Kansas Talking Books News Update - Winter 2024
It is with delight that we bring you these recommendations from one patron to another as a start to the new year. This patron, Donna, is an avid reader who has shared with the Kansas Talking Books staff read-alike recommendations: that is, books, series, or authors you might like if you've read x. What makes these recommendations so awesome is that she has read these books, and she is a patron just like you. Be on the look out for more of Donna's recommendations throughout the year!
So, if you're searching for something new to read, check out Donna's read-alike recommendations and happy reading!
- Fans of William Bernhardt's Ben Kincaid series might also enjoy books by Barry Reed. These authors are both legal fiction but are more aligned than, say, with John Grisham and/or Lisa Scottoline.
- Fans of A Time to Kill by John Grisham might enjoy A Calamity of Souls by David Baldacci.
- Fans of Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow series might like Jess Lourey's PI Mira James series and the first book in the Riley Ellison series by Jill Orr.
- Theater Nights are Murder: Poppy McAllister, book 4 by Libby Klein is HIGHLY recommended for fans of Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune series. It was hysterical. At the play's opening night, I laughed until I cried. Poppy has a cat, Sir Figaro Newton, who is quite the drama king. When he wants attention or to make a point, he just flops over as if he were reenacting a death scene. This book, with the senior center play, is by far the funniest of her books. Miss Fortune has Ida Belle and Gertie, while Poppy has her eccentric aunt along with three senior citizens, who are hysterical. I'm laughing again at the antics of dress rehearsal night.
- Fans of Avery Aames, Ellie Alexander, Winnie Archer, Ginger Bolton, Joanna Carl, Vivien Chien, Nancy Coco, Krista Davis, Maddie Day, Daryl Wood Gerber, Libby Klein, and Jenn McKinlay might also like the Sweet Bites series by Heather Justesen.
- Fans of Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune series, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen, and Liz Mugavero's Pawsitively Organic series might also like Julie Chase's Kitty Couture series.
- Fans of Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs might like Lisa Black's Theresa MacLean series. *Disclaimer: I've only read a few of the Cornwell books and actually none of the Temperance books--just the TV show based on same books--only her young adult series. Thus, what I remember might not computer, but it is the best I can recollect. If you may think of others who write with medical detail, then Lisa Black is a good author. Maybe even Robin Cook, but his stand-alone books are more balanced with adjacent drama storylines instead of specifically forensics only, although to be fair, I've not yet enjoyed his forensic pathologist Laurie Montgomery series. (So much to read, so little time.)
- Fans of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series will love Adrienne Giordano's Lucie Rizzo series. In fact, there are enough zany moments in there to make fans of Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune series also love the Lucie Rizzo series. One difference is the dog factor. However, I'm not particularly fond of dogs, yet I still thoroughly enjoyed the series.
Check it out, our top 10 talking books from 2024. How many have you read?
DB115520 The Cowboy's Mistletoe Christmas: Sweet Water Ranch, Book 1 by Jessie Gussman.
DB117604 Ties That Bind: Amish of Summer Grove, Book 1 by Cindy Woodsmall.
DB118079 Five Days in Skye: MacDonald Family, Book 1 by Carla Laureano.
DB118118 Hope in the Mountain River: Call of the Rockies, Book 2 by Misty M. Beller.
DB115858 The Cowboy's Marriage Mistake: Sweet Water Ranch, Book 11 by Jessie Gussman.
DB120470 The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar.
DB115697 Grizzly Killer: Day of Reckoning, Book 15 by Lane R. Warenski.
DB115590 Stairs of Sand by Zane Grey.
DB119879 I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died : Emily Dickinson Mysteries, Book 2 by Amanda Flower.
DB118571 London Tides: MacDonald Family trilogy, Book 2 by Carla Laureano.
All of these titles (and thousands more) can be downloaded today with BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download service. Need these titles mailed to you? We're here to help, call 800-362-0699 or email KTB@ks.gov.
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, Director
DB 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 Manager
DB 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 Assistant
DB 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 Librarian
DB 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.
Kansas Talking Books' Audio Described Movies
Did 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.
