Download Popular Authors Audiobooks in Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

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Title: Eros Rampant

Author: John Updike

Narrator: Peter Van Norden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-16-14

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The Maples Stories consists of eighteen classic stories from across John Updike's career, forming aluminous chronicle of the life and times of one marriage in all its rich emotional complexity. In 1956, Updike published the story "Snowing in Greenwich Village," about a young couple, Joan and Richard Maple, at the beginning of their marriage. Over the next two decades, he returned to these characters again and again, tracing their years together raising children, finding moments of intermittent happiness, and facing the heartbreak of infidelity and estrangement.

In this ninth story, "Eros Rampant," the loves and loyalties of Maple family are revealed, to the heartbreak of some.

Members Reviews:

Excellent Audiobook Presentation - Not My Favorite Story Of This Series

This is the ninth story about "The Maples". This story revolves around marital infidelity and discord. The story is very well written, but I can't say I really found the story enjoyable. I have been reading these stories in order and feel as though I am coming to know the couple. I want them to be happy but things are not going well.

I am not sure how I would feel about this story standing on its own. As I stated it is well written, but I feel it is more meaningful to me within the context of the other stories. If I was only going to read one story in this fine collection, this probably would not be the one. Thank You...

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Title: Here Come the Maples

Author: John Updike

Narrator: Peter Van Norden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-16-14

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The Maples Stories consists of eighteen classic stories from across John Updike's career, forming aluminous chronicle of the life and times of one marriage in all its rich emotional complexity. In 1956, Updike published the story "Snowing in Greenwich Village," about a young couple, Joan and Richard Maple, at the beginning of their marriage. Over the next two decades, he returned to these characters again and again, tracing their years together raising children, finding moments of intermittent happiness, and facing the heartbreak of infidelity and estrangement.

In "Here Come the Maples" the seventeenth story in the series, Richard reminisces about his and Joan's early married life as he finalizes the divorce.

Members Reviews:

Probably My Favorite Of This Fine Collection

This is the second to last story in the collection and of The Maples. In this story the husband attends to all of the details necessary to end the marriage by divorce. Along the way he has constant memories about every part of their dating and marriage. I found it quite poignant and extremely well written.

This story would probably stand well on its own. It is hard for me to say as I have read every story in order. For me The Maples are a long time married couple that I grown to know well. I read one story a day and deliberately stretched out this reading experience. I have been listening to an audiobook and reading simultaneously. The narrator of the audiobook is Peter Van Norden. I have found this reading experience quite sublime. Thank You...

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Title: Divorcing: A Fragment

Author: John Updike

Narrator: Peter Van Norden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-16-14

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The Maples Stories consists of eighteen classic stories from across John Updike's career, forming aluminous chronicle of the life and times of one marriage in all its rich emotional complexity. In 1956, Updike published the story "Snowing in Greenwich Village," about a young couple, Joan and Richard Maple, at the beginning of their marriage. Over the next two decades, he returned to these characters again and again, tracing their years together raising children, finding moments of intermittent happiness, and facing the heartbreak of infidelity and estrangement.

"Divorcing: A Fragment", the sixteenth story in the Maples saga, offers a glimpse into the heartbreaking complexity of a relationship's collapse, no matter how flawed.

Members Reviews:

Very Short - Painful - Needs To Be Read In Context

This is a very short episode about the ongoing saga of "The Maples", a fictional couple created by John Updike. They have been married, at a his point, for some twenty years and are separated. This episode is a short unhappy conversation about Mrs. Maples state of mind. It is well written but I feel it only really makes sense in the larger context of their story. Thank You...

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Title: Marching through Boston

Author: John Updike

Narrator: Peter Van Norden

Format: Unabridged

Length: 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-16-14

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The Maples Stories consists of eighteen classic stories from across John Updike's career, forming aluminous chronicle of the life and times of one marriage in all its rich emotional complexity. In 1956, Updike published the story "Snowing in Greenwich Village," about a young couple, Joan and Richard Maple, at the beginning of their marriage. Over the next two decades, he returned to these characters again and again, tracing their years together raising children, finding moments of intermittent happiness, and facing the heartbreak of infidelity and estrangement.

The fifth story in this collection, "Marching through Boston," finds Richard and Joan Maple still holding on to the tattered threads of their marriage. As Joan is caught up in the civil rights movement, an unwell Richard joins her at a march in Boston.

Members Reviews:

My Favorite Of The "Maple Stories" Thus Far

This is the fifth of a series of short stories by John Updike about a couple named The Maples. As I understand it, the stories were not composed one right after the other. Years could, and did, pass between stories As stated, this is he fifth in the series and is my favorite thus far, although I have really enjoyed all but one of the stories.

