Snoozecast

Tonight, we'll continue with The Petit Trianon, adapted from An Adventure by Charlotte Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain, first published in 1911. This episode is part of our Spooky Sleep Story series, where we share classic tales of the strange and mysterious. In Part One, the two English academics described an uncanny afternoon walk through the gardens of Versailles in 1901—an experience they could neither explain nor forget. In this second part, Miss Morison and Miss Lamont revisit the scene and begin to investigate what happened. Their return visits bring no repetition of the strange events, yet each discovery only adds to the puzzle. The vanished paths, missing buildings, and contradictions in the landscape leave them wondering whether they had truly stepped into another century. What began as a curious outing gradually turns into a quiet obsession. Tonight's reading follows their continued search for reason amid the unaccountable, and the lingering question of what, exactly, they had walked into that August day. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the first half of The Petit Trianon, adapted from An Adventure by Charlotte Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain, first published in 1911. This episode is part of Snoozecast's 7th annual Spooky Sleep Story series, where we share true and imagined encounters with the strange and unexplained every October. The two English women, both Oxford academics, recorded their uncanny experience while visiting the gardens of Versailles in 1901. What began as an ordinary afternoon outing soon became one of the most famous “time-slip” mysteries in modern folklore. Their book recounts the event through two separate testimonies, each written without the other's influence: first that of Miss Morison (Moberly), then Miss Lamont (Jourdain). The pair describe wandering from the lively palace grounds into an oddly still corner of the estate—the Petit Trianon—where they encountered figures, fashions, and a mood belonging to another century. Later, their impressions would be linked to the last days of Queen Marie Antoinette, whose private retreat once stood on the same path. This episode presents the first half of their written accounts. Next week, in Part Two, we'll continue with the remainder of their story—and the discoveries that followed, as they began to investigate what truly happened that August afternoon. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, at long last, we'll read the final chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “Harvest Time”. It's hard to believe, but we have been reading this book for the first time as we've read it to you, and that first chapter was started back in December 2019, when Snoozecast was less than 1 year old. We took a break after part one concluded in June 2022 to explore other books. By popular request, we reopened the story in 2023, beginning the second part of Little Women—originally published separately as Good Wives. In our last chapter, “Under the Umbrella,” Jo, busy but lonely, had often thought of Professor Bhaer and regretted their stiff parting. On a rainy errand she met him beneath an umbrella; as they walked, he gently explained why he had stopped reading her sensational tales, and Jo told him she had left that work behind for truer writing—bringing them closer. In the rain he confessed his love, and Jo happily returned it. They reached the March home soaked but radiant, where Marmee quickly understood, and the chapter closed on Jo's quiet, genuine happiness and the promise of a life with Bhaer. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, for this month's Snoozecast+ Deluxe bonus episode, and in the vein of our Spooky Sleep Stories series, we'll read the opening to “Dead Souls”. It was written by Nikolai Gogol and first published in 1842. It is known as a ghost story with no ghosts—unless you count the living. The novel follows the mysterious Pavel Chichikov as he travels through provincial Russia buying the legal rights to deceased serfs—“dead souls”—to use in a scheme for social advancement. Though often grimly comic rather than overtly supernatural, Dead Souls captures a kind of haunting unique to Gogol's world: one of moral decay, vanity, and the hollow pursuit of status. Our monthly bonus episodes—like this one—are made especially for Snoozecast+ Deluxe subscribers. If you're not a Deluxe listener, you'll hear a shortened cut of tonight's story; to get the full episode and more, visit snoozecast.com/plus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, for the next in our October spooky sleep story series, we'll read an excerpt from “The Castle of Otranto”, a novel by Horace Walpole. First published in 1764, it is generally regarded as the first gothic novel. Set in a haunted castle, the novel produced a new style that has endured ever since, and has shaped the modern-day aesthetic of the goth subculture. Walpole wrote it at Strawberry Hill, his fanciful neo-Gothic villa, and pitched it as a “Gothic story” that fused chivalric romance with novelistic realism. Its startling images—a colossal helmet from the sky, moving portraits, doors that yield on their own—fixed the template later taken up by Clara Reeve, Ann Radcliffe, and beyond. The first edition masqueraded as a Crusades-era manuscript “translated” by Walpole, a playful hoax that lent the tale mock-antique authority. Manfred's name nods to Manfred of Sicily, a learned, charismatic king repeatedly excommunicated—apt echoes for a plot of usurpation and prophecy. In tonight's excerpt, Princess Isabella flees the tyrant after he demands her hand on the very night his own son—her betrothed—dies beneath that impossible, fallen helmet. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, as part of our annual Spooky Sleep Stories series, we'll read the opening to the novella “The Willows”. It was written by Algernon Blackwood, and first published in 1907. Two friends drift down the Danube by canoe, threading a maze of shifting channels, sandbanks, and low islands crowded with willow scrub. The river's moods—eddies, gusts, glittering sun—seem to lean in and watch them, and the thickets along the banks gather like a listening crowd. As night closes, the landscape feels less like scenery and more like a presence with its own designs—most vividly in the willows, which “moved of their own will as though alive.” Blackwood was a devoted outdoorsman and a writer fascinated by the numinous in nature; he often suggested that the wilderness is not merely backdrop but a more-than-human realm. “The Willows” helped define early modern weird fiction by trading blood and monsters for unease and awe, its influence echoed by later authors across the genre. H.P. Lovecraft praised it as the finest supernatural tale in English, and readers still come to it for that distinctive sensation of the world turning subtly, inexorably, strange. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, for our next Spooky Sleep Story, we'll read Phantasmagoria, a narrative poem by Lewis Carroll first published in 1869. A polite Ghost drops in after midnight and proceeds to instruct his puzzled host in the finer points of spectral etiquette. Each October we bring back Snoozecast's Spooky Stories Series—now in its seventh year—our annual run of classics with a candlelit vibe: ghostly, atmospheric, and cozy rather than truly scary. Think creaking floorboards and wry smiles, not jump scares. Best known for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Carroll turns domestic life into mock-epic ritual here, mixing puns with parody of Victorian manners. In seven cantos, the Ghost explains everything from haunt-house “housekeeping” to courtly forms of address—an odd, amiable manual for the afterlife delivered with Carroll's playful logic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, as part of Snoozecast's seventh annual spooky sleep story series, we'll read “The Haunted Orchard” written by British author Richard Le Gallienne and published in 1912. Each October, our Spooky Stories Series features classic tales that are more atmosphere than fright, all candlelight and creaking floorboards. In this one, a quiet country house and its untended orchard hold a lingering presence; whispers of a young woman seen among the trees and a tune that seems to rise with the wind give the story its soft, ghostly pulse. Born Richard Thomas Gallienne, the author adopted “Le Gallienne” after college, and—captivated by a lecture from Oscar Wilde—left office work to write poetry and prose. He and Wilde later struck up a brief affair and lasting friendship. Le Gallienne married three times and fathered Eva Le Gallienne, the celebrated actor–director. After settling in the United States and later on the French Riviera, he refused to write wartime propaganda and nonetheless kept publishing well into his seventies. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we shall read the next part to Persuasion, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife.In the last episode, Anne visits her old school friend Mrs. Smith in Westgate-buildings. Though Mrs. Smith lives in poverty and poor health, she is cheerful, resourceful, and glad for Anne's company. As their conversation turns to acquaintances, Mrs. Smith seems unusually hesitant when Mr. Elliot's name arises. At first, she holds back, saying little. But upon realizing how closely Anne is now connected to Mr. Elliot, she finally decides it is her duty as a friend to speak. We will pick up at this point in their conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, as we are beginning the month that ends with Halloween, we'll read the first half of “The Diamond Lens”, a short story by Fitz James O'Brien first published in 1858.Every October, Snoozecast features our Spooky Stories Series—tales with a spectral or uncanny quality, meant to set a certain mood, without keeping you awake. This marks our seventh year of SSS, and we're beginning with something more curious than chilling. O'Brien's tale is steeped in the oddity of early scientific obsession, centering on microscopy—the study of the unseen through magnification. In the author's hands, the microscope becomes not just a tool of science, but a gateway to another world, blurring the line between discovery and delirium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the 33rd chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled “The Hotel Concert” In the last episode, Anne anxiously awaits the results of the Queen's entrance examinations along with her friends. When the list is finally published, it reveals that Anne has come in first among all the candidates on the Island, with Gilbert Blythe placing second. Her friends Diana and the Barry family celebrate her success, and Matthew and Marilla express their quiet pride. For Anne, this achievement feels like the fulfillment of her long-held academic dreams and the beginning of new possibilities for her future. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, for our monthly Snoozecast+ Deluxe bonus sleep story, we'll read the opening to Mark Twain's “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court” published in 1889. While we at Snoozecast adore ALL our listeners equally, our monthly bonus episodes like this one are specifically made for our Snoozecast+ Deluxe premium subscribers. If you are not a Deluxe subscriber, you will here a trimmed version of the story. To learn more about our 2 premium subscription options, go to snoozecast.com/plus. As a non-Deluxe listener, Tonight's satirical novel tells the story of Hank Morgan, a 19th-century engineer from Hartford, Connecticut, who, after a blow to the head, finds himself transported back in time to the England of King Arthur. The book was one of the earliest major works of time-travel fiction, predating H. G. Wells' The Time Machine by six years. At the same time, it sat firmly in Twain's style: humorous, biting, and rooted in American sensibilities. Though filled with fantastical elements like knights, castles, and magic, the story is just as much a sharp social commentary as it is an adventure. When first published, the novel stirred controversy for its irreverent treatment of Arthurian legend, but over time it has come to be recognized as a clever and influential blend of satire, science fiction, and historical fantasy. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the second half of "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter," one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The first half aired last week. In this tale, we were introduced to Sherlock's elder brother, Mycroft—whose deductive gifts may surpass even Sherlock's, though he lacks the drive to apply them in the field. Mycroft brings Holmes into the confidence of his neighbor, Mr. Melas, a professional interpreter who recently endured a disturbing ordeal. Melas was hired under mysterious circumstances, blindfolded, and taken by cab to an unknown house, where he was compelled to translate under threats from a ruffian named Latimer. We rejoin the story as Melas recounts to Holmes what he observed inside the house, despite the attempts to conceal its location. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the first half to "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter", written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is one of 12 stories in the cycle collected as “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes”. Out of all 56 Sherlock stories, Doyle ranked "The Greek Interpreter" seventeenth in a list of his nineteen favorites. This tale is especially notable for introducing us to Sherlock Holmes's older brother, Mycroft, whose intellect may even outshine Sherlock's own, though he lacks his brother's energy for detective work in the field. Mycroft instead spends his days in government offices and evenings at the Diogenes Club, a setting that itself became an iconic part of the Holmes universe. When it was first published in 1893 in The Strand Magazine, the story added an intriguing new dimension to the detective's world, showing readers that Holmes's brilliance was not entirely unique within his family. The case itself revolves around a kidnapped interpreter and a sinister plot, combining Doyle's flair for atmosphere with clever twists of reasoning. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the next chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “Under the Umbrella”. This is also known as the second half of the “Little Women” novel and is considered the 46th chapter as part of that work as a whole. In our last chapter, “Daisy and Demi,” Meg's twins become the delight of the March household. Meg devotes herself to their care, while John takes special pride in his son, dreaming of the man he will grow into. The babies charm the entire family—Jo, at first unsure of them, warms up and plays the lively aunt, while Laurie and the others also share in the joy of helping raise the little one. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read about the history of jewelry around the world, from Jewels and the Woman written by Marianne Ostier and published in 1958. Ostier was the principal designer and artistic driving force behind Ostier Inc., the New York jewelry firm she founded in 1941 with her husband, Oliver. Marianne was an accomplished painter and sculptor before her marriage, while Oliver came from a distinguished line of Austrian court jewelers. The couple emigrated to the United States to escape war, where they rebuilt their lives and careers. Their firm became known for its distinctive approach to jewelry design. The workshop specialized in bespoke commissions—one-of-a-kind pieces crafted for private clients, often film stars, collectors, or patrons of the arts. The book reflects Marianne Ostier's deep understanding of both the artistry and the history of jewelry. In it, she traces how cultures across centuries and continents have used ornaments not merely as decoration, but also as symbols of power, wealth, protection, and devotion. From ancient amulets and royal regalia to modern design innovations, the story of jewels is inseparable from the story of civilization itself — read by N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read all about gemstones from the book Jewels and the Woman, written by Marianne Ostier and published in 1958. Marianne Ostier was not only an author but also a celebrated jewelry designer in mid-20th century New York. Along with her husband, she ran a renowned atelier that catered to an international clientele, including film stars, royalty, and collectors. Her training as a painter and sculptor in Vienna gave her designs a distinctive artistic sensibility, blending classical elegance with modern lines. The history of gemstones is as fascinating as their appearance. Ancient cultures ascribed protective and mystical powers to stones, such as amethyst for clarity of mind, or turquoise for safe travel. Over centuries, classification systems emerged to group gems by their mineral composition, as well as their beauty and rarity. Beyond color, jewelers also considered “water”—a poetic term describing the clarity and brilliance of the stone. A gem of “first water” is one of near-perfect transparency, prized above all others. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll complete the 1928 children's book by A. A. Milne “The House at Pooh Corner” with the last section titled “IN WHICH Christopher Robin and Pooh Come to an Enchanted Place and We Leave Them There”. In the last episode, Owl's house had blown down, so Rabbit sent everyone searching for a new one while Pooh tried to make up a song about it, which turned instead into a long hum praising Piglet's bravery during the storm. Eeyore, feeling left out, announced he had found Owl a new home—but it turned out to be Piglet's. Thinking of Pooh's song, Piglet did a noble thing and offered it anyway. Christopher Robin gently agreed, and Pooh promised Piglet could live with him. So Owl got a house called The Wolery, and Piglet discovered that bravery sometimes means giving up what's yours—and finding comfort in a friend's paw to hold. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight we'll read another Australian fairy tale called “The Fairy City” written by Hume Cook and published in 1925. This story can stand independently on its own, or as a follow up to "The Magic Well" episode that we aired last week. James Newton Haxton Hume Cook, the author, was an Australian politician who served in Parliament for almost a decade. Beyond his political career, he wrote collections of fairy tales that blended imaginative storytelling with touches of local color, reflecting the desire of early twentieth-century Australians to see their own landscapes and culture represented in children's stories. “The Fairy City” is particularly curious in that it draws on imagery of architecture and civil engineering—disciplines often thought of as practical and technical—yet here given a whimsical treatment. Civil engineering, as a field, is one of humanity's oldest pursuits, shaping daily life through bridges, roads, canals, and other public works. By weaving these concepts into a fairy tale, Cook turned topics usually reserved for city planners and engineers into something children could delight in, imagining a fantastical metropolis where fairies themselves might dwell. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read from “Lessons in Chalk Modeling, the New Method of Map Drawing” written by Ida Cassa Heffron and published in 1900. At the turn of the twentieth century, education was undergoing rapid changes. Teachers sought creative ways to engage students in subjects that were often taught by rote memorization. Geography, in particular, was considered a cornerstone of a well-rounded education, yet it was sometimes reduced to reciting capitals and drawing borders. Heffron's work introduced a tactile and visual method known as “chalk modeling,” in which teachers could draw raised relief maps directly on the blackboard to show mountains, rivers, and valleys in a more dynamic way. Chalk modeling made classrooms more interactive, helping students imagine landscapes and physical features in three dimensions rather than flat diagrams. It reflected the broader educational trend toward “learning by doing,” a movement championed by reformers such as John Dewey. This method not only made lessons more engaging but also encouraged observation and critical thinking—skills at the heart of geography itself. By situating geography in this more hands-on practice, Heffron's book connected everyday teaching to a field that bridges human culture and natural science. Her ideas gave teachers a practical toolkit to make the world vivid on the classroom chalkboard, turning simple white lines into whole continents of imagination. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we shall read the next part to Persuasion, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife. Austen began writing Persuasion in 1815, during a period of declining health, yet the novel's style shows a maturity and restraint distinct from her earlier works. Many readers have noted its quieter, more autumnal tone—reflecting themes of second chances, endurance, and the slow rekindling of love. It was published posthumously along with Northanger Abbey, and stands today as one of her most poignant achievements. In the last episode, Anne is thrilled to sense Captain Wentworth's rekindled interest in her at the concert. Mr. Elliot's vying interest in her apparently leaves Wentworth to storm out early in vexation, and leaves Anne in astonishment. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight we'll read an Australian fairy tale called “The Magic Well” written by Hume Cook and published in 1925. Hume Cook was a politician as well as a writer, serving as a member of Australia's Parliament at the turn of the twentieth century. Beyond politics, he had a lifelong fondness for storytelling, and eventually wrote down the tales he had invented for his three children. The result was a book called Australian Fairy Tales, where gum trees, billabongs, and local wildlife mingled with elves and sprites, firmly grounding old-world fantasy in an Australian setting. What makes these stories unusual is their attempt to create a distinctly Australian branch of fairy lore. At the time, children's stories were still overwhelmingly European in flavor—full of castles, cobblestones, and northern forests. By weaving in native landscapes and animals, Cook gave his children stories where fairies might hide behind eucalyptus trees instead of oaks, or guard hidden wells in the bush rather than mossy glades. In “The Magic Well,” we'll hear one such tale, where an enchanted spring becomes the heart of a story about discovery and wonder. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read about cooking alternatives to wheat, from the 1918 pamphlet “Foods That Will Win the War”. Although the United States did not have food rationing in World War I as it did in World War II, it did rely heavily on propaganda campaigns at the time to persuade people to curb their food consumption. Pamphlets like this one were part of a vast public education effort. Recipes were tailored to use corn, oats, rye, rice, and even potato flour in place of wheat, encouraging families to support soldiers overseas through their kitchen tables. These simple substitutions reflected a broader spirit of sacrifice and civic duty, where everyday meals became part of the national war effort. Herbert Hoover, who led the Food Administration before later becoming President, became known as “the Great Humanitarian” for organizing food relief. His “wheatless” and “meatless” campaigns not only shifted American eating habits, but also demonstrated how propaganda and practical instruction could merge to shape daily life during wartime. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the 32nd chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled “The Pass List is Out” In the last episode, Anne spent a carefree summer outdoors with Diana, as per the doctor's advice for her health. The time in the fresh air left her revived and eager for the new school year. As autumn arrived, she threw herself into her studies under Miss Stacy's inspiring guidance, with the looming “Entrance” exams casting a shadow over the year. Socially, Anne enjoyed parties, sleigh rides, and skating, while at home Marilla reflected with bittersweet feelings on how much Anne had grown. Anne herself became quieter, favoring thoughtful reflection over chatter, and focused on improving her writing through Miss Stacy's critiques. With just two months before the exams, Anne worried about passing—especially in geometry—while determinedly pushing herself to succeed. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, for our monthly Snoozecast+ Deluxe bonus episode, we'll read the opening of “The Girl from Scotland Yard”, written by Edgar Wallace and published in 1932. To listen to this full episode and unlock access to our catalog ad-free, go to snoozecast.com/plus. Plus is spelled P-L-U-S. Edgar Wallace, one of the most prolific crime and thriller writers of the early 20th century, was known for fast-paced plots and sharply drawn characters. His work often blended the intrigue of international conspiracies with the immediacy of street-level crime, creating a style that would help shape the modern detective novel. In our story, Lady Raytham receives an unexpected visit from Miss Leslie Maughan—an unusually young and poised detective from Scotland Yard—who arrives with questions about a large, recent withdrawal from the lady's bank account. This meeting sets in motion a chain of encounters involving Peter Dawlish, a man freshly released from prison, and a shadowy web of danger that seems to close in from every side. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the second half of “The Story of the Herons,” from a collection titled Moonshine and Clover written by Laurence Housman and published in 1922. The first half aired last week. In the previous episode, a princess was placed under a peculiar curse—destined to fall in love at first sight with whatever creature she saw. To protect her, her parents kept her hidden from the world, allowing only carefully supervised walks in the forest while wearing a blindfold. But a spiteful fairy intervened, and when the blindfold was removed, the princess's eyes fell upon a solitary heron fishing in a stream. Overcome by enchantment, she loved him instantly. Moved by their daughter's longing, the king and queen consented to have her transformed into a heron so she could be with her chosen mate. A kindly fairy offered a small hope: if the heron could love her with the depth and devotion of a human heart, they could both regain human form. But as the story left off, news arrived that the princess had laid two eggs in her nest—an event that may bring the tale to a very different ending than anyone expected. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the first half to “The Story of the Herons,” from a collection titled Moonshine and Clover written by Laurence Housman and published in 1922. The second half will air in our next episode. In addition to his fiction and poetry, Housman was a committed activist, championing both women's suffrage and the acceptance of gay people in society. His work often blended lyrical language with a touch of moral allegory, reflecting his interest in social progress. Herons, the birds at the center of tonight's tale, are found on every continent except Antarctica. They are long-legged, long-necked, long-billed freshwater and coastal birds, and include egrets—distinguished mainly by their characteristic white plumage. While they bear a passing resemblance to storks and cranes, herons are easily recognized in flight by the way they tuck their necks back in an elegant S-curve rather than extending them straight out. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the next chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “My Lord and Lady”. This is also known as the second half of the “Little Women” novel and is considered the 45th chapter as part of that work as a whole. In our last chapter, Laurie visits the March home with Amy, and the newlyweds share lighthearted banter with Jo and Mrs. March. Laurie reveals his plans to work seriously in business to please his grandfather, while Amy speaks of creating a warm home before stepping into society. Later, at home, they discuss Jo's possible marriage to Professor Bhaer, with Laurie assuring Amy he would be happy for them. The couple then talk warmly about their shared desire to use their wealth to discreetly help those in need, particularly struggling artists, ambitious young women, and “poor gentlefolk” who cannot ask for aid. They pledge to make generosity a joyful part of their life together, seeing it as a way to strengthen their own marriage while brightening the lives of others. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read  “Pop Corn Recipes” by Mary Hamilton Talbott, published in 1916.  Corn was domesticated about 10,000 years ago, in what is now Mexico. Archaeologists discovered that people have known about popcorn for thousands of years. Fossil evidence from Peru suggests that corn was popped as early as 4,700 BC. Through the 19th century, popping of the kernels was achieved by hand, on stove tops. During the Great Depression, popcorn was fairly inexpensive at 5–10 cents a bag and became popular. Thus, while other businesses failed, the popcorn business thrived and became a source of income for many struggling farmers, including the Redenbacher family. The snack was popular at theaters, much to the initial displeasure of many of the theater owners, who thought it distracted from the films. Their minds eventually changed, however, and Popcorn became more profitable than theater tickets. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the opening fairy tale from The Descent of the Sun: A Cycle of Birth published in 1903. This book was purportedly translated from unidentified Sanskrit manuscripts by F. W. Bain. More likely, the stories were only inspired by ancient Hindu myths. Bain, a British academic and translator, presented his works as delicate artifacts from the East, complete with ornate introductions describing his supposed discoveries. At the time, readers were fascinated by such “found” works, and many took them at face value, seeing them as glimpses into an exoticized vision of Indian literature. Only later did scholars conclude that Bain had likely authored the stories himself, drawing loosely on Hindu philosophy and mythological themes. Whether authentic translation or original invention, The Descent of the Sun blends the cadence of classical myth with the romantic imagination of turn-of-the-century fantasy. The tales explore creation and rebirth, the intertwining of fate and desire, and the enduring victory of love over hardship—framed in the lyrical, almost musical prose that Bain favored. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we shall read the next part to “Persuasion”, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife.  In the last episode, Anne navigates Bath's tightly woven social circuits—frequenting parties and strolling the streets—she continues to hope for a meaningful conversation with Wentworth, while contending with Lady Russell's lingering disapproval and Mr. Elliot's calculated charm. When a concert presents itself as a likely opportunity, Anne sets aside a visit to her friend Mrs. Smith in hopes of finally seeing Wentworth again—and possibly learning the truth of his feelings once and for all. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read from Elements of Arithmetic, written by Augustus De Morgan and first published in 1846. De Morgan was a pioneering British mathematician and logician, remembered not only for his clear explanations but also for his sharp wit. He introduced the world to what we now call De Morgan's Laws in logic, and was the first to formally define and use the term “mathematical induction.” Because he was a Unitarian and refused to subscribe to the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican Church, he was denied a fellowship at Oxford and Cambridge. This principled stance however did not hinder his influence: he went on to become the first professor of mathematics at the newly founded University College London. His legacy is honored not only in mathematics but on the Moon itself, where a crater bears his name. Elements of Arithmetic was one of his most widely read works, offering both beginners and more advanced students a foundation in the science of numbers. Arithmetic — the study of numbers, their properties, and their relationships — forms the bedrock of mathematics, bridging the practical art of calculation with the deeper theories that underpin algebra and number theory. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read about selecting wood from “Violin Making” written by Walter H. Mayson and published in 1909. The modern violin first appeared in 16th-century Italy, evolving from earlier bowed string instruments like the medieval rebec and Renaissance viol. Over time, it became both a tool of virtuosity and an object of cultural symbolism, equally at home in a grand concert hall or a lively village square. While the word “fiddle” is often used interchangeably with “violin,” its music spans a surprisingly wide range—from Western classical to folk, country, jazz, and even many non-Western traditions. For centuries, violinists and collectors have prized instruments made by legendary families such as Amati, Guarneri, and Stradivari. These instruments inspire almost mythic reverence for their tone and craftsmanship, with qualities that have resisted precise scientific explanation. While modern luthiers continue to challenge the old masters, a Stradivari remains a benchmark of beauty and rarity—one selling for £9.8 million (about $15.9 million US) in 2011 still holds the record. Walter H. Mayson, the author of tonight's text, was an English violin maker who entered the craft relatively late in life, beginning at the age of 39. His book, published after his death, distills a lifetime's devotion to the art, offering practical instruction and insights into the materials and methods behind the making of fine violins. In this excerpt, he turns his attention to one of the most crucial stages of the process—choosing the wood itself. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll continue the 1928 children's book by A. A. Milne “The House at Pooh Corner” with the second-to-last chapter, titled “In Which Eeyore Finds the Wolery and Owl Moves Into It.” In the last episode, Pooh and Piglet set out on a blustery autumn day to visit friends, deciding they would wish everyone a “Very Happy Thursday.” After stopping at several homes, they fought through the strong wind to Owl's house. While they were visiting, the wind toppled Owl's tree, sending the house tilting sideways and blocking the door. Pooh, Piglet, and Owl found themselves trapped inside. Owl dismissed Pooh's first ideas for escape, but eventually Pooh suggested a plan: tie a string to Piglet, hoist him up to Owl's ceiling letter-box, and have him squeeze through to get outside for help. Though nervous, Piglet bravely agreed. With Pooh and Owl pulling, Piglet was lifted up, squeezed out through the letter-box, and escaped. Once outside, Piglet called back that Owl's tree had fallen and he would fetch Christopher Robin to help clear the doorway and bring a rope for Pooh. Piglet ran off on his errand, leaving Pooh and Owl to wait—while Owl resumed telling a long story about his Uncle Robert. Piglet's quick action and courage had saved the day, making him the hero of the moment. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the opening to the short story “At the Bay” written by Katherine Mansfield, published in 1922. Mansfield was a New Zealand writer, widely considered one of the most influential and important authors of the modernist movement. Her works are celebrated across the world, and have been published in 25 languages. Her prose is often described as impressionistic, capturing fleeting moments and shifts in mood with a painter's sensitivity. “At the Bay” is part of her final collection, The Garden Party and Other Stories, and is set in a sunlit coastal settlement reminiscent of the bays near her hometown of Wellington. In it, the dawn opens over a household stirring awake, and the reader is invited into a world of sensory immediacy—shifting light, sea breezes, and the subtle interplay between family members. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read poems by John Keats starting with one titled “Sleep and Poetry.” John Keats' work is a cornerstone of English Romantic poetry, rich with symbolism, sensual detail, and allusions to Greek and Roman myth as well as romanticised tales of chivalry. His verse overflows with vivid imagery—nightingales, Grecian urns, moonlit fields—while also contemplating beauty, truth, and life's transience. Born in London in 1795, Keats trained as a surgeon before devoting himself entirely to poetry. In just four years, he produced the works that would secure his place in literary history, though in his lifetime his books sold barely two hundred copies. Today, his name is among the most revered in English literature. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the 31st chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled “Where the Brook and River Meet” In the last episode, The Queen's Class Is Organized, Anne's dream of becoming a teacher begins to take shape when Miss Stacy invites her to join a special class preparing for entrance exams to Queen's Academy. Marilla, though secretly very fond of Anne, initially seems stern but ultimately supports her ambition. Anne is deeply grateful and vows to study hard, though she dreads being separated from Diana, who is not joining the class. The Queen's class includes Anne, Gilbert, and several other Avonlea students, and a friendly but fierce academic rivalry develops between Anne and Gilbert. Though Anne insists she no longer cares about him, she privately regrets having rebuffed his earlier attempt at friendship. As winter turns to spring, studies lose their appeal, and the students welcome vacation, especially after Miss Stacy confirms she'll return next year. The chapter ends with a glimpse of Anne's growing maturity—she sets aside her schoolbooks for summer, determined to enjoy her last season of girlhood. Meanwhile, even Mrs. Lynde admits Anne has turned out remarkably well, and Marilla quietly reflects on how deeply proud and attached she has become to the once unpredictable orphan girl. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read from Pythagoras and the Delphic Mysteries, written by Édouard Schuré and published in English in 1909. This work is part of Schuré's larger cycle The Great Initiates, which presents the lives and teachings of spiritual figures like Krishna, Hermes, Orpheus, Plato, and Jesus through a blend of historical research and philosophical interpretation. In this volume, Schuré attempts to reconstruct the hidden life of Pythagoras—not only as a mathematician but as a mystic, reformer, and initiate into the sacred traditions of ancient Egypt, Greece, and India. Schuré's writing reflects the 19th-century fascination with esoteric knowledge and spiritual evolution. While modern scholarship may question some of his interpretations, the result is a richly imaginative account that captures how Pythagoras was viewed not just as a historical figure, but as a symbol of harmony, wisdom, and the mystical power of number. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read about the musical genius Franz Liszt as a child piano prodigy from the book “Life of Liszt” written by Ludwig Nohl. Liszt was a Hungarian composer, pianist and teacher of the Romantic era. He gained renown during the early nineteenth century for his virtuoso skill as a pianist. Since he often appeared three or four times a week in concert, it could be safe to assume that he appeared in public well over a thousand times during one eight year period. During his virtuoso heyday, Liszt was described by the writer Hans Christian Andersen (who has written many fairy tales featured by Snoozecast) as a "slim young man...[with] dark hair hung around his pale face". He was seen as handsome by many, with a German poet writing concerning his showmanship during concerts: "How powerful, how shattering was his mere physical appearance". — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the next chapter of “Good Wives” written by Louisa May Alcott titled “My Lord and Lady”. This is also known as the second half of the “Little Women” novel and is considered the 44th chapter as part of that work as a whole. In our last chapter, Jo, feeling somewhat alone amid her family's celebration of Amy's return, is surprised by the unexpected arrival of Professor Bhaer. She welcomes him with visible joy, and he's warmly embraced by the March family. Jo observes his thoughtful presence and quiet charm, sensing a change in him—and in herself. As the family gathers to sing in memory of Beth, Jo and the Professor perform a duet that hints at growing affection. Though he claims to be in town on business, it becomes clear that Jo is the true reason for his visit. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, for our monthly Snoozecast+ Deluxe bonus episode, we'll read the opening to “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” written by Anne Bronte and published in 1848. Anne was the youngest of the three literary Brontë sisters, and her work was long overshadowed by her siblings' more dramatic novels. Yet The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was a bold, controversial success in its day. The novel tells the story of a mysterious woman who arrives at a decaying country manor with her young son and refuses to explain her past.Told through a layered structure of letters and diaries, the book explores themes, such as female autonomy, with unusual frankness for the era. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the fairy tale “Felicia and the Pot of Pinks” written by Madame d'Aulnoy and found in the Blue Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang. The “pot of pinks” in this story refers to a type of dianthus flower known as “garden pinks.” Its name is not due to the color pink but rather to the serrated edges of the petals, which look like they were cut with pinking shears. In fact, the color pink may be derived from this particular flower. Madame d'Aulnoy was a 17th-century French writer credited with popularizing the term fairy tale, or conte de fées. Her stories often featured courtly settings, magical transformations, and heroines who relied on cleverness and kindness rather than brute strength. “Felicia and the Pot of Pinks” is a lovely example of her style, blending the domestic and the enchanted in a story that centers around a humble gift—a flowerpot—and the power it holds. Andrew Lang, who compiled The Blue Fairy Book in the late 19th century, was a Scottish folklorist who brought together stories from all over the world, often adapting them for a Victorian audience. This particular tale, translated and preserved through his collection, reflects the enduring charm of early French fairy literature and the quiet wisdom often carried in its petals. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read a story from “Just So Stories” by British author Rudyard Kipling published in 1902 titled “The Crab That Played with the Sea”. The book is a collection of origin stories. Kipling began working on the book by telling the first three chapters as bedtime stories to his daughter Josephine. These had to be told "just so" (exactly in the words she was used to) or she would complain. The stories illustrate how animals obtained their distinctive features, such as how the leopard got his spots. This particular story explains the ebb and flow of the tides, as well as how the crab changed from a huge animal into a small one. — read by 'N' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we shall read the next part to “Persuasion”, the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen, and published in 1817. The story concerns Anne Elliot, an Englishwoman whose family moves in order to lower their expenses, by renting their home to an Admiral and his wife. In the last episode, Anne unexpectedly encounters Admiral Croft while walking alone in Bath. She finds him cheerfully absorbed in critiquing a print of a