I wonder if you can help me to select some public domain books or short stories which are well suited for reading aloud together.
Please let me explain. I recently set up a project called ReadWithAudrey. (www.readwithaudrey.com)
Audrey is an online community which matches readers with listeners to read thought-provoking books aloud together, sparking interesting conversations and creating meaningful relationships. The service is for anyone who enjoys reading, would like to develop a sense of connectedness with others, and values diverse points of view. We’re fairly small, but every week there are people reading aloud to each other all around the world.
The Audrey experience usually takes a particular shape. People typically read aloud to one another for about 15-20 minutes, once a week, over about five weeks (often alternating as reader and listener between sessions). Therefore we pick reading material which is in harmony with the format i.e. roughly 2000-3000 words in length. This is a guide rather than a rule.
We also try to select material which will suit the read aloud medium.
For example, here’s a selection of five short stories currently being read by some of our community:
1. The Bet by Anton Chekhov
2. The Lumber Room by Hector Munro
3. What I Found in My Pocket by G K Chesterton
4. Rashōmon by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
5. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry
Can anyone suggest any public domain short stories (or books/novellas that could be serialised into approx. 5 chapters) which they think would work well for the Audrey read aloud medium?
At the moment, we're focused on works that are available in English.
All ideas welcomed and v gratefully received.
Just ask if you have any questions.
Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards,
Rob
www.readwithaudrey.com