Download Top 100 Full Audiobooks in Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

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Title: The Little Match Girl (from the Naxos Audiobook 'A Family Christmas')

Author: Hans Christian Andersen

Narrator: Teresa Gallagher

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-21-07

Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 37 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Few winter stories are more affecting than Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl. Written in 1848, and strictly speaking a New Year's Eve story, it showed so clearly then, as it does now, that the Christmas holidays do not represent fireside, food, and presents for all. This story never fails to move, yet it somehow avoids serious sentimentality.

©2007 Naxos Rights International; (P)2007 Naxos Rights International

Members Reviews:

So sad

Perfect little story, I cried the entire 6 minutes ( that's a compliment )

Sad & But So True

A sad story that is so true, many little boys & girls perished

through the cruelty of hunger, neglect & cold, especially in the years before the 20th Century.

Great!!

Awesome book!! Really enjoyed it

Excellent narrator and story. Totally worth your money. +1 +1

Steven is reallty good

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Title: Princess Stories

Author: Caitlin Matthews

Narrator: Margaret Wolfson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-24-07

Publisher: Barefoot Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

This warm and humorous collection presents much-loved favorites, such as "The Princess and the Pea" from Denmark, as well as less familiar figures, including "The Beggar Princess" from China and "The Horned Snake's Wife" from the Iroquois of North America. Caitlin Matthew's wonderfully dramatic retellings are perfect for hearing aloud.

Members Reviews:

Some good stories, but not everyone is a winner

Would you listen to Princess Stories again? Why?

My 3 year daughter, like most girls her age, is in love with princesses. I after reading her a story or two I like to play this collection when she is falling asleep. The two best stories in the collection are the Princess and the Pea and Sleeping Beauty. There are also a number of stories from around the world, although they are not as good for a young girl. Personally, not every story in the collection is a winner. However, in general I love the Barefoot Books and have several others on audio and hardcover for both my son and daughter and I would recommend them to anyone who wants to share stories with their child.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Princess Stories?

The Princess and the Pea as well as Sleeping Beauty are my favorites. They are the first and last stories in the collection.

Would you be willing to try another one of Margaret Wolfsons performances?

Not really. The production values and the narration are a little ify on the recording. There are certainly readers which make a story or collection sparkle, Wolfson was just so-so.

Any additional comments?

There is music between each story and its somewhat bothersome that the music seems to be recorded at a louder level then the actual stories. The sound levels and production are not the greatest on this audio book.

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Title: The Dorothy Parker Audio Collection

Author: Dorothy Parker

Narrator: Christine Baranski, Alfre Woodard, Cynthia Nixon, Shirley Booth

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-07-07

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 61 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Among the gems included in this collection are her first published short story, "Such a Pretty Little Picture", her O. Henry Award winner "Big Blonde", several other short stories, and, unlike other audio collections, some of her review work.

Members Reviews:

Not for me

I just didn't get onboard with Dorothy Parker's style at all - I know she's iconic but I couldn't follow anything!

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Title: All Aunt Hagar's Children

Subtitle: Selected Stories

Author: Edward P. Jones

Narrator: James Peter Francis

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-07-06

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Returning to the city that inspired his first prize-winning book, Lost in the City, Jones has filled this new collection with people who call Washington, D.C., home. Yet it is not the city's power brokers that most concern him but rather its ordinary citizens. All Aunt Hagar's Children turns an unflinching eye to the men, women, and children caught between the old ways of the South and the temptations that await them further north, people who in Jones' masterful hands, emerge as fully human and morally complex, whether they are country folk used to getting up with the chickens or people with centuries of education behind them.

In the title story, in which Jones employs the first-person rhythms of a classic detective story, a Korean War veteran investigates the death of a family friend whose sorry destiny seems inextricable from his mother's own violent Southern childhood. In "In the Blink of God's Eye" and "Tapestry", newly married couples leave behind the familiarity of rural life to pursue lives of urban promise, only to be challenged and disappointed.

With the legacy of slavery just a stone's throw away and the future uncertain, Jones' cornucopia of characters will haunt readers for years to come.