ridiculous-looking boat in a shop window. They walk together, the Admiral talking freely and humorously about mutual acquaintances and life in Bath. Once they reach a quieter street, he shares surprising news: Louisa Musgrove is to marry Captain Benwick—not Captain Wentworth, as everyone had assumed. Anne is stunned but conceals her reaction. She expresses hopes that Captain Wentworth isn't wounded by the match or by his friend's involvement. The Admiral reassures her that Wentworth's letter conveyed no bitterness and that he wishes the couple happiness. Still, Anne senses more complexity beneath the surface.Shortly afterward, Anne, while waiting out a light rain in a shop with her relatives, unexpectedly sees Captain Wentworth walking down Milsom Street. The shock is overwhelming. She tries to compose herself, only to see him enter the same shop moments later. Their meeting is awkward and emotionally charged. He seems flustered and speaks to her with visible discomfort—very unlike his previously composed manner. They exchange brief, formal conversation, but Anne is left deeply affected by his presence and the unresolved feelings between them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the second half to “The Otter Opal”, a Snoozecast original. The first half aired in the last episode, where we met two sea otters as they floated above the kelp forest. Their days are spent sleeping, eating, napping, playing and racing. Tumma excels at all activities, except for the swim races. We also learn that sea otters often have a favorite stone that they keep in a pocket of their fur, and Tumma finds himself an extraordinary one. In many Indigenous coastal traditions, sea otters have been viewed as symbols of curiosity, transformation, and cleverness. Their habit of using tools—especially stones—makes them one of the few non-human animals known to do so. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the first half to “The Otter Opal”, a Snoozecast original. The second half will air in the next episode. In this story, we shall meet two sea otters named Tumma and Nutsnm as they float above the kelp forest. The story is set along a coastline that feels quietly enchanted, where breaching whales appear like punctuation and the sea's rhythm gently matches the internal tide of thought. We begin, as Tumma does, suspended between waking and dreaming, wondering where the day might carry him. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Tonight, we'll read the opening to “The Moon Maid”, a fantasy novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs and published in 1926. This novel constitutes a future history, and in it Burroughs' vision of what the 20th century held in store for humanity, which could be considered a kind of retroactive alternate history. In Burroughs's vision, in 1967 the planetary rulers send a first manned spacecraft to the Moon—coinciding very near to the ac he Apollo 11 Moon landing. Of course, in Burrough's version, the moon turns out to be teeming with life. Burroughs is best known for his creation of Tarzan and the Barsoom series set on Mars, and The Moon Maid falls into that same interplanetary tradition, blending high adventure with speculative science. The novel imagines a Hollow Moon inhabited by intelligent civilizations, including the Va-Gas, a centaur-like warrior race, and the more advanced yet decadent U-gas. It also links to other books in what became a loosely connected trilogy—followed by The Moon Men and The Red Hawk—in which themes of empire, resistance, and rebirth play out across centuries. The story begins with a framing device—common in Burroughs's work—where a manuscript or oral account is “discovered” and passed along to the reader, granting it a sense of mythical authenticity. Through this lens, we are introduced to Julian 5th, a descendant in a long line of Julians who would come to play a pivotal role in the history of Earth, the Moon, and even future interplanetary relations. - read by 'N' - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read recipes on schoolroom cakes along with tea cakes and biscuits from The Cake and Biscuit Book by Elizabeth Douglas, published in 1903. When this cookbook was published, most American students attended a one-room schoolhouse. A single teacher would typically have students of all ages in one class. The youngest children sat in the front, while the oldest students sat in the back. Students memorized and recited their lessons, and when they were lucky, they ate home baked treats like the ones here. At the turn of the 20th century, home baking was considered an essential domestic skill, and simple confections like spice cakes, oat biscuits, and soft tea buns were often made in large batches to share. Many cakes intended for schoolrooms used ingredients that could stretch—like treacle, lard, or buttermilk—making them ideal for feeding many mouths with limited means. The term “schoolroom cake” didn't refer to a specific type, but rather to the spirit of the bake: something sturdy, not overly sweet, easy to pack, and nourishing enough to last a long day. - read by 'N' - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight, we'll read the 30th chapter of “Anne of Green Gables”, the classic 1908 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. This chapter is titled “The Queen's Class Is Organized.” In the last episode, Anne was overjoyed when Diana told her they had been invited by Aunt Josephine to visit Charlottetown for the Exhibition. Though unsure Marilla would allow it, she eventually agreed, especially after a little help from Diana's mother. Anne prepared with great excitement, especially over her new coat and cap. The trip was full of wonders: the scenic drive, Aunt Josephine's luxurious home, the lively Exhibition, and a glamorous concert at the Academy of Music. Anne was deeply moved by the sights and experiences but also reflected on how imagination and simplicity often felt more meaningful than grandeur. When she returned home, Anne realized how much she loved Green Gables. Though the visit had been unforgettable, she concluded that the best part was coming back—a moment she considered a true turning point in her life. — read by 'V' — Sign up for Snoozecast+ to get expanded, ad-free access by going to snoozecast.com/plus! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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