Yes, it really has been two hundred years. Two centuries since the publication of Jane Austen's first novel, Sense and Sensibility. I'll admit, it's not my favorite Austen work. That place is forever reserved for Pride and Prejudice. It's a good book, though. If you've never read it, this would be the year to do so. If you'd rather see a film version, the library has both the 2008 BBC mini-series starring Hattie Morhan and Charity Wakefield, and the 1995 Ang Lee film with Hugh Grant and Kate Winslet. The book is also available on tape at the library (unfortunately not on CD).

There will be a variety things happening to celebrate this event, some local, some not. I'll try to keep you updated about them.

If you like audiobooks, and I know lots of people do, then Random House Audio has an offer for you. To promote their Car Share Program, they're offering 5 free audio downloads. All you have to do is sign up for their monthly newsletter on the website, and they'll email you a link to the downloads. Pretty easy. You don't get really weird titles, either.

• The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice (10 hours 48 minutes)
• The Alibi Man by Tami Hoag (6 hours 2 minutes)
• "Percy Jackson and the Sword of Hades" from The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan (1 hour 17 minutes)
• "Including One Called Hell" from Fraud by David Rakoff (35 minutes), and
• "Mercy Watson to the Rescue" from The Mercy Watson Collection, Volume 1 by Kate DiCamillo (20 minutes).

Not bad for a little time. Thanks, Random House!