The only novel by Mr. Updike that I had previously read was "Rabbit Run" and I really did not like it, and based on some things in that novella, I actually had developed an aversion to Mr. Updike. However Mr. Updike is so iconic, I simply had to give him another try. I am very glad I did so and I am very glad I chose these stories.

This story is about a civil rights march. Within the story there is a reference to a "Mrs. Liuzzo". She is Viola Liuzzo, murdered, reportedly by the KKK.

I have been reading these short stories and listening to them at the same time on audiobook. The narrator is Peter Van Norden. Mr. Van Norden is really excellent and was particularly great in this story. I have, what I refer to as a "flawed inner narrator". Mr. Van Norden completely solved that in these readings. In this one, his timing, accents, and emphasizing certain words made this story really hilarious.

I am really starting to identify with the "Maples" and really hoping that everything works out for them, although "the issue is in doubt".

Thank You...

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Title: Fiction River Special Edition

Subtitle: An Original Anthology Magazine, Special Edition, Volume 1

Author: Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Dean Wesley Smith, Doug Allyn, Steve Hockensmith, Brendan DuBois, Julie Hyzy, Melissa Yi, Daemon Crowe, Libby Fischer Hellman

Narrator: Dan Boice, Jerimy Colbert, Jane Kennedy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-24-14

Publisher: WMG Publishing

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Fiction River is an original fiction anthology series. Modeled on successful anthology series of the past, from Orbit to Universe to Pulphouse: The Hardback Magazine, the goal of Fiction River is to provide a forum for "original ground-breaking fiction of all genres". Each Fiction River volume will have electronic and trade paperback issues published by WMG Publishing, and will feature some of the best new and established fiction writers in publishing. Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch are award-winning editors, as well as award-winning writers, and act as series editors for the anthologies. For more information about the authors or Fiction River, go to fictionriver.com.

Full author list: Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Dean Wesley Smith, Doug Allyn, Steve Hockensmith, Brendan DuBois, Julie Hyzy, Melissa Yi, Daemon Crowe, Libby Fischer Hellman, Karen Fonville, Karen L. Abrahamson, Kate Wilhelm, M. Elizabeth Castle, Annie Reed, and J.C. Andrijeski.

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Title: Short Shorts

Subtitle: Short and Very Short Stories

Author: Monk E. Mind

Narrator: Roland Sickenberger

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-13-14

Publisher: Grinning Monkey Publishing

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The collection of 20 Shorts covers a variety of subjects from physics, to travel, to Native American folklore; from fiction to science fiction, humor and parody to personal stories from Monk's journey.

Members Reviews:

A little mundane but overall compelling....

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes I would. The stories were unique and captured my interest.

Have you listened to any of Roland Sickenbergers other performances before? How does this one compare?

Roland did a great job. He captured the essence of the book.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

Nothing Worthwhile.

Any additional comments?

I didnt know exactly what to expect when I came across this collection of stories, but with a name like Monk E. Mind, I thought this should be good or at least fun. Unfortunately, the stories really didnt move me in any way. There are quite a few stories in this collection. Some of which are literally just a few sentences long. They are all neither fish nor fowl, so to speak. The stories arent awful or anything, but really, you can take them or leave them. Either way, there was nothing outstanding about them for me. The only significant thing for me after reading/listening to these stories is the time I put in to do so. Sadly, there isnt one story in the bunch that I will remember six months from now. Maybe not even one month from now. I really cant recommend Short Shorts: Short and Very Short Stories by Monk E. Mind. Spend you money on something more worthwhile.

Finally, this audio book was provided at no cost by the narrator in exchange for an honest review courtesy of Audio Book Blast.

Several Shorts needed to be....shorter

What did you like best about Short Shorts? What did you like least?

Honestly, I liked the idea of a collection of short stories, thoughts,....but the presentation made it...boring. I was confused when the story would veer off and sound like a wikipedia article (lists and history facts).

What aspect of Roland Sickenbergers performance would you have changed?

Nice voice. Unfortunately, the presentation was monotone. Mr. Sickenberger has a nice voice for yoga or relaxation audio. I would have liked to hear more silence between titles and the beginning of the stories. There were parts where I could hear the narrator swallow or breathe loudly.

Any additional comments?

I received this audio via audiobook boom in exchange for an unbiased review.

Not my cup of tea

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Depends on the friend! I do have one or two friends who would love this book - most would not.

Would you recommend Short Shorts to your friends? Why or why not?

Depends on the friend! I do have one or two friends who would love this book - most would not.

