Talking Books Talk - Website at State Library of Kansas

Check out what the Kansas Talking Books staff and a guest from the Topeka office have been reading recently!

Valarie Lamoreaux, Deputy State Librarian

DB 118891 The bullet swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

"In 1895, Antonio Sonoro is the latest in a long line of ruthless men. He's good with his gun and is drawn to trouble but he's also out of money and out of options. A drought has ravaged the town of Dorado, Mexico, where he lives with his wife and children, and so when he hears about a train laden with gold and other treasures, he sets off for Houston to rob it-with his younger brother Hugo in tow. But when the heist goes awry and Hugo is killed by the Texas Rangers, Antonio finds himself launched into a quest for revenge that endangers not only his life and his family, but his eternal soul. In 1964, Jaime Sonoro is Mexico's most renowned actor and singer. But his comfortable life is disrupted when he discovers a book that purports to tell the entire history of his family beginning with Cain and Abel. In its ancient pages, Jaime learns about the multitude of horrific crimes committed by his ancestors. And when the same mysterious figure from Antonio's timeline shows up in Mexico City, Jaime realizes that he may be the one who has to pay for his ancestors' crimes, unless he can discover the true story of his grandfather Antonio, the legendary bandido El Tragabalas, The Bullet Swallower." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Amanda Diggs, Production Manager

DB 109286 The Secret, Book, & Scone Society by Ellery Adams

"Miracle Springs is a place of healing. Strangers flock there hoping that the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. And, if none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked scone from the Gingerbread House bakery, they exchange their stories with owner Nora Pennington in return for a carefully chosen book. That's Nora's special talent: prescribing the perfect novel to ease a person's deepest pain and lighten their heaviest burden. But when a visiting businessman reaches out to Nora for guidance, he's found dead on the train tracks before he can keep their appointment. Determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman's demise, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, and, as the society works to untangle the web of corruption surrounding the murder, they also discover their own courage, purpose, and a sisterhood that will carry them through every challenge." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 112637 Don’t fear the reaper by Stephen Graham Jones

"Four years after her tumultuous senior year, Jade Daniels is released from prison right before Christmas when her conviction is overturned. But life beyond bars takes a dangerous turn as soon as she returns to Proofrock. Convicted Serial Killer, Dark Mill South, seeking revenge for thirty-eight Dakota men hanged in 1862, escapes from his prison transfer due to a blizzard, just outside of Proofrock, Idaho. Dark Mill South's Reunion Tour began on December 12th, 2019, a Thursday. Thirty-six hours and twenty bodies later, on Friday the 13th, it would be over." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Michael Lang, Director Kansas Talking Books

DB 109291 Aurora by David Koepp

"In Aurora, Illinois, Aubrey Wheeler is just trying to get by after her semi-criminal ex-husband split, leaving behind his unruly teenage son. Then the lights go out, not just in Aurora but across the globe. A solar storm has knocked out power almost everywhere. Suddenly, all problems are local, very local, and Aubrey must assume the mantle of fierce protector of her suburban neighborhood. Across the country lives Aubrey's estranged brother, Thom. A fantastically wealthy, neurotically over-prepared Silicon Valley CEO, he plans to ride out the crisis in a gilded desert bunker he built for maximum comfort and security. But the complicated history between the siblings is far from over, and what feels like the end of the world is just the beginning of several long-overdue reckonings, which not everyone will survive." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 122458 Incidents around the house by Josh Mallerman

"A horror novel about a haunting, told from the perspective of a young girl whose troubled family is targeted by an entity she calls "Other Mommy." To eight-year-old Bela, her family is her world. There's Mommy, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth. But there is also Other Mommy, a malevolent entity who asks her every day: "Can I go inside your heart?" When horrifying incidents around the house signal that Other Mommy is growing tired of asking Bela the question over and over, Bela understands that unless she says yes, her family will soon pay. Other Mommy is getting restless, stronger, bolder. Only the bonds of family can keep Bela safe, but other incidents show cracks in her parents' marriage. The safety Bela relies on is about to unravel. But Other Mommy needs an answer. Incidents Around the House is a chilling, wholly unique tale of true horror about a family as haunted as their home."-- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 116859 Drowning: the rescue of Flight 1421 by T.J. Newman