DVD
Big 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.
VHS
Beauty 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 Movies
Not 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-G
Mariah 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-G
Snoopy 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-G
Disney+
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 PG
A 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 PG
Mickey 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-G
Noelle (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 G
The 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 G
The 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 PG
Netflix
A 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 PG
Christmas 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-PG
Dolly 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-PG
Jingle 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 PG
Klaus (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 PG
That 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 PG
The 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 PG
Prime Video
Beethoven'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 PG
Candy 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 PG
It'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 PG
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (1970)
“A mailman reveals the origin of Santa Claus.” – from IMDB. Included with Prime. Rated ALL
White 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+
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.
Read anything good lately? Our Kansas BARD users have. Check out this list of books/mags our Kansas readers downloaded the most last month from BARD! 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.
Most popular Kansas Talking Book user audiobook downloads November 2024.
- DB123948 Passions in Death by J.D. Robb.
- DB124174 The Braille Killer by Daniel Kuhnley.
- DB123803 Shadow of Doubt by Brad Thor.
- DB124323 This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter.
- DB124450 The Christmas Inn by Pamela M. Kelley.
- DB124452 Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks.
- DB122487 Any Sunday by Debbie Macomber.
- DB122726 The Bookstore on Amelia Island by Hope Holloway.
- DB124030 The Wild Side by Fern Michaels.
- DB124180 We Solve Murders by Richard Osman.
- DB121303 The House at the End of the World by Dean Koontz.
Most popular Kansas Talking Book magazine downloads in November 2024.
- Atlantic Monthly; November, 2024.
- Economist; November 2, 2024.
- The Week November 15, 2024.
- Guide Posts; December, 2024.
- Smithsonian; September, 2024 .
- Prevention; October, 2024.
A full list of available magazines can be found on the NLS Website.
Kansas Talking Books staff shares their picks from amongst what they've been reading lately. Each person reads something different. Give one our staff picks a try today. If you like the book you read, try checking in with that staff member for future reading recommendations.
Michael Lang, Director
DB 123471 The book of elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Mieville
"A warrior who cannot be killed, known simply as "B", wants to die and a U.S. black-ops group has promised they can help with that if he helps them in return, but when an all-too-mortal soldier comes back to life, the impossible event points to a force even more mysterious than B himself."-- From publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller.
Dylan Calhoon, Patron Services Manager
DB 102964 Deep silence: Joe Ledger, book 10 by Jonathan Maberry
A weapon that can induce earthquakes and cause dormant volcanoes to erupt can also drive healthy people to commit suicide and acts of violence. When the madness infiltrates Congress, Joe Ledger and his team hunt the terrorists and the global power financing them. Sequel to Dogs of War (DB 87731). Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2018.
Rei Cook, Library Assistant
DB 74857 The song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Iliad (DB 66356) told from the perspective of Patroclus, Achilles's companion and lover. Meeting first as foster brothers, they are schooled by Chiron, and then join the Greek army against Troy. Violence and explicit descriptions of sex. Orange Prize. 2012.
DB 66356 The Iliad by Homer
Robert Fagles's 1990 translation of the Greek epic poem written during the eighth century B.C.E. and attributed to Homer. Relates the events of a few days of battle near the end of the Trojan War. Focuses on Achilles's withdrawal from the fight and its disastrous effects on the Greek campaign. 1990.
Maggie Witte, Outreach Librarian
DB 70553 Wages of sin: Cin Craven, book 1 by Jenna Maclaine
England, 1815. Witch Dulcinea "Cin" Craven struggles to control her powerful sorcery skills as an ancient, evil demon takes notice of her newfound abilities. Her only chance for survival is to enlist the help of the Righteous--three vampire warriors. Violence, some strong language, and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2008.
DB 70777 Grave sins: Cin Craven, book 2 by Jenna Maclaine
England, 1828. Dulcinea "Cin" Craven, the newly undead Red Witch of the Righteous from Wages of Sin (DB 70553), seeks out alleged mass-murdering vampire queen Marrakesh. But Cin questions Marrakesh's guilt and searches for the real culprit. Explicit descriptions of sex, some strong language, and some violence. 2009.
