Other books that might interest you

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  Blue & Green - From their pens...

  Virginia Woolf

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  Adeline Virginia Woolf was born on the 25th January 1882 in South Kensington in London. 
  Although lauded as a founder of modernist writing with such classics as ‘Orlando’, ‘Mrs Dalloway’ and ‘To the Lighthouse’ and, of course, many classic short stories, her background is filled with elements of tragedy that she somehow overcame to become such a revered writer.   Her mother died when she was 13, her half-sister Stella two years later and with it her first of several nervous breakdowns.  Appallingly it was later found that three of her half-brothers had sexually abused her so darkness must have seemed ever present.   
  She began writing professionally at age 20 but her father’s death two years later brought a complete mental collapse and she was briefly institutionalised.  Somehow she found within herself a literary career and with it great innovations in writing; she was a pioneer of “stream of consciousness”.    
  Her tight circle of friends were the founders of the Bloomsbury Group, a movement whose legacy still influences across the arts and society in many way to this day.   
  Whilst the dark periods continued to interrupt her emotional state her rate of work never ceased.  Until, on 28th March 1941, Woolf put on her overcoat, filled up its pockets with stones, and walked into the River Ouse, in Lewes, East Sussex and drowned herself.  Her body was not recovered until the 18th April.  She was 59. 
  She left behind a note which read in part “Dearest, I feel certain that I am going mad again.  I feel we can't go through another of those terrible times.  And I shan't recover this time.  I begin to hear voices, and I can't concentrate.  So I am doing what seems the best thing to do”.

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  Joy Ride

  Jennifer Saviano

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  It is possible to be blinded by the light of another human being. Especially one you love. The seemingly happiest people are often hiding the darkest secrets. Smiling through pain many of us could not even fathom, let alone survive. All the while continuing to bring joy to the people around them, blissfully oblivious to the suffering of their loved one. 
  "The ignorant often argue, that if two people really were so connected, in any form of love, they would have noticed something was not right. 
  Well, I will tell you this much… While that is often not the case, a day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t tormented myself with those same gut-wrenching thoughts.” - Ryder 
  Joy Ride is a short story that takes place within the same world as the Saviors MC Series. It is a dark tale about friendship and revenge.

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  Wild Swans at Coole (Version 2)

  William Butler Yeats

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  A collection of poems from the mid-career of this renowned Irish poet, the title poem referring to the estate of his friend and mentor, Lady Gregory. The poems display Yeats' use of symbols (cat, hare, moon, etc), his attachment to the supernatural and Irish folklore, and his recourse to alter egos (Aherne and Robartes). They also exemplify his distinctive style of expression. (Summary by Peter Tucker)

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  Trimmed Lamp The: and other...

  O. Henry

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  Born in 1862 and died in 1910, O. Henry’s birth name is William Sydney Porter; however, he adopted the pen name O. Henry while in prison. He published 10 collections and over 600 short stories during his lifetime. 
  The Trimmed Lamp follows The Four Million and provides another series of short stories that take place in New York City in the early years of the 20th century and are representative of the surprise endings that popularized O. Henry’s work. They also capture his use of coincidence or chance to create humor in the story. O Henry wrote about ordinary people in everyday circumstances. He is quoted as once saying, “There are stories in everything. I’ve got some of my best yarns from park benches, lampposts and newspaper stands.” 
  I hope you enjoy the following readings as much as I enjoyed recording them. 
  (Summary by Marian Brown)

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  A Descent into the Maelstrom

  Edgar Allan Poe

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  Venture into the swirling abyss of fear, awe, and survival with A Descent into the Maelstrom by Edgar Allan Poe—a gripping tale of nautical horror and existential revelation from the master of gothic fiction. 
  In this haunting and philosophical short story, Poe delivers a mesmerizing account of one man’s encounter with a terrifying natural phenomenon: the legendary Maelstrom, a monstrous whirlpool off the coast of Norway. As the narrator recounts his near-death experience—being swept into the vortex along with his brothers—listeners are taken on a harrowing journey through the relentless forces of nature and the fragile psyche of a man staring into the abyss. 
  More than just a suspenseful sea story, this tale explores the boundaries of human perception, the thin line between fear and reason, and the instinct for survival in the face of overwhelming terror. Poe’s masterful prose immerses you in a world of roiling seas, towering cliffs, and psychological dread, evoking both cosmic wonder and existential despair. 
  Whether you're a lover of classic literature, a fan of horror and gothic fiction, or someone who relishes tales of maritime suspense and psychological depth, this audiobook offers a powerful listening experience. The language is poetic, the setting is vast and vivid, and the emotional journey is unforgettable. 
  Brought to life with atmospheric narration and chilling intensity, this full-length audio performance captures every nuance of Poe’s dark vision. It’s a story of being pulled into literal and metaphorical depths—a meditation on mortality, humility, and the sublime terror of nature. 
  Settle in, press play, and let yourself be drawn into the swirling horror of one of Poe’s most breathtaking and philosophical adventures.

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  A Penny's Eye View

  L. J. Greatrex

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  This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice.  
  Each tale in this short story collection traces events in the life of whomever possesses a specific penny coin as it changes hands. The thread linking the stories is the coin, although its owners may have no commonality. The stories creatively reflect the social status and aspirations of the current possessor of the coin. Therefore, one sees the diversity of life occurring at various levels of society. 
  We are invited to share in the characters’ joys and sorrows, and witness their actions which range from good to bad, kind to cruel and generous to greedy.

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