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Magazines from the Talking Book Program

*All Digital Cartridges must be returned in order to receive next issue.

Click here to download issues of Texas Monthly, Texas Highways and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Internal Links
Introduction
Braille Magazines for Adults
Digital Magazines for Adults
Braille Magazines for Young Readers
Digital Magazines for Young Readers
Digital Foreign Language Magazines
Paid Subscriptions
Talking Book Topics
Ordering

Related Links

Getting Started with the Talking Book Program
Loan Policy
Spotlight on Texas Books
National Library Service for the Blind & Print Disabled

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INTRODUCTION

Free Magazines from the Talking Book Program

As a patron of the Talking Book Program you are eligible to subscribe, free of charge, to magazines on digital cartridge, in large print, or in Braille. You can choose from over 50 national magazines, including Sports Illustrated, Money, People, Martha Stewart Living, Seventeen, Guide Posts, and Essence. Many magazines are also available via digital download from BARD. The program also provides free subscriptions to three Texas magazines and three magazines in Spanish. Magazines from the Talking Book Program contain the text of articles; advertisements are not included.

Below is a list of the magazines that are currently available. Not all magazines are available in all formats. In order to make some popular magazines available that otherwise would be paid subscriptions, you will need to share them with other subscribers. If you subscribe to a shared magazine, please read it and return it as soon as possible for others to enjoy. Please note that magazines may be dropped or added in each format by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at any time. For this reason, the list below may occasionally be out of date.

If you are interested in subscribing to any of the magazines listed here, please contact a Reader Consultant to order by phone or e-mail:
1-800-252-9605 (toll-free in Texas); 512-463-5458 (Austin area); tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov

BRAILLE MAGAZINES FOR ADULTS

Braille magazines from the Talking Book Program are all direct subscriptions, free of charge to TBP patrons. You may keep or recycle these magazines. Below is a list of all adult-level braille subscriptions in alphabetical order. Information on frequency and content accompanies each listing.

Braille Chess Magazine (BCM1) - 4 issues a year. Chess; news of current trends and competitions. A British publication.

Braille Music Magazine (XBM1) - 12 issues a year. Articles about classical music for professional and amateur musicians; reviews of new braille music publications. A British publication.

Catster (CAT1) - Bimonthly. Catster is full of the tips, advice, and news you need to help keep your cat happy and healthy. Ideas for interacting with your cat, lifestyle stories, new products, new ways to care for your cat.

Conundrum (COU1) - 12 issues a year. Crossword and logic puzzles, anagrams, word searches, and general-knowledge quizzes. A British publication.

Cooks Illustrated (CIM1) - Bimonthly. From America’s Test Kitchen. Includes recipes and tips on cooking.

Dell Sunday Crosswords (DEL1) - 4 issues/year. Enjoy more of your favorite themed puzzles! Featuring Sunday-size puzzles, Dell Sunday Crosswords is the perfect way to hone your solving skills while matching wits with today’s top constructors.

Eating Well (CKL1) - 10 issues a year. Healthy recipes and menu ideas.

Guideposts (GUI1) - 6 issues a year. Interfaith inspirational articles of human interest.

Harper's Bazaar (HRP1) - 12 issues a year. General culture magazine with articles by well-known writers on politics, international affairs, education, and science; includes short stories, satire, and poetry.

Health Newsletters (HNW1) - 12 issues a year. Current health concerns, medical information, nutrition, and stress management from Harvard Health Letter, Mayo Clinic Health Letter, and University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance (KPF1) - 12 issues a year. General-interest articles on managing finances, including taxes, investments options, real estate, insurance, and retirement planning.

Knitscene (KNI1) - 4 issues per year. Let Knitscene magazine guide you on your next knitting adventure! Enjoy seasonal patterns, expert tips and tricks, inspiration and more as you advance your knitting repertoire.

Martha Stewart Living (MSL1) - 10 issues a year. Recipes, gardening, crafts, collectibles, reminiscence, home keeping, and home entertaining.

Musical Mainstream (XMM1) - 4 issues a year. Selected articles from national magazines about classical music, music criticism, and music teaching; lists new NLS music acquisitions. Individual subscriptions only; not available for institutional use.

