Welcome back, volunteers

After fourteen months’ COVID-19 absence, State Services for the Blind is happy to welcome back our RTB volunteers. Starting Mon, Aug. 2, listeners will once again hear the familiar voices of the talented and dedicated volunteers – presenting the morning newscasts, special programming, and books. Gove the volunteers a big welcome back.

Use an app instead of a receiver

Radio Talking Book is not just for listeners with visual disabilities. It can be an asset for people whose disabilities limit hand movements, making it difficult to read a book. The sampling published monthly in Access Press doesn’t represent the full array of programming. Many more programs and books are available.

The service has phased out its longtime receivers. Enjoy programming anytime and anywhere on a hand-held mobile device, for either iOS or Android. Just visit the Apple App Store for iOS, or Google Play for Android, and download the Minnesota Radio Talking Book app. It’s quick, it’s easy, and provides a convenient way to tune in wherever and whenever.

Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available for loan through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library in Faribault. The catalog is at www.mnbtbl.org, click on the link Search the Library Catalog. Call the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library at 800-722-0550, Mon-Fri, 9 am – 4 pm CST for details. Persons living outside of Minnesota may obtain copies of books via an inter-library loan by contacting their home state’s Network Library for the National Library Service.

To find more information about Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network events go to the Facebook site, Minnesota Radio Talking Book. Audio information about the daily book listings is also on the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) Newsline. Register for the NFB Newsline by calling 651-539-1424.

The NFB-NEWSLINE service provides access to more than 500 magazines and newspapers, plus information on COVID-19 in the “Breaking News” section. To learn more, visit www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline.

Donate to the State Services for the Blind at mn.gov/deed/ssbdonate

Listen to RTB’s live or archived programs online at www.mnssb.org/rtb

Chautauqua: Monday – Friday 6 a.m.

Ten Drugs, nonfiction by Thomas Hager, 2019. A history of ten significant medications, their evolution, and the impact they have on us all. Read by Yelva Lynfield. 13 broadcasts; begin Mon, Aug. 9.

A Brief History of Earth, nonfiction by Andrew H. Knoll, 2021. Natural history professor Andrew H. Knoll begins the story when the Earth coalesced from the dust and rocks circling the sun. He then takes us on a 4.6-billion-year tale, revealing the origins of our solar system. Read by Carol McPherson. Seven broadcasts; begins Thu, Aug. 26.

Past is Prologue: Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

Ike and McCarthy, nonfiction by David A. Nichols, 2017. President Dwight Eisenhower worked behind the scenes to bring down the reign of Senator Joseph McCarthy. Read by Robb Empson. 12 broadcasts; begins Thu, Aug. 26.

Bookworm: Monday – Friday noon

Late in the Day, fiction by Tessa Hadley, 2019. The thirty-year bond between two couples comes apart when one of the friends dies unexpectedly. Read by Judy Woodward. Nine broadcasts; begins Tue, Aug. 3.

Jelly Jars, fiction by S.J. Varengo, 2020. Peggy and Bradley meet in a cowboy bar over expensive champagne, served in his brand-new jelly jars. What follows is a wonderful romance between two damaged, lonely people; Read by Pat Muir. Eight broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 16.

She Would Be King, fiction by Wayetu Moore, 2018. The dramatic story of Liberia’s early years, as seen by three characters who share an uncommon bond. Read by Brenda Powell. 12 broadcasts; begins Thu, Aug. 26.

Choice Reading: Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

All That Man Is, fiction by David Szalay, 2016. Stories are told of nine men’s lives, as each finds his identity in a world of change. Read by Stephen Smith. 12 broadcasts; begins Thu, Aug. 12.

Rewrite, fiction by Gregory Benford, 2018. A professor dies in a car accident, then is reincarnated as his 16-year-old self. He sees a chance to change history but fears he’s not equal to the task. Read by David Zierott. 12 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 30.

Afternoon Report: Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Fit for the Presidency?, Nonfiction by Seymour Morris, Jr., 2018. If Americans were to apply the standards used by executive recruiters, would a Presidential candidate even make it past the front door? Read by Marylyn Burridge. 15 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 9.

The Land Between Two Rivers, nonfiction by Tom Sleigh, 2018. Journalist Tom Sleigh recounts his tours in Africa and the Middle East. Read by Don Lee. 10 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 30. – L

Night Journey: Monday – Friday 7 p.m.

Lightning Strike, fiction by William Kent Krueger, 2021. Twelve-year-old Cork O’Connor lives in rural Minnesota where his father, Liam, is the sheriff. When Cork and a friend discover a body on Native American land, Liam must walk a narrow line between peacemaking and impartiality. Read by Tom Speich. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 2. – L

Three Minutes to Doomsday, nonfiction by Joe Navarro, 2017. What began as a typical interview with an enemy informant turns into an all-encompassing breach of American national security. Read by John Potts. 11 broadcasts; begins Tue, Aug. 17. – L

Off the Shelf: Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

Funny Thing About Minnesota, nonfiction by Patrick Strait, 2021. In the 1970s, before the Twin Cities became a hotbed for comedy, the local stand-up scene involved five guys in a basement bar doing their best to make each other laugh. Read by Greg Olson. Seven broadcasts; begins Wed, Aug. 4. – L

The Sandman, fiction by Lars Keplar, 2014. A man was thought to have been murdered by a notorious serial killer. Years later, though, he is found alive. Read by Robb Empson. 12 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 16. – V

Potpourri: Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

The War on Science, nonfiction by Shawn Otto, 2016. Minnesota author Shawn Otto describes a decades-old attack on science, threatening societies around the world. Read by Jack Rossmann. Twenty-two broadcasts; begins Wed, Aug. 4.

Good Night Owl: Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

Saratoga Payback, fiction by Stephen Dobyns, 2017. Retired detective Charlie Bradshaw wakes up one morning to find a corpse on his doorstep, and then must toe the line between private citizen and reluctant sleuth. Read by Holly Sylvester. 10 broadcasts, begins Mon, Aug. 16.

Peace Like a River, fiction by Leif Enger, 2001. A family is on a cross-country quest to find their son and brother, who has been charged with murder. Read by Peter Danbury. 13 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 30.

RTB After Hours: Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

Winter Sisters, fiction by Robin Oliveira, 2018. During the Civil War, two young girls are found and have suffered an unspeakable trauma. Military doctor Mary Sutter provides healing and seeks justice. Read by Michele Potts. 13 broadcasts; begins Wed, Aug. 4. – L, G

The Weight of This World, fiction by David Joy, 2017. Three people in a small town find their lives blown apart when a drug dealer dies and leaves them with drugs, weapons, and money. Read by Jim Tarbox. Eight broadcasts, begins Mon, Aug. 23. – L, S

Weekend Program Books

• Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat, presents The Handbook for Bad Days by Eveline Helmink (L), read by Beverly Burchett.
• Rated R, 11 p.m. Sat, presents American Gospel by Lin Enger (L); followed by Cheaters Always Win by J.M. Fenster (L); both read by Scott McKinney.
• For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents Expelled by James Patterson and Emily Raymond, read by John Mandeville; followed by Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz, read by Michelle Juntunen.
• Poetic Reflections, noon Sun, presents The Half-Finished Heaven by Tomas Transtromer, read by Jess Banks; followed by Oculus by Sally Wen Mao, read by Holly Sylvester.

All times listed are Central Standard Time.

Abbreviations V – violent content, R – racial epithets, L – strong language, G – gory descriptions, S – sexual situations