I have a deep affection for the stories. They have always been a source of great joy and inspiration for me.

Recently, I decided to share these wonderful tales with my Grade Seven class. To my delight, they have been thoroughly enjoying them too.

The students listen intently as I narrate each story, their eyes wide with excitement and curiosity. They seem to be completely immersed in the fictional worlds and characters that I bring to life.

It is truly a rewarding experience to see the enthusiasm and engagement of my students. Through these stories, we are able to explore different themes, emotions, and ideas.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love of stories with them and hope that it will ignite a passion for reading and learning within each of them.

If you have not yet heard Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe stories, I highly recommend that you go to iTunes right now and download some.

Once you start listening, you will be instantly hooked on the charming characters of Dave, Morley, and the whole cast.

This collection, in particular, was an absolute delight and served as the perfect entertainment to keep Katie and I awake during the final leg of our 30-hour travel day back from Australia.

The stories are filled with humor, heart, and relatable situations that will make you laugh out loud one moment and touch your heart the next.

Whether you're a long-time fan of The Vinyl Cafe or new to the series, this collection is sure to provide hours of enjoyable listening. So don't wait any longer, head to iTunes and start downloading today!

Well, not read, technically, but listened to.

I simply cannot recommend Stuart McLean's CDs highly enough. A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing him read at the Christchurch Writers Festival. It was then that I fell head over heels in love with his stories about Dave, who runs the Vinyl Cafe record store with the charming slogan: "We're not big, but we're small", and his wife and kids. The family constantly finds themselves in one pickle after another, and their tales are both endearing and uproariously funny.

For example, take the case of ten-year-old Sam. His dog seems to be dying, and he is understandably sad. But when he starts crying about it at school and his teacher asks him what's wrong, he feels ashamed. Instead of saying "My dog is dying", he blurts out "My Dad is dying". The news spreads like wildfire, leading to a hilarious and chaotic situation.

Dave is kind of hapless, while his wife Morley is much more together. So, Dave's stories often involve him getting into trouble, and Morley usually dealing ably with the ridiculous situations that ensue. The story on this CD about the birth of their first child was so touching that it made me cry.

After hearing him read, I wasn't really interested in buying his books because it was his reading that gave them that extra magic. So, I headed to Amazon and purchased two audio books. Now that I have an iPod, I am re-listening to them. Each story is just the right length for the bus ride to and from work.

Also, McLean has a podcast that you can subscribe to. It's not always with stories about Dave et al, but it's definitely worth listening to as well. I have to really try hard not to laugh out loud on the bus. Just the other day, one of his podcasts had me in tears by the end. It's so satisfying. These stories are also great for long car trips.

Stuart McLean is truly hilarious.

I had already read about Dave's encounter with the turkey, but these stories are even more amusing.

While driving, I couldn't help but burst out laughing when listening to the tale of Dave's unfortunate message left on a neighbour's answering machine.

McLean possesses a rare talent for making people laugh.

His stories are filled with wit and charm, and he has a unique ability to bring the characters and situations to life.

Whether it's Dave's misadventures or the other characters in his stories, McLean always manages to find the humour in the everyday.

His work is a joy to read or listen to, and it never fails to brighten my day.

I highly recommend Stuart McLean's stories to anyone in need of a good laugh.

Fun to listen to, but not his best & most memorable stories.

These tales lack the depth and impact that would make them truly stand out.

They don't have that special charm or unique quality that would make you eager to hear them told again and again.

While they may provide some entertainment in the moment, they don't leave a lasting impression.

Perhaps there are other stories in his repertoire that are more worthy of being remembered and cherished.

It could be that these particular ones simply didn't resonate with the listener on a deeper level.

However, that doesn't mean they are without value.

They may still offer some lighthearted amusement or a brief escape from reality.

But when it comes to his best and most memorable stories, these fall short.

Maybe with a little more polish or a different approach, they could have been elevated to a higher level.

As it stands, they are just average tales that are fun to listen to once, but not ones that you would go out of your way to hear told over and over.

I could listen to these again and again. The stories are truly remarkable. They are either delightfully charming, making you laugh out loud uncontrollably, or they are deeply poignant, awakening a plethora of emotions within you. Stuart's voice is an absolute match for these stories. When I read his stories, it's as if I can hear his voice clearly in my head, adding an extra layer of authenticity and charm to the whole experience.

Don't hesitate for a moment to pick up any of his books or tapes. You will not have any regrets. Instead, once you start indulging in his works, it will leave you with an insatiable desire for more and more. His storytelling ability is truly captivating and addictive, and you'll find yourself coming back for more, eager to explore the wonderful worlds he creates with his words.