National Geographic (NGG1) - 12 issues a year. Articles on world geography and cultures, plant and animal life, space exploration, and ancient history.

New York Times Book Times Book Review (NYB1) - 52 issues a year. Literary articles and book reviews from the Sunday edition of the New York Times.

New York Times Weekly (NYT1) - 52 issues a year. Highlights from the New York Times.

NLS News (NEW1) - 4 issues a year. Newsletter of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.         

Parents (PAR1) - 12 issues a year. Formerly Parenting. Child rearing from infancy through the mid-teens.

PC World (PCW1) - 12 issues a year. Information for computer users about hardware, software, advanced technology, and trends in the field; columns on product reviews and helpful hints.

Poetry (POE1) - 12 issues a year. Contemporary poetry selected from a wide range of contributors and styles.

Popular Mechanics (PPM1) - 12 issues a year. Practical advice for the amateur mechanic; information on automotive and home repairs; features on new equipment.

Popular Music Lead Sheets (XML1) - Issues are released on an irregular basis. Melodies, lyrics, and chords to popular songs ranging from golden oldies to recent hits.

Popular Science (PSM1) - Bimonthly. Products, trends, and practical applications of science and technology.

Reader's Digest (DIG1) - 12 issues a year. Short articles, profiles, opinion pieces, political commentary, and other general-interest topics; some articles are condensed from print magazines; contains anecdotes, humor, and condensed books.

Rolling Stone (RST1) - 26 issues a year. American popular culture in the arts and entertainment industry; record, video, audiovisual, and computer hardware reviews.

Science News (SNW1) - 52 issues a year. Excerpts of reports on current programs in science, medicine, and technology.

Short Stories (SSR1) - 12 issues a year. Stories from contemporary writers. A British publication.

 

Sports Schedules             

American Baseball League by Team (ABL1) - Issued annually.

Major Baseball League by Date (MLB1) - Issued annually.

National Basketball Assn. (NBA1) - Issued annually.

National Football League (NFL1) - Issued annually.

National Hockey League (NHL1) - Issued annually.

National Baseball League by Team (NBL1) - Issued annually.

Women's Basketball Assn. (WBA1) - Issued annually.

DIGITAL CARTRIDGE MAGAZINES FOR ADULTS

*All Digital Cartridges must be returned in order to receive next issue.

Digital audio magazine subscriptions are available from the Talking Book Program (TBP) via magazine vendors. They are offered free of charge to TBP patrons and must be returned by subscribers in 21 days. Return your magazines promptly to ensure that your subscription continues. Available magazines are listed in alphabetical order; information on frequency and content accompanies each listing.

AARP-The Magazine and AARP Bulletin (AAP4) — 6 issues a year. Covers subjects of interest to older people. Published by the American Association of Retired Persons.

American History (AMH4) — 8 issues a year. Formerly titled American Heritage. Articles pertaining to America’s social, educational, and cultural history.

Analog Science Fiction and Fact (ANA4) — 11 issues a year. Leading science fiction magazine; contains editorial letter columns, stories, science articles, and book reviews.

Asimov’s Science Fiction (IAM4) — 11 issues a year. Short stories, novelettes, and features with science fiction themes.

Atlantic Monthly (AMO4) — 11 issues a year. Articles on politics and current issues; fiction by contemporary American writers.

Audubon Magazine (AUD4)—6 issues a year. Wildlife news from around the world and articles on contemporary issues related to biodiversity and endangered ecosystems.

Bon Appétit (EAT4) — 12 issues a year. Articles on gourmet cooking with a section devoted to light and healthy cooking.

Consumer Reports (CRP4) — 12 issues a year. In-depth articles that rate consumer products tested for quality, durability, and safety; general-interest articles on such topics as health and money management.

Contemporary Sound Track: A Review of Pop, Jazz, Rock, and Country (XST4) — 6 issues a year. A sampler of articles from national magazines concerned with jazz, rock, country, and pop music.

Cowboys and Indians (OCI4) —12 issues a year. Cowboys and Indians is designed to appeal to a wide audience of Western enthusiasts, from the people who live it to those who simple love or long for the Western lifestyle. 

Diabetes Forecast (DBF4) — 12 issues a year. Diabetes nutrition and health care; research findings. Published by the American Diabetes Association.

Discover: The World of Science (DIS4) — 12 issues a year. Articles on ecology, natural history, and science and technology; news on breakthroughs in science, technology, and medicine; book reviews, brain bogglers (puzzles), and awards for technological innovations.

Economist, The (ECO4) — 52 issues a year. Authoritative insight and opinion on international news, politics, business, finance, science and technology. 

Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine (EQM4) — 11 issues a year. Mystery stories by top writers in the field and by previously unpublished writers.

Essence (ESS4) — 12 issues a year. Monthly lifestyle, beauty, and fashion magazine for African-American women. (replaces Ebony)

Foreign Affairs (FAF4) — 5 issues a year.  Statesmen, diplomats, and scholars analyze issues and trends in international politics, law, and economics.

Good Housekeeping (GHK4) — 12 issues a year. Articles on family and home management, with features on food and decorating.

Good Old Days (GOD4) — 12 issues a year. “The magazine that remembers the best of times.  Feature stories and photos of the good old days of 1900 through 1949 are all contributed by readers.”

Guideposts (GUI4) — 6 issues a year. Interfaith inspirational articles of human interest.

Harper's Bazaar (HRP4) - 12 issues a year. General culture magazine with articles by well-known writers on politics, international affairs, education, and science; includes short stories, satire, and poetry.

Health and Nutrition Newsletters (HNN4) — 12 issues a year. Articles on medical conditions of special interest to older adults: nutritional information and ways to maintain good health from Dr. Andrew Weil’s Self Healing, Healthline, The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter — Health after Fifty, and Nutrition Action Health Letter.

Horticulture (HOR4) — 6 issues a year. American Gardening at Its Best. Gardening trends, products, and projects for the amateur gardener.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (KPF4) — 12 issues/year. General-interest articles on managing finances, including taxes, investment options, real estate, insurance, and retirement planning.

Kiplinger’s Retirement Report (KRR4)— 12 issues/year. General-interest articles on practical strategies to grow retirement savings, make money last during retirement, maximize Social Security and Medicare benefits, and other retirement-related topics.

Magazine of the Month (MOM4) — 12 issues a year. Special Library of Congress program designed to provide a limited substitute for newsstand browsing; readers are sent a different sample magazine each month.

Money (MNY4) — 12 issues a year. Articles on money management, consumer, and family issues; includes regular columns with news and advice on jobs, taxes, Social Security, investments, products, and services.

Muse/Odyssey (MUE4) —9 issues a year. Adventures in science. Merged with Odyssey.

Musical Mainstream (XMM4) — 4 issues a year. Selected articles from national magazines about classical music, music criticism, and music teaching; lists new NLS music acquisitions.

Nation, The (NAT4) — 47 issues a year. Covers foreign affairs, local and national politics, education, and law; reviews films, theater, books, and the arts.

National Geographic (NGG4) — 12 issues a year. Articles on world geography and cultures, plant and animal life, space exploration, and ancient history.

National Review (NRV4) — 25 issues a year. Presents a conservative viewpoint on business, politics, economics, education, and other subjects; founded by William F. Buckley, Jr. in 1955.

New Yorker, The (NYK4) — 52 issues/year. Timely articles on a number of topics. Includes short fiction, poetry, and cartoons.

New York Times Book Review (NYB4) — 52 issues a year. Literary articles and book reviews from the Sunday edition of the New York Times.

Outdoor Life (OTL4) — 10 issues a year. Adventures and experiences in hunting and fishing; information on conservation and game laws; reports on sporting equipment and techniques.

People (PEO4) — 52 issues a year. News, articles, and interviews of celebrities.

Piano Technician’s Journal (PTJ4) —12 issues a year. Technical magazine covering all phases of working on pianos. Articles explore new tools, industry woes and organizational issues. Feature articles range from setting up a repair shop to rebuilding techniques.     

QST (QST4) — 12 issues a year. Contains project-building ideas and news on all aspects of ham radio. Official publication of the American Radio Relay League.

Quarterly Music Magazine (QMM4) — 4 issues a year. A different music magazine each quarter. Covers a variety of aspects and types of music, such as opera, jazz, and country; guitar and keyboard; and music teaching.

Reader’s Digest (DIG4) — 10 issues/year. Short stories, political commentary, and other general interest topics; some articles are condensed from print magazines. Contains anecdotes, humor, and a condensed book.