Critic Reviews:

"Jones' stories are rich in detail and emotions." (Booklist)

"A complex, sometimes somber collection....Each of its denizens comes through with his own particular ways and means for survival, often dependent on chance, and rendered with unsentimental sympathy and force." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

I JUST DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS!

Began listening to this and realized that "Lost in the City" comes first. So I switched. Loved the narrator. Enjoyed the first few hours. And I reviewed "The Known World" and thought it was wonderful. These books are all extremely well written and well read. "Lost in the City" has left me too stunned and far down to come back to this one. I need to bail to something more uplifting.

Superb

The voice of the narrator is enchanting and the stories are small worlds unto themselves. Listening to this book while attempting to do other things is dangerous because it so completely engages one's imagination. This is Jones's follow up to his earlier collection of stories called Lost in the City, and it provides both past and future to some of the earlier characters. But you don't need to have read Lost in the City to fully enjoy this book. Jones does for Washington, D.C. what Faulkner did for Yoknapatawpha.

Characters you love to hate

This book is not to be missed. Not only are Jones's characters unforgettable (even those with a dark side), the narrator is just fantastic. Read it today!

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Title: Essential Welty

Author: Eudora Welty

Narrator: Eudora Welty

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-05-06

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 51 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

In 1956, Caedmon had the great fortune to record Eudora Welty reading some of her finest stories. In her sweetly vibrant Mississippi drawl, Ms. Welty deftly draws the listener in to the uproariously multilayered "Why I Live at the P.O.", the spontaneous "Powerhouse", and the insightful voice of women's truths in "Petrified Man". Ms. Welty's reading brings immediacy and resonance to these wonderful tales.

© and (P)1956, 1998, 2006 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Lovely Stories

I have been a fan of Eudora Welty's for as long as I can remember, and I was quite excited about the prospect of hearing her reading her own exquisite short stories. It was wonderful to hear her voice, but the dear lady spoke so fast that it's very difficult to understand. Still,if you're a Welty fan, it's well worth a download. Enjoy.

Quality

Loved the author and a chance to hear her reading her own work.

However, this audio download is not the easiest to listen to.

The speed of this recording could be slowed down considerably if it is to be enjoyed.

Listen to Miss Welty in her own voice

Listening to Eudora Welty tell her quiet tales of the south is a rare treat. Her small stories kick into your psyche and leave you yearning for more...

Delicious - I wanted more!

Ms. Welty's reading of her short stories is mesmerizing. I felt as though I were watching a play, or acting as an anthropologist looking into a world I'd never witnessed. She vividly takes you to a time and place with sparely written but richly inhabited characters. Deeply funny, moving, and very short. Highly recommended.

Why I live at the P.O. is the best

Hearing Miss Welty read her story "Why I live at the P.O." is one of my favorite audiobook experiences. It's a great story and a great listen.

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Title: A Quiver Full of Arrows

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Narrator: Martin Jarvis

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-30-06

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

From London to China, and New York to Nigeria, Jeffrey Archer takes the reader on a tour of ancient heirlooms and modern romance, of cutthroat business and kindly strangers, of lives lived in the realms of power and lives freed from the gloom of oppression. Fortunes are made and squandered, honor betrayed and redeemed, and love lost and rediscovered. Embracing the passions that drive men and women to love and to hate, A Quiver Full of Arrows will captivate the hearts and souls of listeners everywhere.

Featuring bonus interviews with the author.

Critic Reviews:

"Somerset Maugham never penned anything so swift or urbanely witty as this." (Publishers Weekly)

"There isn't a better storyteller alive." (Larry King)

Members Reviews:

I am very disappointed with this one because I couldsee that his inveestigation ...

I've read almost all of Jeffrey Archer Books. I am very disappointed with this one because I could see that his investigation is poor on some subjects. For example Spanish. We would never say in Spanish. "viva la Colombia". It is written twice in this book. Also on geography. Colombia is a tropical country but the city of Bogotá is located at 7.800 ft. altitude so it is not hot nor humid as its stated on this book. Maybe many other of his books which we thought were thoroughly investigated, were not. What a shame, because he writes very well.