"Six minutes after takeoff, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean. During the evacuation, an engine explodes and the plane is flooded. Those still alive are forced to close the doors-but it's too late. The plane sinks to the bottom with twelve passengers trapped inside. More than two hundred feet below the surface, engineer Will Kent and his eleven-year-old daughter Shannon are waist-deep in water and fighting for their lives. Their only chance at survival is an elite rescue team on the surface led by professional diver Chris Kent-Shannon's mother and Will's soon-to-be ex-wife-who must work together with Will to find a way to save their daughter and rescue the passengers from the sealed airplane, which is now teetering on the edge of an undersea cliff. There's not much time. There's even less air. With devastating emotional power and heart-stopping suspense, Drowning is an unforgettable thriller about a family's desperate fight to save themselves and the people trapped with them-against impossible odds." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Dylan Calhoon, Patron Services Manager

DB 104847 My heart is a chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

In a quickly gentrifying rural town, tourists begin to die, and the tension between the community and the celebrity newcomers heads to a tipping point. Protected by her encyclopedic knowledge of horror films, Jade, of Blackfoot descent, hopes it is enough to help her survive. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.

DB 122021 Fat vampire, book 1 by Johnny B. Truant

"When overweight treadmill salesman Reginald Baskin finally meets a co-worker who doesn't make fun of him, it's just his own bad luck that tech guy Maurice turns out to be a thousand-year-old vampire. And when Maurice turns Reginald to save his life, it's just Reginald's own further bad luck that he wakes up to discover he's become the slowest, weakest, most out-of-shape vampire ever born, doomed to "heal" to his corpulent self for all of eternity. As Reginald struggles with the downsides of being a fat vampire -- too slow to catch people to feed on, mocked by those he tries to glamour, assaulted by his intended prey and left for undead -- he discovers in himself rare powers that few vampires have... and just in time too, because the Vampire Council might just want his head for being an inferior representative of their race."-- Goodreads. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 61222 Interview with the vampire by Anne Rice

Frightening world of vampires as told to a young boy who tapes the story on cassette. Follows the fortunes of Louis, a gentle vampire; Lestat, a vengeful and bloodthirsty vampire; and Claudia, a little demon with the face of a doll. 1976.

Troy Arndt, Circulation Clerk

DB 89005 My absolute darling by Gabriel Tallent

Since her mother's death, fourteen-year-old Turtle has been isolated. She keeps to herself at school and roams the woods near her Northern California home. Things change when she meets Jacob and realizes the treacherous life she shares with her father must change. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2017.

Nataly Renfro, Machine Clerk

DB 110476 Final heir by Faith Hunter

"Jane Yellowrock is the queen of the vampires, and that makes her a target as she fights to maintain control and keep peace in the city of New Orleans. She has enemies at every turn, because vampires live forever, and they keep their grudges alive with them. That includes the Heir, the vampire sire of the Pellissier bloodline, which gave rise to Leo Pellissier himself-Jane's old boss and the former master of the city. With the Heir and all the forces of darkness he can muster arrayed against her, Jane will need all the help she can get. She'll find it in her city, her friends, her found family, and, of course, the Beast inside of her." -- Provided by publisher. -- Some violence, some strong language and some descriptions of sex.

Maggie Witte, Outreach Librarian

DB 121430 Avenging angel by Kristen Ashley

"Rachel Armstrong has a burning need to right the world's wrongs. Thus, she becomes the Avenging Angel. And maybe she's a bit too cocky about it. While riding a hunch about the identity of a kidnapper, she runs into Julien "Cap" Jackson, who was trained by the team at Nightingale Investigations in Denver. Now he's a full-fledged member at their newly opened Phoenix branch. It takes Cap a beat to realize Raye's the woman for him. It takes Raye a little longer (but just a little) to figure out how she feels about Cap. As Raye introduces Cap to her crazy posse of found family and his new home in the Valley of the Sun, Cap struggles with his protective streak. Because Raye has no intention to stop doing what she can to save the world. But there's a mysterious entity out there who has discovered what Raye is up to, and they've become very interested. Not to mention, women are going missing in Phoenix, and it seems like the police aren't taking it seriously. Raye believes someone should. So she recruits her best friend Luna, and between making coffees, mixing cocktails, planning parties and enduring family interventions (along with reunions), the Avenging Angels unite to ride to the rescue."-- From publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 120986 Creed by Kristen Ashley

