The NLS Digital Talking Book Players are here!
The National Library Service digital players have arrived. They are replacing the cassette players and have a number of wonderful features. They:
- are portable – only 6.2“ x 8.8“ x 1.7“;
- have variable speed control without changing the reader’s pitch;
- feature an easy to use book cartridge – no cassette flipping or track switching. Most books fit on one cartridge;
- play for a long time on either AC or battery. Batteries play for about 35 hours and will last approximately 4 years before needing replacing;
- have audio instructions in the machine at the touch of a button;
- have a sleep setting for 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes;
- are water-resistant; and
- can be used with headphones.
The advanced player also allows you to quickly flip through chapters and insert bookmarks. To order your digital player, call the Communication Center at 1-800-652-9000 or the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library at 1-800-722-0550.
Books Available Through Faribault
Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library in Faribault, MN. Their phone is 1-800-722-0550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Their catalog is also online, and you can access it by going to the main website, http://education.state.mn.us , and then clicking on the link. If you live outside of Minnesota, you may obtain copies of books by contacting your own state’s Network Library for the National Library Service.
Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, either live or archived programs from the last week, on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/rtb. Call the staff at the Radio for your password to the site.
Chautauqua
Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m.
The Marriage-Go-Round, Nonfiction by Andrew J. Cherlin, 2009. Marriage in the U.S. is different than in other Western Countries. Marriage is seen as a cultural ideal, with the U.S. government spending money to promote its continuation. Read by Wally Vavrosky. 10 broadcasts. Began March 29
Chautauqua
Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m.
Philanthrocapitalism, Nonfiction by Matthew Bishop and Michael Green, 2008. For philanthropists of the past, charity was a matter of simply giving money away; for the new generation of superrich, it’s like business. L – Read by June Prange. 12 broadcasts. Begins April 13.
Chautauqua
Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m.
The Greatest Show on Earth, Nonfiction by Richard Dawkins, 2009. In 1859, Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species shook society to its core. But there is still controversy raging a century and a half later. Read by Del Adamson. 14 broadcasts. Begins April 29.
Past is Prologue
Monday – Friday 9 a.m.
The Black Death, Nonfiction by John Hatcher, 2008. With alarming speed, the plague that swept across Europe in the fourteenth century took the lives of 40 percent of the population. For survivors, life changed dramatically. Read by June Prange. 11 broadcasts. Began March 29.
Past is Prologue
Monday – Friday 9 a.m.
Lili Marlene, Nonfiction by Liel Leibovitz and Matthew Miller, 2008. The love song “Lili Marlene” became the anthem of World War II. Its success brought fame and attention to its three creators in Nazi Germany. Read by John Ward. 9 broadcasts. Begins April 13.
Past is Prologue
Monday – Friday 9 a.m.
Cranioklepty, Nonfiction by Colin Dickey, 2009. For those who desire to own skulls of the brilliant and famous, the lengths they have gone for acquisitions have sometimes been a comedy of the grotesque. Read by Yelva Lynfield. 10 broadcasts. Begins April 26.
Bookworm
Monday – Friday 11 a.m.
What I Saw and How I Lied, Fiction by Judy Blundell, 2008. When Evie’s dad returned from war, life returned to normal. But when Peter, a war-buddy, shows up, Evie is caught in a web of lies. Read by Karen Wertz. 7 broadcasts. Began March 29.
Bookworm
Monday – Friday 11 a.m.
Angel Time, Fiction by Anne Rice, 2009. Tony O’Dare is a contract killer on assignment to kill again, when a mysterious stranger appears offering him a chance to save rather than destroy lives. V – Read by Colleen Matz. 9 broadcasts. Begins April 6.
Bookworm
Monday – Friday 11 a.m.
Lark & Termite, Fiction by Jane Anne Phillips, 2009. Lark and Termite are siblings, being raised by an aunt. Lark is nearing adulthood, while her brother Termite is unable to walk and talk. Lark has dreams of the future. S – Read by Ann Reed. 11 broadcasts. Begins April 19.
Potpourri
Monday – Friday 2 p.m.
Our Boys, Nonfiction by Joe Drape, 2009. The fall 2008 Smith Center high school football team was wary. The greatest senior class in school history had graduated, and their coach was considering retiring. Read by Jim Gregorich. 8 broadcasts. Began March 29.
Potpourri
Monday – Friday 2 p.m
Cartwheels in a Sari, Nonfiction by Jayanti Tamm, 2009. Jayanti’s parents were devotees of Sri Chinmoy, and he had prophesized that Jayanti was to be the “Chosen One.” But in her teen years, her need for enlightenment was derailed by her need for boys. L,S – Read by Michele Potts. 10 broadcasts. Begins April 8.
Potpourri
Monday – Friday 2 p.m
Life List, Nonfiction by Olivia Gentile, 2009. Phoebe Snetsinger had planned to be a scientist but instead became a stay-at-home mother. Isolated, she turned to bird watching. When she was diagnosed with cancer and told she had a year left, she decided to travel the globe to see rare spectacular birds. L – Read by Kristi Sullivan. 12 broadcasts. Begins April 22.
Choice Reading
Monday – Friday 4 p.m.
The Song Is You, Fiction by Arthur Phillips, 2009. Julian’s obsession with music loses its hold on him when his family falls apart. Then he sees Cait performing with her band in a bar, and he starts communicating with her via computer. As he guides her to her path to fame, their friendship grows. Read by Jodi Furness. 11 broadcasts. Began March 23.
