Category Archives: Texas

Texas Talking Book Program Author Talk: Kathryn Casey

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Join the Talking Book Program for an author talk on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. (Central) with thriller and true crime author, Kathryn Casey.

Reader’s Advisory Librarian, Laura Jean, will discuss Ms. Casey’s career and her Sarah Armstrong Series, starting with the first book, SINGULARITY (DBC 18075). Following the talk, there will be a Q&A session.

Our Author Talks are held via Zoom, but you can join using just a telephone!

Participating is easy:

  • Use your landline to dial in via phone.
  • Use the “one-tap” number on your smartphone.
  • Alternatively, join via computer using the Zoom invitation we’ll send a week prior to the event.

To ensure you receive the necessary details, please RSVP in advance.

We invite you to ask Kathryn Casey questions about her book. Please submit your questions by April 14. We will select questions based on the responses to this form, and they may be asked during the event! Fill out the form here: Author Questions

To RSVP, you can fill out our online registration form: Register Here.

Or if you prefer, reply to this email, or call the Talking Book Program at 1-800-252-9605.

Please indicate if you would like us to mail you a digital cartridge with her book or if you prefer to download it from BARD. Her book is also available to be mailed in a large print format. And, please let us know if you would like a reminder via email or phone-call (or both).

SINGULARITY: SARAH ARMSTRONG SERIES, BOOK 1 by Kathryn Casey (DBC 18075)

NLS Annotation: As a single mother and one of the few female Rangers in Texas history, Sarah Armstrong has had to work twice as hard to rank among the best cops in the Lone Star State. But when megawealthy businessman Edward Lucas III is found murdered along with his mistress, Sarah quickly senses that this will be the deadliest case of her career. While others focus the investigation on Lucas’s estranged wife, Sarah disagrees and hunts a suspect only she believes in. Yet nothing in her career could have prepared her for the horror of a young man who is convinced he has been sent from heaven to massacre innocent people. Some violence, some strong language, and some descriptions of sex. 2008.

We look forward to having you join us on Tuesday, April 21!

March 6 is the Battle of the Alamo Anniversary

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An aged photo of the Alamo with a person standing in the background.

The Alamo reminds us that stories live on when they’re shared. The Texas Talking Book Program ensures every Texan can access stories in audio, braille, and large print. #RememberTheAlamo with one of these titles from our collection!

From the library:

ALAMO REMEMBERED: TEJANO ACCOUNTS AND PERSPECTIVES (DBC 26407)

SAM HOUSTON AND THE ALAMO AVENGERS: THE TEXAS VICTORY THAT CHANGED AMERICAN HISTORY (DB 97726) (LB 12663)

THREE ROADS TO THE ALAMO: THE LIVES AND FORTUNES OF DAVID CROCKETT, JAMES BOWIE, AND WILLIAM BARRET TRAVIS (DBC 25531)

March 2 is Texas Independence Day

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Discover Texas history with accessible books through the Talking Book Program!

From the library:

BIG WONDERFUL THING (DBC 18807)

LONE STAR: A HISTORY OF TEXAS AND TEXANS (DBC 12012)

TEXAS: A BICENTENNIAL HISTORY (DB 14220)

March 6 is the Battle of the Alamo Anniversary

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The Alamo reminds us that stories live on when they’re shared. The Texas Talking Book Program ensures every Texan can access stories in audio, braille, and large print. #RememberTheAlamo with one of these titles from our collection!

From the library:

ALAMO REMEMBERED: TEJANO ACCOUNTS AND PERSPECTIVES (DBC 26407)

SAM HOUSTON AND THE ALAMO AVENGERS: THE TEXAS VICTORY THAT CHANGED AMERICAN HISTORY (DB 97726) (LB 12663)

THREE ROADS TO THE ALAMO: THE LIVES AND FORTUNES OF DAVID CROCKETT, JAMES BOWIE, AND WILLIAM BARRET TRAVIS (DBC 25531)

In His Own Words: James Magnuson

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James Magnuson, a widely respected Austin author, died Sunday January 18 from complications from ALS. He published nine well-received novels, won awards for his work in film and television, and had many of his plays produced. He was also the director of the James A. Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas for more than 20 years. As director, he helped lead the Michener Center to prominence as one of a small handful of leading writing programs in the United States.

Here are the titles by James Magnuson in the TBP collection.

FAMOUS WRITERS I HAVE KNOWN (DBC 18551)
HOUNDS OF WINTER (DBC 18046)
MONEY MOUNTAIN (DBC 26088)
ORPHAN TRAIN (DBC 01571)
WINFALL (BR 12382)

2026 TAYSHAS Reading List

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The 2026 TAYSHAS Reading List is here! TAYSHAS takes its name from the Caddo Indian word meaning “friends or allies.” Written as texas, texios, tejas, teyas or tayshas, the word was applied to the Caddos by the Spanish in eastern Texas, who regarded them as friends and allies against the Apaches.

The goal of the TAYSHAS reading list is to motivate young adults to become lifelong readers and to participate in the Texas reading community. Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to read books for pleasure from the list, which includes fiction and nonfiction titles. High school students are sure to find a favorite from this list! Here are the titles from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.

For more information, check out the Texas Library Association’s website.

Fiction

ALL THE NOISE AT ONCE by DeAndra Davis (DB 129268)
BETTER THAN REVENGE by Kasia West (DB 126531)
BINGSU FOR TWO by Sujin Witherspoon (DB 127165)
CRASHING INTO YOU by Rocky Callen (DB 122976)
CURIOUS KIND OF MAGIC by Mara Rutherford (IN PROCESS)
DARKLY by Marisha Pessl (DB 130776)
EVERY BORROWED BEAT by Erin Stewart (DB 128085)
EVERY TIME YOU HEAR THAT SONG by Jenna Voris (DB 120296)
EVERYTHING I PROMISED YOU by Katy Upperman (DB 127879)
FAKE SKATING by Lynn Painter (IN PROCESS)
GIRLS LIKE HER by Melanie Sumrow (DB 122609)
HEIR OF STORMS by Lauryn Hamilton Murray (DB 130335)
RULES FOR CAMOUFLAGE by Kirstin Cronn-Mills (DB 122196)
SHAMPOO UNICORN by Sawyer Lovett (DB 130728)
SISTERS IN THE WIND by Angeline Boulley (DB 132294)
SHIPSHOCK by Caroline O’Donoghue (DB 130152)
SUCH LOVELY SKIN by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne (DB 124537, BR 26296 IN PROCESS)
EXECUTIONERS THREE by Susan Dennard (DB 132374 IN PROCESS)
KILL FACTOR by Ben Oliver (DB 119820)
THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R. X. He (IN PROCESS)
THIS THING OF OURS by Frederick Joseph (DB 131118)
TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW: A LOVE STORY by Jason Reynolds (DB 125122, BR 25712)
UNDER THE SAME STARS by Libba Bray (DB 127015)
WHEN WE RIDE by Rex Ogle (DB 129269)

Nonfiction

DEATH IN THE JUNGLE by Candace Fleming (DB 129360)
ROAD HOME by Rex Ogle (DB 122589)

2026 Spirit of Texas Reading List

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The Spirit of Texas (SPOT) Reading Program aims to foster a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Texan and to cultivate an appreciation for the literary works of and about Texas and Texans. SPOT is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Texas Library Association’s Young Adult Round Table (YART).

The purpose of the list is to encourage youth in grades 6-12 to explore a variety of current, high-quality books by Texas authors and illustrators and develop critical reading skills, and to foster greater interaction among Texas authors and illustrators, Texas librarians, and Texas youth.

Here are the titles from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.

For more information, check out the Texas Library Association’s website.

Middle Grades

AMBASSADOR OF NOWHERE, TEXAS by Willis Holt (DBC 20092)
FELICE AND THE WAILING WOMAN by Diana López (DBC 28997)

Young Adult

ART THIEVES by Andrea L. Rogers (DB 125454)
EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART by Erin Hahn (DB 119712)
WHEN WE RIDE by Rex Ogle (DB 129269)

2026 Lone Star Reading List

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The Lone Star Reading List is developed by public and school librarians from the Texas Library Association’s Young Adult Round Table. The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 6, 7, or 8 to explore a variety of current books.

Here are the titles from the 2026 list that are in the TBP collection.

For more information, check out the Texas Library Association’s website.