"As children, Tucker Creed and his neighbor Sylvie Bissenette find they have something awful in common. The bond they form blossoms with their ages. Creed breaks free from the town, and Sylvie is forced to endure a nightmare-- and do the unspeakable to end it. To deal, she develops a hard shell with sharp edges that very few can break through. When Creed again finds his Sylvie, he discovers he has to find his way back into her heart without getting shredded in the process."-- From publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 120987 Sebring by Kristen Ashley

"Nick Sebring has issues. Born feeling like an outsider in his own family, growing up under the shadow of a brother who could do anything, Nick isn't that great of a guy. But when this culminates with Nick lashing out to hurt his brother through the woman he loves, Nick turns inward and makes some decisions about the man he intends to be. And as he does this, he falls in love and truly learns the man that he's grown to be. When his love is murdered right before Nick's eyes, Nick knows he has to avenge her. He knows how he's going to avenge her. And he has no qualms using Olivia Shade to exact that vengeance. Olivia Shade has grown up on the outside of her family too. Her problem is that they don't want her outside. They want her all the way in, right under their thumbs. She pays the price for seeking escape and learns her lesson--she'll never see a dawn where she wakes up free. Then she meets Nick Sebring, and even as she fights it, the hope that died years ago starts to blossom. She can find love. She can have a man of her own. She can be happy. She can be free. Olivia hopes while Nick schemes. However, as Nick peels back the layers of all that is Olivia Shade, he finds something surprising. He understands its fragility. He falls in love with its beauty. He seeks to protect it. But he forgets to protect his Livvie from one thing: Nick Sebring"--Back cover. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 119074 Taking the leap by Kristen Ashley

"Alexandra Sharp has been crushing on her coworker John "Rix" Hendrix for years. He's her perfect man, she knows it. She's just not his perfect woman, and she knows that, too. Then Rix gives Alex a hint that maybe there's a spark between them, that if she takes the leap, she might be able to fan into a flame. This leads to a crash and burn, and that's all shy Alex needs to catch the hint never to take the risk again. However, with undeniable timing, Rix's ex, who broke his heart, and Alex's family, who spent her lifetime breaking hers, rear their heads, gearing up to offer more drama. With the help of some matchmaking friends, Rix and Alex decide to face the onslaught together.... As a fake couple." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 119383 Fighting the pull by Kristen Ashley

"Hale Wheeler inherited billions from his father. He's decided to take those resources and change the world for the better. He's married to his mission, so he doesn't have time for love. There's more lurking behind this decision. He hasn't faced the tragic loss of his father, or the bitterness of his parents' divorce. He doesn't intend to follow in his father's footsteps, breaking a woman's heart in a way it will never mend. So he vows he'll never marry. But Hale is intrigued when he meets Elsa Cohen, the ambitious celebrity news journalist who has been reporting on his famous family. He warns her off, but she makes him a deal. She'll pull back in exchange for an exclusive interview. Elsa Cohen is married to her career, but she wants love, marriage, children. She also wants the impossibly handsome, fiercely loyal, tenderhearted Hale Wheeler. They go head-to-head, both denying why there are fireworks every time they meet. But once they understand their undeniable attraction, Elsa can't help but fall for the dynamic do-gooder. As for Hale, he knows he needs to fight the pull of the beautiful, bold, loving Elsa Cohen, because breaking her would crush him." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 110785 Dream maker by Kristen Ashley

"Evie is a bona fide nerd and a hyperintelligent chick who has only ever been able to rely on herself. So when she decides to earn an engineering degree, she takes a job dancing at Smithie's club to make the tuition money she needs. But between her lack of dancing skills and an alpha bad boy who becomes overly protective, Evie realizes this gig might not be as easy as she thought. Daniel "Mag" Magnusson knows a thing or two about pain, but the mask he wears is excellent. No one can tell that this good-looking, quick-witted, and roguish guy has deep-seated issues. Mag puts on a funny-guy routine so he can hide his broken heart and PTSD. But when Evie dances her way into Mag's life, he realizes that he needs to come face-to-face with the demons of his past if he wants a future with her." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

