I recently listened to my first (complete) audiobook through Overdrive. You’d probably think that the Director of the library should have done this long ago (we’ve only had eaudio books since 2006!), but alas I had not. I regularly listen to audio books on CD because of my lengthy commute, but until recently, I either didn’t have the equipment or the time to “play” with Overdrive or whatever. So here we are—eaudio heard. And I loved it!

I listened to Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. Yes, a novel from 1984! For some reason it wound up on a list of titles I’d like to read. If you haven’t read it, Cold Sassy is narrated by a 14-year-old boy and set in the summer of 1906 in Cold Sassy Tree, Georgia. I, a Yonkers native born in the latter part of the 20th century, have nothing in common with this book. But I’m so glad I borrowed it because it was probably the best book I read or listened to all year.

Cold Sassy is a wonderful story. It’s not about much really, just a beautifully written tale (read superbly by Tom Parker) of small town life in the Deep South. But the town and the characters that live there are so crisply drawn. It’s one of those books that when it ends you know you’re going miss your new friends. I highly recommend it.

Over the next few weeks, when you’re tired of the gatherings and festivities, visit www.udpl.org and check out Cold Sassy in ebook or eaudio format in Overdrive (or request a copy in print or on CD through the library catalog) and ease yourself into an endearing tale of family, relationships, and love.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season—