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.

Soon, nonfiction by Andrew Santella, 2018. A tongue-in-cheek exploration of why we procrastinate, and a look at history’s great procrastinators. Don’t put off listening to this one. Read by John Mandeville. Six broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 8.

Hanukkah in America, nonfiction by Dianne Ashton, 2013. Publisher and scholar Dianne Ashton presents a guide to the evolution of the Festival of Lights in America. Read by Pat Kovel-Jarboe. 13 broadcasts; begins Tue, Nov. 16.

Past is Prologue Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

We Gather Together, nonfiction by Denise Kiernan, 2020. Journalist Denise Kiernan examines the cultural, religious and secular customs behind Thanksgiving, and the campaign to make it a national holiday. Read by John Gunter. Eight broadcasts; begins Wed, Nov. 17.

A Hanukkah Present, nonfiction by Mark Binder, 2008. Storyteller Mark Binder tells of the Festival of Lights in the village of Chelm, Poland. Read by Carol McPherson. Three broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 29.

Bookworm Monday – Friday noon

Meet Me in Another Life, fiction by Catriona Silvey, 2021. Thora and Santi meet in a university in Cologne, Germany. She is a student, he a custodian — or at least they are when we first meet them. But over the years they reunite and recognize each other as kindred spirits and leave a mark on each other within each life they live. Read by Karen Ray. 11 broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 18.

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

His Very Best, nonfiction by Jonathan Alter, 2020. Jimmy Carter’s achievements, during his presidency and after, are momentous. Columnist Jonathan Alter provides a studied and engaging journey through the life of this remarkable American. Read by Stevie Ray. 36 broadcasts; begins Tue, Nov. 16.

Choice Reading Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

Alone at the Top, nonfiction by Lonnie Dupre and Pam Louwagie, 2018. Arctic explorer Lonnie Dupre climbed Denali in the harshest conditions and was caught in a storm for five days. Read by John Potts. Five broadcasts; begins Wed, Nov. 17.

How to Spell Chanukah, and Other Holiday Dilemmas, nonfiction by Emily Franklin, 2007. Writers share tales about Chanukah and American Jewish life. Read by Michele Potts. Six broadcasts; begins Wed, Nov. 24. – L 

Afternoon Report Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

The Aisles Have Eyes, nonfiction by Joseph Turow, 2017. Retail executives observe in-store shoppers with data mining, in-store tracking, and predictive analytics to manipulate how we shop. Read by Robb Empson. 10 broadcasts, begins Thu, Nov. 18.

Night Journey Monday – Friday 7 p.m.

Can’t Judge a Book By Its Murder, fiction by Amy Lillard, 2019. As bookseller Arlo Stanley prepares for her small-town class reunion, she finds the body of a former classmate outside her shop. Her book club ladies, who’ve been around forever and know every secret in town, are thrilled to help as Arlo chases clues. Read by Gary Rodgers. 10 broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 11. – V, L, S

Dog Drama, fiction by Leslie O’Kane, 2017. Dog therapist Allie Babcock helps a theater train a dog for a play. Within an hour, a light fixture crashes to the stage. By that evening a cast member is poisoned, and Allie receives an anonymous, threatening note. Can she thwart a determined killer? Read by Jan Anderson. Seven broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 25. – V, L, S

Off the Shelf Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

Journeyman, fiction by Marc Bojanowski, 2017. Nolan Jackson is a wanderer by nature, but an accident makes him settle in one place and build a meaningful life. Read by Don Gerlach. Nine broadcasts, begins Thu, Nov. 11.

The Thursday Murder Club, fiction by Richard Osman, 2020. The Thursday Murder Club are residents at the Coopers Chase Retirement Village. But when a local developer is found dead, the club finds itself amid their first live case. Read by Michelle Juntunen. 12 broadcasts; begins Wed, Nov. 24. – V, L

Potpourri Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

The Secret World of Weather, nonfiction by Tristan Gooley, 2021. Scientist Tristan Gooley shows how to read nature: not only to detect what the weather is doing; but to enter a secret wonderland of new sights and sounds. Read by Brenda Powell. 14 broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 4.

Good Night Owl Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

Barn 8, fiction by Deb Olin Unferth, 2020. Janey and Cleveland conceive a plot to steal a million chickens ― an entire farm’s worth of animals. They gather a ragtag band of ne’er-do-wells and descend on the farm on a dark spring evening. What could possibly go wrong? Read by Jack Rossmann. Nine broadcasts; begins Tue, Nov. 9.

Terrier Terror – Fiction by Leslie O’Kane, 2019. Dog therapist Allie Babcock and her boyfriend Baxter help at a Colorado dog show. But when a dog handler is murdered, Allie and Baxter’s livelihoods and reputations are in deep jeopardy. Read by Greg Olson. Eight broadcasts; begins Mon, November 22. – V, L, S

RTB After Hours Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

Humans: A Brief History of How We F—-d It All Up, nonfiction by Tom Phillips, 2019. History is filled with instances of how several human screw-ups have made a lasting impact on world history. Read by Scott McKinney. Nine broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 22. – L 

Weekend Program Books

Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat, presents The In-Betweens by Mira Ptacin (L), read by Beverly Burchett.

Rated R, 11 p.m. Sat, presents Revenge of the Crafty Corpse by Lois Winston (L), read by Therese Murray.

For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents Crap Kingdom by D.C. Pierson, read by Jim Tarbox.

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.

All times listed are Central Standard Time.

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