DB 112337 Dream chaserby Kristen Ashley

"Ryn Jansen has no interest in taking a risk on Boone Sadler. Thanks to a long list of men who've done nothing but let her down, Ryn vows to stay far away from the caring, protective commando. And when Boone confronts Ryn with evidence that her loved ones are conning her, Ryn is less than thrilled -with her family and Boone. But even as Boone proves he's the kind of guy to meet her every need, she doesn't trust him to stay when life gets hard ... Boone Sadler's never been one to back down from a challenge. He's determined to show the funny, sexy Ryn that the irresistible connection between them is worth exploring. But caring for Ryn's heart and body becomes a matter of life and death when Ryn's beloved niece and nephew are put in danger and dirty cops begin gunning for Ryn. Soon Boone realizes their romance is in danger of more than heartbreak -and to have any future together, they'll have to put their trust in each other." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Recent Posts

December 2024 Staff Picks

Enjoy some of your holiday free time by checking out one of the books the Kansas Talking Books staff have been reading recently.Michael Lang, DirectorDB 122602 The witchstone by Henry H. Neff "Meet Laszlo, eight-hundred-year-old demon and Hell's least productive Curse Keeper. From his office beneath Midtown, he oversees the Drakeford Curse, which involves a pathetic family upstate and a mysterious black monolith. It's a sexy enough assignment--colonial origins, mutating victims, et cetera--but Laszlo has no interest in maximizing the curse's potential; he'd rather sunbathe in Ibiza, quaff martinis, and hustle the hustlers on Manhattan's subway. Unfortunately, his division has new management, and Laszlo's ratings are so abysmal that he's given six days to shape up or he'll be melted down and returned to the Primordial Ooze. Meet Maggie Drakeford, nineteen-year-old Curse Bearer. All she's ever known is the dreary corner of the Catskills where the Drakeford Curse has devoured her father's humanity and is rapidly laying claim to her own. The future looks hopeless, until Laszlo appears at the Drakeford farmhouse one October night and informs them that they have six days--and six days only--to break the spell before it becomes permanent. Can Maggie trust the glib and handsome Laszlo? Of course not. But she also can't pass up an opportunity to save her family, even if it means having a demon as a guide ... Thus begins a breakneck international adventure that takes our unlikely duo from a hot dog stand in Central Park to the mountains of Liechtenstein, a five-star hotel in Zurich, and even the time-traveling vault of a demonic crime boss. As the clock ticks down, tough-as-nails Maggie and conniving Laszlo will uncover a secret so profound that what began as a farcical quest to break a curse will eventually threaten the very Lords of Hell." - (dust jacket) -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 124700 Playground by Richard Powers "Twelve-year-old Evie Beaulieu sinks to the bottom of a swimming pool in Montreal strapped to one of the world's first aqualungs. Ina Aroita grows up on naval bases across the Pacific with art as her only home. Two polar opposites at an elite Chicago high school bond over a three-thousand-year-old board game; Rafi Young will get lost in literature, while Todd Keane's work will lead to a startling AI breakthrough. They meet on the history-scarred island of Makatea in French Polynesia, whose deposits of phosphorus once helped to feed the world. Now the tiny atoll has been chosen for humanity's next adventure: a plan to send floating, autonomous cities out onto the open sea. But first, the island's residents must vote to greenlight the project or turn the seasteaders away." -- book jacket -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.Dylan Calhoon, Patron Services Manager DB 124757 On earth as it is on television by Emily Jane "First Contact stories have never been as intoxicating and fun as in Emily Jane's novel of the sudden arrival-and equally sudden departure-of spaceships above Earth"-- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.Jason Brinkman, Production ManagerDB 42315 The lady in the lake by Raymond Chandler A swaggering businessman hires hard-boiled Philip Marlowe to find his wife, who has been missing for a month. She sent her husband a note to say she was running off to remarry, but her "intended" denies seeing her. When a woman's body is pulled from the lake where the wife had been staying and the caretaker's wife also turns out to be missing, Marlowe begins expertly piecing the puzzle together. Some strong language and some violence.Ryan Lauber, Library AssistantDB 119147 Gods of the Wyrdwood by R. J. Barker "Cahan du Nahare is known as the forester a man who can navigate the dangerous Deepforest like no one else. But once he was more. Once he belonged to the god of fire. Udinny serves the goddess of the lost, a goddess of small things; when she ventures into the Deepforest to find a lost child, Cahan will be her guide. But in a land where territory is won and lost for uncaring gods, where temples of warrior monks pit one prophet against another Cahan will need to choose the forest or the fire-and his choice will have consequences for his entire world." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.Maggie Witte, Outreach LibrarianDB 97443 The bromance book club by Lyssa Kay Adams Baseball player Gavin Scott's marriage is in trouble, and to fix things, he's going to need some assistance. He finds a secret book club of other men who have used romance novels to fix their own relationships, and they agree to help him win back his family. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.DBC02962 The man who invented Christmas: how Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol rescued his career and revived our holiday spirits by Les Standiford With warmth, wit, and good cheer, Standiford shows how the unlikely success of "A Christmas Carol" revitalized Charles Dickens's languishing career and revived the celebration of the near-forgotten Christmas holiday....

