A Densavillager recently pointed us in the direction of Librivox.org, a FREE audiobook site. This site features books in the public domain, read aloud by volunteers. She had volunteered to read one of several public domain books and invited us to have a listen.

I downloaded the entire book A Thousand Miles up the Nile as a Zip file, though you can download it by chapter or section if you wish. Once the book was on my computer, I could have put it on a cd for a long car trip, but instead I put it on my mp3 player. I am now well in to the book.

I wasn’t sure I would like a “free-read-by-volunteer” book. Sometimes a person’s voice can be distracting to the story and the volume and quality of the recording could be iffy. I am pleased to say that the sound quality on this particular book is just as good as the many professional audio books I have listened too. The reader’s voice was clear and easily understandable, and not the least bit distracting from the text.

Browsing through the catalog at librivox, I found several other books and stories that I would like to download. For instance, I have downloaded their entire collection of Aesop’s Fables (all 12 volumes! Volume 1 is here.) as the stories are personal favorites of mine.

Have you checked out Librivox yet? Let us know!

Isn’t this a great idea? Using a special balance pad that feels the shifts in your weight, the Nintendo Wii has created an exercise program which monitors your BMI, exercise routine and gives you an aerobic workout. There are various exercises which include step routines and balance training. Not only that, but also games that get your body moving! How wonderful to have something in your house that is good for you, but also something that you can enjoy with your kids or grandkids?Wii Fit comes out in 2008. However, Wii Sports is already out for the Wii and does not require the balance pad. Here at hour house, we get quite a good workout with the boxing game. You can play solo or box a family member.

Bowling is awesome fun, too.If you are looking for a game console that is perfect for the whole family, look no farther than the Wii. There is the Wii-fit and sports programs for us older folk. For the little ones (and us older folk who remember gaming back in the day), the Wii can hook up online and download all the old Nintendo games for free, which games are perfect for younger gamers. For the teens, there are adventure games available and more coming (Metroid Prime 3!). The best part is that we can all play together, making video gaming into family entertainment. YAY for Nintendo!

Why are there suddenly Amazon.com ads in Densaville? Well Densaville.com now has an “Associate” account. That means if you make a purchase from Amazon using the links on our site, 4% will come back to us.

I have asked to be reimbursed in Amazon.com gift certificates. What I will do is use the gift certificate to purchase something from Amazon, which will be a prize for a community event of some sort.

We have PLENTY of time to get events planned, as they won’t send me anything until we have earned a minimum of $10.

I am trying to insert the code so that whenever you post an article (such as a book review), a link to the item will automatically appear in the text if you use the exact name of the product as it is shown on Amazon.com. Purchases made through those links will credit Densaville as well. (If I set it up right.)

Please post your comments and suggestions below.