DB 71291 Bound by sin: Cin Craven, book 3 by Jenna Maclaine
1862. Vampire warriors Cin Craven and her husband Michael, from Grave Sins (DB 70777), hunt renegade vampires with members of the Righteous. But when Cin's cousin Claire is kidnapped, the Righteous change plans to rescue her. Explicit descriptions of sex, some strong language, and some violence. 2010.
DB 103633 Don't hex and drive: Stay a spell, book 2 by Juliette Cross
Witch Isadora Savoie spends her time in the greenhouse or at the animal shelter, using her Conduit powers of growth and healing. She's reluctantly roped into the mystery of missing neighborhood girls, partnering with flirty vampire Devraj Kumar to find them before it's too late. Strong language and some explicit descriptions of sex. 2020.
DB 122972 Heaven and hell by Kristen Ashley
"After making a bad decision when she was very young, Kia Clementine finds herself in hell. Then, suddenly, within the time it takes for a shotgun to blast, her hell changes. Completely. Then out-of-the-blue she sees Sampson Cooper, her celebrity crush. A man the whole world knows is decent. A man the world knows is loyal. A man the world knows is good. All of these very unlike her now dead husband. He's sitting at a table right next to hers. And she catches his eye. Terrified of the interest Sam shows in her, Kia finds the courage to go out with him. Not long after, she shares her dark secrets and Sam shares that he'll stop at nothing to gain her trust. As Sam leads Kia to heaven, Kia realizes that Sam is living his own hell. But although he gives her beauty and she gives him everything, he withholds his trust. Even with all the beauty Sam shows her, Kia wants it all. But Sam forces Kia to make a heartbreaking decision and only she can decide. It's all or nothing."-- Provided by publisher -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
DBC27444 Stringing rosaries: the history, the unforgivable, and the healing of Northern Plains American Indian boarding school survivors by Denise K. Lajimodiere
Denise Lajimodiere's interest in American Indian boarding school survivors stories evolved from recording her father and other family members speaking of their experiences. Her research helped her to gain insight, a deeper understanding of her parents, and how and why she and her siblings were parented in the way they were. That insight led her to an emotional ceremony of forgiveness, described in the last chapter of Stringing Rosaries. The journey to record survivors stories led her through the Dakotas and Minnesota and into the personal and private space of boarding school survivors. While there, she heard stories that they had never shared before. She came to an understanding of new terms: historical and intergenerational trauma, soul wound. Stringing Rosaries presents a brief history of the boarding school programs for Indigenous Americans, followed by sixteen interviews with boarding school survivors, and ending with the author's own healing journey with her father. Adult. Unrated.
Learn what the Kansas Talking Books staff have been reading. Maybe you'll find your next great read!
Michael Lang, Director
DB 123382 Burn by Peter Heller
"Every year Jess and Storey have made an annual pilgrimage to northern Maine where they camp, hunt, and hike, leaving much from their long friendship unspoken. Although the state has convulsed all summer with secession mania--a mania that had simultaneously spread across other states--Jess and Storey figure it's a fight reserved for legislators or, worse-case scenario, folks in the capitol. But after two weeks hunting moose off the grid, the men reach a small town and are shocked to find a bridge blown apart, buildings burned to the ground, and bombed-out cars abandoned on the road. Trying to make sense of the sudden destruction all around them, the men set their sights on finding their way home, dragging a wagon across bumpy dirt roads, ransacking boats left in the lakes, and dodging men who are armed--secessionists or military, they cannot tell--as they seek a path to safety. And then, a startling discovery, a child in the cabin of a boat, drastically alters their path and the stakes of their escape"-- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
DB 116768 The dead take the A train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey
"Julie is a coked-up, burnt-out thirty-year-old whose only retirement plan is dying early. She's been trying to establish herself in the NYC magic scene, and she'll work the most gruesome gigs, exorcize the nastiest demons, and make deals with the cruelest gods to claw her way to the top. But nothing can prepare her for the toughest job yet: when her best friend, Sarah, shows up at her door in need of help. Keeping Sarah safe becomes top priority. Julie is desperate for a quick fix to break the dead-end grind and save her friend. But her power grab sets off a deadly chain of events that puts Sarah - and the entire world - directly in the path of annihilation." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
