In «A Hospital Christmas» a Civil War-era hospital is the setting for a Christmas story about caring for others, thinking positively and how sharing can make Christmas meaningful for those who have little.
In «The Quiet Little Woman» a lonely orphan girl named Patty, desires only for a family to love her. When a family finally does come for Patty, she learns it is because they need a servant. But it happens that there is one person who cares about Patty, whose life will soon change forever. Written as a gift to five earnest fans of «Little Women», this Louisa May Alcott Christmas story has become a holiday classic.
Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, Little Men, and Jo’s Boys, had a gift for creating characters that readers truly cared for and wanted to emulate. In this complete collection of all of Louisa May Alcott's Christmas short stories, readers will find a host of unforgettable new characters whose perseverance, ingenuity and kindness will inspire the holiday spirit and enrich the soul. These sixteen stories and three poems make for perfect fireside reading during the Christmas season.
Beth and Jean and three other girls at No. 16 Chestnut Terrace are spending a cheery Christmas together opening presents that came in the mail, since none could go home this year. Beth remarks that Miss Allen, an older woman resident of the boarding house, is apparently alone this year. Though Miss Allen is not widely liked by the girls, they agree that no one should have to spend Christmas alone. Thus, a Christmas Inspiration is born.
A timeless gothic novella, Henry James's The Turn of the Screw follows the transformation of Miles (age 10) and Flora (age 8) from well-behaved children to deceitful liars. When a governess comes to their country estate to look after the children, she and Flora are separately visited by ghosts. However, Flora denies the experience and Miles claims to never have been visited by one, even when evidence supports an evil plot between the children and the ghosts. Devoid of common ghost story stereotypes, this timeless story is full of suspense, supernatural phenomenon, and thrills to frighten and delight any listener.
In debt, Kentucky farmer Arthur Shelby reluctantly decides to trade two of his slaves. The two, middle-aged Uncle Tom and young Harry, are to be sold to Mr. Haley, a detestable slave trader. Eliza, Harry's mother and Mrs. Shelby's maid, overhears the details of the arraignment, warns Uncle Tom and flees with Harry to the north. Eliza and Harry barely make it across the Ohio River before slave catchers can catch up with them. On the run, Eliza and her family seek shelter and safety. Meanwhile, Uncle Tom, who refused to run away, is separated from his family and sold down river. As novel progresses, the juxtaposed narratives highlight the harsh reality of slavery.
Professor Aronnax, his faithful servant, Conseil, and the Canadian harpooner, Ned Land, begin an extremely hazardous voyage to rid the seas of a little-known and terrifying sea monster. However, the monster turns out to be a giant submarine, commanded by the mysterious Captain Nemo, by whom they are soon held captive. So begins not only one of the great adventure classics by Jules Verne, the Father of Science Fiction, but also a truly fantastic voyage from the lost city of Atlantis to the South Pole.
In this epistolary novel, Werther gives a very intimate account of his stay in the fictional village of Wahlheim. While there he meets and falls in love with Charlotte, who is, however, already engaged to an older man named Albert. Despite the pain this causes Werther, he spends the next several months cultivating a close friendship with both of them. Translated by R.D. Boylan.
Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White, written in 1859, is considered to be among the first mystery novels and one of the finest examples of the sensation novel, a genre blending realism and gothic romance, and exploring the artificiality of identity. In it, a young protagonist, Walter Hartright, meets a mysterious woman dressed all in white on a London street at midnight. After helping her return home, he learns from police that she has escaped from an asylum. Later, Walter takes a job as an art tutor to two young women, one of whom bears a strong resemblance to the woman in white. Considered to be Collins' finest novel along with The Moonstone.
Fans of L.M. Montgomery's Anne Shirley rejoice! Collected here in one volume are all ten Anne of Green Gables books published from the years 1908 to 1939. Presented chronologically, it includes Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of The Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside, Chronicles of Avonlea, and Further Chronicles of Avonlea. Set on picturesque and romantic Prince Edward Island, L.M. Montgomery's heartwarming tales of hidden hopes and cherished dreams will enchant readers of all ages.