Downloads & Free Reading Options - Results

1Pollyanna

By Eleanor H. Porter

Pollyanna tells the story of Pollyanna Whittier, a young girl who goes to live with her wealthy Aunt Polly after her father's death. Pollyanna's philosophy of life centers around what she calls "The Glad Game": she always tries to find something to be glad about in every situation, and to always do without delay whatever she thinks is right. With this philosophy, and her own sunny personality, she brings so much gladness to her aunt's dispirited New England town that she transforms it into a pleasant, healthy place to live. Eventually, however, even Pollyanna's robust optimism is put to the test when she loses the use of her legs in an accident. (written by Mary Anderson)

2Just David

By Eleanor H. Porter

David and his father set out from their idyllic mountain home to go to meet family, but enroute, David's father, who is sick dies, and David is left stranded in a little farming town. No one can read his father's handwriting, and David doesn't know his last name. A stern farmer and his wife take David in, and learn more from him than they realize! David, who counts only the sunny hours of his life, soon touches all the people's lives he meets in his new life with his beautiful violin music and sunny disposition. (Written by Mary Anderson)

3Pollyanna Grows Up

By Eleanor H. Porter

Pollyanna, now cured of her crippling spinal injury, and able to walk again, goes to live in Boston with Mrs. Carew, a heart-broken woman searching for her lost nephew. Her Aunt Polly goes abroad with her new Uncle, Dr. Chilton. While in Boston, Pollyanna meets new friends and has several interesting adventures...<br><br>A startling change in Aunt Polly's and Pollyanna's circumstances require Pollyanna to come up with a workable solution. Pollyanna's solution brings all her new friends from Boston and her old friends in Beldingsville together. Pollyanna also discovers she has to make a choice. Who will win her heart? (Summary by Mary Anderson)

4Scottish Chiefs

By Jane Porter

An adventure novel about William Wallace, one of the most popular books ever written by Jane Porter. The French version was even banned by Napoleon, and the book has remained very popular with Scottish children, but is equally enjoyable for adults. (Summary by Wikipedia, revised by Kikisaulite)

5Miss Billy

By Eleanor H. Porter

Mr. Neilson was determined to name his first child after his boyhood chum, William Henshaw. When the baby disappointed him by being a girl, he was consoled by naming her Billy. Miss Billy, now 18, orphaned and all alone in the world, takes her lawyer’s suggestion to ask her namesake to take her in. Only one little problem – Mr. Henshaw did not know of her existence, and then mistakenly thinks that Billy is a boy! <br></br> Eleanor H. Porter was an early 20th century author of children’s literature and novels. Her most well known book was “Pollyanna” and it’s sequel, “Pollyanna Grows Up”. (Summary by Maria Therese)

6Oh, Money! Money!

By Eleanor H. Porter

Mr. Stanley Fulton is worth millions, but he has no one to leave his money to except some unknown distant cousins. In order to find out how they would handle a fortune, he decides to give each of them $100,000 dollars during his life, and go – incognito - to live in their midst! Who will prove worthy to inherit his millions and will his deception be discovered?<br /><br /> Eleanor H. Porter was an early 20th century author of children’s literature and novels. Her most well known book was “Pollyanna” and it’s sequel, “Pollyanna Grows Up”. (Summary by Maria Therese)

7Miss Billy's Decision

By Eleanor H. Porter

When <i>Miss Billy</i> closed, Miss Billy and Bertram were happily engaged. In this first sequel to <i>Miss Billy</i> will the path to wedded bliss run smooth or will misunderstandings and heartache cross their path? Find out in <i>Miss Billy’s Decision</i>! (Summary by Maria Therese)

