Retire those old devices
Beginning Oct. 1, Radio Talking Book (RTB) will no longer be available via closed-circuit radio. Instead, listeners will have several options: using the Internet, the new RTB apps for iOS and Android, or a digital assistant like an Alexa-enabled smart speaker. To find out more call 1-800- 652-9000, or email ssb.info@state.mn.us.
There’s an app for that!
Access RTB at any time 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 available through library services
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 online at Minnesota DEED’s website; click on the links to find Publications Available and the Programming Schedule.
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.
Learn more
For 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.
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 online.
You can listen to RTB’s live or archived programs online.
Chautauqua*
Monday – Friday 6 a.m.
Homeplace, nonfiction by John Lingan, 2018. Winchester, Virginia is a small town in transition, and its story reveals the ongoing changes in all of American life. Read by Lannois Neely. 10 broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 3. – L
Don’t Believe a Word, nonfiction by David Shariatmadari, 2019. Linguistics expert David Shariatmadari sets out to cast some light on prevailing beliefs about language. Read by Pat Muir. 11 broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 17.
Past is Prologue*
Monday – Friday 11 a.m.
Accidental Presidents, nonfiction by Jared Cohen, 2019. The transition of eight US vice presidents, who took on the presidency upon the deaths of their predecessors. Read by Roger Sheldon. 22 broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 17.
Bookworm*
Monday – Friday noon
Polite Society, fiction by Mahesh Rao, 2019. When Ania, a young New Delhi woman, plays matchmaker she discovers how things seldom go as planned in matters of the heart. Read by Kristi Fuller. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 14. – L
Stray, fiction by Nancy J. Hedin, 2019. Lorraine Tyler stays in the small town of Bend, Minnesota out of family loyalty. But she confronts prejudice and violence, and regains her path in life. Read by Holly Sylvester. Seven broadcasts; begins Tue, Sept. 29. – L
The Writer’s Voice*
Monday – Friday 1 p.m.
Barnum, nonfiction by Robert Wilson, 2019. Before he became a flamboyant circus impresario, Phineas Taylor Barnum was already one of the most famous men in America. Read by Diane Ladenson. 12 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 28.
Choice Reading*
Monday – Friday 2 p.m.
A Door in the Earth, fiction by Amy Waldman, 2019. A young Afghan-American woman sets out to reconnect with her heritage, and sees how her idealism comes into contrast with the reality of war. Read by Michele Potts. 13 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 14.
Afternoon Report*
Monday – Friday 4 p.m.
Tightrope, nonfiction by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn, 2020. Journalists Kristof and Wudunn send a clear message to everyone who wants working-class Americans to prosper. Read by Stevie Ray. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 7.
The Longest Line on the Map, nonfiction by Eric Rutkow, 2019. The Pan-American Highway is the longest road in the world, and its history is a tale of commerce, technology, and politics. Read by Robb Empson. 18 broadcasts; begins Tue, Sept. 22.
Night Journey*
Monday – Friday 7 p.m.
Dead Man’s Mistress, fiction by Joseph Amoto, 1988. Minnesota detective Rushford “Mac” McKenzie is hired by an art collector to recover stolen paintings. But when a suspect turns up dead, Mac searches for the killer. Read by Pat Muir. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 14. – V, L
Hope Never Dies, fiction by Andrew Shaffer, 2018. Vice President Joe Biden comes out of retirement to solve the murder of a longtime friend, and is assisted by President Barack Obama. Read by Neil Bright. Nine broadcasts; begins Tue, Sept. 29. – V, L
Off the Shelf*
Monday – Friday 8 p.m.
One Little Lie, fiction by Colleen Coble, 2020. Detective Jane Hardy takes over her father’s job as sheriff. But soon she must clear his name from a murder charge. Read by Carol McPherson. 11 broadcasts; begins Tue, Sept. 15. – L, V
All My Cats, nonfiction by Bohumil Hrabal, 2019. Czech author Bohumil Hrabal describes his house cats and the love, fear, and exasperation he feels for them. Read by John Gunter. Three broadcasts; begins Wed, Sept. 30.
Potpourri*
Monday – Friday 9 p.m.
How the Scots Invented the Modern World, nonfiction by Arthur Herman, 2001. From being Europe’s poorest land in 1700, Scotland progressed to exert a profound influence on the world’s industrial and historical development. Read by John Potts. 20 broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 10.
Good Night Owl*
Monday – Friday 10 p.m.
The Florist’s Daughter, nonfiction by Patricia Hampl, 2007. Minnesota author Patricia Hampl tells of her life growing up in St. Paul, and later as an adult taking care of elderly parents. Read by Therese Murray. Seven broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 3.
This Tender Land, fiction by William Kent Krueger, 2019. Four orphans escape in a canoe down the Minnesota River, encountering both friends and foes along the way. Read by Tom Speich. 15 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 14. – L, V
RTB After Hours*
Monday – Friday 11 p.m.
The Nanny, fiction by Gilly Macmillan, 2019. One morning seven-year-old Jocelyn wakes up to find her beloved nanny Hannah is gone. Years later Jocelyn returns to the family home, and discovers a human skull. Read by Marylyn Burridge. 13 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 14. – L
Weekend Program Books
Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat, presents Renia’s Diary: A Holocaust Journal by Renia Spiegel and Elizabeth Bellak, read by Beverly Burchett (L).
Rated R, 11 p.m. Sat, presents What We Did in Bed by Brian Fagan and Nadia Durrani, read by Scott McKinney (L, S).
For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian, read by Connie Jamison.
Poetic Reflections, noon Sun, presents Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver, read by Myrna Smith.
The Great North, 4 p.m.. Sun, presents In Winter’s Kitchen by Beth Dooley, read by Michelle Juntunen.
All times listed are Central Standard Time.
Abbreviations V – violent content, R – racial epithets, L – strong language, G – gory descriptions, S – sexual situation