Family Friendly Audio Described Movies

Kansas Talking Books' Audio Described MoviesDid you know Kansas Talking Books has audio described movies, in both DVD and VHS formats, you can borrow from our library absolutely free? Note, however, that we do not provide DVD, VHS, or combination players. Audio described movies are movies that have a special audio track that runs while the movie or show is playing that describes what is happening on screen, such as what the characters are wearing, the action taking place, the setting, and other information, without interrupting the dialogue or speaking of the characters/narrators. We have all kinds of movies and shows from superheroes to westerns to biopics to comedies and more.But since this time of year is all about the warmth of family and friends, we've gathered a list of some family friendly movies perfect for all ages to watch this season. To get a complete list of movies available or to learn more about requesting any of these movies and loan periods, please contact our machine clerk, Nataly Renfro, at 1-800-362-0699 ext. 3 or 620-341-6283.DVDBig Hero 6 (2014)A special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who together team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)When Emily Elizabeth meets a magical animal rescuer who givers her a little red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a 10-foot hound in her New York City apartment. With her mother away on business, Emily and her uncle set out on an adventure.Encanto (2021)The Madrigals live hidden in the mountains of Colombia in a charmed place called the Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift – except Mirabel. However, she may be the only hope after she discovers that the magic is now in danger.Frozen (2014)When Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister Anna teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to save the day.The Grinch (2018)When the Whos decide to make Christmas bigger and brighter, the disgruntled Grinch realizes there is one way to gain peace and quiet. With help from Max, the green grump hatches a scheme to steal Christmas.How to Train Your Dragon (2010)Hiccup is from the island of Berk, where fighting dragons are a way of life. His progressive views and weird sense of humor make him a misfit, even though his father is chief of the clan.Mary Poppins Returns (2018)Now an adult with three children, Michael Banks learns that his house will repossessed. His only hope is to find a missing certificate that his father left him. Just as all seems lost, Mary Poppins arrives to save the day.Minions (2015)Minions Stuart, Kevin, and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a supervillain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.Moana (2016)In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the Demigod to set things right.Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011)Mr. Popper is a successful businessman who gets an unexpected present: six penguins. Soon Popper's rambunctious roommates turn his swank New York apartment into a snowy winter wonderland - and the rest of his world upside down.Ralph Breaks the Internet (2019)Video game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz must risk it all by traveling to the World Wide Web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope's video game. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet to help navigate their way.The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2020)Max the terrior encounters canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes, and a scary turkey when he visits the countryside. Luckily for Max, he soon catches a break when he meets Rooster, a gruff farm dog who tries to cure the lovable pooch of his neuroses.VHSBeauty and the Beast (1991)This animated adaptation of the fairy tale received six Academy Award nominations.Beethoven (1992)Your family will fall in love with the big-hearted, wet-nosed star of this fetching canine comedy hit.Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang learn the true meaning of Christmas in this animated classic.A Christmas Carol (1984)Charles Dickens' holiday classic in which a bitter old man discovers the true meaning of Christmas.Cinderella (1950)An enduring rags-to-riches story of a beautiful girl who, with the help of her fairy godmother, has all of her dreams come true.Finding Nemo (2003)Marlin is a paranoid Clown Fish searching for his young son, Nemo. This computer-animated comedy features the voices of Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres.Home Alone (1990)An eight-year-old is accidentally left at home during a family Christmas vacation. He rigs booby-traps for two bumbling burglars.How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)Celebrate the holidays with Jim Carrey as the Grinch in this live-action remake of the Dr. Seuss tale, narrated by Anthony Hopkins.Lilo and Stitch (2002)A young Hawaiian orphan adopts an unusual pet named Stitch, which turns out to be a notorious, extraterrestrial fugitive.Mary Poppins (1964)Julie Andrews stars as the irrepressible nanny who soars out of the London skies and into the hearts of everyone she encounters. Dick Van Dyke also appears.Miracle on 34th Street (1947)Does Santa Claus really exist? A child's faith is tested in this holiday classic starring Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn, and Maureen O'Hara.Polar Express (2004)On Christmas Eve, a mysterious train visits Billy in the middle of the night, promising to take him to the North Pole for a visit with Santa. Tom Hanks appears as the train's conductor.Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1993)Christmas is canceled until a shunned reindeer with a glowing nose guides Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve.Santa Claus (1994)Mistaking Santa Claus for an intruder, Tim Allen causes the jolly old elf to tumble off his roof. A legal technicality requires him to be Santa's permanent replacement.Sister Act (1992)Whoopi Goldberg stars as a sassy lounge singer who witnesses a brutal murder by her gangster boyfriend. Force to hide in a convent, she disguises herself as a nun.Toy Story (1995)This computer-animated film brings a child's room full of toys to life. From Disney-Pixar, Toy Story features the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles and Annie Potts.Streaming Services Audio Described MoviesNot only does the Kansas Talking Books library provide audio-described movies, but most streaming service platforms have many audio described movies and shows. Here is a list of some family friendly holiday movies available through these platforms. If you would like to find more, please visit The Audio Description Project's curated list of Christmas-themed movies.NOTE: Kansas Talking Books DOES NOT provide subscriptions to any of these streaming services. You must subscribe to them yourself if you are not already.Apple TV+A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)"Depressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas." – from IMDB. CBS Animated Movie; Rated TV-GMariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (2020)"Faced with a holiday cheer crisis, the North Pole knows there's only one person who can save the day: Santa's great friend Mariah Carey. The Queen of Christmas creates a fabulous and star-studded spectacular to make the whole world merry!" – from Apple TV+. Rated TV-GSnoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne (2021)"After find out her grandmother won't be visiting for Christmas, Lucy decides to cheer herself up by throwing the ultimate New Year's Eve party. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown tries to fulfill one of his resolutions before midnight." – from IMDB. Apple Animated Movie; Rated TV-GDisney+An Almost Christmas Story (2024)“Moon, a curious young owl, finds herself trapped in a Christmas tree destined for Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Trying to escape the city, Moon befriends a lost little girl named Luna. Together, they embark on an adventure.” – from IMDB. Short Disney Animated Movie. Rated PGA Christmas Carol (2009)“Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old moneylender is visited by three Christmas spirits on Christmas Eve. Scrooge embarks on a journey of self-redemption to mend he miserly ways.” – from IMDB. Rated PGMickey saves Christmas (2022)"Mickey, Minnie and their pals attempt to celebrate the perfect Christmas at their snowy cabin; when Pluto causes Santa to lose all the presents on his sleigh, the friends travel to the North Pole on a quest to save Christmas." – from IMDB. Rated TV-GNoelle (2019)"Santa's daughter must take over the family business when her father retires and her brother, who is supposed to inherit the Santa role, gets cold feet." – from IMDB. Rated GThe Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)“Scrooge, an old miser who dislikes Christmas, is visited by spirits who foretell his future and share secrets from his past and present, which helps change his view on life.” – from IMDB. Rated GThe Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)“Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.” – from IMDB. Rated PGNetflixA Boy Called Christmas (2021)“In this origin story of Father Christmas, an ordinary boy--with a loyal pet mouse and a reindeer at his side--sets out on an extraordinary adventure to find his father, who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of Elfhelm.” – from IMDB. Rated PGChristmas with You (2022)“Follows a pop star who's got a career burnout and escapes to a small town where she finds not only inspiration but a shot of love.” – from IMDB. Rated TV-PGDolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020)"Seasonal cheer comes to a screeching halt when a cold-hearted woman tries to sell her hometown's land. Can music, magic and memories change her mind?" – from IMDB. Rated TV-PGJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)"An imaginary wold comes to life in a holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his adventurous granddaughter, and a magical invention that has the power to change their lives forever." – from IMDB. Rated PGKlaus (2019)“A simple act of kindness always sparks another, even in a frozen, faraway place. When Smeerensburg's new postman, Jesper, befriends toymaker Klaus, their gifts melt an age-old feud and deliver a sleigh full of holiday traditions.” – from IMDB. Rated PGThat Christmas (2024)“It's an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone's plans, including Santa's.” – from IMDB. Rated PGThe Christmas Chronicles (2018)“The story of sister and brother, Kate and Teddy Pierce, whose Christmas Eve plan to catch Santa Claus on camera turns into an unexpected journey that most kids could only dream about.” – from IMDB. Rated PGPrime VideoBeethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011)“A Christmas Elf accidentally takes off in Santa's sleigh, crash lands in a small town, and loses the magic toy bag. Beethoven must rescue the Elf, recover the bag from greedy crooks, and return the sleigh to Santa in time to save Christmas.” – from IMDB. Included with Prime; Rated PGCandy Cane Lane (2023)“A man is determined to win the neighborhood's annual Christmas decorating contest. He makes a pact with an elf to help him win--and the elf casts a spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, which brings unexpected chaos to town.” – from IMDB. Included with Prime; Rated PGIt's a Wonderful Life (1946)“An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.” – from IMDB. Included with Prime; Rated PGSanta Claus is Comin' to Town (1970)“A mailman reveals the origin of Santa Claus.” – from IMDB. Included with Prime. Rated ALLWhite Christmas (1954)“A successful song-and-dance team become romantically involved with a sister act and team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their former commanding general.” – from IMDB. Rated 13+...

