Barnes & Noble's Web site has an interesting new feature: readings of famous literary works matched to original animation. The first offering in the occasional series is Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo reading an excerpt from Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.

The animation is haunting, just perfect for Russo's reading of Huck's words. But the excerpt, only a minute and a half long, sure left me really hungry for more.

p.s. For those (like Nancy) who might in good faith, but mistakenly, assign this post to the theme of Southern writers, please note that Twain started Huck Finn in 1876, two years after moving into his new house in Hartford, Ct.