Power outage had an impact
Just as Access Press went to press for March, the State Services for the Blind/Radio Talking Book operations had a major power outage. be aware this will affect some books.
There’s an App for Radio Talking Book
Enjoy Radio Talking Book 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 into RTB 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 https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/mbtbl/, 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.
The sampling published monthly in Access Press doesn’t represent the full array of programming. Many more programs and books are available.
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.
Superbugs, nonfiction by Dr. Matt McCarthy, 2019. One of the most pressing challenges facing modern medicine is the quest to cure antibiotic-resistant infections. Read by Yelva Lynfield. 12 broadcasts; begins Wed, March 17.
Past is Prologue*
Monday – Friday 11 a.m.
Dewey Defeats Truman, nonfiction by A.J Baime, 2020. Journalist A.J. Baime tells the story of the 1948 presidential election, one of the great American political stories, as Harry Truman mounted a historic comeback and claimed a new course for America. Read by Stevie Ray. 16 broadcasts; begins Mon, March 15.
Bookworm*
Monday – Friday noon
Mirror Shoulder Signal, fiction by Dorthe Nors, 2016. Sonja is a woman in her forties, trying to move in the right direction. But how do you find yourself when there’s no one to ask directions? Read by Anne Obst. Five broadcasts; begins Tue, March 16.
News of the World, fiction by Paulette Jiles, 2016. After the Civil War, ten-year-old Johanna travels across Texas to her aunt and uncle’s home after living with Native American warriors who killed her parents. Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a 70-year-old veteran, guides Johanna home. Read by Pat Muir. Seven broadcasts; begins Tue, March 23.
The Writer’s Voice*
Monday – Friday 1 p.m.
Nine Irish Lives, nonfiction edited by Mark Bailey, 2018. Nine Irish Americans tell the stories of nine remarkable immigrants, and our shared values as Americans. Read by Therese Murray. Nine broadcasts; begins Wed, March 10.
Reading With Patrick, nonfiction by Michelle Kuo, 2017. A teacher moves to Arkansas and helps a young man learn to read. Years later she returns to find him in jail for murder. Read by Michelle Juntunen. 11 broadcasts, begins Tue, March 23.
Choice Reading*
Monday – Friday 2 p.m.
Hear My Voice, fiction by Marcia R. Rudin, 2017. Three women make profound sacrifices, as each pursues a calling in the clergy. Read by Pat Muir. 14 broadcasts; begins Mon, March 22.
Afternoon Report*
Monday – Friday 4 p.m.
The Crusade for Forgotten Souls, nonfiction by Susan Bartlett Foote, 2018. In the 1940s, Minnesota took the first steps toward creating a modern mental health system. Read by Pat Muir. 12 broadcasts; begins Tue, March 16.
Night Journey*
Monday – Friday 7 p.m.
The Searcher, fiction by Tana French, 2020. After retired Chicago cop Cal Hooper moves to a small Irish town, he’s soon inspecting the disappearance of a local 19-year-old. The more Hooper digs, the more he finds that his new community conceals dark secrets. Read by Holly Sylvester. 15 broadcasts; begins Mon, March 8. – L, V
The House Swap, fiction by Rebecca Fleet, 2018. A couple takes part in a house swap – and signs of the wife’s past appear in the guest house. Read by Therese Murray. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, March 29. – V
Off the Shelf*
Monday – Friday 8 p.m.
For Those Who Know the Ending, fiction by Malcolm Mackay, 2016. Two amateur thugs leave clues on a heist, and the mob sets out to learn who may have beaten them at their own game. Read by Neil Bright. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, March 8. – L, V
There There, fiction by Tommy Orange, 2018. Twelve Native American travelers each has their own reason to attend the Big Oakland Powwow. Read by Bonita Sindelir. Nine broadcasts; begins Wed, March 24.
Potpourri*
Monday – Friday 9 p.m.
Why We Sleep, nonfiction by Matthew Walker, 2017. Sleep is vital to our lives, and we can harness its power. Read by Yelva Lynfield. 19 broadcasts; begins Thu, March 11.
Good Night Owl*
Monday – Friday 10 p.m.
The Magnificent Esme Wells, fiction by Adrienne Sharp, 2018. Young and irrepressible Esme Silver comes of age in the glamour days of Hollywood and the illicit days of Las Vegas. Read by Michelle Juntunen. 13 broadcasts; begins Thu, March 4. – L, S
Secret in Whitetail Lake, fiction by Christine Husom, 2015. An old car with human remains is found at the bottom of a Minnesota lake, on the same day the county sheriff goes missing. Read by Brenda Powell. 11 broadcasts; begins Tue, March 23. – V
RTB After Hours*
Monday – Friday 11 p.m.
The Book of M, fiction by Peng Shepherd, 2018. An epidemic called the Forgetting emerges in India, and spreads across the world. Shadows disappear first, and then so do all their memories. Read by Mike Piscitelli. 20 broadcasts; begins Mon, March 8. – L, V
Weekend Program Books
Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat, presents The Gift of Years by Joan Chittister, read by Beverly Burchett.
Rated R, 11 p.m. Sat, presents Lamb by Christopher Moore (L), read by Scott McKinney.
For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents The Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn, read by Pat Muir; followed by Flying by Carrie Jones, read by Stevie Ray.
Poetic Reflections, noon Sun, presents Scared Violent Like Horses by John McCarthy, read by Jack Rossmann.
The Great North, 4 p.m. Sun, presents Walking the Old Road by Staci Lola Drouillard, read by Robb Empson.
All times listed are Central Standard Time.
Abbreviations
V – violent content,
R – racial epithets
L – strong language,
G – gory descriptions,
S – sexual situation
