you! Steven Scott is joined, as ever, by Robin Christopherson, as well as RNIB's Paul Porter, and Read On's Red Szell, to talk about a brand new skill available on Lady A! Yes, that's right - RNIB Talking Books are now available through Alexa-enabled devices, such as Amazon smart speakers using an Alexa skill. Talking Books service was first launched in 1935 and is now home to more than 30,000 audiobooks, which today are sent out to customers in CD or USB format or as digital downloads... and now on your Lady A device! Once you start accessing Talking Books through an Alexa skill, you'll be able to get reading straight away as your books will be with you instantly. As you'll be able to open any of the books on our Online Library through simple voice commands, you can make immediate changes to your reading lists when you want to, without having to wait. How do you get started with it then? Well, the library can now be accessed by asking “Alexa, open RNIB Talking Books”. Bear in mind you'll need to be a registered RNIB Library member and have access to an Amazon account. You'll also need to have the Alexa app downloaded to your phone or tablet or have an Alexa-enabled device, such as a smart speaker. Download the RNIB factsheet for more information on how to get started.

We continue our review of this year’s CILIP Carnegie shortlist with author Ruta Sepetys and and her novel  'The Fountains of Silence'. Hollywood actress Joely Richardson reveals what it was that profoundly moved her when she visited the RNIB Talking Books studios. Red reviews the spy story that 007 author Anthony Horowitz selected as one of the Books of His Life.And we return to Ruta Sepetys for the Books of Her Life.

In Your Pocket is a voice driven smart device which as the product name says fits neatly into your pocket and can perform many tasks while you are out and about.  Connect Radio's Toby Davey caught up with Liam O'Carroll who is registered blind and a great fan of In Your Pocket to share the benefits for him of the device as a visually impaired person.  Liam explained to Toby why he decided to choose In Your Pocket as his smart device of choice, how easy it is for Liam as an avid reader to listen to RNIB Talking Books and other audio books on the device, how he used the navigation features on In Your Pocket such as the 'Where Am I?' feature to help him get to an appointment and find his destination along one of London's long and winding streets.  Liam also shared with Toby how easy it was for him as a blind person to set up In Your Pocket with out any sighted assistance which can't be said for many smart devices.  If you would like to find out more about in your Pocket do visit the RNIB Shop website via the following link for more details. https://www.rnib.org.uk/our-services-reading-services/rnib-in-your-pocket(Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath) 

A telephone book group for blind and partially sighted people in Scotland is being launched to combat the loneliness and isolation many might feel in the approaching winter months. Organised by the sight loss charities The Macular Society and RNIB Scotland, the group's members will be able to choose from the wide-ranging catalogue of RNIB Talking Books library and join in lively weekly discussions as part of "The Winter Warmer Book Group'. We spoke with Susan Burn, Community coordinator with RNIB Scotland, who is helping launch this engaging initiative.For more information call the RNIB Helpline: 0303 123 9999 or email Susan.Burn@rnib.org.uk 

In today's Audiobook Show, we talk to Danielle McLaughlin about winning the UK's richest short story prize – The Sunday Times Audible Award. (Starts at 1.10)   Author of ‘His Dark Materials’ Philip Pullman explores the background to Lyra’s quest. (17.12)   Hollywood actress Joely Richardson reveals how she was profoundly moved by something she saw at The RNIB Talking Books studios. (38.22) And we return to Danielle McLaughlin for the Books of her Life. (49.23)

At Read On and RNIB Talking Books we were saddened to hear of the death of British author Andrea Levy at the age of 62. In 2010 the Long Song was nominated for the Booker Prize, and at the time she joined Robert Kirkwood down to line to talk about the book.  

It’s not just books that are recorded at the RNIB Talking Books studios, but also a wide range of magazines. Narrator Joan Walker will be familiar to many listeners for her brilliant work on both. At a break in recording Red Szell asked her what she’d been reading for us this week. Clipped from Read On #93

Paul Birchard tells Robert Kirkwood the remarkable story of ‘The Boy Who Played With Fusion’, which he narrated for RNIB Talking Books. Clipped from Read On #85

Designed to make reading the latest newspapers, magazines and books easier, In Your Pocket now features a new Doro device, with larger buttons and a great speaker for quality sound, O2 connectivity, and RealSAM interactive speech software. It also comes with a subscription to RNIB Newsagent, access to RNIB Talking Books, as well as podcasts, weather, and location information But how accessible is it? and is it good value for money? RNIB Connect Radio's Simon Pauley spoke with RNIB technology officer Mohammed Atif to find out.

Read by Jim Broadbent exclusively for RNIB Talking Books, the Death of Diana by David Lodge is the author's reflections of Diana as a public figure and an attempt to understand the outpouring of grief felt 20 years ago.

Two brothers wrote and recorded a version of The Ramayana, and donated it to RNIB Talking Books .. Clare Carson has their story.

Giles Abbott, the UK’s only professional blind storyteller, tells Red Szell about his work for RNIB Talking Books.

Giles Abbot talks about his sight loss and narrating, Penelope Freeman gives some tricks of the trade and Paul Birchard talks Fusion.

This week we take a look at non-fiction books in the RNIB Talking Books library including Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World by Mark Miodownik and The Shark and the Albatross by John Aitchison. #RNIBConnect #ReadOnAir

After joining the free RNIB Talking Books library, Steven went on a search to find an easy and cheap way to listen to his books via USB stick. He found the Soverign USB audio player and gave it a review for Tech Talk.