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• talking book
  talking book

  noun

  a phonograph record or tape recording of readings of a book, magazine, etc., made especially for use by the blind.
• Talking Book
  Talking Book

  noun

  a recording of a book, designed to be used by blind people

talking book

American  

noun

1. a phonograph record or tape recording of readings of a book, magazine, etc., made especially for use by the blind.

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Talking Book British  

noun

1. a recording of a book, designed to be used by blind people

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Etymology

Origin of talking book

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Each stunning string instrument leaning against the stark white wall is a tally and talking book, marking the value of a period of relative solitude and reflection.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

From its inception, the talking book faced a lot of the same questions over its relationship to text that audiobooks do today.

From The Guardian • Nov. 16, 2019

As Rubery notes, “The talking book only exists because a group of people had no access to books.”

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2016

I suppose at this point I had better forestall the avalanche of suggestions from puzzled wellwishers, wondering that I have not heard of the talking book.

From The Guardian • Aug. 17, 2012

The dislike of the British public to be “talked book to” may be healthy or unhealthy; but if it takes no great heed of this kind of talking book, small blame to it!

From Matthew Arnold by Saintsbury, George