Choice Reading
Monday – Friday 4 p.m.
The Help, Fiction by Kathryn Stockett, 2009. After college, Skeeter has returned to Jackson, Mississippi. Her maid has disappeared, but there are other maids in town. Soon Skeeter and two maids are involved in a clandestine project that will put them all at risk because it crosses the lines that define their town. Read by Alletta Jervey. 18 broadcasts. Begins April 7.
PM Report
Monday – Friday 8 p.m.
Good Book, Nonfiction by David Plotz, 2009. David Plotz assumed he knew what was in the Bible. It wasn’t until he picked up a Bible and became engrossed by a Genesis story that he couldn’t put it down. L – Read by Charlie Boone. 12 broadcasts. Begins April 1.
PM Report
Monday – Friday 8 p.m.
Six Months in Sudan, Nonfiction by James Maskalyk, 2009. Dr. Maskalyk was recruited by Doctors Without Borders to work in Abyei, Sudan, where he treated malnourishment and measles while watching for war. L – Read by Dan Kuechenmeister. 12 broadcasts. Begins April 19.
Night Journey
Monday – Friday 9 p.m.
Among the Mad, Fiction by Jacqueline Winspear, 2009. Maisie sees a man commit suicide in public. The next day, the Home Secretary receives a note threatening major loss of life unless demands are met. Maisie is brought in as an advisor on the case. Read by Bernadette Flynn. 12 broadcasts. Began March 22.
Night Journey
Monday – Friday 9 p.m.
The Riesling Retribution, Fiction by Ellen Crosby, 2009. Near Lucie’s Virginia vineyard, a tornado opens a grave in a field. Police tell her someone in her family was probably responsible for murder. Read by Joy Fogarty. 9 broadcasts. Begins April 7.
Night Journey
Monday – Friday 9 p.m.
Murder in the Latin Quarter, Fiction by Cara Black, 2009. At Aimée’s detective agency, a Haitian woman announces that she is an illegitimate sibling. Aimée is thrilled, but under French law, the agency is now half her sister’s. Read by Carol Lewis. 10 broadcasts. Begins April 20.
Off the Shelf
Monday – Friday 10 p.m.
Pilgrims, Fiction by Garrison Keillor, 2009. Margie goes to Rome to place a photo on the grave of a Lake Wobegon native who died there in 1944. She is accompanied by others from the town. L – Read by Dan Kuechenmeister. 9 broadcasts. Began March 30.
Off the Shelf
Monday – Friday 10 p.m.
Whiteout, Fiction by Brian Duren, 2009. When Paul returns from Paris for his mother’s funeral, he finds there are contradictions to his understanding of his own family history. L – Read by Charles Torrey. 16 broadcasts. Begins April 12.
Evening Odyssey
Monday – Friday 11 p.m.
The Brothers Boswell, Fiction by Philip Baruth, 2009. As James Boswell and Dr. Samuel Johnson travel to Greenwich, they are stalked by James’ younger brother, recently released from an asylum. L – Read by John Schmidt. 11 broadcasts. Began March 22.
Evening Odyssey
Monday – Friday 11 p.m.
Juliet, Naked, Fiction by Nick Hornby, 2009. Annie and Duncan break up and she begins e-mailing Tucker Crowe, a musician with whom Duncan is obsessed. Tucker is hoping for another chance at music. Read by Jim Gregorich. 9 broadcasts. Begins April 6.
Evening Odyssey
Monday – Friday 11 p.m.
This Is Where I Leave You, Fiction by Jonathan Tropper, 2009. Judd’s family sits shiva for their father spending seven days together. As the week spins out of control, long-standing grudges resurface, secrets are revealed, and old passions reawaken. L – Read by John Mandeville. 11 broadcasts. Begins April 19.
Good Night Owl
Monday – Friday midnight
Six Suspects, Fiction by Vikas Swarup, 2009. Vivek Rai is killed by one of his party guests but police find six people with weapons and motive. L – Read by Dan Sadoff. 18 broadcasts. Began March 15.
Good Night Owl
Monday – Friday midnight
Inherent Vice, Fiction by Thomas Pynchon, 2009. Doc Sportello’s ex-girlfriend shows up with a story about a plot to kidnap a billionaire land developer she loves. L,S – Read by John Marsicano. 13 broadcasts. Begins April 8.
Good Night Owl
Monday – Friday midnight
Invisible, Fiction by Paul Auster, 2009. In 1967, Adam Walker meets Rudolf Born and his girlfriend Margot and gets caught in a perverse triangle. L,S – Read by Dan Sadoff. 9 broadcasts. Begins April 27.
After Midnight
Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.
Brooklyn, Fiction by Colm Tóibín, 2009. Eilis Lacey is skilled at bookkeeping but she cannot find a job. She moves to Brooklyn to take a job in a store, and finds love. Read by Joy Fogarty. 9 broadcasts. Began March 30.
After Midnight
Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.
Undead and Unwelcome, Fiction by Mary Janice Davidson, 2009. Taking werewolf Antonia’s body to Cape Cod, Betsy faces 50,000 werewolves. L – Read by Jodi Furness. 5 broadcasts. Begins April 13.
After Midnight
Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.
When Will There Be Good News?, Fiction by Kate Atkinson, 2008. Several lives intersect, involving an old crime and a couple of missing people. Read by Eleanor Berg. 14 broadcasts. Begins April 20.
Abbreviations: V – violence, L – offensive language, S – sexual situations.
