The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year

By: Audible Narrators

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, Kate Reading, Michael Kramer, full cast

Length: 1 hr and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Here at Audible, we know just how much of an impact a voice can have on a story - taking simple words and filling them with elation, wonderment, tragedy, or pure satisfaction. We rely on our narrators every day to bring our favorite stories and characters to life - to introduce us to new authors and genres, or even to a new (perhaps longer) commute. And though our narrators are the best story tellers in the business, it's usually someone else's that they're telling.

This holiday season, as our gift to you, we asked 19 beloved performers to share their own personal holiday memories. With each story - some that will make you laugh, some that deal with loss, many that are filled with love and revelation - we, the listeners, get to know the person behind the voice with which we've grown so familiar.

We had a lot of fun putting this together, and we wholeheartedly thank our narrators for so generously sharing their voices and helping to brighten our holiday season.

From all of us here at Audible - happy holidays and happy listening!

CHAPTER GUIDE

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Jonathan Davis
• Chapter 3: Kate Reading
• Chapter 4: Michael Kramer
• Chapter 5: Scott Brick
• Chapter 6: Katherine Kellgren
• Chapter 7: Ray Porter
• Chapter 8: Piper Goodeve
• Chapter 9: Ari Fliakos
• Chapter 10: Andi Arndt
• Chapter 11: Edoardo Ballerini
• Chapter 12: Gabra Zackman
• Chapter 13: Gabriel Vaughn
• Chapter 14: Khristine Hvam
• Chapter 15: Allyson Johnson
• Chapter 16: Kirby Heyborne
• Chapter 17: Cassandra Campbell
• Chapter 18: Holter Graham
• Chapter 19: Therese Plummer
• Chapter 20: Kevin R. Free

©2016 Audible, Inc. (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Is Some Kind of White Elephant Gift?

While I like the idea of hearing more about where some of our favorite audible narrators came from -- in their own words -- this is a strange little bonus gift for listeners -- like that white elephant gift nobody at the party wants to take home.

Essentially, this a collection of Christmas Cards from some of Audible's favorite narrators. And while I liked hearing about where Jonathan Davis grew up, or Scott Brick's geeky holiday traditions, and Kate Reading's thoughts on clinging to the light amidst the darkness, it's hard to get beyond the feeling that this is just an odd sort of holiday smorgasbord for Audible listeners. I think it would've worked better if it had been distributed on Audible Channels somehow, or on the blog? Honestly, as a collection of stories, I don't understand why it was organized this way.

It's a nice thought but it's not Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, or any of the others we've received over the years. They're voices most of us love, but as a whole it's wrapped haphazardly.

122 of 142 people found this review helpful

Much fun

It is wonderful to hear so many different stories of the Holiday season, from so many people that are usually reading stories from other people's minds.

16 of 20 people found this review helpful

Sweet Christmas Gift from Audible

If you could sum up The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year in three words, what would they be?

Merry Christmas Readers!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year?

The Christmas Beef Exception

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

All of the narrators were wonderful and it was really unique to hear them tell their holiday stories.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to it in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

This was a free gift from Audible to members in Dec 2016. I really loved the idea that they asked their popular narrators to share beloved holiday memories. I enjoyed all the stories and they helped me get into the holiday spirit. It is so nice to see that even though so many families have diverse traditions, the general spirit of family, camaraderie, and love is preserved throughout.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

loved it!

these were some nice tales to listen to. thank you audible! I did skip one though because i think it talked about Santa nt being real and I have young kids. all the others stories were great though

11 of 14 people found this review helpful

Lame

Lame, lame, lame. Not sure what you guys were thinking but spending two hours of listening to someone else's Christmas memories as an annual gift just seems like a cheap out.

233 of 311 people found this review helpful

Thanks for the Memories

What did you love best about The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year?

Being included in the lives of our favorite narrators

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I have a vast Audiobook collection and many narrators in this book I've heard in one form or another. All of whom I appreciate and thank for sharing a part of their life, but Katherine Kellgren was with me during a particular rough patch of my life. So I wanted to send a warm and thankful shout-out for her personal Christmas story as I not only felt deep respect for her, but now a connection with a holiday tradition as well. I too have a version of a "Felt ornament" that I hold close. It's stupid, its silly and it comes with a flood of memories over a "Dukes of Hazzard" General Lee tree decoration. It's a little Shrinkie-Dink from back in my childhood dates but it means the world to me. Out of all the stories told in this audiobook, this is the one I most related too, AND it was from my favorite narrator to boot.

But my thanks runs deeper than that. The Bloody Jack series (although not my genre or age range) helped me through trying time in my life and because of it I became a stronger and better person in the end. So with much respect and admiration, Thanks! your portrayal of Mary Faber and friends helped a random stranger. God Bless!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Loved Therese Plummer's story of passing along the Christmas Carol tradition.

15 of 20 people found this review helpful

Like getting clothes as a present as a child

What disappointed you about The Most Wonderful Tales of the Year?

What a cheap present audible. Bad idea. Who cares about narrators personal stories. You would have been better off not giving a gift at all because now i see you as misguided and cheap. Thanks for WASTING my valuable time!! Next time, how about a free credit instead?!? That is a real present.

158 of 224 people found this review helpful

Waste of time

The personal Christmas memories of narrators is of zero interest. It's fine to make the annual holiday freebie a public domain offering, but at least you can draw from excellent writing. This is pure masturbation.

143 of 208 people found this review helpful

What a Gift!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great stories of different traditions that vary in content but not importance!

What did you like best about this story?

Each story told by the author.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Felt like the narrator and I were in a conversation

Any additional comments?

Can't wait till next year gift!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Delightful!

Wonderful short stories. heartwarming and enjoyable. I'm glad that the narrating was quite easily understandable.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful