TBP Book Club Title Announced for January 2025!

Posted on December 2, 2024 by John Berkeland

Please join us on Tuesday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. central time for our book blub discussion of FROZEN RIVER: A NOVEL by Ariel Lawhon.

We host our Book Club discussions via Zoom. However, all you need to participate is a telephone!

If you have a land line, we will provide a telephone number for accessing the Book Club.

If you have a smart phone, we will email an easy “one click” number you can use to join the discussion.

We will also email a Zoom invitation to those who prefer to use a computer.

Patrons who register for the discussion will receive this information a week before the Book Club meeting.

To register for our January 2025 Book Club discussion, contact the Texas Talking Book Program at 1-800-252-9605 or tbp.ral@tsl.texas.gov.

If you prefer, you can also self-register via this Zoom registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85393198029

FROZEN RIVER is available by mail as a digital cartridge and is also available to download on BARD.

FROZEN RIVER: A NOVEL by Ariel Lawhon

DB 117781

Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen-one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own. Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie.

We’re looking forward to having you join us on Tuesday, January 28.

November is National Family Caregivers Month

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Dina

Caregiving is both a rewarding and complex situation for families.

Finding affordable and reliable caregivers can be difficult, so many spouses, partners, parents, adult children, and other family members care for their loved ones without paid assistance.

Texas Health and Human Services provides web sites and programs to assist families with this complicated endeavor.

HHS Caregiver Support and Resources: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/support-caregivers/caregiver-support-resources. Sections on this site include benefits, in-home care and personal attendant services, transportation and meals, and medication management.

HHS Strengthen the Care You Give: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/support-caregivers.Too many caregivers neglect their own physical and mental well-being while caring for their loved ones. This site provides information on caregiver self-care, training and planning, and support and resources.

Take Time Texas: https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/taketimetexas.Take Time Texas connects caregivers of children and caregivers of older adults to information and resources related to respite care.

HHS Turn To: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/prevention/turn-to.This site provides information about sources for support. Sections include support for yourself, for your child, for your friends and family, and for your community

Online Wellness Programs for People with Disabilities

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Dina

Here are some programs for people with disabilities that promote health and wellness:

Fit With Us is a six-month exercise telehealth study that promotes health and functionality for people with disabilities. Participants must be at least 18 years old with a permanent physical disability, have access to the Internet, and be able to use a computer or smartphone. For more information, click here: https://fitwithus.org/about-the-study/.

My Health My Life My Way is a six-month telehealth study for people with disabilities who also have a chronic condition. Participants must be at least 18 years old with a permanent physical disability and a chronic disease such as arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, or a heart or lung condition. Participants must also have access to the Internet and be able to use a computer or smartphone. For more information, contact: Eric Evans: 205-236-8452: evansej@uab.edu Learn more about the study here: https://myhealthmylifemyway.org/about-the-study/.

In addition, NCHPAD (National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability) offers the following online health and wellness programs for adults with physical disabilities:

Mentor (Mindfulness, Exercise, Nutrition to Optimize Resilience): MENTOR is an eight-week program that focuses on physical, mental, and emotional health.

Growth (Growing Resilience Out of Wellness and Thoughtful Habits): GROWTH is a six-week program that focuses on mental health and well-being.

SOS Everybody (State of Slim): SOS is a 16-week program that focuses on sustainable weight loss.

Coffee Club: Coffee Club meets twice a month to promote social connections and discuss health and wellness.

Learn more about these programs here: https://www.nchpadconnect.org/programs.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Posted on November 20, 2024 by Dina

Diabetes is a serious, chronic condition that can lead to heart disease, nerve damage, eye problems, and kidney disease. Type 1 cannot be prevented, but Type 2 can be delayed or prevented by living a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.

There is a wealth of information online about diabetes.

A good place to start is Medline Plus, a site that provides information for the public about health topics: https://medlineplus.gov/diabetes.html

Another resource is the Diabetes Information Clearinghouse from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes. The Clearinghouse includes all the basics about diabetes, plus topics such as tests and diagnosis, risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, healthy living with diabetes, and preventing diabetes problems. You can also e-mail the Clearinghouse at healthinfo@niddk.nih.gov, or call 800-860-8747, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. eastern time. In addition, the Clearinghouse features a page for National Diabetes Awareness Month: www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-diabetes-month

The American Diabetes Association also has a website with extensive information: https://diabetes.org. Sections on the site include life with diabetes, health and wellness, and food and nutrition. You can search for in-person and virtual diabetes education programs at https://diabetes.org/tools-resources/diabetes-education-programs and locate local American Diabetes Association chapters at https://diabetes.org/local/find-chapter. Contact the national office at 800-342-2383, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. eastern time, or e-mail askada@diabetes.org.

In His Own Words: Quincy Jones

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Laura Jean

Quincy Delight Jones Jr. was an American record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and producer. His career spanned 70 years, with 28 Grammy Awards won out of 80 nominations, and a Grammy Legend Award in 1992. Below we have his autobiography as well as a collection of his musings on creativity and life. We hope these give you a chance to learn about his experiences in his own words.

