Dive into the gritty world of noir with Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon, brought to life by the captivating voices of Mike Vendetti and Lee Ann Howlett.

Follow private detective Sam Spade as he navigates a web of deceit, betrayal, and murder in pursuit of the elusive black bird. With Vendetti’s commanding narration and Howlett’s evocative portrayal of Brigid O’Shaughnessy, this audiobook delivers the tension, intrigue, and drama of Hammett’s classic like never before.

Experience the sharp dialogue, unforgettable characters, and twists that defined the golden age of detective fiction. Perfect for fans of crime thrillers and timeless mysteries.

Immerse yourself in the story that set the standard for hardboiled detective novels!

Audible/Amazon

Peter Rabbit lives with his mother and three sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton – tail down in a sand bank under a big fir tree. One day when Peter is outside exploring, he hears the bells of a beautiful red sleigh. A pretty little girl riding in the sleigh scoops Peter up and takes him for a ride which includes a visit to Santa’s workshop. The mischief Peter gets into at Santa’s workshop and how he gets home is a true Christmas adventure for the little rabbit.

Audible/Amazon

Are you a grunty grunt or a smiley smile? This classic children’s story, written in rhyme, asks that question of the listener and gives examples of both types of behavior. Though originally published in 1920, this book is still relevant for today’s small children. What child has not wanted to share his or her toys, behave at the table, or refuse to go to bed at night? This is a great story to listen to along with your child.

Audible/Amazon

In the 1870’s, Jacob and Sarah Wade travel with their three children in a covered wagon to lay claim to land in Kansas to call their own and scratch out a living. The book follows three generations of the Wade family, although it concentrates mostly on the relationship between Martin Wade, the oldest son of Jacob and Sarah, and the woman he chooses to marry, Rose. The hard existence of farm life takes a toll on all involved and affects each person differently. This novel was a best seller when it was published in 1921 by the husband and wife writing team of Emanuel Haldeman-Julius and Anna Marcet Haldeman-Julius. It was considered an example of the new writing of naturalism and realism being published at the time. “Painfully gloomy as it is,” the New York Times noted, “Dust must be classed among the ‘big’ novels of the year.”

Audible/Amazon

In the 1930s, young women with big dreams came to New York City to pursue careers, meet men, and make friends. Charles “Lucky” Luciano, an Italian-American gangster, was one of the people who preyed on them. This fictionalized first-person account of a girl from a small town in the northeast US details how she became ensnared in the party circuit and eventually worked as a prostitute in Luciano’s houses. The narrator in this book is called Lois and was a composite of many call girls interviewed by a journalist who covered Luciano’s trial in 1936.

This account provides details on the women’s “emotional challenges” and what happened to them after Luciano’s conviction, highlighting the destructive impact the syndicate had on their lives. Lucky Luciano had a long reach, so neither the author nor the young women interviewed wished to be identified. Luciano was reportedly the model for the main character in The Godfather.

Audible/Amazon

Harry Gordon Selfridge (1858-1947) was an American born merchant who built Selfridge’s, a London department store, which opened in 1909. Using his 25 years of experience at Chicago’s Marshall Field and Co., Selfridge initiated the use of American innovations and methods of business in his London store. These articles reflect how Selfridge was viewed by the press in the U.S. and London along with how he was seen by his fellow merchants and tradesmen during the years his store was built and thrived. There are also a number of sections in Selfridge’s own words. He loved publicity and was very interested in the ideas of his competitors, employees, and how business was done in other countries. This collection contains articles and excerpts from newspapers, books, magazines, and trade publications published from 1890-1922. Harry Gordon Selfridge and his store were the basis of the PBS Masterpiece Classic series, “Mr. Selfridge”.

Audible/Amazon

A young woman, Helen Leicester, becomes concerned about her brother Francis when he begins spending all of his time locked in his room studying. At first Francis insists that he is fine, but eventually admits that he is not feeling well and agrees to see the family physician. The doctor prescribes a medication – a white powder which is mixed with water – and Francis begins to feel better. However, this “cure” doesn’t last very long and Francis begins exhibiting peculiar and disturbing behavior. The horror of the white powder has just begun. Arthur Machen originally wrote this story as part of a series in a book called The Three Impostors. The story stands on its own as one of Machen’s classic tales of terror.

Audible/Amazon

Dive into Lloyd C. Douglas’s timeless tale of redemption, love, and the transformative power of selflessness. ‘Magnificent Obsession’ follows the journey of Bobby Merrick, a wealthy and reckless young man whose life takes a dramatic turn after a tragic accident.

Struggling with guilt and a newfound sense of purpose, Bobby embarks on a path of personal growth, guided by a mysterious philosophy that challenges him to live for others.

Narrated by the talented trio of Mike Vendetti, Kathy Verduin, and Lee Ann Howlett, this audiobook brings the characters to life with vivid emotion and depth.

Experience the poignant moments, gripping drama, and uplifting themes of this classic novel in a way that will resonate long after the final chapter.

Perfect for fans of heartfelt stories and inspirational journeys, ‘Magnificent Obsession’ is a testament to the enduring impact of compassion and courage.

Audible/Amazon

This charming book for young children and those beginning to read introduces the letters of the alphabet written in rhyme. Each letter introduces a different animal along with a simple fact or humor to describe it. First published in 1919, this book was produced by the Henry Altemus Company as part of their “Wee Books for Wee Folks” series. A good book for listening along with a child since some of the vocabulary used might not be familiar yet to the very young listener or beginning reader.

Audible/Amazon

Although born in Virginia, Willa Cather lived most of her life in the Midwest and set most of her stories there. This story is told from the perspective of Peggy, a teenager in the tiny town of Riverbank. Peggy is good friends with a girl named Nelly Deane. Nelly is considered by many to be the prettiest and most fun-loving girl in town. What happens to Nelly in the ensuing years after Peggy leaves Riverbank for college and then abroad is related through Peggy’s infrequent visits back home and the letters she receives from one of the older women of Riverbank.

Audible/Amazon

Edmund Lester Pearson was a journalist, court reporter, and librarian. He’s considered by many to be the first real true crime author in the U.S. Here he writes about the Lizzie Borden murders, axe murders that happened at sea, the murder of a wealthy New York businessman, and two others. Several of these crimes remain unsolved. Although he meticulously researched these crimes and interviewed many witnesses, his accounts are entertaining and, at times, even humorous.

Audible/Amazon

The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, presented by The Online Stage.

Welcome to Dante’s The Divine Comedy, the ultimate journey to Paradise. Follow Italian writer and philosopher Dante Alighieri and his guide, the poet Virgil, through each circle of hell, over the mountain of Purgatory, and ultimately to Paradise, to be reunited with his beloved Beatrice. Dante meets many familiar faces among the sinners and the saved and learns many things of value throughout his long, dangerous journey.

Cast:

Dante – Josh Innerst

Virgil – David Stifel

Other Voices – Anna Grace, Erin Grassie, Marcia Dunbar, Chris Marcellus, Merete Mohs, Ted Wenskus, Trisha Rose, John Burlinson, Andy Harrington, Hann Lightwood, Rob Goll, Ron Altman, Alyssa Petrey, Andrew Coleman, Tyler Hyrchuk, Russell Gold, P. J. Morgan, Stephen Indrisano, Lee Ann Howlett, Jeff Moon, Rosie O’Toole, Marty Krz, J.D. Sutter, Ariana Mertz, Linda Barrans, and Grace Keller Scotch.

Audible/Amazon