Imagine a young, twenty-something woman in 1860, reared “in the indolent life of the ordinary Southern girl” (which means she has never learned to cook); married to a professional man who knows “nothing of manual labor;” who is mother to a young son; and who has just found out she is pregnant with their second child. Imagine that this couple has become “embarrassed financially” by “imprudent speculations,” and that they are discussing what to do. They decide to buy a wagon and three yoke of unbroken oxen and head overland to California.<br><br>"We were two such precious dunces,” writes Lavinia Honeyman Porter in her autobiographical account of their journey across the plains. “In a short time the six oxen were bought, driven to our home and turned loose in our barnyard--wild brutes, as handy as with their heels as with their horns. Not one of us was brave enough to venture into the corral with them and we soon concluded we had six white elephants on our hands.” From there on in, Lavinia's adventures get worse—and then better. For those who enjoy true stories of pioneering days and happy endings, this is an enjoyable read.<br>(Introduction by Sue Anderson)

9Miss Billy Married

By Eleanor H. Porter

At the opening to this second sequel to Miss Billy (Miss Billy, Miss Billy's Decision, Miss Billy Married), we find Bertram and Billy finally at the altar. Will wedded bliss ensue and are the patter of little feet on the horizon? Or is misunderstanding and heartache in the cards again? Find out in <i>Miss Billy Married</i>! (Summary by Maria Therese)

10Dawn

By Eleanor H. Porter

Dawn (also known in England as "Keith’s Dark Tower"), was published in 1919, and is set during World War I. Keith Burton is going blind. It is hard for him and his family. Most of the book deals with their ways - right and wrong - of dealing with the situation. At the end, Keith finds pride in helping blind solders.<br><br>Eleanor H. Porter was a writer of many popular children’s books and novels, including the Pollyanna and Miss Billy series, as well as Just David, Oh, Money! Money! and more. (Summary by Stav Nisser and Maria Therese)

11Mary Marie

By Eleanor H. Porter

A charming 'coming of age' story about a young girl, Mary Marie, whose young life is thrown into turmoil as her parents divorce. As she leads two lives, she comes to realize that her parents still love one another, and engineers a reunion. In the end, we discover the long-lasting effect of this turmoil on the adult Mary Marie, and her own marriage." (summary by Lynne Thompson)

12Road to Understanding

By Eleanor H. Porter

"If Burke Denby had not been given all the frosted cakes and toy shotguns he wanted at the age of ten, it might not have been so difficult to convince him at the age of twenty that he did not want to marry Helen Barnet."<br/><br/>"Of course the inevitable happened. However near two roads may be at the start, if they diverge ever so slightly and keep straight ahead, there is bound to be in time all the world between them. In the case of Burke and Helen, their roads never started together at all: they merely crossed; and at the crossing came the wedding. They were miles apart at the start—miles apart in tastes, traditions, and environment. In one respect only were they alike: undisciplined self-indulgence—a likeness that meant only added differences when it came to the crossing; and that made it all the more nearly impossible to merge those two diverging roads into one wide way leading straight on to wedded happiness." (From the book)<br/><br/>This all sounds complicated. This complicated situation is conveyed to us by the couple and some of their friends. However, more complications rise when a daughter is caught in the middle - a clever and wonderful girl who had to endure a sad and bitter life: live with her abnormal mother and be employed by her father, without knowing it's him. Her parents know what's best for her, but does Betty know what's best for herself? Will Betty be able to forgive her parents? (Summary by Stav Nisser)

13Pollyanna (version 2)

By Eleanor H. Porter

In a small town far out West, 11 year old Pollyanna loses her mother then her dad to disease. This book describes how the orphan is sent to be raised by her aunt who lives far away in the East of the country. Unfortunately her aunt does not want her but accepts her very reluctantly only out of 'duty' and sticks her into a tiny hot attic room so she will be 'out of the way'. What Aunt Polly does not know is that Pollyanna is bringing the game of being 'glad' that her father taught her and that her irrepressible happy attitude will transform not only that dull and miserable house, but an entire village before she is through. (Summary by Phil Chenevert)

