VV2

Talking Books
By: Heather Latimer / Heather’s Self-Help Tips
Talking Books, in Carson City, is the Nevada
branch of the National Library Service that
offers a free loan service to those who are visually
impaired, have serious reading disabilities, or are blind.
The exciting part is that you can make your own selection from
attractive titles. Further, your book order need not be processed by using
your computer unless you prefer. It can also be conducted completely
by mail with books sent directly to your home.
As many as five books can arrive in the same delivery provided you
comply with the directive of returning all items in pristine condition
and within a designated time.
You may make your choice from a catalog of thousands of items and
hundreds of fiction and non-fiction subjects. Everything from poems
to historical biographies.
Avid reader Murray Stevens said, “I am so impressed by the lift
of spirits I’ve observed in those who have enjoyed this program. I
urge anyone with serious visual problems to immediately apply for
membership.”
First, obtain a doctor’s certificate confirming your condition. Then
request an application form from Talking Books by calling 775/684-
3354 or accessing and copying “ntbs application” on the internet,
completing it by hand with the certification attached, and mailing
to Nevada Talking Books Services, Nevada State Library, 100 North
Stewart Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701.
The Magic of Books
By: Jane Dow / Mutterings & Musings
Do you have books that you’ve read over and
over again?? Those magical worlds where
we know the outcome, but relish reliving the
characters’ sorrows and joys.
I have three I want to share with you.
I was in the ninth grade when I first met Sydney Carton, the drunken
hero of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.” Since then, I have reread
the novel at least five times.
Dickens’ verbiage was pretty tricky for a 14 year old, but the background
of the French Revolution coupled with the love triangle between Lucy, her
husband Charles and Sydney Carton sparked a passion in my teenage
mind. I learned the meaning of selfless love.
I walked to the guillotine with Sidney Carton. I came to understand the
motivating power
of oppression in
the French people.
A Tale of
Two Cities truly
changed my
world view and
was the catalyst to
visit France three
times and learn
enough French to
be dangerous.
The second
novel that became
a big part of my
DNA was Harper
Lee’s To Kill a
Mockingbird. The
book planted the seed, but it was the movie and the character of Scout
that affected me so deeply.
My first child Ellen possessed an uncanny resemblance to the little girl
who played Scout. I even kept Ellen’s hair short like Scout’s.
She always wanted long hair like the other girls, but mom kept it short.
Ah, that’s another story.
My third favorite read, more contemporary than the others, is Julia
Child›s autobiography My Life in France. Each time I read it, I inhale
the depiction of her life in France during the 40s and 50, but it is the love
story between her and Paul Child that always moves me.
He is the reason she became Julia Child! She couldn’t boil an egg before
he introduced her to “gastronomy” and the delight of French cuisine.
And NO, Julia Child wasn’t a spy, as wagging tongues often depict her.
Both she and Paul worked for the US State Department, thus the titillating
idea that she must have been a spy. Mon Dieu!
18
February 2024
Jane taught high school English and theatre for 30 years. She
now spends her time being a Toastmaster, enjoying the endless
entertainment options in our town, attending Pilates classes and
spoiling her rescue, Mandy.