Talking Books Talk - Website at State Library of Kansas

When you're looking for something new to read, find out what your Kansas Talking Books staff have been reading recently with these staff picks.

Michael Lang, Director

DB 104763 The waste lands: Dark tower, book 3 by Stephen King
Roland continues his quest for the Dark Tower, joined by Eddie Dean and his lover Susannah, who have traveled across time from their New York world. Roland begins losing his mind--thanks to Jake Chambers, who died earlier but reappears here--and the group faces many new evils. Violence and some strong language. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 1991.

DB 75687 The one and only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Ivan the gorilla has lived comfortably for years in a down-and-out, circus-themed mall. But when baby elephant Ruby arrives, Ivan decides that he must find her a better life. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 2012.

Maggie Witte, Outreach Librarian

DB 116354 The river we remember by William Kent Krueger
"On Memorial Day, as the people of Jewel, Minnesota, gather to remember and honor the sacrifice of so many sons in the wars of the past, the half-clothed body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. Investigation of the murder falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, a highly decorated war hero who still carries the physical and emotional scars from his military service. Even before Dern has the results of the autopsy, vicious rumors begin to circulate that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife. As suspicions and accusations mount and the town teeters on the edge of more violence, Dern struggles not only to find the truth of Quinn's murder but also put to rest the demons from his own past. Caught up in the torrent of anger that sweeps through Jewel are a war widow and her adolescent son, the intrepid publisher of the local newspaper, an aging deputy, and a crusading female lawyer, all of whom struggle with their own tragic histories and harbor secrets that Quinn's death threatens to expose." -- Provided by publisher. --Strong language, violence. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller.

Nataly Renfro, Machine Clerk

DB 97020 A blade so black: Nightmare-verse, book 1 by L. L. McKinney
Alice battles monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. When Alice's mentor is poisoned, she has to travel deep into Wonderland to find a cure. Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2018.

DB 97021 A dream so dark: Nightmare-verse, book 2 by L. L. McKinney
Still reeling from her recent battle, Alice must cross the Veil to rescue her friends, but a new threat emerges in Wonderland. Sequel to A Blade So Black (DB 97020). Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2019.

DB 117357 A crown so cursed: Nightmare-verse, book 3 by L. L. McKinney
"Alice and her crew are doing their best to recover from the last boss battle, but some of them keep having these. . . dreams: visions of a dark past--and an even darker future. Sadly, the evil in Wonderland may not be as defeated as they'd hoped. Attacked by Nightmares unlike any they've ever seen, Alice will have to step between the coming darkness and the mortal world once more. But this time is different. This time, the monsters aren't waiting for her on the other side of the Veil." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers.

DB 124931 The other half of the grave: Night Huntress, book 8 by Jeaniene Frost
"From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a thrilling new look at the iconic origin story of Cat and Bones, as experienced by Bones...from the other half of the grave.There are two sides to every story-and the sizzling British alpha vampire, Bones, has a lot to say...Ever wondered what Bones was thinking and feeling when he and half-vampire Cat Crawfield first met? Or how their story might differ if he were the one telling it? Now, relive the beginning of Cat and Bones' bestselling love story through Bones' point of view, which reveals a darker, sexier take on their early days, as well as a deeper dive into Bones' past, the vampire world, and other things that Cat didn't see when their story was told only through her eyes in Halfway to the Grave.Cat had her say. Now, it's Bones' turn."-- From publisher. -- Violence, strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex.

DB 126489 Both feet in the grave: Night Huntress, book 9 by Jeaniene Frost
"Cat disappeared from Bones' life to protect him, but this Master vampire will keep his promise to find her. Two hundred years of bounty hunting made Bones the best at what he does, yet it's still taken him four long years to find Cat, the half vampire now known as the "Red Reaper." There's a price on Cat's head, and not even her job as a secret government agent can save her. Only Bones can. But has time hardened Bones too much to love again? Or will his passion for Cat burn through every obstacle-alive, undead, or otherwise-between them? From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a fresh, new perspective on the origin saga of Cat and Bones, in Bones' own words..."-- Publisher marketing. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Troy Arndt, Circulation Clerk

DB 96449 Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the secret history of the sixties by Tim O'Neill
Journalist's reassessment of the infamous case against Charles Manson and his young followers--who murdered seven people, including eight-months-pregnant actress Sharon Tate--is the product of two decades of reporting, hundreds of new interviews, and dozens of never-before-seen documents from the LAPD, the FBI, and the CIA. Contains violence and explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

DBC00014 The thicket by Joe R. Lansdale
Jack Parker knows all too well how treacherous turn-of-the-century East Texas can be. His parents did not survive a smallpox epidemic. His grandfather was murdered. Now his sister Lula has been kidnapped by a criminal who may believe wearing a dead man's clothes protects him from death. With bounty hunter Shorty, a charismatic and cunning dwarf, and Eustace, a gravedigging son of an ex-slave, the heartbroken young Jack sets off on an epic quest to rescue his sister from the corrupt men who control much of the new territory. Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex.