Good but not great

Interesting stories and storytelling. But a bit flat compared to Somerset Maugham or Fredrick Fosyth. I would rate No Comebacks a lot higher.

First rate story teller

Archer has written a cracker set of short stories here. Hold my attention from beginning to end, and the stories are varied and interesting. Character development is well done and I come away from reading each story highly satisfied. I like his writing and would buy his other titles

... convalescing after a stroke--------her daughter in law said she LOVED it and is now reading Kane and Abel

Brother sent to 90+ friend convalescing after a stroke--------her daughter in law said she LOVED it and is now reading Kane and Abel.

A great anthology

What can be said of Jeffery Archer's short stories that has not already been said? The man is a genius and his short stories are, to my mind, even better than the novels.

Here we have stories with real characters, great story lines and magnificent twists and turns, as a good short story should be. To say more about the stories would give away the excitement the reader will experience.

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Title: Selected Shorts

Subtitle: Lots of Laughs!

Author: Nicholson Baker, John Updike, David Schickler, Neil Gaiman

Narrator: Thomas Gibson, Charles Keating, David Rakoff

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-27-05

Publisher: Symphony Space, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 196 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Selected Shorts is an award-winning series of classic and contemporary short fiction read by acclaimed actors. The readings are recorded live at Peter Norton Symphony Space in New York City. The Selected Shorts radio series is a co-production of Symphony Space and WNYC, New York Public Radio, and is heard on public radio stations nationwide.

In this collection:

Members Reviews:

Wonderful Radio Show

These are stories read by for the most part by professional actors from a New York & LA public radio series. The match of readings and reader are always interesting. All of the stories in this offering are good, but "On the U.S.S. Fortitude" is absolutely delightful. The radio show is a weekly hour-long show featuring similar readings including classic as well as modern short stories. I'd love to see them provide a weekly subscription and some old compilations which they released on cassette, particularly a wonderful baseball compilation.

An index of the stories

For those who would like to be able to locate individual stories quickly:

0 ??? 27:26 * Nicholson Baker's "Subsoil";

27:40 ??? 49:54 * John Updike's "Farrell's Caddie";

50:22 ???1:28:47 * David Schickler's "Jamaica";

1:29:10 ??? 1:55:45 * Neil Gaiman's "Chivalry";

1:56 ???2:43 * Leonard Michaels' "Nachman from Los Angeles";

2:43:45???2:55:45 * Ron Carlson's "On the U.S.S. Fortitude";

2:56???3:04:57 * Etgar Keret's "Fatso"

Creative Writing (and Reading) done well

This is a great selection of truly entertaining stories. I could not predict the outcome of a single plot - and my outbursts of laughter had more than a few people baffled on my flight home from Denver.

The readers are as great as the stories - whoever cast them was a genius. I also enjoyed the shorter formats (about 30 minutes each) which made room for enough details, but didn't drag things out. Do be prepared that there is some adult language in two of the stories, and some downright explicit situations in the last piece. If it weren't for the language in the last story (which was still a great story) I would have recommended this listen for all age groups.

Funny stories, poor audio

These stories were entertaining, and in a sort of way I'm not used to - quite fun. The only downside I had to this recording was that the volume levels were so extreme I was constantly having to grab the volume knob on the radio in the vehicle while driving - from barely audible to blaringly loud.

shorts

I am a huge npr shorts fan. they never let me down. this one didn't either!

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Title: Classic Fairy Stories

Author: Naxos AudioBooks

Narrator: Bernard Cribbins

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-02-05

Publisher: Naxos AudioBooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

A selection of some of the most famous fairy stories which every child needs to foster their imagination. The following stories can be found on this title: "The Story of the Three Little Pigs", "The History of Dick Whittington", "Beauty and the Beast", "Goldilocks and the Three Bears", "Puss in Boots", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Ali Baba", "The Brave Little Tailor", and "The Princess on the Glass Hill".

