Best Audible Short Stories

Audible has lots of great short story collections and anthologies to listen to. They can be purchased individually, or you can get one for free with a new Audible trial. Each month, you’ll have a credit to get another book. Here are just some of the entertaining short story books available.

Audible Short Stories

Nightfall and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov

This collection has 20 short works selected and introduced by Asimov. It includes “Nightfall”, considered one of the best science fiction stories ever.

In “Nightfall”, the planet Lagash is perpetually illuminated due the constant shining of at least one of its six suns. There is no night. Evidence of ancient civilizations on Lagash lead scientists to believe a cataclysmic event is approaching.

You can also get “Nightfall” in the next book.

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame Volume 1

This anthology compiles some of the greatest science fiction stories of all time, including:

  • “Nightfall”
  • “Arena”: A war between Earth and the Outsiders gets settled in an unconventional way.
  • “Mars is Heaven!”: An Earth-crew lands on Mars, and it’s wonderful.
  • “Surface Tension”: Humans crash-land on, and then find a way to colonize, an inhospitable planet.
  • “The Nine Billion Names of God”: Tibetan monks avail themselves of modern technology to complete a sacred task.
  • “It’s a Good Life”: The Twilight Zone classic of a powerful little boy.
  • “Flowers for Algernon”: A new procedure gives Charlie a chance at a normal life.

Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman

This collection by one of the most popular modern short story writers contains the well-known pieces:

  • “Chivalry”: A woman buys a remarkable item at a second hand shop, earning her a visit from a distinguished guest.
  • “Troll Bridge”: An adult retelling of Three Billy Goats Gruff, not as much for kids as the original.
  • “We Can Get Them For You Wholesale”: A customer in need of a hit-man’s services finds the job larger than he expected.
  • “Murder Mysteries”: A murdered angel and an angel investigator.
  • “Snow, Glass, Apples”: Snow White’s stepmother tells the story from her perspective—definitely not for kids.

Fragile Things

Another popular collection from Neil Gaiman, this one includes the well-known stories:

  • “A Study in Emerald”: A detective with remarkable deductive powers and his helpful assistant in a familiar fantasy world.
  • “Bitter Grounds”: A man who’s dead in every way that counts keeps going.
  • “Harlequin Valentine”: A harlequin gives his heart away and Missy tries to find out where this gift came from.
  • “Goliath”: A story set in the world of The Matrix.
  • “How to Talk to Girls at Parties”: Two teenage boys try to meet girls at a party—but of course it’s not that simple.

Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs

Urban fantasy stories featuring the shape-shifter Mercy Thompson.

The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

This collection has some of Bradbury’s most popular stories, including:

  • “The Veldt”: The parents want to lay off the technology for a while, but the kids disagree.
  • “The Long Rain”: Stranded astronauts try to survive in the heavy rains of Venus.
  • “Marionettes, Inc.”: A man has a clever plan to replace himself with a robot.
  • “The Exiles”: Deceased authors still live on Mars, but they’re not completely safe.

Robot Dreams by Isaac Asimov

This collection includes the stories:

  • “The Machine that Won the War”: Multivac has won the war against the Denebians—possibly.
  • “The Last Question”: Over several human eras, a supercomputer works on a vital question.

Dangerous Women

This 21 story anthology includes a Westeros novella by George R. R. Martin. Also includes an Outlander story by Diana Gabaldon, a story of Harry Dresden’s world by Jim Butcher and a story from the world of The Magicians by Lev Grossman.

The Egg and Other Stories

The title story of this collection by Andy Weir is possibly one of the most widely-read recent short stories.

  • “The Egg”: A man killed in an accident learns he’s lived many times before.
  • “The Chef”: A woman in the hospital after an explosion tells her story.
  • “Antihypoxiant”: A doctor makes a remarkable breakthrough.

The Book of Swords

This anthology has 16 brand new stories of swashbuckling warriors in the fantasy genre. It includes a Westeros novella by George R. R. Martin.

The Things They Carried

Tim O’Brien’s collection of linked short stories about the Vietnam War is critically acclaimed and a big seller. You’ve probably read at least one of the stories in it already. I think the best known stories are:

  • The title story: We’re let in on what various soldiers carry with them, most notably the letters from Martha that platoon leader Jimmy Cross carries.
  • “How to Tell a True War Story”: The narrator tells some war stories and comments on how to tell them.
  • “Stockings”: A soldier with an unusual good-luck charm.

Exhalation

This Ted Chiang collection includes:

  • “The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate”: A medieval shop owner in Baghdad has a gateway to the future.
  • “Exhalation”: A mechanical race with swappable lungs runs into a problem.

There are lots of award winning and nominated stories in this collection.

The Bazaar of Bad Dreams

You have an idea what you’re going to get from a Stephen King collection, so I don’t have to describe him to you.

This collection includes the Edgar Award winning “Obits”, about an obituary writer who relieves some frustration with remarkable results.

The Complete Sherlock Holmes: The Heirloom Collection

I guess this guy’s a detective or something, and he figures out stuff that other people can’t. I deduced this from existing in the world.

Over 40 short stories plus 4 novels of one of the most famous characters of all time.

Nameless by Dean Koontz

He’s haunted by visions and memory fragments. This six story series, volume 1, follows the deeds of a mysterious vigilante—Nameless—who deals with evildoers on his own terms.

  • “In the Heart of the Fire”A brutal small-town sheriff terrorizes the weak.
  • “Photographing the Dead”: A Death Valley killer with an artistic inclination.
  • “The Praying Mantis Bride”: A superstitious woman who’s rich husbands always die early.
  • “Red Rain”: A deadly and suspicious house fire and corrupt officials.
  • “The Mercy of Snakes”: A deadly retirement home and some happy heirs.
  • “Memories of Tomorrow”: A boy kidnapped by his psycho stepdad while Nameless deals with his past.

Volume 2 of Nameless, another six story series, is also available.

Edgar Allan Poe: The Complete Works

Listen to all the famous poems and short stories of Poe. If you haven’t read the classics, you’re in for a (dark) treat. Some of the standouts for me:

  • “The Cask of Amontillado”: Never mind the thousand injuries—an insult pushed Montresor to revenge. One of my favorite short stories.
  • “The Fall of the House of Usher”: A decaying house occupied by a decaying brother and sister.
  • “The Masque of the Red Death”: A deadly plague and a prince’s plan to survive it.
  • “The Pit and the Pendulum”: A death sentence and the terror of waiting for its completion.
  • “The Tell-Tale Heart”: A totally sane guy kills an old man because of his eye.

I hope you find some great short stories to enjoy on Audible.