Essays & Anthologies Audiobooks | Literature

"British Fantasy and Bram Stoker-nominated author Gemma Amor brings together an inimitable line-up of authors to explore heritage and horror, featuring stories from Gabino Iglesias, Erika T. Wurth and many more It’s a bedtime story, ancient family lore, a secret passed down from generation to generation. Stories that have deep dark roots, ever-growing, ever-creeping. This anthology explores stories of heritage and horror. The tales we grew up on, hometown rumours and legends. The things we pass down through our bloodlines. Featuring stories from: Erika Wurth Ai Jiang Usman T Malik Adam Nevill Nuzo Onoh Premee Mohammed Gabino Iglesias Nadia El-Fassi Ramsey Campbell V Castro Hailey Piper And more! Design by Julia Lloyd. Images (c) Shutterstock"

Adam Nevill, Ai Jiang, Erika Wurth, Gabino Iglesias, Gemma Amor, Hailey Piper, Nadia El-Fassi, Nuzo Onoh, Premee Mohammed, Ramsey Campbell, Usman T Malik, V Castro (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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Birds, Strangers and Psychos: New stories inspired by Alfred Hitchcock

"Birds, Strangers and Psychos is a thrilling anthology that brings together the biggest names in mystery and crime fiction to pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary filmmaker whose name is synonymous with suspense. Acclaimed editor Maxim Jakubowski curates 24 original short stories, each inspired by the mood, tension, and style that defined Hitchcock’s groundbreaking work. This anthology invites both emerging and established voices to reimagine the chilling atmospheres, twisted plots, and unforgettable characters of Hitchcock's films, from Psycho and Vertigo to North by Northwest and The Birds. Each author takes on the challenge of evoking the quintessentially 'Hitchcockian' elements that have captivated audiences for decades: ordinary lives interrupted by peril, psychological duels, and unexpected encounters that spiral into nightmares. The volume showcases an extraordinary blend of talent, including Lee Child, Denise Mina, Sophie Hannah, Vaseem Khan, MW Craven, Jeff Noon and S. A. Cosby and many more! Just as Hitchcock adapted stories from literary giants like Daphne du Maurier, Patricia Highsmith, and Roald Dahl, Birds, Strangers and Psychos unites today's literary stars to craft new suspenseful tales that are destined to thrill, haunt, and unsettle. This volume is not just a collection of stories – it’s an invitation to rediscover the artistry of suspense."

A K Benedict, Ana Teresa Pereira, Anne Billson, David Thomson, Denise Mina, Donna Moore, Guy Adams, James Grady, Jeff Noon, Jerome Charyn, Joe R Lansdale, Keith Lansdale, Kim Newman, Lee Child, Lily Samson, M W Craven, Maxim Jacobwski, Nadine Matheson, Peter Lovesey, Peter Swanson, Ragnar Jónasson, S A Cosby, Sophie Hannah, Vaseem Khan, William Boyle, Xan Brooks (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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Black Is the Night

"A gritty and thrilling anthology of 28 new short stories in tribute to pulp noir master, Cornell Woolrich, author of 'Rear Window', the inspiration behind Alfred Hitchock's classic film. Featuring Neil Gaiman, Kim Newman, James Sallis, A.K. Benedict, USA Today-bestseller Samantha Lee Howe, Joe R. Lansdale and many more. An anthology of exclusive new short stories in tribute to the master of pulp era crime writing, Cornell Woolrich. Woolrich, also published as William Irish and George Hopley, stands with Raymond Chandler, Erle Stanley Gardner and Dashiell Hammett as a legend in the genre. He is a hugely influential figure for crime writers, and is also remembered through the 50+ films made from his novels and stories, including Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, The Bride Wore Black, I Married a Dead Man, Phantom Lady, Truffaut's La Sirene du Mississippi, and Black Alibi. Collected and edited by one of the most experienced editors in the field, Maxim Jakubowski."

