Summer Reading Program and Read Across Texas Book Club Title Announced for June 2023!

Please join us on Thursday June 22 at 7:00 p.m. (Central) for our Book Club discussion of REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES by Shelby Van Pelt (DB 107924; BR 24204). This book is both a selection for Read Across Texas as well as our Summer Reading Program Adult Book Club pick!

For more information concerning the Read Across Texas Initiative: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/readacrosstexas.

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 can also send an email 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.

Please contact a Reader’s Advisory Librarian at 1-800-252-9605 or tbp.ral@tsl.texas.gov with any questions, or to RSVP.

REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES is available by mail as a digital cartridge, available to download via BARD, and available in braille.

We’re looking forward to having you join us on June 22!

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

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift cleaning at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors, until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova. Some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2022.

ANNOUNCING: 2023 Summer Reading Program


Our ALL AGES summer reading program is returning for its second year on June 5, 2023! This year’s theme is All Together Now and focuses on friendship, kindness, and unity.

Sign up will begin on April 1, 2023. The first 100 people who sign up will receive a summer reading goody bag!

Sign up by filling out the following online form:  https://forms.gle/jFirCc8ud3ZtJZ8p9

Or by calling us at 1-800-252-9605.

The webpage for summer reading is here: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/tbp/summerreadingprogram

From June 5 to August 11, you’ll get themed book lists and matching activities by age group, and you can win a prize at the end of summer by reviewing books.

This year the National Library Service is also providing several virtual events, including live, virtual author talks!

We can’t wait for you to join us this summer!

June 23, 2022, Summer Reading Program BONUS Book Club Title Announced!

As part of TBP’s Summer Reading Program this year, we’ll be hosting a bonus book club meeting!

TSLAC TBP Book Club Logo

Please join us on Thursday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. (CT) for our book club discussion of GULF: THE MAKING OF AN AMERICAN SEA by Jack E. Davis. (DB 88197)

Our book club meetings are hosted via toll free conference call, so all you need is a telephone to participate. To RSVP, call the Talking Book Program at: 1-800-252-9605 or email us at: tbp.ral@tsl.texas.gov. Please indicate if you would like us to mail you the book in digital cartridge or if you prefer to download the audio version from BARD. RSVP preferred by June 2.

NLS Annotation: A history of the Gulf of Mexico, extending from the Pleistocene age until the twenty-first century. Discusses the marine environment, its role in human society, and many of the individuals whose lives were intertwined with the Gulf. Pulitzer Prize for history, 2018.

We request that everyone remember the following:

  • Keep external distractions to a minimum.
  • Be courteous. Be respectful of differing opinions.
  • Keep discussion points concise and relevant to the book.

We look forward to having you join us on Thursday, June 23!

Dive Into an Ocean of Possibilities This Summer with the TBP Summer Reading Program

Summer is the perfect time to dive in and start reading. It is even better when you get to compete for a prize. This year, the Talking Book Program (TBP) has partnered with libraries across the country to inspire readers of all ages. Readers of all ages will dive into the ocean depths this summer as TBP presents “Oceans of Possibilities” during the summer reading program.

“People should join to add some fun and some learning into their summer. We have a variety of books and activities to choose from so there is a little something for everyone. We even have some ‘challenges’ to motivate you to read more this summer! Bonus, there are prizes for signing up, and a bigger prize to be chosen by drawing at the end of the summer,” said Kayleigh Matheson, TBP Librarian and organizer of the summer reading program.

Join us on June 1 at 3:30 p.m. (CT) to kick-start a little fun and to learn more about the summer reading program via Zoom. The summer reading program runs from June 1 through August 8. You must be a member of the Talking Book Program to participate, but we encourage those who are not to visit their local library’s summer reading program. The first 100 people who register get a free swag bag. Throughout the summer, participants will be able to submit up to five book reviews for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

When asked why reading is important, Matheson said, “Reading allows your mind to wander, teaches you new ideas, lets you travel without leaving your house, and broadens your worldview. We are here to help you choose books to make reading enjoyable.”

We hope you will join us this summer. We look forward to seeing you.

To sign-up for the program and for more visit: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/tbp/summerreadingprogram

To talk to a librarian or to register for the Talking Book Program visit www.TexasTalkingBooks.org, call 1-800-252-9605 or email: tbp.services@tsl.texas.gov.