At 101, Avid Reader Cherishes Taped Books

At 101, avid reader cherishes taped books
Des Moines Register, October 1, 2005
By: Beth Loberg

Dorothy Bryant of Perry is delighted to be a member of a Talking Book club for centenarians.

Dorothy Bryant, 101, of Perry grew up reading and rereading the books of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Willa Cather until she could almost recite them from memory. A librarian for more than 16 years and an avid reader all her life, she often gives her favorite children’s book, “The Secret Garden,” as a gift to children.

So when Bryant began to go blind about 20 years ago, she was very worried about how she would continue her favorite passion. “I love to read, but I didn’t know how I could keep up with my eyes,” Bryant said.

“But I remember that the library had books on tape, so I started listening to them. You wouldn’t believe how much they have brought to my life.”

Bryant was one of 11 Iowa centenarians honored Monday for continuing to read. Their eyes may have failed, but they continue to “read” books via tape recordings.

The 11 were inducted into the 10(2) Talking Book Club, which is sponsored by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The service mails books on tape to anybody who cannot read standard type.

“We have around 9,000 people in Iowa who are members of the Talking Book program, which began around 20 years ago,” said Karen Keninger, director of the library at the Iowa Department for the Blind in Des Moines.

“The Iowa 10(2) Talking Book Club began several years ago, and we have been gaining members ever since. Throughout the nation 1,600 people will be honored as members of the 10(2) club in 2005.”

Bryant said that she could talk about her experiences with literature forever. She also said the induction ceremony was one of the happiest days of her whole life.

“At my age, I’ve learned I can say whatever I want. You’ll have to leave when you don’t want to hear anymore, because I can just keep on talking about how much this program and reading mean to me,” Bryant said at the ceremony.

Bryant’s family said that the opportunity for her to be able to experience books again dramatically improved her life. “It really fills a void for her—she loves to sit down in her easy chair and just listen,” said Bryant’s daughter-in-law, Norma Bryant of Perry.

Keninger said that members choose from a list of books every two months, which are then mailed to the members free of charge. Cassette players are also available to members if they need them.

Bryant lists her favorite authors as Ernest Hemingway and Helen Thomas, and prefers historical books based on fact rather than many of the modern titles she can choose from. “There’s way too much violence and sex—not for me. And no fairy stories. No, no, I like real stories,” she said.

Bryant also said being able to pick from a wide variety of titles gives her the opportunity to be able to “stay in the know.”

“It’s great being able to keep up. Even without my sight, I can talk about books with people who can still read and know what’s going on,” Bryant said.

Bryant said she would continue to be an advocate for talking books, and reading in general, as long as she can. “I am getting dangerously close to my 102nd birthday in January, and I don’t read as much as I once did, when I would stay up all night and neglect my book work and such to read. But books are something that will always be dear to my heart.”

Anyone can benefit:
“I got a friend started with the tapes, and they made her feel so good. She didn’t live much longer, but it meant so much to her,” said Dorothy Bryant, 101, who continues to “read” via Talking Books, despite failing eyesight.

New Members:
The 11 Iowans inducted Monday into the Iowa 10(2) Talking Book Club:
Mildred Been of Grinnell, 102
Gladys Breer of Baxter, 102
Dorothy Bryant of Perry, 101
Josie England of Ruthven, 102
Marie Farrell of Mento, 100
Luther Goldberg of Shenandoah, 103
Catherine Hanlon of Cherokee, 103
Irene Krause of Clarinda, 101
Ethel McCombs of Cedar Falls, 100
Pauline Stepens of Des Moines, 100
Jennie Ver Steeg of Orange City, 101