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April 2025 Staff Picks

When you're looking for something new to read, find out what your Kansas Talking Books staff have been reading recently with these staff picks. Michael Lang, DirectorDB 104763 The waste lands: Dark tower, book 3 by Stephen King Roland continues his quest for the Dark Tower, joined by Eddie Dean and his lover Susannah, who have traveled across time from their New York world. Roland begins losing his mind--thanks to Jake Chambers, who died earlier but reappears here--and the group faces many new evils. Violence and some strong language. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 1991.DB 75687 The one and only Ivan by Katherine Applegate Ivan the gorilla has lived comfortably for years in a down-and-out, circus-themed mall. But when baby elephant Ruby arrives, Ivan decides that he must find her a better life. For grades 3-6 and older readers. 2012.Maggie Witte, Outreach LibrarianDB 116354 The river we remember by William Kent Krueger "On Memorial Day, as the people of Jewel, Minnesota, gather to remember and honor the sacrifice of so many sons in the wars of the past, the half-clothed body of wealthy landowner Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, dead from a shotgun blast. Investigation of the murder falls to Sheriff Brody Dern, a highly decorated war hero who still carries the physical and emotional scars from his military service. Even before Dern has the results of the autopsy, vicious rumors begin to circulate that the killer must be Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII veteran who has recently returned to Jewel with a Japanese wife. As suspicions and accusations mount and the town teeters on the edge of more violence, Dern struggles not only to find the truth of Quinn's murder but also put to rest the demons from his own past. Caught up in the torrent of anger that sweeps through Jewel are a war widow and her adolescent son, the intrepid publisher of the local newspaper, an aging deputy, and a crusading female lawyer, all of whom struggle with their own tragic histories and harbor secrets that Quinn's death threatens to expose." -- Provided by publisher. --Strong language, violence. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller.Nataly Renfro, Machine ClerkDB 97020 A blade so black: Nightmare-verse, book 1 by L. L. McKinney Alice battles monstrous creatures in the dark dream realm known as Wonderland with magic weapons and hardcore fighting skills. When Alice's mentor is poisoned, she has to travel deep into Wonderland to find a cure. Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2018.DB 97021 A dream so dark: Nightmare-verse, book 2 by L. L. McKinney Still reeling from her recent battle, Alice must cross the Veil to rescue her friends, but a new threat emerges in Wonderland. Sequel to A Blade So Black (DB 97020). Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2019.DB 117357 A crown so cursed: Nightmare-verse, book 3 by L. L. McKinney "Alice and her crew are doing their best to recover from the last boss battle, but some of them keep having these. . . dreams: visions of a dark past--and an even darker future. Sadly, the evil in Wonderland may not be as defeated as they'd hoped. Attacked by Nightmares unlike any they've ever seen, Alice will have to step between the coming darkness and the mortal world once more. But this time is different. This time, the monsters aren't waiting for her on the other side of the Veil." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers.DB 124931 The other half of the grave: Night Huntress, book 8 by Jeaniene Frost "From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a thrilling new look at the iconic origin story of Cat and Bones, as experienced by Bones...from the other half of the grave.There are two sides to every story-and the sizzling British alpha vampire, Bones, has a lot to say...Ever wondered what Bones was thinking and feeling when he and half-vampire Cat Crawfield first met? Or how their story might differ if he were the one telling it? Now, relive the beginning of Cat and Bones' bestselling love story through Bones' point of view, which reveals a darker, sexier take on their early days, as well as a deeper dive into Bones' past, the vampire world, and other things that Cat didn't see when their story was told only through her eyes in Halfway to the Grave.Cat had her say. Now, it's Bones' turn."-- From publisher. -- Violence, strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex.DB 126489 Both feet in the grave: Night Huntress, book 9 by Jeaniene Frost "Cat disappeared from Bones' life to protect him, but this Master vampire will keep his promise to find her. Two hundred years of bounty hunting made Bones the best at what he does, yet it's still taken him four long years to find Cat, the half vampire now known as the "Red Reaper." There's a price on Cat's head, and not even her job as a secret government agent can save her. Only Bones can. But has time hardened Bones too much to love again? Or will his passion for Cat burn through every obstacle-alive, undead, or otherwise-between them? From the New York Times bestselling author of the Night Huntress series comes a fresh, new perspective on the origin saga of Cat and Bones, in Bones' own words..."-- Publisher marketing. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.Troy Arndt, Circulation ClerkDB 96449 Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the secret history of the sixties by Tim O'Neill Journalist's reassessment of the infamous case against Charles Manson and his young followers--who murdered seven people, including eight-months-pregnant actress Sharon Tate--is the product of two decades of reporting, hundreds of new interviews, and dozens of never-before-seen documents from the LAPD, the FBI, and the CIA. Contains violence and explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2019.DBC00014 The thicket by Joe R. Lansdale Jack Parker knows all too well how treacherous turn-of-the-century East Texas can be. His parents did not survive a smallpox epidemic. His grandfather was murdered. Now his sister Lula has been kidnapped by a criminal who may believe wearing a dead man's clothes protects him from death. With bounty hunter Shorty, a charismatic and cunning dwarf, and Eustace, a gravedigging son of an ex-slave, the heartbroken young Jack sets off on an epic quest to rescue his sister from the corrupt men who control much of the new territory. Violence, strong language, and explicit descriptions of sex....

