The Reader Reads

Been sidelined this past week with a pretty bad cold, so I’ve not been able to make the reading I had planned for you. But I do have a smattering of extras I can share, starting with this nice little story of unlikely friends. Hopefully, next week I’ll be back in form and have something … Continue reading TRR EXTRA: “The Pine and the Flax” →

Winter is only truly here when we see snow. In this episode, we turn to “Twice-Told Tales” and a story in which Nathaniel Hawthorne describes the first real snowfall of the season. “Snow-flakes” (1837) by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Reader TRT: 19:04 The musical accompaniment for the show is provided through the kind generosity of Incompetech.com … Continue reading TRR: Episode 63, “Snow-flakes” by Nathaniel Hawthorne →

Here’s one last Extra for your November listening. “The Wind and the Moon” by George MacDonald The Reader TRT: 3:21 The musical accompaniment for the show is provided through the kind generosity of Incompetech.com.

There’s no hope for it, so we’ll just have to face up to it… winter is almost here. To that end, this week we have a story of the New England wintertime to share with you. Taken from a book by Rosalind Richards that describes life in New England throughout the year, “Early Winter” based … Continue reading TRR: Episode 62, “Early Winter” by Rosalind Richards →

Here’s another Extra for you, this one by Alice Cary. Cary was a very popular writer and poet in the mid-19th Century, and was friends with many writers, artists, and celebrities in New York at that time. When she died in 1871, among her pallbearers were P. T. Barnum and Horace Greeley. “November” by Alice … Continue reading TRR EXTRA: “November” by Alice Cary →

In 1705, the residents of Colchester, CT faced a crisis. No molasses was available for the Thanksgiving holiday! Imagine, no pumpkin pies for the forthcoming feast! What was a colonial housewife to do? Based on a real historical event, we offer you a Thanksgiving story about the Great Colchester Molasses Shortage. “Mistress Esteem Elliot’s Molasses … Continue reading TRR: Episode 61, “Mistress Esteem Elliot’s Molasses Cake” →

Author Robert Louis Stevenson is best known for his classic tales of adventure, such as “Treasure Island” and “Kidnapped!” However, Stevenson also wrote verses for children, such as the one we now offer as a November Extra for you. “The Wind” by Robert Louis Stevenson The Reader TRT: 02:13 The musical accompaniment for the show … Continue reading TRR EXTRA: “The Wind” by Robert Louis Stevenson →

Something nice. We could sure use it right about now. To that end, here is a charming little reading for you, in which we share the wisdom of… the Singing Mouse. “The Singing Mouse Stories” (1895) by Emerson Hough The Reader TRT: 23:23 The musical accompaniment for the show is… Continue reading

Sick and tired of the Election of 2016? You’re not alone! “Character” has been the central trait bandied about for both of the major party candidates this year, but that isn’t anything new. In 1920, clergyman and author Gerald Stanley Lee attempted to sketch out and describe what the perfect… Continue reading

Unlike other classic monsters, the curse of the werewolf is particularly cruel in that when he transforms into his wolfen form, he is compelled to kill those he loves best. For our final selection of spooky tales for October, we offer you a tale of lycanthropy from author Eugene Field. “The Werewolf” (1911) by Eugene … Continue reading TRR: Episode 58, “The Werewolf” by Eugene Field →