Program reminder
When the Radio Talking Book (RTB) Listener Survey was done in fall 2009, one finding was that many people do not know when they can hear certain programs on the radio. As an example, there was a question “Is there a topic you wish was offered on the radio that is not on now?” A number of people said “history”—yet RTB offers history books on Monday through Friday at 9 a.m. Others responded “health, fitness, or wellness. RTB has two health programs on weekly, Fridays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m., in addition to the 10 a.m. exercise program. Some people even answered “politics”— yet RTB has daily newspapers twice per day, and a news commentary program Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. There were also numerous magazines suggested that are already part of weekly programming.
If listeners have questions about when a topic is covered or when a magazine is read, call Tony Lopez, Program and Volunteer Coordinator, at (651) 642-0880 or (800) 652-9000.
RTB on Facebook
The Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network recently started using a presence on Facebook to let people know the latest news about the radio. Read book reviews by the volunteers who are recording them, as well as any other breaking news. There are also many historic photos on the site.
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.
Dogtown, Nonfiction by Elyssa East, 2009. Dogtown, near Gloucester, Mass., thrived until the Revolution. It was vacated in 1839 and is now a ghost town with a history of witches, pirates, and strange tales. Read by Lynda Kayser. 13 broadcasts. Begins Aug. 19.
Past is Prologue
Monday – Friday 9 a.m.
The Big Burn, Nonfiction by Timothy Egan, 2009. On Aug. 20, 1910, a huge fire started in several states in the West becoming the largest-ever American forest fire. Ultimately it saved the forests it was destroying. Read by Hugh Jones. 13 broadcasts. Begins Aug. 11.
Bookworm
Monday – Friday 11 a.m.
La’s Orchestra Saves the World, Fiction by Alexander McCall Smith, 2009. When La organizes the orchestra, it is to relieve her boredom and restore the town’s morale. What she doesn’t expect is Feliks, the Polish refugee, who begins to stir her feelings. Read by Natasha DeVoe. Six broadcasts. Begins Aug. 30.
Writer’s Voice
Monday – Friday 2 p.m.
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much, Nonfiction by Allison Hoover Bartlett, 2009. John Gilkey is an unrepentant book thief who has stolen a fortune in rare books. He steals for love —the love of books. But equally obsessed with books is the detective who finally caught him, Ken Sanders. He will stop at nothing to catch the thief plaguing his trade. Read by Barbara Struyk. Seven broadcasts. Begins Aug. 23.
Choice Reading
Monday – Friday 4 p.m.
Wolf Hall, Fiction by Hilary Mantel, 2009. Henry VIII is in the midst of a years-long power struggle between the Church and the Crown. Thomas Cromwell steps into the impasse and becomes the country’s most powerful figure after Henry. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Read by Leandra Peak. 23 broadcasts. Begins Aug. 18.
PM Report
Monday – Friday 8 p.m.
The Dead Hand, Nonfiction by David E. Hoffman, 2009. The Cold War was an epoch of massive overkill. The two superpowers had perfected the science of mass destruction and possessed nuclear weapons with the combined power of a million Hiroshimas. Read by Art Nyhus. 23 broadcasts. Begins Aug. 11.
Night Journey
Monday – Friday 9 p.m.
Jelly’s Gold, Fiction by David Housewright, 2009. Rushmore McKenzie is helping grad students looking for gold hidden in St. Paul in 1933. But a student is killed and it becomes more than a treasure hunt. L—Read by John Gunter. Nine broadcasts. Begins Aug. 31.
Off the Shelf
Monday – Friday 10 p.m.
The Girl Who Played with Fire, Fiction by Stieg Larsson, 2009. Magazine publisher Mikael Blomkvist is going to run an exposé of sex trafficking. Then his reporters are killed and evidence points to a woman he trusts. L—Read by Bert Gardner. 21 broadcasts. Begins Aug. 9
Potpourri
Monday – Friday 11 p.m.
The Last Goodnights, Nonfiction by John West, 2009. John West’s parents were both medical professionals. When they realized how ill they were, they asked their son to help end their lives. It was the ultimate act of love. Read by Dan Kuechenmeister. 8 broadcasts. Begins July 22.
The Media Relations Department of Hizbollah Wishes You a Happy Birthday, Nonfiction by Neil MacFarquhar, 2009. Many in the Middle East have interesting lives obscured by the curtain of violence. Read by Leila Poullada. 15 broadcasts. Begins Aug. 23.
Good Night Owl
Monday – Friday midnight
The Disappeared, Fiction by Kim Echlin, 2009. Anne is sixteen when she meets Serey, a Cambodian student forced to leave his country during the Khmer Rouge regime. Then borders are reopened and Serey risks his life to search for his family. Read by Jenny O’Brien. Five broadcasts. Begins Aug. 30.
After Midnight
Tuesday– Saturday 1 a.m.
Heist Society, Fiction by Ally Carter, 2010. Katarina grew up in a family of thieves. Now she has tried to leave that life, but it seems her father has stolen a very valuable art collection and he needs her help. Read by Kara Greshwalk. 7 Br. Begins July 28.
Apple Turnover Murder, Fiction by Joanne Fluke, 2010. Hannah finds Professor Ramsey, who had a relationship with her, dead with one of her turnovers in his hand. But there were many who didn’t like him. Read by Diane Ladenson. Eight broadcasts. Begins Aug. 26.