Libraries and Librarians in Literature

Libraries are places of wonder where users can wander through a multitude of worlds (familiar and unusual), view the world through different perspectives, and learn about the world and everything in and around it. Libraries house not just books, but all kinds of unexpected materials and services. It may not surprise you to find databases and digital materials. You may also be aware of the collections of movies, music, and periodicals and magazines. Did you know you may also find art exhibits, community spaces, meeting rooms, seed collections, cake pan collections, and more? There is so much going on in libraries, and, thankfully, librarians are there to assist library users. Everyday, librarians guide users to the resources available, helping them find needed information, recommending books to fit their reading desires, and teaching them life skills through the classes and activities on offer. Many books showcase the magic that libraries have in our lives. We've gathered a list of some of the books for all ages that are about libraries and librarians, as well as books where libraries and/or librarians play a large role. Make one of these titles your next read.Adult NonfictionDB 92869 The library book by Susan Orlean The author re-opens the unsolved mystery of the most catastrophic library fire in US history. On April 29, 1986, fire broke out at the Los Angeles Public Library and destroyed or damaged more than a million books. Examines the evolution of public libraries while celebrating their value in society.Commercial audiobook. 2018.DB 82147 BiblioTech: why libraries matter more than ever in the age of Google by John G. Palfrey Former law professor and founding chairman of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) examines the importance and role of public libraries in the twenty-first century and beyond. Examines lessons learned from the development period of the DPLA and argues for a reexamination of public libraries' core strengths. 2015DB 98976 Information hunters: when librarians, soldiers, and spies banded together in World War II Europe by Kathy Lee Peiss A cultural historian recounts the role of book and document collecting during and after World War II as a part of intelligence and national security, military planning, and postwar reconstruction. She profiles the librarians, archivists, and scholars who carried out these missions and describes the forward-reaching impact on American libraries. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2020.DB 81214 This book is overdue: how librarians and cybrarians can save us all by Marilyn Johnson Author of The Dead Beat (DB 81116) and Lives in Ruins (DB 80738) explores the careers of librarians and other information professionals. Discusses professional realities, stereotypes, and popular culture representations, and profiles librarians working in a variety of roles. 2010DB 58681 Jefferson's legacy: a brief history of the Library of Congress by John Young Cole Veteran librarian and historian provides a history of the nation's foremost cultural institution. Coverage begins in 1800 with the establishment of a legislative library and ends in 1992. Features information on collections, the evolution of the library's buildings, and brief biographies of the Librarians of Congress. 1993.DB 116462 The library: a fragile history by Andrew Pettegree "Famed across the known world, jealously guarded by private collectors, built up over centuries, destroyed in a single day, ornamented with gold leaf and frescoes, or filled with bean bags and children's drawings-the history of the library is rich, varied, and stuffed full of incident. In The Library, historians Andrew Pettegree and Arthur der Weduwen introduce us to the antiquarians and philanthropists who shaped the world's great collections, trace the rise and fall of literary tastes, and reveal the high crimes and misdemeanors committed in pursuit of rare manuscripts. In doing so, they reveal that while collections themselves are fragile, often falling into ruin within a few decades, the idea of the library has been remarkably resilient as each generation makes-and remakes-the institution anew. Beautifully written and deeply researched, The Library is essential reading for booklovers, collectors, and anyone who has ever gotten blissfully lost in the stacks." -- Provided by publisher. -- Commercial audiobook.DB 128128 Hopeful visions, practical actions: cultural humility in library work by David A. Hurley (In process) "LIS educators and students, library directors, managers, frontline employees, and those who work behind the scenes all share how they are taking action and creating change. Thoughtfully addressing DEI issues related to policies, services, and programs, this collection's diverse chorus of voices will both enlighten and inspire. Cultural humility offers a renewing and transformative framework for navigating interpersonal interactions in libraries, whether between patrons and staff or staff members with one another. It foregrounds a practice of critical self-reflection and commitment to recognizing and redressing structural inequities and problematic power imbalances. This collection, the first book-length treatment of this approach in libraries, gathers contributors from across the field to demonstrate how cultural humility can change the way we work and make lasting impacts on diversity, equity, and inclusion in libraries." -- The Library Marketplace.DB 84705 The bad-ass librarians of Timbuktu: and their race to save the world's most precious manuscripts by Joshua Hammer A journalist recounts the efforts of a small group of librarians and archivists in Mali to rescue thousands of rare manuscripts before they fell into the hands of the jihadists attacking the city of Timbuktu. Some strong language. 2016.DB 86951 Dear Fahrenheit 451: love and heartbreak in the stacks: a librarian's love letters and breakup notes to the books in her life by Annie Spence A collection of letters addressed to books from the librarian author along with several essays on book-related subjects, such as books with bad covers. Includes love letters to The Goldfinch (DB 77453) and Matilda (DB 31793), as well as a couple snarky breakup letters. 2017.DB 89536 The book thieves: the Nazi looting of Europe's libraries and the race to return a literary inheritance by Andrews Rydell An account of the pillaging of Europe's libraries, bookstores, and personal book collections by the Nazis during World War II. Discusses how a small team of librarians has begun the task of identifying these books and returning them to the families of their original rightful owners. Translated from Swedish. Commercial audiobook. 