SINGULAR LIFE OF ARIA PATEL by Samira Ahmed (DB 129799)
WESTFALLEN by Ann and Ben Brashares (DB 127249)
LEGEND OF THE LAST LIBRARY by Frank L. Cole (DB 125675)
IT’S WATCHING by Lindsay Currie (DB 130337)
STRONGEST HEART by Saadia Faruqi (DB 130966)
GIRL WHO KEPT THE CASTLE by Ryan Graudin (DB 126811)
BLOOD IN THE WATER by Tiffany D. Jackson (DB 131092)
ON AGAIN, AWKWARD AGAIN by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia (DB 130931)
VANYA AND THE WILD HUNT by Sangu Mandanna (DB 129117)
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY by Maria Marianayagam (DB 130482)
TROUBLE WITH HEROES by Kate Messner (DB 130798)
WRONG WAY HOME by Kate O’Shaughnessy (DB 127603)
EXPERIMENT by Rebecca Stead (DB 132806 IN PROCESS)
CHRONICALLY DOLORES by Maya Van Wagenen (DB 120512, BR 25757)

Texas Talking Book Program Author Talk: Char Miller

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Join the Talking Book Program for an author talk on Tuesday, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. (Central) with author, Char Miller.

Reader’s Advisory Librarian, Laura Jean, will discuss Dr. Miller’s career and his book SAN ANTONIO: A TRICENTENNIAL HISTORY (DBC 18818). Following the talk, there will be a Q&A session.

Our Author Talks are held via Zoom, but you can join using just a telephone!

Participating is easy:

  • Use your landline to dial in via phone.
  • Use the “one-tap” number on your smartphone.
  • Alternatively, join via computer using the Zoom invitation we’ll send a week prior to the event.

To ensure you receive the necessary details, please RSVP in advance.

We invite you to ask Char Miller questions about his book. Please submit your questions by February 12. We will select questions based on the responses to this form, and they may be asked during the event! Fill out the form here: Author Questions

To RSVP, you can fill out our online registration form: Register Here.

Or if you prefer, reply to this email, or call the Talking Book Program at 1-800-252-9605.

Please indicate if you would like us to mail you a digital cartridge with his book or if you prefer to download it from BARD. Also, please let us know if you would like a reminder via email or phone-call (or both).

SAN ANTONIO: A TRICENTENNIAL HISTORY by Char Miller (DBC 18818)

NLS Annotation: This is the first general history of San Antonio, Texas, the seventh largest city in the nation. Its past is complex and ranges across 300 years, from the community’s origins as a tiny Spanish frontier town to its contemporary status as a vital American mega-city. Site of some of the most violent struggles between warring empires and people–historians believe San Antonio may be the most fought-over city in U.S. history–it is perhaps most celebrated for the iconic 1836 Battle of the Alamo. The city is also home to four beautifully restored Spanish missions, which in 2015 UNESCO designated a World Heritage Site and have become integral to San Antonio’s robust tourist economy along with the fabled River Walk.. Some violence. 2018.

We look forward to having you join us on Tuesday, February 24!

Texas Talking Book Program Author Talk: James Wade

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Join the Talking Book Program for an author talk on Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. (Central) with author, James Wade.

Reader’s Advisory Librarian, Laura Jean, will discuss Mr. Wade’s career and his Spur Winning novel ALL THINGS LEFT WILD (DB 101305). Following the talk, there will be a Q&A session.

Our Author Talks are held via Zoom, but you can join using just a telephone!

Participating is easy:

  • Use your landline to dial in via phone.
  • Use the “one-tap” number on your smartphone.
  • Alternatively, join via computer using the Zoom invitation we’ll send a week prior to the event.

To ensure you receive the necessary details, please RSVP in advance.

We invite you to ask James Wade questions about his book. Please submit your questions by December 3. We will select questions based on the responses to this form, and they may be asked during the event! Fill out the form here: Author Questions

To RSVP, you can fill out our online registration form: Register Here.

Or if you prefer, reply to this email, or call the Talking Book Program at 1-800-252-9605.

Please indicate if you would like us to mail you a digital cartridge with his book or if you prefer to download it from BARD. Also, please let us know if you would like a reminder via email or phone-call (or both).

ALL THINGS LEFT WILD (DB 101305) by James Wade.

NLS Annotation: Caleb and his older brother Shelby commit a horse theft gone wrong and flee. As they wander the American Southwest, they are being tracked by bookish and inexperienced-despite-his-age Randall. He meets Charlotte who guides him in the ways of vigilante justice. Strong language including racial epithets, violence, some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2020.

We look forward to having you join us on Thursday, December 11!