Read On RNIB National Library Service magazine for readers Issue 20 Spring 2014 Passionate about books and reading Richard Madeley on his first foray into fiction Our most borrowed author who could it be? Books of my life with Pat Beech 1 Read On 20 Read On is published by RNIB. First words © RNIB April 2014 From Deborah Ryan, Editor Reg. charity number 226227 Read On is available in print, DAISY audio CD, braille Deborah Ryan, and email. Editor Welcome to another book-packed edition of Editorial Read On. Deborah Ryan RNIB National Library Service This time we have interviews with TV presenter- Highbank House turned-author Richard Madeley. He explained why Exchange Street he found it nerve-wracking writing books rather Stockport SK3 0ET than picking them for the Richard and Judy Book Club. We also hear from Michael Bond, the author Telephone of the much-loved Paddington Bear books, as well 0161 429 1991 as from the most borrowed author from the talking Email book library service – have a guess who that is. The [email protected] answer is on page 12. Visit If that hasn’t grabbed your interest we hear from rnib.org.uk/reading one of our newest narrators, Brigid Lohrey and Pat Beech, Manager of the National Library Service To join shares the books of her life. Alongside this we have lots of book reviews and suggestions for you to try. Call RNIB on 0303 123 9999 A number of the people involved in the production Email of this magazine will moving on or into different [email protected] roles. I’d like to thank them for their enthusiasm in putting together Read On and hope the new team Photo credits: Lucky have as much fun and enjoyment as we have had. Business/Kim Nguyen/ You can listen to all of our interviews in full and leungchopan/irin-k/ more at rnib.org.uk/readon or, if you have a shutterstock.com DAISY or MP3 CD player, ask to switch to the DAISY version instead. Just call our Helpline on ISSN 1758-0188 0303 123 9999. 2 Contents Contents 2 First words 16 Literary news 16 Neil Gaiman novel wins Book of 4 News the Year 4 Service news 16 Spring shoot for Wolf Hall 4 Easter opening 16 BBC plans six-part War and Peace 4 Make a Noise in Libraries fortnight 16 Tim Vine joins cast of Blandings 5 Read for RNIB Day is going on a Bear Hunt! 17 Last writes 6 Changes to RNIB Talking Book Service 18 Books of my life: Pat Beech 6 Portable MP3-CD player 20 On our bedside table 7 Sovereign USB memory stick player 7 Ruby portable video magnifier 21 Reader reviews 7 Latest DAISY book box sets 8 World Book Night 22 Inside the covers of Cheltenham festival 10 Author profile: Richard Madeley 23 Have you tried... First World War classics 24 Children’s author profile: Michael Bond 12 Author profile: Peter Robinson 26 Six degrees of separation 27 She is not invisible 14 Narrator profile: Brigid Lohrey 28 Children’s book recommendations First World War 30 Behind the scenes: Clive Gardiner 3 News News Make a Noise in Libraries fortnight: 2-15 June 2014 Service news Are you getting hold of all the accessible From 1 April all RNIB library services books, newspapers and magazines you will be provided from our Peterborough could be enjoying? This year’s Make a site. The Stockport site has now closed. Noise in Libraries fortnight (MANIL) is Please continue to use our Helpline an ideal opportunity to find out what’s number 0303 123 9999 for all library available and related enquiries. help us to RNIB is committed highlight the to improving our importance library services so of accessible that our customers reading have access to material. reading in the way Providing a quality information service is that they want as an essential part of a public library’s role. well as expanding Last year, we focused on the signposting the number of role of libraries to reading services for titles and choices blind and partially sighted people and available. we received feedback from readers about their experience at their local library. Easter opening The theme of our 2014 campaign is Please note RNIB’s Helpline will be the First World War to tie with the closed on the bank holidays Good Friday national commemoration of 100 years 18 April and Easter Monday 21 April. since the start of the conflict. Events We’ll reopen on Tuesday 22 April. are being planned across the country to commemorate this significant milestone in world history and many libraries are running special events, open days and drop-in events during MANIL fortnight to highlight the accessible books and historical resources they offer. To find out more, email [email protected], ring 0161 429 1980 or visit