A. K. Benedict, Ana Teresa Pereira, Barry N. Malzberg, Bill Pronzini, Brandon Barrows, Charles Ardai, David Quantick, Donna Moore, James Grady, James Sallis, Joe R. Lansdale, Joel Lane, Joseph S. Walker, Kim Newman, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Lavie Tidhar, M.W. Craven, Martin Edwards, Mason Cross, Max Decharne, Maxim Jakubowski, Neil Gaiman, Nick Mamatas, O'Neil De Noux, Paul Di Filippo, Samantha Lee Howe, Susi Holliday, Tara Moss, Vaseem Khan, Warren Moore, William Boyle (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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Ink and Daggers

"An enthralling anthology of 20 CWA Dagger Award-shortlisted gripping and thrilling stories for the most hardened crime fan. Featuring bestselling authors such as Neil Gaiman, Ann Cleeves, Christopher Fowler and Val McDermid. OVER TWENTY CWA DAGGER AWARD-WINNING SHORT STORIES FROM THE BEST OF THE BEST IN CRIME FICTION Legendary editor, Maxim Jakubowski, delivers another chilling anthology collecting stories of cold-blooded murder, revenge and crimes-gone-wrong from the best of the best in crime fiction. Spine-chilling and gripping, these tales will grip you with their devious narrators and crafty twists. Featuring classic stories from Neil Gaiman, Ann Cleeves, Christopher Fowler, Val McDermid, Lavie Tidhar, Chris Simms, Christine Poulson, James Sallis, Victoria Selman, Conrad Williams, Stuart Neville, George Pelecanos, Simon Brett, John Lawton, Ken Bruen, Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collins, Peter Robinson, Martyn Waites and Kevin Wignall."

Ann Cleeves, Chris Simms, Christine Poulson, Christopher Fowler, Conrad Williams, George P. Pelecanos, James Sallis, John Lawton, Ken Bruen, Kevin Wignall, Lavie Tidhar, Martyn Waites, Max Allan Collins, Maxim Jakubowski, Mickey Spillane, Neil Gaiman, Peter Robinson, Simon Brett, Stuart Neville, Val McDermid, Victoria Selman (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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Lord Guan: Warrior, Hero, God; A Historical Novel

"In the spirit of Shōgun comes an iconic story inspired by the real-life hero Lord Guan, also known as Guan Yu, an honorable warrior who fought to restore the Han dynasty in second-century China. Guan Yu (160–220 AD), also known as Guan Gong (Lord Guan), has been celebrated as a pan-Asiatic hero for well over a thousand years. He has been repeatedly canonized and deified across Asia. This historically detailed novel tells the story of his humble beginnings in a rural setting, his unexpected journey into martial arts, the murder of his family members, his unexpected love story, and his emergence as an invincible warrior. It follows his dedication to restoring the great Han Dynasty (BC 206–220 AD) during a tumultuous and war-torn period in Chinese history. At the outset of his mission, he forms a brotherhood with two equally idealistic supporters of the Han Dynasty. Together, the three men, known as the Peach Garden Brothers, become the backbone of a military force competing against warlords for control of the declining Han Empire. Throughout the years of conflict, Lord Guan encounters Xian-Hui, a talented and educated beauty kidnapped by eunuchs from the Imperial Palace who is forced to serve as a concubine. With great courage, she escapes her bondage and unexpectedly meets Lord Guan during her frightening getaway. Lord Guan ultimately sacrifices his life for his mission. Although he did not succeed in restoring the Han Dynasty, his legendary exploits have become an integral part of Chinese folklore. He has endured in the hearts and minds of millions throughout history as a symbol of courage, integrity, and loyalty. Lord Guan’s adventures were first romanticized in the classic Chinese fourteenth-century novel The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Charles Li’s Lord Guan is a modern and dramatic retelling of this historically significant tale."

Charles N. Li (Author), Ewan Chung (Narrator)

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The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025

"A collection of the year’s best mystery and suspense short fiction selected by the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of City in Ruins, Don Winslow, and series editor Steph Cha. The Best American series, launched in 1915, is the premier annual showcase for the country’s finest short fiction and nonfiction, and it is the most respected—and most popular—of its kind. Don Winslow, the Raymond Chandler Award-winning author of City in Ruins, picks the best twenty mystery and suspense stories from the previous year."

Don Winslow, Steph Cha (Author), Adam Grupper, Anna Caputo, Chanté McCormick, Kirby Heyborne, Nan McNamara (Narrator)

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The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2025

"Susan Orlean—the beloved New Yorker staff writer and the author of the New York Times bestsellers Rin Tin Tin, The Orchid Thief, and On Animals—selects twenty science and nature essays that represent the best examples of the form published in 2024. The Best American series, launched in 1915, is the premier annual showcase for the country’s finest short fiction and nonfiction, and it is the most respected—and most popular—of its kind. New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean selects twenty pieces that represent the best science and nature writing published the previous year and explores our ever-changing world."

Jaime Green, Susan Orlean (Author), Brittany Bradford, Callie Beaulieu, Katharine Chin, Shahjehan Khan, Will Tulin (Narrator)

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The Best American Short Stories 2025

"A collection of the year’s best short stories, selected by celebrated bestselling author Celeste Ng, author of Everything I Never Told You and Little Fires Everywhere, and series editor Nicole Lamy. The Best American series, launched in 1915, is the premier annual showcase for the country’s finest short fiction and nonfiction, and it is the most respected—and most popular—of its kind. Celeste Ng—Puschcart Prize winner and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere—selects twenty stories out of thousands that represent the best examples of the form published this year."

Celeste Ng, Nicole A. Lamy (Author), Almarie Guerra, Avi Roque, Eric Yang, James Fouhey, Jensen Olaya, Lee Osorio, Lynnette R. Freeman, Soneela Nankani (Narrator)

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The Best American Essays 2025

"A collection of the year’s best essays, selected by critically acclaimed author and essayist, Jia Tolentino. The Best American series, launched in 1915, is the premier annual showcase for the country’s finest short fiction and nonfiction, and it is the most respected—and most popular—of its kind. Jia Tolentino, critically acclaimed essayist, editor, and New Yorker staff writer, selects twenty essays out of thousands that represent the best examples of the form published the previous year."

Jia Tolentino, Kim Dana Kupperman (Author), Brittany Bradford, Jean Ann Douglass, Jensen Olaya, Rasha Zamamiri, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Sean Rohani (Narrator)

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The Best American Food and Travel Writing 2025

"A collection of the year’s top food and travel writing, selected by the James Beard Award–winning chef, food justice activist, and bestselling author Bryant Terry. The innovative and celebrated chef, food activist, and writer Bryant Terry selects the best twenty pieces published in 2024 that celebrate and explore how food and travel shape our culture."

Bryant Terry, Jaya Saxena (Author), Avi Roque, Erin Bennett, Je Nie Fleming, Lameece Issaq, Reynaldo Piniella, Shahjehan Khan (Narrator)

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The Explorers Club Presents: Letters from the Edge: Stories of Curiosity, Bravery, and Discovery

"An exhilarating collection of letters and stories from the world-renowned Explorers Club, featuring firsthand accounts of crossing boundaries and making history over the past century For centuries, explorers from all over the globe have traveled the far reaches of what the world has to offer, helping us expand the map, learn about other cultures, and move the needle of human knowledge. But an explorer's work isn't finished when they reach a new destination or make a discovery; they need to somehow tell the tale. Letters from the Edge compiles letters, email exchanges, field journals, and more from explorers who have joined the esteemed and longstanding organization The Explorers Club. As they undertook their journeys, sometimes with their lives at risk, they penned their dispatches from afar, sharing their thoughts on enduring lava-spewing volcanos in Australia; suffering starvation and isolation in the harsh tundra of the Arctic; rescuing trapped kids in hazardous caves in Thailand; plunging into the depths of the North Atlantic Ocean to excavate the history of the Titanic; communicating with the other side of the galaxy; and so much more-all to quench the insatiable curiosity of humanity. And still, humanity strives to discover more. Using source materials and interviews with the explorers, Letters from the Edge offers a path to understanding the edge of our knowledge, culture, humanity, and ultimately, to understanding ourselves."

Jeff Wilser, The Explorers Club (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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Dead and Alive

"Brought to you by Penguin. An illuminating new essay collection from one of the most distinctive, exciting and acclaimed writers of her generation, Zadie Smith In this keenly awaited new collection, Zadie Smith brings her unique skills as an essayist to bear on a range of subjects which have captured her attention in recent years. She takes an exhilaratingly close look at artists Toyin Ojih Odutola, Kara Walker and Celia Paul. She invites us along to the movies, to see and to think about Tar, and to Glastonbury to witness the ascendance of Stormzy. She takes us on a walk down Kilburn High Road in her beloved North West London and invites us to mourn with her the passing of writers Joan Didion, Martin Amis, Hilary Mantel, Philip Roth and Toni Morrison. She considers changes of government on both sides of the Atlantic – and the meaning of ‘the commons’ in all our lives. Throughout this thrilling collection, Zadie Smith shows us once again her unrivalled ability to think through critically and humanely some of the most urgent preoccupations and tendencies of our troubled times. ‘Zadie Smith is a wonderful essayist. She is a natural. She writes as she thinks, and she thinks crisply and exactly’ – Tessa Hadley, Guardian © Zadie Smith 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Zadie Smith (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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Essays & Anthologies Audiobooks in Literature