About 20 years ago, on a road trip through the Smoky Mountains, my mother asked if we could listen to one of her “talking books” as she was too tired for conversation.
I not only listened to an Agatha Christie novel that trip, I learned about how Congress funds the National Library Service to administer a free library service for the legally blind and eligible disabled. As my mother was both, she qualified to receive “talking books” at no cost. They not only sent the cassettes postage-free, they sent her the machine on which to play them. And I have to tell you; it did, and still does, make me happy to think of my tax dollar being used for that purpose.
I went home to Redding and found that our library also had recorded books available on cassette tapes. When I exhausted the library collection (I was a sales rep with lots of “windshield time”) I found I could rent them for $4 a week from Hollywood Video.
I did this for years, but gradually found I was supplementing more and more with purchased audiobooks to enable me to listen to the books I really craved. I tried to keep to a budget—no more than $100 a month. It was hard. I haunted the Shasta County Library, but I’m not fond of “popular fiction” and small town libraries have limited budgets. I get that.
Then about eight years ago I learned an amazing thing: residents of California can belong to almost any library in California. The hitch is that one needs to appear in person and submit ID.
I called the Sacramento Library and even a “Virtual Library Card” can only be applied for on-line if one lives within their territory. People in Redding can apply on-line but must pick up their card (and show ID) in the flesh. Luckily for me, my son lives in the Bay Area, so, while visiting him, I acquired one of my most valuable possessions: a San Francisco library card. My son gifted me with an iPod and I figured out how to download OverDrive Media onto my computer and I was set.
Goodbye cassettes with slick brown tapes getting stuck in the player. Goodbye CDs with scratches. Hello digital age—I think I love you.
The larger libraries have thousands of audiobooks and I am constantly astounded how quickly they acquire new books. And not just best-sellers, but the literary fiction that I find the most rewarding. I subscribe to Booklist, BookPage and Goodreads and get daily emails that recommend the best new books. When I see one that catches my eye, I’ll check on the SF Library website, and (heavenly day!) they usually have it.
And, for those of you who use e-readers, the eBook collection is extensive, too.
I feel like I’ve won the lottery when I can download the same book at the same time in print and audio. Then I can listen while I work during the day, and continue with the print version in the evening when I allow myself to read. Son of a Nutcracker–I have a great life! (My grandmother always said the secret to happiness is small ambition.)
I chose San Francisco because it was convenient for me. But you may choose Sacramento or Los Angeles or San Diego or what-the-heck, if you travel a bit, you can collect them all. I suspect that most of the city libraries are well stocked, but I know that San Francisco has over 42,000 digital audiobooks available.
So, let’s count the advantages: first—it’s free. Second, because it’s digital, I can get all my reading/listening material from the comfort of my own home. Third, most people already have the equipment—a computer to access the library site and download the free Overdrive app, and then a listening device like an iPod or MP3 player or a smart phone of any brand. And fourth, if the audiobook you are interested in is not available, you can put it on hold and you’ll be notified by email when it’s your turn.
And, after the three-week checkout period, you don’t have to physically return your selections so you never incur an overdue fine. What’s not to love?
I will close with just one recommendation for your reading/listening pleasure.
THE KIND WORTH KILLING by Peter Swanson features the best girl sociopath since Amy Dunne in GONE GIRL. In fact, after seeing book after book hyped as the next GG (GIRL ON THE TRAIN, LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE, THE SILENT WIFE, THE GOOD GIRL, etc.) this is the novel that I think will assume the GG mantle. Leave your credulity at the door and you’ll love this devious tale of psychological suspense that is full of switchbacks and double crosses. I especially liked that this 10-½ hour audio version features four different narrators for the four different points of view, thus eliminating any listener confusion. Fast paced, well written and completely addictive—and available at a library near (or maybe not so near) you. Check it out.
