You're about to listen to a BBC podcast, but this is about something else you might enjoy.

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Whether you're knee-deep in Christmas cheer, recovering from festive over-indulgence,

or already drafting New Year's resolutions, we've got literary gifts a plenty for you on today's

open book. The first offering is that most contemporary of addictions, a box set, but of a literary

variety. This year, the BBC has recorded a selection of 100 classic short stories in audio

form. The first 15 now available and curated especially with Christmas in mind.

Including tales from Anton Chekhov, Hans Christian Anderson and M.R. James.

They offer the perfect solution for those needing escape from demanding family or just some

time out from the exterior bustle.

But why do so many classic short stories have a wintry feel? And what does this collection, many of which were written well over

a hundred years ago, offer a modern reader? Joining me with answers are Chris Power, whose

collection Mothers was published earlier this year, and Peter Camp,

chief fiction reviewer for the Sunday Times.

Welcome to you both.

Always a pleasure to have you, gentlemen.

There's a long tradition of short stories around Christmas time, particularly some of the ghostly ones on this list.

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