Cozy Reads this Holiday Season

Let your heart be light this holiday season by reading one (or all; there are no restrictions) of these cozy reads. These are books that tell stories of relatable, sometimes quirky characters and the relationships they build between each other without much, if any, explicitly graphic content. The term cozy is probably most well-known when referring to cozy mysteries but has expanded to use with many other genres and books for all ages.Cozy reads may seem pretty straightforward with endings that finish all neat and tidy but the real strength of these books are the warm, close relationships, comforting messages, and mostly happy endings. Immerse yourself in these books whenever you have time or need a second to yourself, and let them brighten your holidays. Happy reading and warm wishes for this holiday season!DB 98951 The house in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune As a case worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, Linus Baker spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. He is unexpectedly given a highly classified assignment: travel to a remote island orphanage where six dangerous children reside. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.DB 110401 The very secret society of irregular witches by Sangu Mandanna "As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don't mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she's used to being alone and she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos "pretending" to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously. But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and...Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he's concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat. As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn't the only danger in the world, and when peril comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn't know she was looking for." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 111420 Legends & lattes: a novel of high fantasy and low stakes by Travis Baldree "Worn out after decades of packing steel and raising hell, Viv, the orc barbarian, cashes out of the warrior's life with one final score. A forgotten legend, a fabled artifact, and an unreasonable amount of hope lead her to the streets of Thune, where she plans to open the first coffee shop the city has ever seen. However, her dreams of a fresh start filling mugs instead of swinging swords are hardly a sure bet. Old frenemies and Thune's shady underbelly may just upset her plans. To finally build something that will last, Viv will need some new partners, and a different kind of resolve." -- Provided by publisher. -- Strong language, some violence. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller.DB 56114 Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery Anne, an eleven-year-old orphan, is sent by mistake to live with a lonely, middle-aged brother and sister on a Prince Edward Island farm in Canada. There she proceeds to make an indelible impression on everyone around her. Complete and unabridged text. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 1908.DB 22906 Where the wild things are by Maurice Sendak After being sent to bed without supper for misbehaving, Max puts on his wolf suit and sails away 'through night and day and in and out of weeks and almost over a year' to where the wild things are. An imaginative fantasy for grades K-3. Caldecott Medal 1964.DB 44101 The BFG by Roald Dahl Sophie is taken from her orphanage by a big friendly giant ("BFG") who enjoys "dream blowing"-- sending happy dreams to children with his magical trumpet. Together they devise a plan to save the world from nine people-eating "cannybull" giants. For grades 3-6.DB 31831 Stuart Little by E. B. White When Mrs. Little's second son is born, everybody notices that he is not much bigger than a mouse. In fact, they soon discover that he is a mouse! Because of his size, Stuart is always getting lost, but this is the least of his unique problems. For grades 4-7.DB 106691 Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather S. Webber Anna Kate returns to a small Alabama town to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café. Despite her best intentions, Anna is drawn to the town her mother fled. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.DB 84392 A man called Ove by Fredrik Backman Ove has always been a grumpy man, and when he loses his wife and his job, he decides to commit suicide. But a lively family of new neighbors and a stray cat might give Ove a reason to keep living. First published in Swedish in 2012. 