2015.DB 117321 Forbidden knowledge: medicine, science, and censorship in early modern Italy by Hannah Marcus "Forbidden Knowledge explores the censorship of medical books from their proliferation in print through the prohibitions placed on many of them during the Counter-Reformation. How and why did books banned in Italy end up back on library shelves in the seventeenth century? Historian Hannah Marcus uncovers how early modern physicians evaluated the utility of banned books and facilitated their continued circulation in conversation with Catholic authorities. The process of selective censorship and licensing resulted in a vast, dispersed archive of books that have been "corrected" with pens, knives, glue, and paper. Marcus tracked them down to learn more than the effectiveness of religious censorship. She explores how censorship created new avenues of expertise and opened up new discussions about the utility of knowledge. Through her careful combing of the archives, Marcus highlights how talk of utility, once thought to have begun during the Scientific Revolution, in fact began earlier, emerging from ecclesiastical censorship and the desire to continue to use banned medical books. What's more, this censorship in medicine, which preceded by sixty years the Copernican debate in astronomy, has had a lasting impact on how we talk about new and controversial developments in scientific knowledge. Forbidden Knowledge is a masterful, timely book about the interplay between efforts at intellectual control and the utility of knowledge." -- Provided by publisher.DB 124340 That librarian: the fight against book banning in America by Amanda Jones "One of the things small town librarian Amanda Jones values most about books is how they can affirm a young person's sense of self. So in 2022, when she caught wind of a local public hearing that would discuss "book content," she knew what was at stake. Schools and libraries nationwide have been bombarded by demands for books with LGTBQ+ references, discussions of racism, and more to be purged from the shelves. Amanda would be damned if her community were to ban stories representing minority groups. She spoke out that night at the meeting. Days later, she woke up to a nightmare that is still ongoing. Amanda Jones has been called a groomer, a pedo, and a porn-pusher; she has faced death threats and attacks from strangers and friends alike. Her decision to support a collection of books with diverse perspectives made her a target for extremists using book banning campaigns--funded by dark money organizations and advanced by hard right politicians--in a crusade to make America more white, straight, and "Christian." But Amanda Jones wouldn't give up without a fight: she sued her harassers for defamation and urged others to join her in the resistance. Mapping the book banning crisis occurring all across the nation, That Librarian draws the battle lines in the war against equity and inclusion, calling book lovers everywhere to rise in defense of our readers."-- From publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Youth NonfictionDBC05710 Dewey: there's a cat in the library! by Vicki Myron Dewey the cat, who finds a new home at the Spencer Library when librarian Vicky Myron finds him in the return box, learns that young visitors like to chase him, pull his tail, and give him tight hugs, but he soon realizes that, despite the demands, helping people is what he does best. For grades K-3.DB 93016 Dreamers by Yuyi Morales Author and illustrator, a Caldecott Honor and Pura Belpré Award recipient, reflects on her own immigration journey from Mexico to America. Her feelings of isolation disappear after she discovers the wonders of a public library. Commercial audiobook. For grades K-3. 2018.DB 77680 Thomas Jefferson builds a library by Barb Rosestock A celebration of Thomas Jefferson's lifelong love of reading. Describes Jefferson gobbling up books "the way a starving man eats" and selling more than 6,500 of his to the Library of Congress after its original collection was destroyed during the War of 1812. For grades K-3 and older readers. 2013.DB 65329 The library book: the story of libraries from camels to computers by Maureen Sawa Traces the global history of libraries. Describes the evolution of knowledge collection and sharing from clay tablets and scrolls to paper pages and digital files. Mentions a Persian official who traveled with his books loaded on five hundred camels, creating the first bookmobile. For grades 4-7. 2006.DB 112410 Planting stories: the life of librarian and storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Denise "Nonfiction picture book about the life and legacy of Pura Belpré, the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City." -- Provided by publisher. -- Commercial audiobook. For grades K-3.DB 119558 Go forth and tell: the life of Augusta Baker, librarian and master storyteller by Breanna J. McDaniel "A picture book biography about librarian and storyteller Augusta Baker, the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public library." -- Provided by publisher. -- Commercial audiobook. For Preschool-grade 2.Adult FictionDB 86252 The invisible library by Genevieve Cogman Irene works as an agent for the Invisible Library, tracking down rare manuscripts from alternate realities. She and her assistant travel to a version of Victorian London only to find that the book they seek has already been stolen. Some violence. 2016.DB 122153 The librarian of burned books by Brianna Labuskes "Set against the backdrop of World War II, a novel inspired by the true story of the Council of Books in Wartime follows three women whose fates become intertwined by their belief in the power and goodness of the written word to triumph over the very darkest moments of war."-- From publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 110656 The librarian spy: a novel of World War II by Madeline Martin "Ava thought her job as a librarian at the Library of Congress would mean a quiet, routine existence. But an unexpected offer from the US military has brought her to Lisbon with a new mission: posing as a librarian while working undercover as a spy gathering intelligence. Meanwhile, in occupied France, Elaine has begun an apprenticeship at a printing press run by members of the Resistance. It's a job usually reserved for men, but in the war, those rules have been forgotten. Yet she knows that the Nazis are searching for the press and its printer in order to silence them. As the battle in Europe rages, Ava and Elaine find themselves connecting through coded messages and discovering hope in the face of war." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 103929 The personal librarian by Marie Benedict In 1906, Belle da Costa Greene was hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society, but she is African American passing as white. Some descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2021.DB 96922 The library of the unwritten by A. J. Hackwith Claire is Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing of Hell's library, where stories unfinished by their authors reside. When a hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must capture him with the help of her assistant, Brevity, and demon courier Leto. Contains some violence and some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2019.DB 82679 The library of Mount Char by Scott Hawkins Carolyn and a few others were brought as children to an unusual library that exists outside of time. There, they acquired various special abilities. When the god-like figure they call Father disappears from the library, Carolyn and her siblings search for him. Violence and some strong language. 