14Turn Of The Tide

By Eleanor H. Porter

"What a joy! How exciting!" Margret Kendall returned home, to her loving and equally beloved mother's arms after 4 years in the slums of New York City- where she endured unimaginable hardships. This hardship made the naturally brilliant nine-years-old strong, resourceful, and full of questions which her mother finds it hard to answer. But this is not the end of the problems she would have to face. Those will include her mother's intended marriage, her need to get along with her stepfather's people, and her ever present worry about her poor friends from New York who were there for her in her darkest moments. This book is full of twists and turns, but you can hang on to the sub-title "How Margaret Solved Her Problems", and feel more of its magic. You may think this is a dark book. Yes, it has it's dark parts. But it is also humorous, beautifully written and uplifting. <br /><br />Note that the prequel to this book, Cross Currents, is also available as an audiobook from the LibriVox catalog (Summary by Stav Nisser)

15Across The Years

By Eleanor H. Porter

These 18 wonderful short stories by Eleanor H. Porter, the author of Pollyanna, deal with those marvelous and maddeningly frustrating creatures: human beings. As always, Porter describes real people with sensitivity and an insight into all of their variety that makes you say "I knew someone just like that". She is able to capture the faded, but not quite extinguished, dreams of the elderly and the bright hopes of youth. The theme of this collection is how we humans deal with life and love throughout our lives, "Across the Years", no matter where we are or what era we live in. (Summary by phil chenevert)

Cross Currents: The Story of Margaret, to give it its full title, is delightful story about a little girl’s resilience and a mother’s unwavering love, from the beloved author of Pollyanna. Margaret Kendall (the Margaret of the story) has known nothing but love, wealth and privilege for the first five years of her life. An accident during a visit with her mother to New York City leaves little Margaret alone and fending for herself. While her mother searches desperately for her, Margaret has to do the best she can by herself. The book also also provides a glimpse into the everyday life of working children at the turn of the last century. Not always a pretty picture. Cross Currents is followed by The Turn of the Tide, which follows Margaret as she leaves New York and grows older. (Summary by Wikipedia and Phil Chenevert)

17Pollyanna (version 3 Dramatic Reading)

By Eleanor H. Porter

The story begins when Pollyanna arrives in Beldingsville to live with her Aunt Polly, a strict and dutiful middle aged woman. Pollyanna immediately begins to brighten up everyone's life by the "Glad Game." Trying to find something to be glad about in every situation, Pollyanna is happy, joyful, lively, and soon transforms the whole town. One day something so terrible happens, even Pollyanna doesn't know how to be glad about it. (Summary by Abigail Rasmussen) <br><br><strong>Cast</strong>:<br> Pollyanna: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7866">Lydia Rasmussen</a><br>Miss Polly: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8677">KHand</a><br>Nancy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7892">Alexis Castro</a><br>John Pendleton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/4535">Brett W. Downey</a><br>Dr. Chilton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7704">Robert Harder</a><br>Old Tom: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7008">John Trevithick</a><br>Jimmy Bean: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7894">Jacob Rasmussen</a><br>Milly: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/4899">Theresa L. Downey</a><br>Mrs. Snow: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7799">Lani Small</a><br>Housemaid: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7246">Lyn Silva</a><br>Nurse: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7315">Charlotte Duckett</a><br>Mr. Ford: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6065">David Olson</a><br>Dr. Mead: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7848">bala</a><br>Mrs. Payson: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/1259">Elizabeth Klett</a><br>Timothy/Young Man: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7896">Zack Rasmussen</a><br>Mrs. Ford/Mrs. Benton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7756">Lynne Thompson</a><br>Murmuring Lady/Mrs. Tarbell: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8712">Susie Rasmussen</a><br>Narrator: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6406">Abigail Rasmussen</a><br><br> <b>Audio edited by:</b> Abigail Rasmussen<br><br> <b>Prooflistened by:</b> Abigail Rasmussen and Piotr Nater

Robert Browning is still well-known today as a distinguished English poet. His poetry is still widely read, recited, and taught in schools. In this little volume, Rose Porter has compiled a collection of his poems concerning Easter. - Summary by Carolin