Retirement Life (RET4) — 12 issues a year. Retirement Life is a publication of NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association), an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the benefits of all *FEDERAL* workers and retirees. This magazine is solely concerned with federal employees and retirees, not any other kind of retiree.

Rolling Stone (RST4) — 26 issues a year. American popular culture in the arts and entertainment industry; record, video, audiovisual, and computer hardware reviews. 

Smithsonian (SMT4) — 12 issues a year. Science, natural history, art, archaeology, history, ecology; events at the Smithsonian Institution.

Sound & Vision (STR4) — 10 issues a year. Reports on new sound equipment and record reviews, with emphasis on popular music.

Southern Living (SOL4) — 12 issues a year. Gardening, history, travel, and recipes; focuses on the Southern style of living.

Sports Illustrated (SPI4) — 54 issues a year. International sports news and articles with emphasis on American spectator sports; features on sports personalities, sports events, and outdoor activities.

Texas Highways (TXH4) — 12 issues a year. Information on public parks, recreational grounds, scenic places, and other items of interest to the traveling public in Texas.

Texas Monthly (TXM4) — 12 issues a year. Covers all aspects of Texas political, social, and artistic life.

Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW4) — 12 issues a year. Dedicated to conservation of natural resources and public use of these resources for recreation. Emphasis on state parks, wildlife management, hunting, fishing, and other Texas outdoor activities.

The Week (TWK4) —52 issues a year. Weekly news.

Travel and Leisure (TAL4) — 12 issues a year. Travel; articles on vacation sites, with tips on food and photography.

True West/Frontier Times (TWT4) — 12 issues a year. Nonfiction articles about the Old West, written by historians and western buffs.

Vital Speeches of the Day (VSD4) — 12 issues a year. Important addresses made by recognized leaders in public opinion.

Wired (WIR4)—12 issues a year. Wide-ranging news and opinion concerning technology industries and the digital environment.

Writer, The (WRT4) — 12 issues a year. New and established writers discuss their craft and work experiences; regular columns feature trade news, contest information, and names and addresses of manuscript buyers.

Yankee Magazine (YNK4) — 6 issues/year. Offers an insider’s perspective on the region’s people, traditions, and lifestyle with special focus on its unique travel destinations, history, and culinary delights.

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BRAILLE MAGAZINES FOR YOUNG READERS

Cricket: The Realm of Imagination (CRI1) - 9 issues a year. Stories, poems, and articles by internationally known authors, plus songs, jokes, and crafts. For ages nine through fourteen. Packaged with National Geographic Kids.

Muse/Odyssey (MUE1) - 9 issues a year. Science, art, archaeology, and history activities for ages 6–14; includes contests and book and media reviews.

National Geographic Kids (NGW1) - 10 issues a year. Articles for children about people, places, customs, animals, and plants. Packaged with Cricket.

Scout Life (SCO1) - 12 issues a year. Articles on the outdoors, sports, and hobbies, with adventure fiction and humor; ages 9–16. Published by the Boy Scouts of America.

Spider (SPD1) - 12 issues a year. Stories, poems, jokes, and crafts for beginning readers; ages 6–9.

Sports Illustrated For Kids (SPK1) - 12 issues a year. Sports news and articles for ages 8–13; features sports personalities, events, youth who are excelling in sports, and a regular column by youth discussing controversial sport-related issues.

Stone Soup (STO1) - 5 issues a year. Stories, poems, illustrations, and book reviews created by children through age 13. Features an activities section with suggested related projects.

DIGITAL MAGAZINES FOR YOUNG READERS

*All Digital Cartridges must be returned in order to receive next issue.

Jack and Jill (JAC4) - Bimonthly, Jack and Jill is an award-winning magazine for children ages six to twelve. It promotes the education and creative growth of children through interactive activities and articles.

Humpty Dumpty (HDM4) - 6 issues a year. For 4 to 6 year olds. Stories, games, puzzles, crafts, and other activities.

Muse/Odyssey (ODY4) - 9 issues a year.  The science magazine for young adventurers.

Cricket: The Realm of Imagination/National Geographic Kids (NGW4) - 10 issues a year. Stories, poems, and articles by internationally known authors, plus songs, jokes, and crafts. For ages nine through fourteen. Packaged with National Geographic Kids.

