In “The Devoted Friend,” Oscar Wilde offers a moral fable that is as charming as it is unsettling. Through the story of a generous little man and his eloquent, self-satisfied friend, Wilde exposes how fine words can mask cruelty—and how kindness, when taken advantage of, can become a burden rather than a blessing.

Written with wit, irony, and deceptively light prose, this story invites readers to examine the nature of true friendship, the difference between generosity and manipulation, and the cost of unbalanced relationships. A short tale with lasting resonance, The Devoted Friend remains as relevant today as when it was first published.

Send us a text

Support the show

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonreadsclassics

Merch Store: https://jason-reads-classics.printful.me/

Classic Christmas Stories: https://classicchristmasstories.buzzsprout.com/

Amazon Links

Cozy Blankets: https://amzn.to/42EuiP2

Christmas Mugs: https://amzn.to/3WENatG

All stories in this podcast are public domain works, read by the Jason Hovde. No copyrighted material is used.

In The Invisible Man, G. K. Chesterton delivers a masterful short mystery built on paradox and perception. When a man commits a crime in full view of the public, authorities are baffled—not because he vanished, but because he blended in too well.

With his trademark wit and philosophical depth, Chesterton explores how familiarity can become a kind of blindness. The story unfolds as both a clever puzzle and a meditation on modern life, where roles, uniforms, and expectations often make people effectively invisible.

Sharp, concise, and deeply satisfying, this classic reminds us that truth is often hidden not by darkness—but by daylight.

Send us a text

Support the show

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonreadsclassics

Merch Store: https://jason-reads-classics.printful.me/

Classic Christmas Stories: https://classicchristmasstories.buzzsprout.com/

Amazon Links

Cozy Blankets: https://amzn.to/42EuiP2

Christmas Mugs: https://amzn.to/3WENatG

All stories in this podcast are public domain works, read by the Jason Hovde. No copyrighted material is used.

In The Nightingale and the Rose, Oscar Wilde offers a haunting fairy tale about love, devotion, and the painful distance between idealism and reality. When a young student believes love can be proven with a single red rose, a nightingale overhears—and commits the ultimate act of sacrifice to make it possible.

But Wilde, ever the sharp observer of the human heart, does not give us a comforting moral. Instead, he asks uncomfortable questions: What is love worth? Who understands its cost? And what happens when selfless devotion meets careless indifference?

Both beautiful and devastating, this short story lingers long after the final line—an elegant reminder that not all sacrifices are recognized, and not all hearts know how to cherish them.

Send us a text

Support the show

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonreadsclassics

Merch Store: https://jason-reads-classics.printful.me/

Classic Christmas Stories: https://classicchristmasstories.buzzsprout.com/

Amazon Links

Cozy Blankets: https://amzn.to/42EuiP2

Christmas Mugs: https://amzn.to/3WENatG

All stories in this podcast are public domain works, read by the Jason Hovde. No copyrighted material is used.

In The Secret Garden, G. K. Chesterton once again showcases Father Brown’s unique approach to detection. Rather than relying on spectacle or deduction alone, Father Brown uncovers the truth by understanding human nature, moral weakness, and the ways people deceive themselves.

Subtle, philosophical, and deeply satisfying, this classic Father Brown mystery explores illusion, pride, and the quiet clarity of humility—offering a thoughtful alternative to the flashier detectives of the genre.

Send us a text

Support the show

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonreadsclassics

Merch Store: https://jason-reads-classics.printful.me/

Classic Christmas Stories: https://classicchristmasstories.buzzsprout.com/

Amazon Links

Cozy Blankets: https://amzn.to/42EuiP2

Christmas Mugs: https://amzn.to/3WENatG

All stories in this podcast are public domain works, read by the Jason Hovde. No copyrighted material is used.

High above a city stands the gilded statue of the Happy Prince, admired for his beauty yet unaware of the suffering below—until a small swallow comes to rest at his feet.

The Happy Prince is one of Oscar Wilde’s most beloved short stories, a poignant allegory of compassion, sacrifice, and love freely given. As the Prince and the Swallow work together to ease the pain of others, the story gently exposes the contrast between outward splendor and true generosity of heart.

Rich in symbolism and emotion, this classic tale continues to resonate with readers and listeners of all ages, offering a moving reflection on mercy, humility, and what it means to love well.

Send us a text

Support the show

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonreadsclassics

Merch Store: https://jason-reads-classics.printful.me/

Classic Christmas Stories: https://classicchristmasstories.buzzsprout.com/

Amazon Links

Cozy Blankets: https://amzn.to/42EuiP2

Christmas Mugs: https://amzn.to/3WENatG

All stories in this podcast are public domain works, read by the Jason Hovde. No copyrighted material is used.

In a quiet London morning filled with odd clues, two priests cross paths, and a brilliant game of reason begins.

The Blue Cross by G. K. Chesterton introduces Father Brown, one of literature’s most unlikely detectives. With gentle manners and an unassuming presence, Father Brown matches wits with a master criminal—not through force or spectacle, but through deep insight into the human soul.

Witty, philosophical, and quietly thrilling, this classic mystery explores the nature of good and evil, the limits of intellect, and the surprising power of humility. A perfect listen for fans of classic detective fiction, thoughtful storytelling, and timeless moral questions.

Send us a text

Support the show

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonreadsclassics

Merch Store: https://jason-reads-classics.printful.me/

Classic Christmas Stories: https://classicchristmasstories.buzzsprout.com/

Amazon Links

Cozy Blankets: https://amzn.to/42EuiP2

Christmas Mugs: https://amzn.to/3WENatG

All stories in this podcast are public domain works, read by the Jason Hovde. No copyrighted material is used.

When a towering giant returns home and shuts the world out, his once-beautiful garden falls into endless winter. But when small, unexpected visitors slip past his walls, everything begins to change.

The Selfish Giant is one of Oscar Wilde’s most beloved short stories—a tender allegory about pride, compassion, redemption, and the quiet power of love. Rich with imagery and meaning, this classic tale speaks to listeners of all ages, offering both beauty and depth in just a few unforgettable pages.

Perfect for listeners who love classic literature, reflective storytelling, and timeless moral fables.

Send us a text

Support the show

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonreadsclassics

Merch Store: https://jason-reads-classics.printful.me/

Classic Christmas Stories: https://classicchristmasstories.buzzsprout.com/

Amazon Links

Cozy Blankets: https://amzn.to/42EuiP2

Christmas Mugs: https://amzn.to/3WENatG

All stories in this podcast are public domain works, read by the Jason Hovde. No copyrighted material is used.

The Five Orange Pips is one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most chilling Sherlock Holmes stories — a mystery where symbols, secrecy, and deadly warnings arrive through the post.

When strange envelopes containing five orange pips precede a series of unexplained deaths, Holmes and Watson are drawn into a case that stretches beyond England’s shores and into the shadowy world of secret societies and revenge.

This classic tale blends deduction with mounting dread, reminding us that not all mysteries announce themselves loudly — some whisper their threats before they strike.

🎩 Mystery Mondays continue in January and February with Father Brown mysteries, featuring G. K. Chesterton’s quiet priest-detective and his remarkable insight into the human soul.

Send us a text

Support the show

Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/jasonreadsclassics

Merch Store: https://jason-reads-classics.printful.me/

Classic Christmas Stories: https://classicchristmasstories.buzzsprout.com/

Amazon Links

Cozy Blankets: https://amzn.to/42EuiP2

Christmas Mugs: https://amzn.to/3WENatG

All stories in this podcast are public domain works, read by the Jason Hovde. No copyrighted material is used.