Modern Short Stories

Mimei Ogawa, a prolific author of short stories nearly 100 years ago, is considered to be one of the founding figures of modern Japanese children’s literature. He has also been called the Hans Christian Andersen of Japan because of how his works were influenced by Andersen. This collection contains a fresh, modern translation of one of Mimei Ogawa’s most famous works, "The Mermaid and the Red Candles", as well as several other stories that have never been translated and published in English before.

Eight brilliant short stories from the best female short story writer of her age. Katherine Mansfield's wit, pathos and descriptive genius combine in this collection to take the listener from a wry smile one minute to the verge of tears the next.

In a city crumbling under the weight of corruption and greed, one woman rises to lead the charge for justice. Deborah, a brilliant CEO known for her integrity and wisdom, is thrust into a battle against a powerful conglomerate that has a stranglehold on the city's economy and its people. With small businesses collapsing and political leaders turning a blind eye, Deborah takes matters into her own hands. Teaming up with Barak, a hesitant politician unsure of his ability to fight such a formidable foe, Deborah mobilizes a diverse coalition of activists, journalists, and community leaders. ...

An excellent collection of creepy ghost stories from some of the most notable names of early horror fiction, including: “The Willows” by Algernon Blackwood, “The Shadows On The Wall” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, “The Messenger” by Robert W.Chambers, “Lazarus” by Leonid Andreyev, “The Beast With Five Fingers” by W.F. Harvey, “The Mass Of Shadows” by Anatole France, “What Was It” by Fitz-James O’brien, “The Middle Toe Of The Right Foot” by Ambrose Bierce, “The Shell Of Sense” by Olivia Howard Dunbar, and more!

Today we have ghosts that haunted our ancestors, as well as our own modern revenants, and there appears to be no earthly use trying to banish or exorcise them by such a simple strategy as refusing to believe in them. Since man knows that whether or not he has seen a ghost, presently he will become one, and thus he has become fascinated with the subject. Therefore he creates ghosts, not merely in his own image, but according to his dreams of power.

Have you ever passed out and woken up in your girlfriend’s apartment only to find you’ve lost access to your multi-million dollar dark web auctioning website–right after she found out she’s not your only girlfriend? Have you ever been accused of attempted murder by a talented and vindictive mime? Have you ever gone to jail for defending yourself against a papercut from a yoga teacher? If you haven’t, you haven’t lived!

This was the book that launched a genre. Modern fantasy collections trace their lineage back to Lord Dunsany, and this was his first work that today's listeners would recognise in tone and settings.

Bristle Rey just moved to town. She's trying to find a fresh start and leave behind a crappy home life. She's landed in Valor, WY and has found a job. Now she just needs to find an apartment and she'll be all set. Instead, she finds Wild. Becket “Wild” Wilder got his nickname as a joke. He’s never been reckless, never been crazy. Until he lays eyes on Bristle Rey. Then all bets are off. Let’s get Wild. This month 24 of your favorite short and steamy authors have come together to bring you a new motorcycle romance each day! The Men of Valor are more than ex-military bikers – they ...

After her stepmother throws her out, Elle needs her horse to survive. Who is this handsome man who took her horse and is now calling her a thief because she took it back? She's not a thief. He has two horses, why does he think he also needs hers?

Let yourself be swept away by these classic tales of hope and courage!!

- Classic tales (short stories and poems) of hope and courage from the 19th and 20th centuries

Annotated for modern listeners

The third entry in the Classic Tales series, joining "Classic Tales of Horror" and "Classic Tales of Christmas"

For adventure fans of all ages, these stories are guaranteed to intrigue, delight, and sometimes take you by surprise!

Don't bend; don't water it down; don't try to make it logical; don't edit your soul according to fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly. - Franz Kafka. Franz Kafka wrote, I am free that is why I'm lost. Assume, you wake up and the entire world is against you. You want to follow yourself but the people are dominant on you to do what they want. We don't feel chains until we move. Franz Kafka was not a body to be defined but a soul and heart to be felt. When you zoom out on his life, you will find only a miserable life and a soul that was stubborn to his writings and ...

This one-of-a-kind treasury brings together the talents of nearly two dozen best-selling middle-grade authors - including Shannon Hale, Brandon Mull, Ally Condie, and Jennifer A. Nielsen - who have created original short stories and modern-day fairy tales based on the lives and dreams of children they have met who all have two things in common: They have very big hopes and dreams, and they are all cancer patients.

Some guardians protect with armor. I protect with chains around my heart. I've spent years building an empire while keeping my promises to the man who saved me—including protecting his granddaughter, Natalie. But living under the same roof with her is pure torture. She's no longer the kid I once knew; she's a fiery, ambitious woman who challenges my authority at every turn. And God help me, I want her. After one passionate night together, I did what I do best—I ran. But when a suspicious accident brings me racing back to her side, I'm forced to face the secrets of my past and the depths...

Hannah Smith has it all—an incredible career, a loving husband, and a close-knit group of friends. But despite their picture-perfect life, Hannah and James are hiding a painful secret: they’re struggling with infertility. As Hannah watches her colleagues and friends celebrate pregnancies, her hope slowly fades. Even her once rock-solid marriage begins to crack under the weight of unfulfilled dreams. In the midst of her heartache, Hannah turns to her faith, making a desperate promise—if blessed with a child, she will dedicate their life to serving others. Just when she least expects it...

Every life is a theatrical play and has its own intriguing story. But there are some lives that don’t dovetail into plays or stories. Their lives exceeded the dimensions of one particular story or play, transforming into a chain of stories and plays. While I was constructing the story of their strange life, I found myself on stage in a play. Nobody told me to act in it. I’m a volunteer actor in this play. The theater is where this play, in which I’m an actor, opens its curtains while you’re snoozing away in your warm, comfy bed. Sometimes after a one-act play is played, it closes ...

Inspired by classic books like The Little Prince, these delightful fables follow a variety of charming animal characters as they embark on fantastical yet profoundly relatable quests.

We never forget the stories we were told as children. Even when they are not on the top of our mind, they lurk like palm prints on the drying cement foundations of our understanding of the world. We absorb the pluck of children in the face of adult perfidy, cheering the heroism of Hansel and Gretel or Beauty and the Beast. Counterpoised by the wickedness and cruelty of parents, stepmothers, and wolves in sheep's clothing, children's wiliness usually leaves them unharmed, if not heroic. As adults, we keep returning to them again and again in film, in theater, and in books.

“The System of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether” is an Edgar Allan Poe short story that expertly blends his dark perspective with the comic. -This is the original story—only word order and difficult vocabulary have been updated. -End notes, interpretation, and discussion of major themes follow the text. -Biographical information on Edgar Allan Poe is included. -For other classic short stories in easy to understand updated English search for “Simplified for Modern Readers Series.”

In a bustling modern metropolis ruled by power and ambition, Esther Rodriguez never expected to be thrust into the limelight. Working as a mid-level executive, she’s used to flying under the radar—until a city-wide competition for the position of mayoral spokesperson catapults her into a high-stakes political arena. But as Esther navigates the city's elite, she uncovers a dangerous conspiracy orchestrated by Gabriel Collins, a ruthless executive with a vendetta against her community. When Esther discovers Gabriel’s plan to exploit the most vulnerable citizens and frame her in the ...

After the sudden loss of her husband, Ruth is left with nothing but her mother-in-law Naomi and a broken heart. With no future in the city they once called home, Naomi decides to return to her small hometown, hoping to find solace in familiar faces. Ruth, refusing to leave the only family she has left, makes a bold choice: she will leave everything behind to follow Naomi and start anew. As Ruth struggles to rebuild her life in a tight-knit community, she crosses paths with Boaz, a successful and respected business owner. Ruth is drawn to his quiet strength, while Boaz can’t help but ...