What about Roland Sickenbergers performance did you like?

Very good performance - mature voice, engaging. Would definitely listen to more by this narrator.

Was Short Shorts worth the listening time?

I will admit that I stopped listening so for me - no. I listened to the first 2 stories. Maybe someday I'll go back and listen to more but not anytime soon. This book has a fair amount of "woo" in it - lots of praying and spirit talk and mother earth. Not my interest at all.

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Title: Electric City and Other Stories

Author: Patricia Grace

Narrator: Frances Edmond

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-23-14

Publisher: Penguin Books NZ

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

These are short stories about ordinary folk leading seemingly ordinary lives. The power of community, extended family, and culture are central to all.

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Title: Bartleby, the Scrivener

Author: Herman Melville

Narrator: Emma Hignett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-19-14

Publisher: Saland Publishing

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

One of Melville's most well-known short stories which centres on an employee of a Wall Street law firm who "would prefer not to".

Members Reviews:

Another view of the man is isn't there

Herman Melvilleâs Bartleby the Scrivener is something of a seduction. It is either a long short story or a short novella. 64 pages in my lovely Art of the Novella edition. This is among the last works of Melville and is considered as the first work in the emerging style known as naturalism. It may be but it is certainly gentle and initially light hearted in its tone.

It is this light heartedness that makes it seductive. We are introduced to an almost Dickensian office of scriveners. Here the staff spends every working day writing out in long hand, exact duplicates of legal documents, arguments and depositions. Every page must be word for word correct and with the least tolerance for blots. The owner and narrator runs his team with a light hand. Think of a less gregarious version of Mr. Fezziwig from A Christmas Carrol or Samuel Pickwick of the Pickwick Papers. The owner/narrator has a high tolerance for personal quirks and a tendency among the staff to fuel up on alcohol during meal times. Into this mix come Bartleby. The man who prefers, not to. Every effort is made to adjust to his idiosyncrasies, but each adjustment takes the story into a darker place and tests his employerâs tolerance for a man who eventually ceases to have any functions except to be there.

The usual case for Bartleby is that he is the man who refuses to fit in. The man who simply says âI prefer not toâ. This analyses than turns to the rest of us and asks if we can call ourselves human or humane if we cannot find a space for the person who offers nothing? The question is valid, the example is flawed.

As the story progresses Bartleby is granted a great deal. Changes are made to his benefit and his reply is to assume as his right that more will be given. There is always something else that he âprefers not to.â To me the question of Bartleby is one of how to best serve his mental health issues. Something poorly recognized and most often grossly mishandled in Melvilleâs time and defining the literary point at which Bartleby achieves the perfect negative state of âpreferring not toâ.

Complete text of Melville's humorous and moving novella on humanity

This review is for the free Kindle edition of this novella. The novella is available for purchase in several book formats, some of which contain excellent critical essays on this important American author and his work. This Kindle edition contains only the text of the novella, but it is free and that's great.

"Bartleby the Scrivener" is a very accessible short novella by the author of "Moby Dick." It tells the story of a strange young man named Bartleby who shows up one morning at a New York law firm and is employed as a copyist (scrivener.) In those days (mid-nineteenth century), legal work was horrendously tedious for the clerks since huge briefs and depositions had to be copied by hand by men who did nothing all day but write a clear hand (and try not to leave ink blots on the paper,) and then check their work by reading it aloud back to each other.

This is one of my favorite novellas (really a long short story).

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Title: Under Maui Skies and Other Stories

Subtitle: I Lalo o Na Lani o Maui

Author: Wayne Moniz

Narrator: Wayne Moniz

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-14

Publisher: Maui Film Works

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Maui's rich history and culture are the foundation of these new, original short stories by Maui's award-winning author/playwright. Under Maui Skies, and Other Stories presents seven Maui tales in different genres set in a variety of Maui locales ranging in time from pre-contact Hawai`i to the 1960s. In The "Cave of Whispering Spirits", a couple and family face the wrath of the goddess of fire, Pele, in the last eruption of Haleakala.

That legend is followed by "The Cruel Sun", the true story of a love affair in Old Lahaina and the demons that haunt them - alcoholism and missionaries. "Under Maui Skies", the title story, is a western set in 1908 Kula and Kama`ole where an ordinary ranch worker is enlisted by the local sheriff to trail and report on the activities of an opium dealer called Albert Devil. The action changes in "Aloha `Oe, E Ku`uipo (Goodbye, Sweetheart)" when a money-strapped Wailuku detective takes on the case of a femme fatale. A rainbow of multiracial usual suspects is under the microscope in this island style homage to Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler.