rnib.org.uk/manil 4 News and partially sighted so that they can go Read for RNIB Day is on the adventure with their friends and going on a Bear Hunt! classmates too. Read for RNIB Day has teamed up with The bear hunt will be led by the book’s publisher Walker Books to celebrate the author Michael Rosen. We would like 25th anniversary of the much-loved Read On readers to ask their local school children’s classic We’re Going on a Bear or nursery to take part, so that as many Hunt (available in giant print). children as possible can join in at venues For a quarter of a century this fabulous around the country or through a live web story has taken children on an exciting stream of the main event on Tuesday journey through forests, lakes and bogs 15 July 2014. in their search for the elusive bear. Children, and their own teddy bears, are To mark the book’s anniversary, we’ll be asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of taking thousands of children in the UK £1 to take part, and all the money raised on the world’s biggest bear hunt. This will go to Read for RNIB Day to support ‘real life’ bear hunt will take the form of RNIB’s vital reading services. a curriculum approved reading lesson Visit jointhebearhunt.com/rnib to find which will be fully accessible out more about how to get involved. to children who are blind Illustration © Helen Oxenbury from We’re Going on a Bear HuntTM by Michael Rosen 5 News Changes to RNIB Portable MP3-CD Talking Book Service player Listen to your DAISY books at home or Current subscribers of the Talking Book on the move with this lightweight Philips Services will already know that RNIB MP3-CD player. It plays both standard is no longer providing a DAISY player and MP3 CDs including DAISY books on loan as part of the subscription. without the navigational structure. The We appreciate that this is a significant player is circular and slightly larger in change for talking book readers and it size than a CD so it’s easy to hold or slot may cause concern. in to a bag. It’s made from matt black plastic with 11 tactile control buttons We’d like to reassure existing customers and operates with two AAA batteries or who already have a loan player, that mains power. Priced £38.00. Order code RNIB will continue to repair or replace it DH356. until your annual subscription comes up One customer said: for renewal. We will write to you before your renewal date to remind you that the “IwasinterestedwhenIheardabout player is yours to keep. thelaunchofyournewPhilips CDplayer.Ididn’twanttoinvest When you renew your subscription (at inafullDAISYplayerbutwanted the new lower price of £50), you will somethingthatIcouldplaymy keep your current loan player for free; talkingbooksonandjustskip it will become your property. Once that throughthetracks,asopposedto happens, you will need to decide what beabletouseallnavigationlevels. action to take if the player goes wrong ThesmallsizeoftheplayermeantI or you need to replace it. couldtakeitoutwithme,andIwas delightedtohavesomethingIcould takeonholidayandlosemyselfin Talking book DAISY CDs can also be mybooksandmusicwhilstlying played on MP3 CD players. You may nexttothepool!” already have one at home or they can be bought from high street shops such as Argos. RNIB also sells MP3 players that include a pack for battery or mains operation. If you are not sure if your current player will play MP3 contact our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 for a test CD. 6 News world and protect Queen and country. Sovereign USB memory Priced £39.95. There are seven books on stick player seven CDs that last 44 hours, 30 minutes. Listen to your music, audio books or local Order code 804918. Includes: talking newspapers anywhere with this For your eyes only lightweight and compact portable MP3 Thunderball player, straight from your USB memory stick. This player has superb sound The spy who loved me quality and the four large yellow control On her majesty’s secret service buttons offer good colour contrast for You only live twice quick and easy use. Includes built-in speakers and rechargeable batteries The man with the golden gun and can also be mains operated. Priced Octopussy. £27.00. Order code DH333. Brother Cadfael mysteries volume 3 Ruby portable video Books 9 to 12 in the Cadfael series. Further mystery and intrigue set in magnifier 12th century Shrewsbury as Cadfael If you use a video magnifier for reading is called upon as a medical examiner, print, we’re offering a huge £104 off the detective, doctor, and diplomat. Priced Ruby portable video magnifier (HC55).