2023 is over, 2024 has finally begun and we’ve all gotten through that yearlong January. I jest, but I’m curious. Did you meet your reading goal last year? I know I sure didn’t. Whether your goal was a hundred books or just twenty-four sometimes we simply get too busy or too distracted to read. Well, to help make sure you reach your goal this year here are three audible listens that don’t just count toward your goal but also take three hours or less to listen to.

First up is the classic and often readapted Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The big screen has given us three silent films, one Disney cartoon (do you remember Mr. Toad?) as well as two live action movies and this doesn’t even cover the many adaptations we watched on Saturday mornings during our favorite cartoons. Why so many reiterations? Because Sleepy Hollow is one of the best written and exceedingly entertaining stories.

The audible version of Sleepy Hollow comes in at one hour and seventeen minutes and is narrated quite magnificently by Anthony Heald whose voice perfectly narrates the comical and sometimes spooky nature in which the story is written.

Irving opens with a note that this tale was found among the papers of a deceased man named Diedrich Knickerbocker. It is through his point of view that the story is told. It is never revealed who this Diedrich Knickerbocker is, but it has been speculated that it is in fact, Ichabod’s rival.

The entirety of this short story takes place in the small New York village of Sleepy Hollow sometime after the American Revolution. Ichabod Crane is the new, out-of-town schoolmaster and is quite an awkward fellow. Irving describes him as “tall, but exceedingly lank, with narrow shoulders, long arms and legs, hands that dangled a mile out of his sleeves,”. He apparently had very large feet while also having a small head with huge ears and eyes.

Adaptations would have you see Icabod as the eccentric Johnny Depp or the handsome young Jeff Goldblum, but this caricature wasn’t quite so sympathetic, so don’t expect that version of him if you decide to delve into this tale.

Icabod survives on a very small teacher’s salary but dreams of wealth and is more than willing to marry into it. This may make you disinterested in reading a story with such a character, but Irving’s descriptions are top of the line hilarious as he describes Ichabod’s antics. Though he is a cad, Icabod has his sights set on Katrina Van Tassell, a young heiress. Katrina, however, is also being pursued by Abraham Van Brunt, known by his nickname, “Brom Bones”. Brom is quite strong and brave, much the opposite of Ichabod who is a firm believer in witchcraft and the supernatural. One of the town’s local legends from the days of old is the tale of the Headless Horseman. This ghost of a Hessian soldier was believed to be decapitated by a cannon ball during the American Revolution and is reported to ride through Sleepy Hollow at night. To dissuade Ichabod’s efforts, Brom plays several tricks on the man throughout the story and eventually uses Ichabod’s belief in the occult and the headless horseman to his advantage.

Now, the author’s brilliant descriptions don’t stop with Schoolmaster but are present throughout as he describes the scenery, the horses, and the actions of the townspeople. It is this extravagant storytelling that makes Sleepy Hollow an absolute must read.

Next up is Agent 355 by Marie Benedict. There have also been several depictions of this true but ambiguous tale of an amazing woman that time forgot. Agent 355 was the supposed code name of a female spy during the American Revolution and one of the first spies for the United States. According to lore, she was a crucial part of the Culper Spy Ring operating out of Manhattan with her only mention of existence coming from a cryptic letter that states “agent 355’s assistance would be able to outwit them all.” There is, however, no concrete evidence of her activities. With her real identity unknown, this mysterious figure has certainly captured imaginations and promoted many works such as the one by Marie Benedict.

This narration comes in at two hours and seven minutes and is performed by the amazing Emily Rankin. Benedict’s version isn’t written as a statement meant to prove that women are unknowingly superior to men but instead shows our equality, benefit, and worth, while keeping a balanced picture of historical events.

Elizabeth Morris, Benedict’s representation of Agent 355 is an 18-year-old living in British-occupied New York city. Feeling invisible and undervalued by her parents, even though she is courageous and well-educated leads to her role in General George Washington’s spy network. Even though the detailed events that unfold in this first-person narrative are fictional, the author did an excellent job of staying true historically while weaving together a lightly romantic and very gripping story. Elizabeth is depicted as a brave and rebellious spirit, which culminates in an imagined ending that will leave you speechless. If you listen, be sure to stick around for the afterword; it’s well worth it.

Lastly, is The Weirdies by Michael Buckley comes in at one hour and forty-three minutes and is narrated by the phenomenal Kate Winslet. While my suggestions are appropriate for all ages, this one is meant to be for the whole family.

Quirky and amusing, the story revolves around the Weirdie triplets—Barnacle, Garlic, and Melancholy. These eccentric siblings are left behind by their entire family and staff of Deadeye Manor, so that they may attend a vacation cruise that ends up being tragic.

Finding themselves suddenly orphaned, they learn to fend for themselves despite the growing insecurity of their new lives. During their time alone at home and at the Perpetual Side-Eye Orphanage to their adoptive home on impeccable Sunshine Circle, a lot of macabre antics ensue.

If you are a fan of A Series of Unfortunate Events or Edward Scissorhands and other such offbeat stories, you’ll certainly enjoy this tale. Despite the tragedy and morbid setting and events, there is an underlying humor and wit that makes this story so entertaining.

So there it is; three delightful reads that will move you closer to your reading goal should you need the assistance.