2015.DB 86007 Public library and other stories by Ali Smith A collection of short fiction from award-winning author Ali Smith. As a whole, the collection focuses on what people do with books and what books do to people--how they shock, change, challenge, and teach. Also discusses the vital role of public libraries. Commercial audiobook. 2016.DB 94352 The library of lost and found by Phaedra Patrick Librarian Martha Storm's life changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, she finds a dedication written to her by her grandmother Zelda, who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier. Martha also discovers a clue that her grandmother may still be alive. Commercial audiobook. 2019.DB 100906 The midnight library by Matt Haig After she attempts suicide, Nora wakes up in a mysterious library. The shelves are full of books, each the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with other books for the other lives you could have lived. Contains some descriptions of sex, some violence, and strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2020.DB 113287 The littlest library by Poppy Alexander "A little red telephone box full of stories, a chance to change her life... Jess Metcalf is perfectly content with her quiet, predictable life. But when her beloved grandmother passes away and she loses her job at the local library, Jess' life is turned upside down. Determined to pick up the pieces, Jess decides it's time for a new beginning. Unable to part with her grandmother's cherished books, she packs them all up and moves to a tiny cottage in the English countryside. To her surprise, Jess discovers that she's now the owner of an old red phone box that was left on the property. Missing her job at the local library, Jess decides to give back to her new community-using her grandmother's collection to turn the ordinary phone box into the littlest library in England. It's not long before the books are borrowed and begin to work their literary magic-bringing the villagers together... and managing to draw Jess' grumpy but handsome neighbor out of his shell. Maybe it's finally time for Jess to follow her heart, let go of her old life, and make the village her home? But will she be able to take the leap?" -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 97441 The starless sea by Erin Morgenstern Graduate student Zachary discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks that contains stories of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, nameless acolytes, and a story about an incident from his own childhood. The book sets him on a course of adventure that leads to a hidden library. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.DB 104434 The reading list by Sara Nisha Adams Teenage library worker Aleisha discovers a list of novels that she's never heard of. Reading the books helps transport Aleisha from the painful realities at home. When widower Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list. Some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2021.DB 105146 The book of form and emptiness by Ruth Ozeki One year after the death of his beloved musician father, thirteen-year-old Benny Oh's mother has become a hoarder, and Benny begins to hear voices from the things around him. The voices drive him to seek refuge in the silence of the public library, where he meets his own Book. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.Youth FictionDB 104332 Dear librarian by Lydia M. Sigwarth After moving from place to place, a young homeless girl finds a different kind of home in the library. Commercial audiobook. For preschool-grade 2. 2021.DB 92547 Property of the rebel librarian by Allison Varnes Twelve-year-old June is shocked when her parents go on a campaign to clear Dogwood Middle School's library of objectionable books. When she notices the forbidden titles popping up in a Little Free Library, June starts a secret banned-books library in an empty locker. Commercial audiobook. For grades 4-7. 2018.DB 89356 The librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe Fourteen-year-old Dita and her family are imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. When a Jewish leader asks Dita to risk her life and take charge of the eight precious volumes the prisoners have managed to sneak past the guards, she agrees. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2017.DB 85432 Ink and bone by Rachel Caine In a world where the personal ownership of a physical book is illegal, the Great Library controls content by using alchemy to deliver books via tablets. Black market smuggler Jess Brightwell is sent to the Great Library as a trainee and as a spy. Violence. For senior high and older readers. 2015.DB 77918 Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library by Chris Grabenstein Twelve-year-old Kyle and his friends enter a contest to win a Friday-night lock-in at the new public library created by an eccentric game maker. Little do they know that the winners will have to work together to solve puzzles in order to escape. For grades 4-7. 2013.DB 115087 Lola at the library by Anna McQuinn "Every Tuesday Lola and her mother visit their local library to return and check out books, attend story readings, and share a special treat. Lola loves Tuesdays because that is the day she and her mother go to the library. Everything about the trip is an exciting adventure, from packing her backpack with books and her all-important library card, to storytimes and singing, to choosing new books and the walk home, when they always stop for a special treat. But the best time of all is when Mommy reads her story at bedtime." -- Provided by publisher. -- Commercial audiobook. For Preschool-grade 2.DB 117138 Surrender the key by D. J. MacHale "When supernatural phenomenon start following Marcus O'Mara around, he discovers a key that leads to The Library, a place where all the stories of the living and dead are kept that will help him and his friends solve a terrifying mystery. Previously published as 'Curse of the Boggin.'" -- Provided by publisher. -- Commercial audiobook. For grades 4-7.DB 110853 A library by Nikki Giovanni "In what other place can a child "sail their dreams" and "surf the rainbow" without ever leaving the room? This ode to libraries is a celebration for everyone who loves stories, from seasoned readers to those just learning to love words, and it will have kids and parents alike imagining where their library can take them." -- Provided by publisher. -- Commercial audiobook. For Preschool-grade 2.DB 125675 The legend of the last library by Frank Cole "In a dystopian world where paper is scarce, Juni finds a book that reveals the location of a hidden library and faces threats from a powerful corporation determined to control it."-- From publisher. -- Commercial audiobook. For grades 3-6.DB 107617 Long lost by Jacqueline West Feeling lonely and out of place after her family moves to a new town, eleven-year-old Fiona Crane ventures to the local library, where she finds a gripping mystery novel about a small town, family secrets, and a tragic disappearance. Commercial audiobook. For grades 4-7. 2021....