Members Reviews:

Builds vacbulary and appreciation for literature

The most outstanding thing about this CD is the language in which these stories are told. This is serious literature for children, and it is told in a traditional, rather archaic fashion. I think young listeners might find it difficult to follow and will need a grown up help to guide them along some of the outdated phrases and vocabulary. That, in my opinion, is NOT a bad thing. Who says children can't be entertained and learn something at the same time? They can and they enjoy it.

My children are 6 and 8 and upon 1st hearing the stories I myself thought perhaps I was aiming too high for them, but they liked it and insisted upon listening over and over again. Some stories are more quick paced and there is not much need for explaining such as "7 in a blow" which was an instant hit with my children, and some are more complex and takes a few listening and some explaining before they could fully understand and enjoy it.

I particularly enjoyed Bernard Cribbin Narration - pleasant voice and perfect diction. very well done.

Great for kids!

Kids 4 and 8 loved this for a long car ride. Nicely narrated. Easy to listen to.

Not near enough music, sound effects, or anything aurally interesting.

I was drawn in by the promise of classical music used along with these stories. I thought it would be integrated along with the stories. I planned to use them for my elementary music classes. Yes, there is some music, but it's usually only at the beginnings of the stories. The stories are just dry readings of the tales, and lost my interest about 2 minutes in. Unusable for my classes.

Great for kids who enjoy stories

My 18-month-old just loves the story of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, so I purchased this thinking that I could expose her to some more stories (which I've forgotten from my youth). She did truly love Goldilocks, and was so-so on the Three Little Pigs, but the others are a little mature for her. I know she'll grow to love them, though! The way the music is present in the tales, but truly not prevalent, is great in breaking up the monotony of the story. Also, the voices are terrific. Definitely fun for a growing toddler (and not so bad for mom, either).

Waste of money.

What a waste of money. Got this for my 3-yr-old, but the language is far too advanced AND the reader has a thick british accent. Thought it would be good stories for her to relax to, but it lasted about 2 minutes before she gave up.

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Title: Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare

Author: Charles, Mary Lamb

Narrator: Martin Jarvis, Rosalind Ayres

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-13-05

Publisher: CSA Word

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 11 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Brother and sister team Charles and Mary Lamb originally wrote these stories for children in 1807, based on Shakespeare's most famous plays. Their success was immediate and their appeal quickly extended to an adult readership. This lively and accessibly audio version is compelling listening for the whole family, and will prove a great resource and inspiration to students, scholars, and newcomers to the Bard alike.

Members Reviews:

A Great Introduction to Shakespeare!

My mother introduced the Lamb's versions of Shakespeare's tales to me in written form, when I was in fourth grade. I read them voraciously, and continue to return to their work. This audio version is a great way to familiarize yourself, as well as your kids, with the classic works.

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Title: Terror's Echo

Subtitle: Novellas from Transgressions (Unabridged Selections)

Author: Lawrence Block, John Farris, Stephen King

Narrator: John Bedford Lloyd

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-28-05

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 65 votes

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories & Anthologies

Publisher's Summary:

Keller's Adjustment by Lawrence BlockKeller, everyone's favorite hit man, is back, dealing out philosophy and murder on a meandering road trip across America.

The Ransome Women by John Farris A young and beautiful artist is flattered when her idol, the reclusive portraitist John Ransome, offers her a modeling contract. Flattery turns to terror when she discovers the fate shared by Ransome's past subjects.

The Things They Left Behind by Stephen KingIn the wake of the worst disaster on American soil, one man is coming to terms with the aftermath of the Twin Towers when he begins finding the things they left behind.

Members Reviews:

enh

The characters in the first story turned me off, so I skipped to the second, which was was about an artist whose models were all brutally attacked after they finished posing for him. It was predictable and the characters were stereotypes (NYC cop, Irish Catholic girlfriend, gay art critic, emo artist, creepy artist's sidekick), but it held my attention for a little while. The third and final story was Stephen King's, "Things They Left Behind" about ghosts of the victims of the Sept. 11th attacks. Normally I love his short stories, but this one really fell flat.

Disappointing

Tedious stories, unimpressive plots. Only saving grace was the narrator - great voice. Difficult to finish.

King surprisingly touching

Stephen King's "The Things They Left Behind" is strangly touching and wonderful story.