WPR

Chapter A Day

Started in 1931, “Chapter a Day” is WPR’s longest-running program. Jim Fleming, Norman Gilliland, Michele Good, Melvin Hinton, Baron Kelly and Susan Sweeney read a chapter from a book for a half hour each weekday. Genres are predominately contemporary and range from works of fiction, history and biography.

Schedule

WPR Music, 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., WPR News, 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Hosted by

Michele Gerard Good

CURRENTLY READING

The Chimes by Charles Dickens

Thursday, December 26, 2024 through Friday, January 3, 2025

Read by Jim Fleming

Charles Dickens’ 1844 novella concerns the disillusionment of Toby “Trotty” Veck, a poor working-class man. When Trotty has lost his faith in Humanity and believes that his poverty is the result of his unworthiness he is visited on New Year’s Eve by spirits to help restore his faith and show him that nobody is born evil, but rather that crime and poverty are things created by man.

THEME: “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” & “Greensleeves” from “A Midnight Clear: A Celtic Christmas” with Robin Bullock (Dorian DOR 93250)

(Public Domain)

Readings are archived for just one week after their broadcast due to publisher  copyright restrictions.

Latest Episodes

The Chimes 3 of 7 – Sir Joseph Bowley
Trotty delivers the letter from Alderman Cute to Sir Joseph Bowley, a great man in the greatest district of the town. Sir Joseph calls himself “The Poor Man’s Friend and […]
December 30, 2024
The Chimes 2 of 7 – Meg, Richard and Alderman Cute
Meg brings supper to Trotty and tells him that she and Richard will soon be marrying. Before Trotty can give his blessing to the union, Alderman Cute, a local magistrate, […]
December 27, 2024
The Chimes 1 of 7 – Toby “Trotty” Veck
We meet Toby “Trotty” Veck and his daughter, Meg. Trotty is an elderly ticket-porter who delivers letters from the steps of the church. The church chimes have long been a […]
December 26, 2024
Skipping Christmas 8 of 8 – Operation Blair’s Homecoming
The neighbors on Hemlock Street rally to save the Kranks in their hour of need.
December 25, 2024
Skipping Christmas 7 of 8 – The Christmas Eve Party
Christmas tree secured (and arrest avoided), Luther and Nora have yet to secure any guests for their last minute Christmas Eve party and there’s still the matter of putting Frosty […]
December 24, 2024

Chapter A Day Booklist

View information about every book we’ve read in the past 30 years!

View Booklist

Coming Next

Washington Square by Henry James

Monday, january 6, 2025 through wednesday, january 29, 2025
Read by karl schmidt

Written in 1880, but about the Regency period, Washington Square is about a father’s attempts to thwart a romance between his naïve daughter and the man he believes wishes to marry her solely for her fortune. The father’s efforts are thwarted by his scheming sister who that true love conquers all. But is it love or greed?