On The Download - April 2025

Check out March's top BARD downloads in Kansas! If you aren't yet a BARD user, you can learn more at the NLS BARD website. If BARD isn't a good fit for you, we are still happy to mail books and magazines directly to your home. Just drop us a line at KTB@ks.gov or call 800-362-0699. Happy reading!Most popular Kansas BARD user audiobook downloads from March 2025 DB126056 Now or Never: Thirty-one on the run by Evanovich, Janet.DB126468 The Texas Murders: Everything is bigger in Texas - especially the murder cases by Patterson, James & Bourelle, Andrew.DB125904 The House of Cross by Patterson, James.DB126742 The Second Murderer by Mina, Denise.DB126914 Never Say Never by Steel, Danielle.DB127087 Bonded in Death by Robb, J. D.DB126338 Beautiful Ugly by Feeney, Alice.DB126539 The Angry Land by Johnstone, William W. & J. A.DB126918 Shattering Dawn by Krentz, Jayne Ann.DB126298 Bellevue by Cook, Robin.DB126785 See How They Hide by Brennan, Allison.DB124910 Nine Month Contract by Daws, Amy.Most popular Kansas BARD user audio magazine downloads from March 2025 Harvard Women's Health Watch March, 2025.Atlantic Monthly March, 2025.The Nation February, 2025.National Geographic March, 2025.Discover March, 2025.Smithsonian December, 2024.The New Yorker March 10, 2025.Guide Posts April, 2025.National Review March, 2025.Reader's Digest February, 2025.Bookmarks March, 2025.A full list of available magazines can be found on the NLS Website. Most popular Kansas BARD user braille book downloads from March 2025BR25280 Managing Your Emotions: Daily wisdom for remaining stable in an unstable world, a 90-day devotional by Meyer, Joyce. BR25182 There Was a Little Girl by McBain, Ed.BRG01458 Death at Windsor Castle by Benison, C. C.BR09689 Schindler's List by Keneally, Thomas. ...

