Use an App for Radio Talking Book

Radio Talking Book 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, Monday-Friday, 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.

The sampling published monthly in Access Press doesn’t represent the full array of programming. Many more programs and books are available.

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.

Successful Aging, nonfiction by Daniel J. Levitin, 2020. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin provides an enthusiastic review of research, old and new, into the means of extending life. Read by Lannois Neely. Twenty-two broadcasts; begins Mon, June 7.

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

Dodge City, nonfiction by Tom Clavin, 2017. Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson led the effort to establish frontier justice in Dodge City, Kansas, the most violent town in the American West. Read by Stevie Ray. Fifteen broadcasts; begins Mon, June 14. – V, L

Bookworm *Monday – Friday noon

Akin, fiction by Emma Donoghue, 2019. When a retired professor plans a trip to France, he didn’t expect to bring his heretofore unknown great-nephew. Read by Tom Speich. Twelve broadcasts; begins Wed, June 16.  – L 

The Writer’s Voice *Monday – Friday 1 p.m.

I Wrote This Book Because I Love You, nonfiction by Tim Krieder, 2018. Humorist Tim Kreider reflects on his relationships with women and his 19-year-old cat. Read by Robb Empson. Eight broadcasts; begins Tue, June 14. 

Miles Lord, nonfiction by Roberta Walburn, 2017. Minnesota’s Miles Lord rose from humble beginnings on the Iron Range to become one of America’s most memorable and powerful judges. Read by Esmé Evans. Thirteen broadcasts; begins Mon, June 28.

Choice Reading *Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

Nevada Days, fiction by Bernardo Atxaga, 2017. A Basque family emigrates from Spain to a Nevada university town but contemplates returning home when violence strikes nearby. Read by Don Lee. Fourteen broadcasts; begins Tue, June 15. 

Afternoon Report *Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Who Killed Civil Society?, nonfiction by Howard A. Husock, 2019. Though billions of tax dollars target social issues, our problems persist and grow. Researcher Howard Husock suggests a powerful strategy based on positive social norms. Read by Jack Rossmann. Seven broadcasts; begins Tue, June 8.

Night Journey *Monday – Friday 7 p.m.

Kingdom of the Blind, fiction by Louise Penny, 2018. Superintendent Gamache of the Quebec provincial police is suspended after a failed narcotic bust, then gets pulled into a murder when he’s named the executor for a stranger’s will. Read by Neil Bright. Fifteen broadcasts; begins Mon, June 7. – V 

Off the Shelf *Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

The Rationing, fiction by Charles Wheelan, 2019. When an epidemic sweeps the US, the government’s supply of the cure is destroyed in a fire. Read by Michele Potts. Fifteen broadcasts; begins Thu, June 24. – L

Potpourri *Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

Humans: A Brief History of How We F—-d It All Up, nonfiction by Tom Phillips, 2019. History is filled with examples of how screw-ups have made serious impacts on our world. Read by Scott McKinney. Nine broadcasts; begins Wed, June 16. – L  

The Goodness Paradox, nonfiction by Richard Wrangham, 2019. Humans can be the nicest species – but also the nastiest. What occurred during evolution to account for this? Read by Parichay Rudina. 16 broadcasts; begins Tue, June 29.

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

The Girl on the Train, fiction by Paula Hawkins, 2015. Rachel, a commuter, pays attention to a man and woman she sees each day from the train window. One day the woman disappears, and Rachel is compelled to find out why. Read by Myrna Smith. Twelve broadcasts; begins Mon, June 7. – L 

The Best Kind of People, fiction by Zoe Whittall, 2018. George and Joan Woodbury are professionals living in an affluent suburb. Then George is accused of sexual misconduct by students at his daughter’s school. Read by Therese Murray. Twelve broadcasts; begins Wed, June 23. – L, S 

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

Everything Under, fiction by Daisy Johnson, 2018. A British woman locates her eccentric elderly mother, who abandoned her when she was 16 and now suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Read by Myrna Smith. Eight broadcasts; begins Tue, June 8. – L, S 

Shuggie Bain, fiction by Douglas Stuart, 2020. Hugh “Shuggie” Bain spends his 1980s childhood in public housing in Scotland. Economics and politics have put people out of work, while a drug epidemic lingers. Through it all Shuggie protects his mother Agnes, while trying to fill the role of a typical boy. Read by Tom Speich. Sixteen broadcasts; begins Mon, June 21. – S, L, V

Weekend Program Books

Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat, presents Things Worth Keeping by Christine Harold (L), read by Beverly Burchett.

Rated R, 11 p.m. Sat, presents American Gospel by Lin Enger (L), read by Scott McKinney.

For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents The Other, Better Me by Antony John, read by Pat Muir; followed by Expelled by James Patterson and Emily Raymond, read by John Mandeville.

Poetic Reflections, noon Sat, presents Half-Hazard by Kristen Tracy, read by Holly Sylvester; followed by The Half-Finished Heaven by Tomas Transtromer, read by Jess Banks.

The Great North, 4 p.m. Sun, presents Minnesota 1918 by Curt Brown, read by Don Lee; followed by November’s Fury by Michael Schumacher, read by Chris Colestock.

All times listed are Central Standard Time.

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