2013.DB 107924 Remarkably bright creatures by Shelby Van Pelt 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.DB 104764 A psalm for the wild-built by Becky Chambers Centuries ago, the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and disappeared into the wilderness. When Sibling Dex, a tea monk, meets Splendid Speckled Mosscap, a robot, they are the first person to encounter a robot in years. Dex and Mosscap travel through the woods together, engaging in philosophical conversation. Strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2021.DB 78978 The storied life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin When his most prized possession, a rare volume of poetry by Edgar Allan Poe, is stolen, bookstore owner A.J. Fikry begins isolating himself from his friends, family, and associates. Then he receives a mysterious package that compels him to remake his life. Strong language. Bestseller. 2014.DB 115232 The wishing game by Meg Schaffer "Make a wish. . . . Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it's like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher's aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability. But be careful what you wish for. . . . Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he's finally written a new book. Even better, he's holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy. For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack "the Mastermind" Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever. . . . You might just get it." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 119077 Sophie Go's lonely hearts club by Roselle Lim "Newly minted professional matchmaker Sophie Go has returned to Toronto, her hometown, after spending three years in Shanghai. Her job is made quite difficult, however, when she is revealed as a fraud-she never actually graduated from matchmaking school. In a competitive market like Toronto, no one wants to take a chance on an inexperienced and unaccredited matchmaker, and soon Sophie becomes an outcast. In dire search of clients, Sophie stumbles upon a secret club within her condo complex: the Old Ducks, seven septuagenarian Chinese bachelors who never found love. Somehow, she convinces them to hire her, but her matchmaking skills are put to the test as she learns the depths of loneliness, heartbreak, and love by attempting to make the hardest matches of her life." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 23625 The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg On a dark Christmas Eve, a boy who believes in Santa Claus boards a mysterious train, the Polar Express. He and the other children, still in their nightclothes, drink hot chocolate and sing carols as the train races through snowy landscapes carrying them to a huge city at the North Pole to visit Santa Claus. For preschool-grade 2 and older readers. Caldecott Medal. 1985.DB 85266 The city baker's guide to country living by Louise Miller After pastry chef Olivia Rawlings accidentally sets fire to the Boston supper club where she works, she heads off to visit her best friend in rural Vermont. Olivia gets a job at the local inn and finds herself falling for fiddle player Martin McCracken. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2016.DB 25892 Howl's moving castle by Diana Wynne Jones As the eldest of three daughters, Sophie Hatter knows that--according to fairy-tale convention--she's expected to fail first and worst when she sets out to seek her fortune. When the Ingarian countryside is threatened by both the moving castle of Wizard Howl and the schemes of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds a kind of courage and determination she's never known before. A magical fantasy for grades 6-9.DB 67526 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows London, 1946. Writer Juliet Ashton corresponds with Dawsey Adams and other members of a literary society created as a front during the Nazi occupation of the British channel island Guernsey. Through letters, Juliet learns about their wartime experiences. Intrigued, Juliet sails to Guernsey, where she finds new inspiration. Bestseller. 2008.DB 89990 The story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg Grieving widower Arthur eats lunch in the cemetery every day, to be near his wife's grave. There he meets troubled teenage Maddy, and the pair form a friendship that helps them both out of their isolation. Some strong language and some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2017....

Kansas Talking Books News Update - Winter 2024

Catch up on the latest from Kansas Talking Books and the National Library Service for the Blind & Print Disabled. ...

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