State Services for the Blind

Radio News

Radio Talking Book Radio News February 2006

Current Edition: December 2006

Next Edition: January 2007

Previous News Editions: January 2006, February 2006, March 2006, April 2006, May 2006, June 2006, July 2006, August 2006, September 2006, October 2006, November 2006

New Procedure at the Library
The Minnesota Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has a new web-based online catalog located at www.klas.com/mnbph. In this catalog, you can check the collection by author, title, or subject. You can also access your library account to add book requests, check your request list, or find out how many books have been sent you. To enter your account, you must have your user name and password; this protects your privacy. The user name is found to the left of the punch-hole on a Library mailing label; it is based on your name. Your default password is the last four digits of your telephone number. Library staff can also give you your code. For more information on the web catalog, visit the Help screens or contact the Library at 800-722-0550, or by e-mail at mn.lbph@state.mn.us.

All books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available through the Minnesota Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Faribault. Their phone is 800-722-0550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you live outside of Minnesota, you may obtain copies of books by contacting your own state's Network Library for the National Library Service.

Review old issues of Radio News on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/radionews/.

Donate to the Communication Center
Donations to the Communication Center can be made by calling Development Director Angela Bodensteiner at 651-642-0445 or 800-652-9000. You may also go to the Development Director's website at www.mncommunicationcenter.org/ or mail a contribution to the Communication Center at 2200 University Ave. W., Suite 240, Saint Paul, MN 55114-1840.

Chautauqua
Tuesday - Saturday 4 a.m.

Last Child in the Woods
Nonfiction by Richard Louv, 2005.
Exposure to nature is essential for healthy child development, yet sending kids outside to play is difficult because of our fears.
Read by June Prange. 12 broadcasts.
Began January 30.

Big Cotton
Nonfiction by Stephen Yafa, 2005.
Aside from cotton, no legal crop has created so much instant wealth or left such a trail of human misery. Read by Wally Vavrosky. 15 broadcasts.
Begins February 15.

Past is Prologue
Monday - Friday 9 a.m.

A Great Improvisation
Nonfiction by Stacy Schiff, 2005.
Benjamin Franklin arrived in France in 1776 on a secret mission to gather support for the American Revolution.
Read by James Keane. 25 broadcasts.
Began January 16.

The Eloquent President
Nonfiction by Ronald C. White, Jr., 2005.
Ungainly and awkward, Lincoln was first considered a Western stump speaker and debater devoid of rhetorical polish.
Read by Marylyn Burridge. 13 broadcasts.
Begins February 20.

Bookworm
Monday - Friday 11 a.m.

The Wonder Spot
Fiction by Melissa Bank, 2005.
In an often disappointing world, Sophie needs to learn to listen to her own heart.
Read by Karen Wertz. 10 broadcasts.
Began January 31.

The Double
Fiction by José Saramago, 2004.
Tertuliano watches a movie, sees a man who looks just like him, and decides to pursue the man to find his identity.
Read by Steve Waldhauser. 11 broadcasts.
Begins February 14.

Potpourri
Monday - Friday 2 p.m.

Garlic and Sapphires
Nonfiction by Ruth Reichl, 2005.
Ruth Reichl writes of the disguises she dons in the food critic business.
Read by Audray Rees. 13 broadcasts.
Began January 19.

Finding Mañana
Nonfiction by Mirta Ojito, 2005.
Mirta Ojito was only sixteen when she and her family moved to the U.S. as part of the Mariel boatlift. Read by Sherri Afryl. 10 broadcasts.
Begins February 7.

The Lady and the Panda
Nonfiction by Vicki Constantine Croke, 2004.
In 1936, Ruth Harkness traveled to Tibet to become the first Westerner to capture a giant panda. Read by June Prange. 11 broadcasts.
Begins February 21.

Choice Reading
Monday - Friday 4 p.m.

The Icarus Girl
Fiction by Helen Oyeyemi, 2005.
Jess Harrison grows up between cultures, trying to make sense of each. L -
Read by Laura Rohlik. 12 broadcasts.
Began January 26.

The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana
Fiction by Umberto Eco, 2005.
Yambo struggles to regain his memory of his first love. L -
Read by Chuck Torrey. 17 broadcasts.
Begins February 13.

PM Report
Monday - Friday 8 p.m.

History on Trial
Nonfiction by Deborah E. Lipstadt, 2005.
Lipstadt published a history of the Holocaust denial movement, in which she called David Irving one of its most dangerous spokes-persons. For that, she was sued for libel.
Read by Madeline Hamermesh. 15 broadcasts.
Began January 17.

Whose Bible Is It?
Nonfiction by Jaroslav Pelikan, 2005.
No book has been the subject of more commentary and controversy than the Bible. But it was written by many people over a long period of time, and shaped by many people of many faiths.
Read by John Hagman. 9 broadcasts.
Begins February 7.

The Genius Factory
Nonfiction by David Plotz, 2005.
The Repository for Germinal Choice opened in 1980. For two decades, women came there to choose a Nobel-winning sperm donor. L,S -
Read by Judy Woodward. 10 broadcasts.
Begins February 20.

