Until last year, listening to audiobooks was something I rarely did except when on a long drive. I would have to backtrack or rewind many times as my mind drifted to one thought or another. Once on a trip to Missoula, Russ and I listened to Invasion of the Body Snatchers enroute, and a collection of Stephen King short stories on our return. What I remember most of the short story collection, is one about a woman getting killed in a rest stop bathroom. When we decided to drive home through the night except for a few hour break sleeping in the car in a rest area parking lot, I was a bit freaked out as Russ slept but I really had to go to the bathroom. But, yes, I survived.

More importantly, not quite ten years ago I helped Mom enroll in Oregon Talking Books as she began to find it difficult to read, even with large print or increased font size with her declining vision. She was a voracious reader, and was crushed, a visual learner like me and someone who loved the feel of a book in her hands.

Mom and I shared books. She shared with me and my brothers at the beginning; we shared with her at the end.

Soon though, Mom became a beloved listener of audiobooks.

Mom loved and depended on Oregon Talking Books. And while she could have afforded to pay postage, she would not have been able to get to the post office, see the label or find an expedient way to pay for or return them. Yes, I am worried about potential impacts after 2025 to the state libraries that house the Talking Book and Braille Libraries as they receive a significant portion of their funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. (My annual donation ain’t gonna cut it.)

But, back to me. I now adore audiobooks, often checking them out via my library and the Libby App. Hard copies will always be my preferred reading mode, but I’ve developed a different kind of relationship with audiobooks. During the past year I’ve listened to genres and books I would not normally “read”. I did this first as a learner: how do those mystery authors move plot so well, for example. Then I found, in between my frequent long walks, shorter drives, sometimes when watering my garden and much less frequently when I actually clean my house – I devour the book. Nowadays I’m always in the middle of one audiobook and 1-2 traditional books. Too, I remind myself that if I too one day regretfully find myself losing my vision, I am fully prepared to adapt to audiobooks.

I’ve also listened to books that I’ve read before. A recent example is Tom Lake by Ann Patchell. I loved this book the first time through in its hard copy, although there is a risk when a book is released with SO much hype we might be a bit disappointed. My listening experience was entirely different, and not just because of Meryl Streep’s unbeatable narration. I realized while listening, there were several things I missed when first raced along in my reading. Yes, of the very few regrets I have in my life, taking speed reading the summer after fourth grade stands out. Enticed by traveling by bus from our rural Wilsonville to West Linn High School, I jumped at the chance to enroll in summer school. Who knows, maybe to get a break from my brothers? I was a good student but chose to sign up for trampoline and speed reading. Honestly, who in their right mind would encourage an already fast and good reader to learn to be even speedier at nine years old? Anyway, I digress yet again.

Now? Yes, I’m excited to have propelled My Music Man into the audiobook world. And while it is currently available on Audible and Apple Books, I reduced my royalties so I have the right to send it through any other distribution source. At the moment I’m awaiting approval to have it available on Libro.FM so that readers can buy it and benefit their favorite independent bookstore. After that? Overdrive/Libby for those libraries to join the hard copies. Eventually? Hmm. Oregon Talking Books would be cool. I’ll keep you posted.

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