March 2025 Staff Picks

Are you looking for your next great read? Check out Kansas Talking Books most recent staff picks, where we highlight books our staff have recently read (or re-read) and enjoyed. Maybe one of them will be your next fantastic adventure!Michael Lang, DirectorDB 104755 The gunslinger: Dark tower, book 1 by Stephen King His evil nemesis, the "man in black," creates many problems for the gunslinger as the gunslinger travels through time, seeking vengeance for the death of his father and the dishonoring of his mother. Violence, strong language, and descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 1982.DB 104715 The drawing of the three: Dark tower, book 2 by Stephen King Roland the gunslinger continues his search for the Dark Tower in a tale of horror, during which he cohabits three lives in New York City: a heroin addict, The Prisoner; a schizophrenic woman, The Lady of Shadows; and a murderer, Death. Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. 1987.Natalia Renfro, Machine ClerkDB 108069 Season fears: Alchemical journeys, book 2 by Seanan McGuire Melanie has a destiny, though it isn't the one everyone assumes it to be. Meanwhile, Harry doesn't want to believe in destiny, because that means accepting the loss of the one person who gives his life meaning. When a new road is laid out in front of them, walking down it seems to be the only option. Sequel to Middlegame (DB 95164). Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2022.Troy Arndt, Circulation ClerkDB 110577 The other name: Septology, books 1-2 by Jon Fosse, translated by Damion Searls "The Other Name follows the lives of two men living close to each other on the west coast of Norway. The year is coming to a close and Asle, an aging painter and widower, is reminiscing about his life. He lives alone, his only friends being his neighbor, Åsleik, a bachelor and traditional Norwegian fisherman-farmer, and Beyer, a gallerist who lives in Bjørgvin, a couple hours' drive south of Dylgja, where he lives. There, in Bjørgvin, lives another Asle, also a painter. He and the narrator are doppelgangers--two versions of the same person, two versions of the same life. Written in hypnotic prose that shifts between the first and third person, The Other Name calls into question concrete notions around subjectivity and the self. What makes us who we are? And why do we lead one life and not another? Through flashbacks, Fosse deftly explores the convergences and divergences in the lives of both Asles, slowly building towards a decisive encounter between them both. A writer at the zenith of his career, with The Other Name, the first two volumes in his Septology, Fosse presents us with an indelible and poignant exploration of the human condition that will endure as his masterpiece." -- Provided by publisher. -- Translated from the 2019 Norwegian edition. Some strong language.DB 116597 The September house by Carissa Orlando "A thrilling psychological horror debut about a woman who is determined to stay in her dream home even after it becomes haunted, no matter the cost... You can survive anything. That's what Margaret tells herself when the walls of her house start to drip blood every September. She's learned how to live with it...and the other terrifying apparitions that have made the sprawling Victorian house she and her husband bought four years ago turn from a dream home into a living nightmare. But she can outlast all of it. Hal felt differently, though. Her husband couldn't take the hauntings anymore, and he left. But now he's not returning calls, and their daughter Katherine arrives, intent on looking for her missing father, convinced something grim has happened to him. With every desperate attempt Katherine makes at finding Hal, the hauntings at the September House grow more harrowing, because there are some secrets the house needs to keep." -- Provided by publisher. -- Strong language, violence. Commercial audiobook.DB 88447 Final girls by Riley Sager A decade ago, while vacationing at a cabin with fellow college students, Quincy Carpenter was the only one to escape a killer's rampage. In recovery, she met another "final girl." Now, after a frantic call to Quincy, that woman has been killed. Violence, strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. Commercial audiobook. 2017.Dylan Calhoon, Patron Services ManagerDB 88608 Kings of the wyld: Band, book 1 by Nicholas Eames Long past their days of glory, the mercenary band once led by Clay Cooper gets back together for one more mission to help a friend whose daughter is in trouble. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2017.Maggie Witte, Outreach Librarian/Lead Readers' AdvisorDB 125859 Under the oak tree: the comic. 1 by Suji Kim "Most fairytales end with a wedding and a happily-ever-after--but this is no fairytale. When stuttering Lady Maximilian is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father's schemes, her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin. Riftan leaves for war the morning after their disastrous wedding night, and it's three years until Maxi sees him again. Now the husband she barely knows is a war hero. And when he comes home to claim her, Maxi will need to master her own bewildering desire--and Riftan's--before she can hope to become the true mistress of their enormous castle estate. That task will demand courage from Maxi, even as she struggles to find her own voice."