Nataly Renfro, Machine Clerk
DB 109150 Trouble with the cursed by Kim Harrison
"Rachel Morgan, witch-born demon, has one unspoken rule: take chances, but pay for them yourself. With it, she has turned enemies into allies, found her place with her demon kin, and stepped up as the subrosa of Cincinnati--responsible for keeping the paranormal community at peace and in line. Life is... good? Even better, her best friend, Ivy Tamwood, is returning home. Nothing's simple, though, and Ivy's not coming alone. The vampires' ruling council insists she escort one of the long undead, hell-bent on proving that Rachel killed Cincy's master vampire to take over the city. Which, of course, Rachel totally did not do. She only transformed her a little. With Rachel's friends distracted by their own lives and problems, she reaches out to a new ally for help--the demon Hodin. But this trickster has his own agenda. In the end, the only way for Rachel to save herself and the city may be to forge a new understanding with her estranged demon teacher, Al. There's just one problem: Al would sell his own soul to be rid of her...." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2022.
DB 117824 Demons of good and evil by Kim Harrison
"Rachel Morgan, witch-born demon, suspected that protecting the paranormal citizens of Cincinnati as the demon subrosa would be trouble. But it's rapidly becoming way more trouble than even she could have imagined. While Rachel and her friends may have vanquished the trickster demon Hodin, his mysterious associate known only as "The Mage" is eager to finish what Hodin started, beginning with taking down Rachel's power structure piece by piece. With her world falling apart, Rachel desperately needs help. But with all of her supporters under attack, her only hope is to make a deal with the unlikeliest of allies." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
Troy Arndt, Circulation Clerk
DB 105260 The last house on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
In a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods, an unspeakable secret binds a strange family together. But when a new neighbor moves in next door, something buried among the birch trees may come back to haunt them all. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2021.
Maggie Witte, Outreach Librarian
DB 117114 The Medici manuscript by C. J. Archer
"Finding an old manuscript in the attic has always been a fantasy of Sylvia's. She just never expected the fantasy to come true, or for it to lead her to answers about her mysterious family. The silver clasps binding the pages contain rare magic - the same magic that might run through Sylvia's veins. To discover a link to her ancestors means understanding the book itself, but it's written in a code that proves difficult to crack. The only thing she knows for certain is that it was once owned by the Medicis, the powerful family that controlled Renaissance Florence. With the help of Gabe and his friends, Sylvia investigates the book's origins. But following the clues throws up more questions - questions they need help answering. Trusting others is not Sylvia's strong suit, but with Gabe at her side, she becomes capable and confident. Until their trust is shattered when the book is stolen. Uncovering the thief proves dangerous, particularly when someone is also trying to kidnap Gabe. With his own mysteries to unravel, Gabe's private life becomes more complicated. Sylvia tries to keep her distance but staying away from someone as magnetic as Gabe is impossible. With so many distractions, can they find the thief before the book is lost forever? Or will the secrets contained within its pages remain unsolved and will Sylvia's past continue to be a mystery?" -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
DB 117116 The untitled books by C. J. Archer
"When a set of bound manuscripts written on magician-made paper is brought to the Glass Library, Sylvia and the professor send the owner away. After all, the library collects books about magic, not containing it. But the murder of the bookbinder who bound them sees the books returned to the library, along with Gabe in his role as consultant for Scotland Yard. When his investigation uncovers a link to Sylvia's past, they're even more determined to find the murderer. But they're not the only ones searching for answers. Someone has gone to great lengths to find the truth behind the binding of the books. The hunt for the killer leads them to dark corners of London and unscrupulous players with much to gain by owning the collection. It also leads to the discovery of long-buried secrets, and staggering revelations that shed light on Sylvia's past." -- Provided by publisher. -- Unrated. Commercial audiobook.
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.