19Pollyanna (version 4)

By Eleanor H. Porter

Spinster Polly Harrington is perfectly content to be in control of her comfortable life, even if is she alone in a big house. But then a letter arrives informing her she is the guardian to her young orphaned niece, and she as well as the whole town quickly learns that life will never be the same with Pollyanna around to help them count their blessings. - Summary by thestorygirl

In the last year of the American Civil War, Horace Porter served as aide-de-camp to General Ulysses S. Grant, then commander of all the armies of the North. This lively 1897 memoir was written from the extensive notes he took during that time. It is highly regarded by later historians. Porter continued in that position with Grant to 1869. From 1869 to 1872 he served Grant as personal secretary in the White House. He was U.S. ambassador to France from 1897-1905. ( David Wales)

The Fifth Cycle of the Wheels poetry anthology was published in 1920 and contains poems by Aldous Huxley, Alan Porter, Leah McTavish Coehn, Geoffrey Cookson, William Kean Seymour, John J. Adams, Sherard Vines, and Osbert, Edith and Sacheverell Sitwell. The book was dedicated to Mrs Arnold Bennett, who is described as “poetry’s greatest interpretative artist.” - Summary by Algy Pug

22Fall River Tragedy

By Edwin H. Porter

The story of how Lizzie Borden supposedly murdered her parents has passed into American folklore, partly thanks to the albeit inaccurate playground rhyme, "Lizzie Borden took an axe, and gave her mother 40 whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father 41." Here we have the 'true' story, as reported by the local police reporter who attended the trial and lived only streets away from the Borden home with his young wife. After the trial, Porter 'disappeared' and it was widely speculated he had either been murdered or bribed to disappear in order to suppress the book. His reappearance some time later put paid to the first theory. After his death at age 39 from tuberculosis, a new theory emerged, that he had been away for treatment while keeping his illness secret. Meanwhile, the trial itself was noteworthy for several reasons: it was one of the first to be followed by nationwide press, providing a template for today's tabloid and cable coverage of major trials; it also had some distinguished personnel: one of the prosecutors, Frank Moody, later became the attorney general of the United States and was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Theodore Roosevelt; and Borden’s defense attorney, George Robinson, was the former governor of Massachusetts. The appearance of Professor Wood of Harvard University was an early use of an expert witness at trial.

23My Chinese Marriage

By Mae Franking and Katherine Anne Porter

Mae Watkins, a University of Michigan student, unexpectedly falls in love with a Chinese international law student in the midst of World War I. Despite the socially unacceptable pairing the couple decide to tie the knot and forge ahead with an unsure future. Mae demonstrates her unique ability to observe and describe a foreign culture after their move to Shanghai. She documents in detail her perceptions of Chinese fashion and food in addition to her knowledge of such controversial customs as foot binding and widow suicide. She offers great compassion for her Chinese family, both current and past. This book was ghost written by Katherine Anne Porter and published in Asia in serialized form in 1920. The original manuscript has been lost, but the serial form was subsequently republished. - Summary by Danielle Cartwright

