Mary Jane Cheshire’s photograph of Barbara Eden
A picture of June Squibb
At 95 and 96 years young respectively, Barbara Eden and June Squibb bring the audiobook of Where the Light Is Brighter, written by C. C. Griffin and Thomas G. Fiffer, to listeners.
There was a 20-minute interlude between sessions when Barbara Eden & 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.”— Thomas FifferWESTPORT, CT, UNITED STATES, August 23, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Independent publisher Christmas Lake Press, based in Connecticut, announces the audiobook release of Where the Light Is Brighter, now accessible on Audible and arriving soon on additional platforms. This touching, bittersweet narrative explores friendships forged later in life, primarily through the keen observations of 98-year-old Edith—superbly narrated by Barbara Eden—who holds strong opinions about everyone and everything and carries a wealth of memories that are gradually fading. Humorous, candid, and grounded in co-author C. C. Griffin’s extensive healthcare background, the book both delights readers and casts a necessary spotlight on ageism, urging us to challenge and reimagine our views on life’s later years.
The residents of the fictional River’s Edge care home defy stereotypes, sharing laughter and resilience as they mark a year of holidays from New Year’s Eve to Christmas. Strangers become family, time ceases to be an adversary, and brightness breaks through at every turn. Edith enters the facility reluctant and aloof, pushed by her son William (James Remar), convinced her stay is temporary and she’ll return home soon. But then she meets the self-appointed “welcoming committee” of Stella (Loretta Devine), Roula (Elayne Gordon), and Nellie (Christine Rendel), with whom she eventually shares easy laughter, hard-won wisdom, and treasured memories. Other colorful characters include ladies’ man Bruno (Steve Schirripa), grumpy O’Neill (Gerard Doyle), and centenarian gift shop owner Pearl, portrayed flawlessly by June Squibb.
Griffin, who serves as a nurse practitioner, recognized that faulty perceptions about age may be the most significant issue affecting society’s collective wellness. She references public health research from Yale led by Becca Levy, PhD, indicating that ageism—a negative belief system surrounding age—is culturally rooted and can impact up to 7.5 years of healthy life. “The good news, however,” Griffin emphasizes, “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 drive this change, Griffin turned to writing and the powerful medium of fiction to challenge misconceptions about aging and evoke humor and poignancy, hoping to reach a wide audience. Where the Light Is Brighter overturns age-related beliefs and channels a celebratory spirit to create a space where the alchemy of connection enlivens understanding, broadening 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 together they wrote the novel, published in 2023, drawing on Griffin’s healthcare experience and incorporating her own family stories and history. When producing the audiobook, casting nonagenarians Eden (I Dream of Jeannie, Flaming Star, Harper Valley PTA) and Squibb (Nebraska, Thelma, Eleanor the Great, Marjorie Prime), alongside seasoned performers like Devine (Dreamgirls, Waiting to Exhale, Grey’s Anatomy, The Ms. Pat Show), Schirripa (The Sopranos, Blue Bloods), and Remar (Dexter, Oppenheimer), was a deliberate choice to underscore that vitality can and does thrive throughout life. Christmas Lake Audiobook Producer Jacob Sundlie (who previously worked at Laura Stanczyk Casting) collaborated 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 remaining multi-narrator cast by tapping into his own network of accomplished performers for the many supporting roles.
Fiffer reports that during recording in Studio City in spring 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 joy 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 to Los Angeles for recordings with Eden, Squibb, and Devine, helping direct the narration. Fiffer and Bobkoff have also recently launched a new traditional publishing venture, Dreamfield Press.
Other 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 <a href="https://www.christmaslakecreative
