National Network for Equitable Library Service

Originally published in 1901, A Christmas Inspiration centers around a group of girls spending Christmas at a boarding-house. Once they realize that Miss Allen did not receive any gifts or letters, they come up with a plan to make her Christmas a happy one. This version of A Christmas Inspiration was recorded as part of Dreamscape's Classic Christmas Stories: A Collection of Timeless Holiday Tales.

This Christmas tale set in Colonial New England was originally published in the 1895 collection A Budget of Christmas Tales by Charles Dickens and Others. The short story takes place in a fictionalized version of Litchfield, Connecticut, the town where Stowe grew up, which is also the setting of her novel Poganuc People: Their Loves and Lives. This version of Christmas in Poganuc was recorded as part of Dreamscape's Classic Christmas Stories: A Collection of Timeless Holiday Tales.

In the 1840s Charles Dickens wrote 5 short stories with strong social and moral messages. The Chimes: A Goblin Story of Some Bells that Rand an Old Year Out and a New Year In, is the second of these stories, whose predecessor was the famous A Christmas Carol. The Chimes focuses on Trotty, a poor elderly messenger who is filled with gloom over reports of crime and immorality in the newspapers.

First published in a 1846 edition of Godey's Lady's Book, The Cask of Amontillado is widely considered to be one of the most perfect short stories ever written. Told by the unreliable narrator Montresor-a man who sought vengeance against his acquaintance for an insult that the reader is not privy to-the story details how Montresor accomplished his revenge.

First published in a 1843 edition of The Saturday Evening Post, The Black Cat tells the story of a man and his increasingly antagonistic relationship with his cat. Akin to The Tell-Tale Heart and The Cask of Amontillado, The Black Cat investigates the psychological effects of guilt as well as the potentially destructive and violent consequences of alcoholism.

In Manhattan, an elderly lawyer's business is growing. Having two scriveners in his employ, the lawyer advertises for a third to meet demand. Enter Bartleby, a glum albeit quality scrivener. However, the lawyer quickly discovers that something is off with his new employee. When asked to perform any duties outside of copywriting, Bartleby responds with a canned 'I would prefer not to.' Soon Bartleby is living at the office and performing less and less at work.

The Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle have enthralled generations of readers--and writers. Now Laurie R. King and Leslie S. Klinger have assembled a stellar group of contemporary authors and asked them to create new stories inspired by that canon.

With this anthology, bestselling author Brad Meltzer introduces twenty-one original stories from today's most prominent mystery writers. These sometimes terrifying, sometimes funny, and always suspenseful tales will keep you riveted.

Fahrenheit 451 is an enduring masterwork--a chilling vision of a dystopian future built on the foundations of ignorance, censorship, and brutal repression. This collection of sixteen selected shorter works explores the origins of that darkly magnificent tale.

Shanghaied into forced labor on a merchant vessel, Charles Rodney dies aboard ship from repeated beatings, but not before deeding part of his ranch to Rafe Caradec, whom he hopes will protect his family.