Pollyanna visits Boston for the summer and stays with the grumpy, miserable, yet very wealthy Ruth Carew. Lonely in a big city away from her old companions and forbidden from talking to strangers, Pollyanna begins to despair of ever making new friends. Through her teenage years and into adulthood, will Pollyanna and her glad game be able to make a difference in the light of persistent grumpiness, disabilities, crippling poverty, and a major personal loss? - Summary by Eliza<br><br>Cast:<br> Customer: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16615">Marie Christian</a><br> Della Wetherby: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16561">blueriveriris</a><br> Dr. Charlie Ames: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12980">Wayne Cooke</a><br> Dr. Thomas Chilton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9698">Doug Fajardo</a><br> Ex-Prisoner: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12980">Wayne Cooke</a><br> Jamie: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16741">MoonLylith</a><br> Jerry: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16573">llamaart</a><br> Jimmy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10542">David Purdy</a><br> John Pendleton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/6754">ToddHW</a><br> Lady: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11790">TJ Burns</a><br> Mary: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16999">Krista Zaleski</a><br> Milly Snow: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/17333">Glendav7</a><br> Mr. Bean: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12980">Wayne Cooke</a><br> Mrs. Murphy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/17098">Nammy</a><br> Mrs. Snow: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13661">Lynette Caulkins</a><br> Nancy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13049">oogiesragdoll</a><br> Narrator: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16205">James R. Hedrick</a><br> Nurse: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13265">Yuqing</a><br> Policeman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16205">James R. Hedrick</a><br> Polly Chilton: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15373">WendyKatzHiller</a><br> Pollyanna: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13140">Jenn Broda</a><br> Ruth Carew: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16957">Dawn Sutton</a><br> Sadie: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16615">Marie Christian</a><br> Timothy: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16205">James R. Hedrick</a><br> Young Man: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/9698">Doug Fajardo</a><br> Young Woman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11790">TJ Burns</a><br> Audio Edited By: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15771">Eliza</a><br> Proof Listened By: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15771">Eliza</a> and <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8677">KHand</a>

25Just David (Version 2)

By Eleanor H. Porter

Just David is the story of David, a little boy of 10 who is suddenly transplanted from a quiet, isolated, shut away world of music high in the mountains where he lived alone with his father, to the hustle and bustle of a small rural town. He is a boy who has been taught to love of music and everything beautiful in this world, from the sunset colors to a potato bug. His heart is incredibly good and sweet and loving which is hard for the people in the village to understand. Kind of like Pollyanna, it is a story of how he brings his own character, courage and happiness into the lives of the people he meets, and slowly opens their eyes to the amazing world he sees; a world full of miraculous things like pine trees and frogs. - Summary by phil chenevert

26Don Sebastian; or, The House of the Braganza: An Historical Romance, Volume 1

By Anna Maria Porter

Romantic history of the fictional Don Sebastian, which was suggested to the author by a plaque commemorating a mysterious "Portuguese stranger". There is a historical backdrop, but the story itself and the characters are figments of her imagination. - Summary by Lynne T

27Don Sebastian; or, The House of the Braganza: An Historical Romance, Volume 2

By Anna Maria Porter

Don Sebastian is now king of Portugal, and, although exiled, looks forward to taking his seat on the throne. However, he is held captive by the beautiful Kara Aziek. Tempting as it is to stay and admire her, he knows the path to true happiness lies in freedom and endeavors to escape. The journey through Africa and across the sea is hazardous, but he must attempt it if he is to rule his people. - Summary by Lynne T.

The young king Sebastian is a captive, and has agreed to accompany his Islamic master on a pilgrimage to Mecca - on condition that he'll be released three days after reaching the holy city. What his kind master does not know, is that Sebastian's sweetheart Kara Aziek will be in the same caravan... and that Sebastian intends to rescue her from the wedding that awaits at her destination. - Summary by redrun

John Newcomb is broke and looking for work. However, there is a sum of $30,000 waiting for him upon marriage. Mr. Newcomb wants to find love and settle down, but he does not care a great deal about the money, and certainly does not want to get married just for the sake of getting rich. A lovely cast of characters filled with virtue and morality are the forefront of this uplifting tale.

30Don Sebastian; or, The House of the Braganza: An Historical Romance, Volume 4

By Anna Maria Porter

Now living peacefully with his young family as an anonymous exile, Don Sebastian has just received word that the queen of England will back his rightful claim for the throne of Portugal. But her help will come with strings attached: the queen wants his only daughter as insurance of his loyalty.

[The author] hopes that the effect of these discussions may lead to more comprehensive and elevated estimates of authors and of literature on the part of those who read themselves or who direct the reading of others, and that in this and other ways, the volume may stimulate to a wise selection of Books and to enlightened and successful methods of Reading. - Summary by Preface