I often recommend a specific classic – either an author or a title – on Sunday. Today I want to spotlight two major resources for reading or listening to many classic titles. Those resources are Project Gutenberg and Librivox. The two are connected; Project Gutenberg (see their detailed mission statement) is for ebook versions of public domain titles and Librivox (read about their objective and fundamental principles) provides audiobooks. Both sites rely on volunteers to prepare written works and to record audiobooks. Librivox also has an excellent app.
This is important. During these times of spin and clickbait, these two sites are documenting and sharing literature for our use – without judgment or promotion of any one title over another (except for featuring new titles as they are added). The service is of immeasurable value, and you have complete and unrestricted access to it at any time.
Next time you’re looking for something new to read or listen to, try either site; below are just a few well-known authors who show on on one or both sites. You could also volunteer on either site.
Agatha Christie (mystery including Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple)
Dorothy L. Sayers (mystery, including Lord Peter Wimsey series)
Jane Austen (fiction about young, strongminded women)
P.G.Wodehouse (humor)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes)
Mark Twain (fiction, humor)
Ray Bradbury (science fiction)
Charles Dickens (fiction)
Mary Roberts Rhinehart (mysteries)
Louisa May Alcott (fiction, including Little Women)
Lucy Maude Montgomery (fiction)
Jules Verne (fantasy)
Oscar Wilde (various)
O. Henry (fiction)