Q: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF QUINCY JONES (DB 53304)

12 NOTES: ON LIFE AND CREATIVITY (DB 115128)

Award Winning Indigenous Fiction

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Laura Jean

November is National Native American Heritage Month, and in order to celebrate, we’ve composed a list of award-winning fiction novels in our collection by indigenous authors. Some of the awards won by books on this list are: Alex Award, Shirley Jackson Award, Bram Stoker Award, American Book Award, PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, and even the Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

BIRDIE by Tracey Lindberg (DBE 00023, BRG 03835)

BREAK by Katherena Vermette (DB 91006, BRG 03920)

CEREMONY by Leslie Marmon Silko (DB 13366, BR 03484)

FIVE LITTLE INDIANS by Michelle Good (DB 112115, LB 0000088)

GREEN GRASS, RUNNING WATER by Thomas King (DB 37393)

INDIAN HORSE by Richard Wagamese (DBC 27578, BRG 03820)

MONKEY BEACH by Eden Robinson (DB 63141, BRG 00386)

MOON OF THE CRUSTED SNOW by Waubgeshig Rice (DB 95719)

NIGHT WANDERER: A NATIVE GOTHIC NOVEL by Drew Hayden Taylor (DBC 24723)

NIGHT WATCHMAN by Louise Erdrich (DB 98896, BR 23078, LB 12937)

ONLY GOOD INDIANS by Stephen Graham Jones (DB 100116)

ROUND HOUSE by Louise Erdrich (DB 75641)

THERE THERE by Tommy Orange (DB 91321, BR 22564)

WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED by Angeline Boulley (DB 114761)

Booker Prize Longlist 2024

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Laura Jean

For more than 50 years, the Booker Prize has been the leading literary award in the English-speaking world, and has brought recognition, reward, and readership to outstanding fiction. Each year, the prize is awarded to what is, in the opinion of the judges, the best novel of the year written in English and published in the UK and Ireland. The longlist was announced on July 30, the shortlist was announced on September 16, and the winner will be announced on November 12. Here are some of the books longlisted for 2024 that are in the TBP collection.

For more information check out the Booker Prize website.

CREATION LAKE by Rachel Kushner (DB 124304 IN PROCESS)

HEADSHOT by Rita Bullwinkel (IN PROCESS)

HELD by Anne Michaels (DB 119169)

JAMES by Percival Everett (DB 120063, BR 25513 IN PROCESS)

MY FRIENDS by Hisham Matar (IN PROCESS)

ORBITAL by Samantha Harvey (DB 119203)

PLAYGROUND by Richard Powers (DB IN PROCESS)

THIS STRANGE EVENTFUL HISTORY by Claire Messud (DB 121644)

WANDERING STARS by Tommy Orange (DB 119674)

WILD HOUSES by Colin Barrett (DB 123389)

Calling All Cooks!

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Kayleigh Matheson

Do you have a favorite recipe that brings up good memories? Perhaps a cookie recipe that reminds you of your dad, or a chili recipe you remember from a best friend? Now’s your chance to share them with your fellow talking book patrons.

Our partner libraries in Florida and North Carolina are compiling a cookbook of recipes and memories from patrons across the country. They will turn these into a cookbook available in audio and in braille for any NLS patron to check out!

We would love for you to submit your own recipe and related memory to be included. The deadline is February 1, 2025.

You can submit your recipe via this online form: https://forms.office.com/r/L5E7fGRGY0

Or by mailing a copy of the full recipe with your name and related memory to:

Talking Book Program
Texas State Library and
Archives Commission
PO Box 12927
Austin TX 78711-2927

Many Faces of BARD Program: Using NLS BARD on the HIMS SensePlayer

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Dina

Join the National Library Service (NLS) for the Many Faces of BARD program on Thursday, November 14, at 6:00 p.m. central time. The topic will be using NLS BARD on the HIMS SensePlayer.

BARD stands for Braille and Audio Reading Download service and is a registered trademark for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.

Registration is not required. The session is scheduled for one hour with time for questions. Click on the link to join: https://tinyurl.com/29zv8pxe.

Books Similar to the Movie A Man Called Otto

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Laura Jean

So, you just saw the movie A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks. It was heartwarming and sweet! And you want to keep those warm fuzzies going. Well, there are a good number of books that are similar, starting with the book that the movie was based on, A MAN CALLED OVE. However, we have lots of other books with protagonists who are rejuvenated by an interaction with a new friend or a new experience. We’ve listed some of them below.

100-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED by Jonas Jonasson (DB 75820; LB 07275)

AVAILABLE MAN by Hilma Wolitzer (BR 19617)

BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL by Deborah Moggach (DB 89071)

BIG FINISH by Brooke Fossey (DB 100114; BR 24769)

BRILLIANT LIFE OF EUDORA HONEYSETT by Annie Lyons (DB 103795; BR 24721)

CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER by Phaedra Patrick (DB 85718; BR 21656)

ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman (DB 87829; LB 09081)

ETTA AND OTTO AND RUSSELL AND JAMES by Emma Hooper (DB 81826; BRG 03833; LB 08102)

EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER by Linda Holmes (DB 95700, BR 22754)

HOW NOT TO DIE ALONE by Richard Roper (DB 95289)

JOAN IS OKAY by Weike Wang (DB 106795)

LILLIAN BOXFISH TAKES A WALK by Kathleen Rooney (DB 86852)

LITTLE OLD LADY WHO BROKE ALL THE RULES by C. Ingelman-Sundberg (DBC 06241)

LOST AND FOUND by Brooke Davis (DB 80899)

LOVE STORY OF MISSY CARMICHAEL by Beth Morrey (DB 99047)

MAJOR PETTIGREW’S LAST STAND by Helen Simonson (DB 70760; BR 18827; LB 06441)

MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE’S SORRY by Fredrik Backman (DB 83204)

REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt (DB 107924; BR 24204; LB 14401)

STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY by Gabrielle Zevin (DB 78978; LB 09180)

STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV by Elizabeth Berg (DB 89990; BR 22155)

SWITCH by Beth O’Leary (DB 100417)

UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY by Rachel Joyce (DB 76196; BR 20792)

VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS by Jesse Q. Sutanto (DB 113039; LB 14540)