Spider (SPD4) - 12 issues a year. Stories, poems, jokes, and crafts for beginning readers; ages 6–9.

Sports Illustrated For Kids (SPK4) - 12 issues a year. Sports news and articles for ages 8–13; features sports personalities, events, youth who are excelling in sports, and a regular column by youth discussing controversial sport-related issues.

DIGITAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE MAGAZINES

*All Digital Cartridges must be returned in order to receive next issue.

Spanish (Direct Magazines ~ Revista Directa) 

*Todos los cartuchos digitales deben ser devueltos para recibir la próxima publicación.

People en Español (PES4) — Publicado 12 veces al año. Articulos en español, por y para la comunidad latina; temas de actualidad, tendencias, moda, celebridades, y nostalgia.  (12 issues per year. Articles by and for the Latin community; current events, trends, fashion, celebrities, and nostalgia. )

Auf Deutsch (In German)

DAS BESTE AUS READER’S DIGEST (BRD4) — Erscheint monatlich. Deutsche Ausgabe Von Reader’s Digest. Artikel in der ersten Person, biographische Skizzen, Meinungsäußerungen und andere Artikel von allgemeinem Interesse. Auswahl aus deutsch-
sprachigen Zeitschriften sowie aus der amerikanischen Ausgabe von Reader’s Digest. (12 issues per year. German edition of Reader’s Digest. First-person articles, profiles, opinion pieces, and other general interest articles. Selections come from German-language magazines 
as well as the American edition of Reader’s Digest.)

En Français (In French)

FRANCE-AMÉRIQUE (JFA4) — 24 numéros par an. Articles de la culture Franco-Américaine, les nouvelles, la religión, le business, et l’histoire d’interêt aux Américans francophones et aux étudiants de la langue française. (24 issues per year. Articles on Franco American culture, current events, religion, business, and history of interest to French-speaking Americans and students of the French language.)

  PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS

Many organizations offer paid subscriptions to their magazines and newsletters in braille, large print, or on audio cartridge. For more information on these publications, please visit the website of the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) magazine list: The NLS website contains current lists of free magazines and magazines as well as newsletters available by paid subscription.

TALKING BOOK TOPICS

Every patron of the Talking Book Program may request a free subscription to the NLS publication Talking Book Topics, which lists new books that have been added to the collection. Talking Book Topics is available in a variety of formats:

TALKING BOOK TOPICS on NLS website:
•    HTML format, including links to BARD for downloading or adding books to wish lists www.loc.gov/nls/tbt
•    PDF format, containing a printable order form www.loc.gov/nls/tbtt
 
TALKING BOOK TOPICS by mail:
•    Audio cartridge, which comes with a print order form (contact us to subscribe)
 
TALKING BOOK TOPICS from BARD:
•    Audio magazine, downloadable to cartridge or to BARD Mobile

Abridged version of TALKING BOOK TOPICS available inside BRAILLE BOOK REVIEW:
•    BRAILLE BOOK REVIEW’S TBT Abridged section in hardcopy braille by mail (contact us to subscribe)
•    BRAILLE BOOK REVIEW’S TBT Abridged section as a BRF downloadable through BARD or from www.loc.gov/nls/bbr
 
Recently Added lists available through BARD:
•    BARD patrons can also learn about the latest titles added to BARD through the “Recently added books and magazines” link on the BARD website or the “Recently added to BARD” feature on the “Get Books” tab on the BARD Mobile app.

TALKING BOOK TOPICS by NFB-NEWSLINE®
 •    Contact TBP to sign-up for the service.

Please let us know if we can assist you in accessing any of these formats, or if you would like to subscribe to either the audio version of TALKING BOOK TOPICS or the hardcopy braille version of BRAILLE BOOK REVIEW, which includes an abridged version of TALKING BOOK TOPICS.

You may contact us by email at tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov, or by phone at 1-800-252-9605 or at 512-463-5458.

ORDERING

To order or change your subscriptions, please contact the Talking Book Program:

Talking Book Program
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
PO Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927
1-800-252-9605 (in Texas)
512-463-5458 (in Austin)
512-936-0685 (fax)
tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov