Libby Selects “Uncommon Measure” For Worldwide Digital Book Club
Available for free as an ebook or audiobook, this heartfelt and thought-provoking story invites readers from around the world to join an online discussion about time, music and personal transformation
CLEVELAND – May 14, 2025 – Readers worldwide are invited to come together in a thought-provoking exploration of time during Big Library Read, the world’s largest digital book club. From May 15-29, readers with a valid public library card can access the ebook, audiobook or ebook with audio version of “Uncommon Measure: A Journey Through Music, Performance, and the Science of Time” by Natalie Hodges for free on the Libby app, without waitlists or holds. Book lovers can also join online discussions with other like-minded readers from around the globe.
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the selection of “Uncommon Measure” allows readers to follow the journey of a young Korean American woman who has dedicated her life to becoming a concert violinist, only to have her dreams disrupted by performance anxiety. She faces the challenges of reinventing herself but ultimately finds freedom and expression through the process, not in the music she thought would once define her. The novel intertwines personal struggles with insights from neuroscience and quantum physics, while exploring themes of family pressure, prejudice and the weight of internal expectations.
Big Library Read has connected millions of readers since 2013, with programs held three times each year. Available through over 22,000 libraries worldwide, Big Library Read allows readers to borrow selected titles instantly and enjoy a shared reading experience. As the leading digital reading platform, OverDrive’s Libby app provides readers convenient access to ebooks, audiobooks and magazines on their favorite devices.
“I am honored that this book has been selected as one of Big Library Read’s book club titles”, said Natalie Hodges, author of “Uncommon Measure”. “To me, libraries embody a similar promise: that each of us can seek our own humanity in others’ stories and find again and again that we are not alone, whatever our experience on this Earth. By participating in the Big Library Read program, readers affirm the value and necessity of libraries and shared stories in their community and the world over.”
Natalie Hodges has performed as a classical violinist throughout Colorado and in New York, Boston, Paris and Italy’s Piedmont, as well as at the Aspen Music Festival and Stowe Tango Music Festival. She graduated from Harvard University, where she studied English and music, and currently lives in Boulder, Colorado. “Uncommon Measure: A Journey Through Music, Performance, and the Science of Time” is Hodges’ first novel. It was longlisted for the National Book Award, shortlisted for the Saroyan Prize and named a New York Times Editors’ Choice.
To cap off this year’s Big Library Read, Libby, in collaboration with AARP, will host an exclusive virtual event and Q&A with author Natalie Hodges on May 30 at noon EDT. This engaging session will allow readers to connect directly with the author, gain deeper insights into her work and have their burning questions answered. AARP’s Director of Book Publishing, Leah Miller, will lead the event, guiding the conversation and ensuring an enriching experience for all attendees.
Leah Miller is the director of the AARP Books program. As an editor, Leah specialized in bestselling and award-winning non-fiction, with dozens of national bestsellers in categories ranging from health to parenting to purpose. Leah has worked with notable bestselling memoirists, such as National Book Critic Circle Award winner Mira Bartok, NCIBA award winner Julia Scheeres, New York Times bestseller Nicole Walters, Bonnie Wan and more. Since joining AARP, Leah has overseen the sale and development of book projects on topics central to AARP’s mission, including topics of brain health, pain, caregiving, purpose and meaning-making.
To join Big Library Read, download the Libby app or visit libbyapp.com, where “Uncommon Measure” is available for free without waits or holds until May 29, 2025. Readers are encouraged to participate in online discussions to share insights and engage with others from around the world.
To learn more about Big Library Read, visit www.biglibraryread.com.
To register for the virtual author event with AARP, visit here.
About OverDrive
OverDrive is a mission-based company that supports libraries and schools. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 87,000 libraries and schools in 115 countries with the largest digital catalog of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, video and other content. OverDrive’s commitment to empower every library and school includes expanding access for all, industry advocacy and consistent innovation. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, the Kanopy video streaming app, and TeachingBooks, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com
Media Contact
Madison Stoneburner
Marketing & Communications Specialist I
Phone: +1 216-573-6886 ext. 1389
mstoneburner@overdrive.com