At 95 years and 96 years young, Barbara Eden and June Squibb bring Where the Light Is Brighter, by C. C. Griffin and Thomas G. Fiffer, to listeners.

WESTPORT, CT, UNITED STATES, August 23, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Connecticut-based independent publisher Christmas Lake Press announces the audiobook release of Where the Light Is Brighter, available on Audible and coming soon on other platforms. Where the Light Is Brighter is the touching, bittersweet story of unlikely friendships formed later in life, told mostly through the sharp eyes of 98-year-old Edith—brilliantly narrated by Barbara Eden—who has an opinion on everything and everyone and a lifetime of memories that are slowly slipping away. Humorous, honest, and based on co-author C. C. Griffin’s extensive experience working in healthcare, the book not only entertains readers but also shines a needed light on ageism, encouraging us to question and reimagine our perceptions about the latter chapters of our lives.

Residents of the fictional River’s Edge care home defy stereotypes, sharing joy and showing resilience as they celebrate a year of holidays spanning New Year's Eve to Christmas. Strangers become family, time stops being an enemy, and brightness breaks through at every turn. Edith enters the facility reluctant and standoffish, at the insistence of her son William (James Remar), certain her stay is temporary and she'll be going home soon. But then she encounters the self-appointed “welcoming committee” comprised of Stella (Loretta Devine), Roula (Elayne Gordon), and Nellie (Christine Rendel), with whom she eventually shares easy laughs, hard-won wisdom, and cherished memories. Other colorful characters include ladies’ man Bruno (Steve Schirripa), curmudgeonly O’Neill (Gerard Doyle), and centenarian gift shop owner Pearl, played to perfection by June Squibb.

Griffin, who provides medical services as a nurse practitioner, recognized that perhaps the most significant issue that impacts the collective wellness of society is our flawed perspectives on age. She cites research on public health at Yale, led by Becca Levy, PhD, showing that ageism—a negative belief system around age—is culturally based and can impact as many as 7.5 years of healthy life. "The good news, however," Griffin stresses, "is that limiting beliefs can be exchanged for healthier ones and we can, as a community, support collective health and wellness at every age." Determined to spur this change, Griffin turned to writing and the powerful tools of fiction to dispel misconceptions about aging and stir emotions of humor and pathos in the hope of reaching a broader audience. Where the Light Is Brighter upends age beliefs and channels the spirit of celebration to create a space where the alchemy of connection enlivens the heart of understanding, expanding our horizons as we realize there is never an age when we stop living.
 
Griffin teamed up with editor and independent publisher Thomas Fiffer at Christmas Lake Press and they wrote the novel, published in 2023, together, based on Griffin’s experience in the healthcare field and incorporating her own family stories and history. When it came to producing the audiobook, casting nonagenarians Eden (I Dream of Jeannie, Flaming Star, Harper Valley PTA) and Squibb (Nebraska, Thelma, Eleanor the Great, Marjorie Prime), along with seasoned performers such as Devine (Dreamgirls, Waiting to Exhale, Grey's Anatomy, The Ms. Pat Show), Schirripa (The Sopranos, Blue Bloods), and Remar (Dexter, Oppenheimer), was a conscious decision to highlight that vitality can and does thrive throughout life. Christmas Lake Audiobook Producer Jacob Sundlie (who did a stint at Laura Stanczyk Casting) worked with agencies including Hanson & Schwam, Innovative Artists, and WME to secure Eden (Golden Globe-nominated), Squibb (Oscar- and Tony-nominated), Devine (Emmy-winning), Schirripa and Remar (both SAG-winning), then built the rest of the multi-narrator cast by turning to his own network of accomplished performers for the many supporting roles.

Fiffer reports that while recording in Studio City in the spring of 2025, “there was a 20-minute interlude between sessions when Barbara Eden and June Squibb met for the first time. ‘You’re an icon,’ Squibb said to Eden. ‘And you’re the hottest ticket around,’ Eden said back.” He adds that beyond the thrill of meeting "Jeannie," "Thelma," "Adele," "Bobby," and "Dexter's dad" (Eden, Squibb, Devine, Schirripa, and Remar) while recording the book, hearing from the actors that the words he and Griffin wrote moved them and made the roles a pleasure to play meant the world to him. "We also felt that releasing the audiobook on Barbara Eden's 95th birthday would be a special gift to her. Happy Birthday, Barbara!"

Says Griffin, “I am beyond honored to have so many legendary, talented actors bringing my book and my characters to life. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

Christmas Lake co-founder and screenwriter Julia Bobkoff accompanied Fiffer to sessions in New York with Remar and Schirripa and Los Angeles to record with Eden, Squibb, and Devine, helping direct the narration. Fiffer and Bobkoff have also recently launched a new traditional publishing venture, Dreamfield Press.

Additional members of the Where the Light Is Brighter cast include: Gerard Doyle (Audie winner), Elayne Gordon, Jeff Gurner (Audie winner), and Christine Rendel (SOVAS and PANA winner), plus Fran Betlyon, Alissa Dellork, Desmond Fernandez, Sandra Marante, Elana Polin, Emily Solo, Paul Silver, and Kailey Souder.
 
Other Christmas Lake Press audiobooks recently released or in production include:

The Climber of Pointe du Hoc by Allen Saxon starring Georgie Henley (The Chronicles of Narnia) and Jacob Sundlie (Narrator, Once in Ordinary Time), and featuring Gerard Doyle (Eragon books) and Christine Rendel.

Hope on Wheels by LL O’Brien featuring Callie Haverda (That '90s Show), Leo Ashton (House of the Dragon), and Kai Alexander (Masters of the Air).

The Fall of Jordan Rome by Greg Lawrence starring Peter Dager (Stick), featuring Drama Desk winner and Tony-nominated Juliana Canfield (Succession), and with Sagar Radia (Industry).
 
For more information about Christmas Lake Press audiobooks, visit Christmas Lake Audio.
 
The audio edition of Where the Light Is Brighter is available for purchase on Audible and will stream soon on other platforms.

Thomas Fiffer
Christmas Lake Press
+1 203-293-8337
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