-- From publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller.DB 121696 How to become the Dark Lord and die trying by Django Wexler "Davi has done this all before. She's tried to be the hero and take down the all-powerful Dark Lord. A hundred times she's rallied humanity and made the final charge. But the time loop always gets her in the end. Sometimes she's killed quickly. Sometimes it takes a while. But she's been defeated every time. This time? She's done being the hero and done being stuck in this endless time loop. If the Dark Lord always wins, then maybe that's who she needs to be. It's Davi's turn to play on the winning side"-- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 119351 The king's captive: Gate of myth and power, book 1 by K. M. Shea "I can turn into a housecat. It's a fun magic, except in a world filled with vampires and werewolves, it doesn't exactly make me a powerhouse. Instead, the supernatural community has classified me as an outcast, which means one thing: Picking on me is open season all day, every day. The local fae are the worst of all, and it's during one of their regular "capture the cat-girl" sessions that I shift into my cat form and meet HIM for the first time. Noctus is so powerful his magic radiates off him like a sun, and my fae captors can barely look in his general direction. And then my life gets even more terrifying when Noctus decides to take me with him. As a pet. Why did he pick today to "adopt don't shop" a cat?"--Goodreads. Some violence and some strong language.DB 119352 The king's shadow: Gate of myth and power, book 2 by K. M. Shea "I just spent the last month pretending to be the pet cat of an elf king. Today, I discovered we're enemies. In a supernatural society filled with vampires, werewolves, and wizards, I've always been an outcast with my ability to turn into a housecat. No one knew what I was. Turns out, I'm a shadow a race of supernaturals that were wiped out by the elves centuries ago. Who explains this to me? Noctus, the elf king I've been staying with while pretending to be his pet "cat," not knowing I'm the archenemy of his people. Talk about the most awkward ancestry results ever. Now I'm stuck staying with Noctus because he can't let me go thanks to all of his secrets I unwillingly learned as a cat. At least he hasn't killed me. Yet..."--Goodreads. -- Some violence and some descriptions of sex.DB 119353 The king's queen: Gate of myth and power, book 3 by K. M. Shea "When the elven king of death released me even though my existence is a threat to his kingdom, I took the opportunity to run. There is just one problem. I also fell in love with him. Nothing like a little doomed love to add a dash of intrigue to life, right? Unfortunately, that's not even the worst of it. I'm a worrier on my best days, but with a psycho tracking my every move because he's obsessed with killing me, I've graduated to the level of paranoid lunatic. Even if I could forget about the tracker not happening since he's figured out the fastest way to get to me is to attack my adopted family my regular life is also anxiety-inducing as the city of Magiford is brewing with trouble. Someone is setting off increasingly powerful magical spells downtown, upsetting all the humans. The supernatural community is desperate to find the perpetrator, and the top leaders are convinced the psychotic tracker chasing me is in on it. Their solution? Use me to capture the tracker for questioning."--Goodreads. -- Some violence and some descriptions of sex.DB 125304 We kept her in the cellar by W. R. Gorman "Eunice follows three strict rules in life: treat Cinderella as family, prevent her from accessing rats or mice, and never look at her between midnight and 3 a.m. Cinderella, possessing dark powers, is cared for by Eunice, who keeps the family's secret. Eunice's life has been filled with nightmares and close encounters with the monster in the cellar. Upon befriending Prince Credence and securing a ball invitation, Eunice sees a chance for freedom. However, Cinderella escapes, wreaking havoc at the ball and captivating the prince. Eunice must now decide what she's willing to sacrifice to stop her stepsister."-- From publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 64445 His majesty's dragon by Naomi Novik English naval captain Will Laurence discovers a dragon egg aboard a captured French frigate. Once the creature, Temeraire, hatches, Will harnesses it and bonds immediately and irrevocably with it. The pair trains in the art of airborne combat before joining the Aerial Corps to battle Napoleon's forces. Commercial audiobook. 2006.DB 124632 My vampire plus-one: My vampire, book 2 by Jenna Levine "Amelia Collins is by definition successful. She would even go so far as to say successfully single, but not according to her family. She's tired of the constant questions about her nonexistent dating life. When an invitation to yet another family wedding arrives, she decides to get everyone off her back once and for all by finding someone, anyone, to pose as her date. After a chance encounter with Reginald Cleaves, Amelia decides he's perfect for her purposes. He's a bit strange, but that's fine--it'll discourage tough questions from her family. For centuries-old vampire Reggie, posing as her plus-one sounds like the ultimate fun"-- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.DB 115655 The Heaven & Earth Grocery store by James McBride "In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows. Chicken Hill was where Moshe and Chona Ludlow lived when Moshe integrated his theater and where Chona ran the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. When the state came looking for a deaf boy to institutionalize him, it was Chona and Nate Timblin, the Black janitor at Moshe's theater and the unofficial leader of the Black community on Chicken Hill, who worked together to keep the boy safe. As these characters' stories overlap and deepen, it becomes clear how much the people who live on the margins of white, Christian America struggle and what they must do to survive. When the truth is finally revealed about what happened on Chicken Hill and the part the town's white establishment played in it, McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community-heaven and earth-that sustain us." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller....