Holiday Programming

Please join Radio Talking Book for its traditional Holiday Programming broadcasts, beginning at 9 p.m. Fri, Dec. 24, with regular programming resuming at 6 a.m. Sun, Dec. 26.

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.

Plundered Skulls and Stolen Spirits, nonfiction by Chip Colwell, 2017. Who owns the objects that connect us to our history – museums, or the communities whose ancestors created them? Read by Lannois Neely. 12 broadcasts; begins Mon, Dec. 6.

The Pleasure Shock, nonfiction by Lone Frank, 2013. The controversial “brain pacemaker” technology invented by Dr. Robert Heath has now become mainstream. Read by Carol McPherson. 10 broadcasts; begins Wed, Dec. 22.

Past is Prologue Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

Mrs. Sherlock Holmes, nonfiction by Brad Ricca, 2017. Grace Humiston, a detective and lawyer, became the first female US District Attorney. Read by Michelle Juntunen. 16 broadcasts, begins Tue, Dec, 21.

Bookworm Monday – Friday noon

The 13th Gift, nonfiction by Joann Huist Smith, 2014. A family dealing with an unexpected death reclaims their holidays with traditions of kindness. Read by Pat Muir. Six broadcasts; begins Mon, Dec. 6.

The Gift Counselor, fiction by Sheila M. Cronin, 2014. Though Jonquil Bloom advises holiday shoppers, she is unable to give her son the gift he wants most. Read by Marylynn Burridge. Six broadcasts; begins Tue, Dec. 14.

The Christmas Pact, fiction by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward, 2019. Though coworkers Riley and Kennedy dislike one another, they create a plan to be each other’s holiday date. What could possibly go wrong? Read by Michelle Juntunen. Six broadcasts; begins Wed, Dec. 22.

Rosie Colored Glasses, fiction by Brianna Wolfson, 2018. Rosie and Rex are opposites who fall in love against all odds. But Willow, their daughter, is stuck between their two worlds. Read by Linda Kayser. 10 broadcasts; begins Thu, Dec. 30.

Choice Reading Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

Doc Christmas and the Magic of Trains, fiction by Neil Enock, 2015. An illness at the North Pole puts Christmas in jeopardy. Doc Stevens holds the best hope for a cure – if he can find his holiday spirit. Read by John Mandeville. Six broadcasts; begins Tue, Dec. 21.

Jubal’s Christmas Gift, fiction by Dennis D. Skirvin, 2019. Jubal Flowers sets out to repay a good deed done for him long ago. Read by John Beal. Four broadcasts; begins Wed, Dec. 29.

Afternoon Report Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition, nonfiction by Keith A. Mayes, 2009. Since 1966 Kwanzaa has been a holiday tradition, and an expression of cultural pride. Read by Stevie Ray. 13 broadcasts; begins Wed, Dec. 15.

Night Journey Monday – Friday 7 p.m.

Merry Christmas, Alex Cross, fiction by James Patterson, 2012. On Christmas Eve, instead of celebrating, agent Alex Cross takes on hostages. Read by Robb Empson. Six broadcasts; begins Wed, Dec. 15. – V, L

The Noel Diary, fiction by Richard Paul Evans, 2017. A man returns home at Christmas to find a mysterious diary and a woman in search of her mother. Read by John Holden. Six broadcasts; begins Thu, Dec. 23.

Off the Shelf Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

Our Little Secret, fiction by Roz Nay, 2017. Angela Petitjean is questioned by police when her ex’s wife goes missing. But she hasn’t seen her ex or his wife for years. Read by Laura Rohlik. Eight broadcasts; begins Mon, Dec. 13.

Royal Holiday, fiction by Jasmine Guillory, 2019. Vivian accompanies her daughter to England for Christmas and meets Malcolm, the Queen’s secretary. But they’re both over 50 and live 5000 miles apart. What could possibly go wrong? Read by Jodi Lindskog. Eight broadcasts; begins Thu, Dec. 23. – L, S

Potpourri Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

The Sec

The Return of the Light, fiction by Carolyn McVickar Edwards, 2000. Storyteller Carolyn McVickar Edwards collects tales about the winter solstice. Read by Dan Sadoff. Three broadcasts; begins Tue, Dec. 21.

Practicing Kwanzaa Year-Round – Nonfiction by Gwynelle Dismukes, 2000. Author Gwynelle Dismukes shows how the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa guide our actions and decisions. Read by Scott McKinney. One broadcast; begins Monday, December 27.

Good Night Owl Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

A Redbird Christmas – Fiction by Fannie Flagg, 2004. Oswald Campbell moves to a small Alabama town, expecting to die there. Instead, the holidays give him a new lease on life. Read by Pat Muir. Six broadcasts; begins Tuesday, December 21.

The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog – Fiction by Dave Barry, 2006. Doug plays a shepherd in the church pageant. But the director is crabby, Doug’s crush shares the spotlight with a smooth guy, and the family dog isn’t doing well. Read by Holly Sylvester. Two broadcasts; begins Wednesday, December 29.

RTB After Hours Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

Spending the Holidays With People I Want to Punch in the Throat – Nonfiction by Jen Mann, 2015. Blogger Jen Mann provides an uproarious and oddly endearing essay collection, for everyone trying to survive the holidays in one piece. Read by Stevie Ray. Six broadcasts; begins Monday, December 6. – L

Holidays on Ice – Fiction by David Sedaris, 2008. Writer David Sedaris’s beloved holiday collection features the diary of a Macy’s elf and the puzzling Christmas traditions of other nations. Read by Jim Tarbox. Five broadcasts; begins Tuesday, December 14. – L

Snark! The Herald Angels Sing – Nonfiction by Lawrence Dorfman, 2011. Bah! Humbug! It’s that time of year again! Humorist Lawrence Dorfman takes a sarcastic look at the holidays. Read by Scott McKinney. Three broadcasts; begins Tue, Dec. 21. – L

Weekend Program Books

Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat, presents On Compromise by Rachel Greenwald Smith (L), read by Beverly Burchett.

Rated R, 11 p.m. Sat, presents The Kids Are Gonna Ask by Gretchen Anthony (L), read by Scott McKinney.

For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents Crap Kingdom by D.C. Pierson, read by Jim Tarbox; followed by Expelled by James Patterson and Emily Raymond, read by John Mandeville.

Poetic Reflections, noon Sun, presents “Cowboy Poetry,” edited by Hal Cannon, read by Scott McKinney.

The Great North, 4 p.m. Sun, presents Secret Partners by Tim Mahoney, read by Jim Gregorich; followed by “Gunflint Burning” by Cary J. Griffith, read by Tom Speich.

All times listed are Central Standard Time.

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