A soldier in 1942 Pa`ia and Kihei previews, in a Twilight Zone world, the horrors of World War II at Guadalcanal in "Aunty Becky's Tavern". Hawaiian culture and science fiction blend in "An Island Beyond Hokule`a". A diaspora from a war-ravaged planet use the universal porthole of Haleakala in search of someone who will take a philosophy of aloha to their new home at the edge of the galaxy. The final story, "Climbing Woman", a ghost story, tells the sad legend of a young woman who spirals into depression and eventually death - later sighted as the legendary White Lady who haunts `Iao Valley. Moniz's fresh voice and cadence captures the flavor of the islands and their history, using these traditional storytelling genres.

Critic Reviews:

Under Maui Skies is one of the most engaging works of fiction to come out of Hawai`i in a long while. (San Francisco Chronicle)

With firm knowledge and a gift of telling stories, Wayne Moniz takes us from pre-contact Hawai`i to the 1960s on an island of gods and royalty, cowboys and schoolboys. These are the stories of Maui. (Deborah I`ida, award winning author of Middle Son)

Dip your feet into Waynes warm world of cultural tidepools. Youll want to stay awhile. (Keola Beamer, songwriter, composer, author, Master of Slack Key)

Members Reviews:

A good book to read after visiting Maui . . . .

When I was on vacation in Hawaii on Maui not too long ago, I had the chance to go to some bookstores and look in the "Hawaiiana" sections for some local books, both fiction and non-fiction. Besides some magazines, I came away with a book of short stories written by a native of Maui entitled Under Maui Skies and Other Stories. The author is a high school/college teacher named Wayne Moniz. I thought a book of short stories would be good because it would give me a variety of different tales about the island. Huge leather-bound books of Hawaiian literature were on the shelves, but I was glad I chose this purple and orange paperback book because Mr. Moniz wrote seven very different short stories, each reflecting a genre of fiction. For example, "Under Maui Skies" is a tale of a drug dealer, mixed in with the cowboy culture of up-country Maui.

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Title: The Mafia Funeral and Other Short Stories

Author: Morgan St. James

Narrator: Denise van Venrooy

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-15-14

Publisher: Morgan St. James

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

The Mafia Funeral was inspired by a true incident. When Susan attends the funeral of a young friend whose father was in the Mob, what happens at the church is like a scene from a funny movie complete with an irate priest and five shocked Jewish pallbearers. Later a gangster from San Francisco mistakes her for the daughter of a Mafia mobster. You'll laugh at the funny stories, try to solve the mysteries and feel your heart warm to others.

The collection includes several of Morgan St. James's award-winning short stories - some fiction - some true. This is the perfect audiobook to listen to when time is limited.

Members Reviews:

Really great short stories

If you could sum up The Mafia Funeral and Other Short Stories in three words, what would they be?

Delicious creative treats

What did you like best about this story?

I loved Saying Goodbye to Miss Molly, it was such a lovely story that had me getting emotional. Sometimes a good cry is cathartic.

What aspect of Denise van Venrooys performance would you have changed?

She has a nice solid read but it lacked variety. I would have loved it is each story felt different in the narration. There was a lot of opportunity to deliver a varied performance. She has a great pace that flows nicely but it lacked that extra bit that brings the stories to a new level.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It could have been in one sitting but I did it on my commute, which really worked out. Each story fit nicely into my drive time and entertained from beginning to end.

Any additional comments?

I would love to see more of this author, if these short stories are any indication she has some real skill as a story teller.

I believe I will prefer the written version

AudioBook Review:

Stars: Overall 4 Narration 3 Story 5

I love short stories so it was no hardship or question that I would gravitate toward this title. And St. James has made a lovely collection here with stories that are skillfully written to bring situation, character and action clearly to the reader without great struggle. Each word is carefully placed and chosen to present the correct tone, definition and connotation to the story, creating subtext that clearly enhances each storys voice. A mix of focus in this collection, this gives a solid feel for the authors intent: from simple-appearing moment in the life stories to gentle tales with a romance leaning, they work together or stand alone without issue: always fresh, presenting clear imagery and voice.

Narration in this story was presented by Denise van Venrooy and was a bit inconsistent for me. Not exactly right or wrong, her narration was consistent across all of the stories in this volume -a choice that did not allow for the variation in tone of each storys voice that would have brought this narration from a simple reading into the arena of performance.

While the stories are wonderfully adept pieces of writing that present the best of what this genre can be, I believe I will find the written version far more enjoyable.

I received an AudioBook copy of the title from the author via AudioBook Jukebox. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.