Night Journey
Monday - Friday 9 p.m.

The Franklin Affair
Fiction by Jim Lehrer, 2005.
R Taylor is left with secret knowledge that would completely alter the fabric of American history. L - Read by Diane Ladenson. 7 broadcasts.
Began January 31.

Broken Prey
Fiction by John Sandford, 2004.
Lucas Davenport knows the murderer must be crazy because of his method of displaying the bodies for the finders. V,L,S -
Read by Ray Christensen. 12 broadcasts.
Begins February 9.

Before the Frost
Fiction by Henning Mankell, 2005.
New police academy graduate Linda Wallander investigates the disappearance of a childhood friend. When her police inspector father’s case dovetails with the disappearance, something dangerous emerges. L -
Read by Judy McGuigan. 16 broadcasts.
Begins February 27.

Off the Shelf
Monday - Friday 10 p.m.

The Small Island
Fiction by Andrea Levy, 2005.
Hortense arrives in London from Jamaica in 1948; her husband Gilbert returns from the war expecting hero status, but finds, as a black man, he is still second class. V,L,S -
Read by Judith Johannessen. 17 broadcasts.
Began January 19.

Saturday
Fiction by Ian McEwan, 2005.
Henry Perowne is a contented husband, father, and neurosurgeon. One day, he feels something unfortunate is about to happen. He gets into a minor car accident with a man whose later appearance at Perowne’s house has extraordinary results. L -
Read by Barbara Struyk. 10 broadcasts.
Begins February 13.

Oh My Stars
Fiction by Lorna Landvik, 2005.
Violet grew up in the Great Depression, abandoned by mother, mistreated by father, and teased by classmates. Not until she’s hired at a local factory does she begin to blossom. Then an accident leads her to the next phase of her life. L -
Read by Jody Bjornstad. 12 broadcasts.
Begins February 27.

Evening Odyssey
Monday - Friday 11 p.m.

The Trudeau Vector
Fiction by Juris Jerjevics, 2005.
As winter approaches in the Arctic Circle, three scientists are found dead on the ice - cause of death unknown. And in Moscow, Admiral Rudenko is taken out of retirement to search for a missing submarine. The two incidents will converge. L -
Read by Eric Thornton. 15 broadcasts.
Began January 23.

The Godfather Returns
Fiction by Mark Winegardner, 2004.
Michael Corleone wants to consolidate his power, save his marriage, and take his family into legitimate businesses. To do so, he must confront his most dangerous adversary, Nick Geraci, who is as deadly and cunning as Michael. L,S -
Read by William Stout. 20 broadcasts.
Begins February 13.

Good Night Owl
Monday - Friday midnight

Pretty Birds
Fiction by Scott Simon, 2005.
In 1992, Irena is a star on her Sarajevo high school basketball team. But while she lives a typical teenager’s life, her city becomes a battleground. Soon her family flees for safety, and she becomes a sniper. L,S -
Read by Fred Lyon. 18 broadcasts.
Began January 9.

The Lake, the River & the Other Lake
Fiction by Steve Amick, 2005.
The Michigan resort town of Weneshkeen has a blend of old-times, ritzy summer folk who’ve bought the best lakefront, migrant cherry pickers, wily river guides, and a few Indians. In the summer of 2001, the lives all these groups come together. L,S -
Read by Dan Kuechenmeister. 14 broadcasts.
Begins February 2.

The Breakdown Lane
Fiction by Jacquelyn Mitchard, 2005.
Advice columnist Julieanne has problems with her own marriage. Her husband Leo announces he needs a break, and, after he’s gone, she’s diagnosed with a serious illness. The three children set off on a journey to find their dad. L -
Read by Isla Hejny. 14 broadcasts.
Begins February 22.

After Midnight
Tuesday - Saturday 1 a.m.

Shadowmarch, Volume One
Fiction by Tad Williams, 2004.
For centuries, the Eddon family has ruled and protected Southmarch against the inhuman Qar. Now the Qar are threatening the border, and Southmarch is being protected by two young, inexperienced children of the king. V -
Read by David Tofteland. 31 broadcasts.
Began December 26.

The Dog Walker
Fiction by Leslie Schnur, 2004.
Nina is a Manhattan dog walker, who uses the keys to her clients’ apartments to satisfy her voyeurism and dreams. Then she falls in love with a dog-walking client she has never met. But he isn’t who she thought he was. L,S -
Read by Raulla Mitchell. 7 broadcasts.
Begins February 7.

Haunted
Fiction by Kelley Armstrong, 2005.
Though she’s been in the afterworld for three years, former supernatural superpower Eve Levine is called on to capture Nix, a demi-demon who is killing people, including those Eve loves most. But Nix has been doing this for centuries. L,S -
Read by Pat Kovel-Jarboe. 13 broadcasts.
Begins February 16.

Abbreviation Code:
V - violence, L - rough language,
S - sexual situations