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Tales #1
Tales
Tales from your dreams and beyond. With over 20 million views across TikTok and Instagram, Tales is loved by readers around the world.
Told from the perspective of a conductor on a train that travels through countless different worlds, Tales is a collection of over 40 short stories. Each story explores a new world, all of them accessible via The Station Between Worlds.
From worlds where you can relive your happiest memories again and again, ice worlds where time slows down and sinister seaside carnival worlds, to a train that takes passengers to their soulmates, a movie theatre where you can watch all of your past lives and a doctor who cures broken hearts, Tales transports readers to places where anything is possible.
Paperback and hardback back editions feature full colour, full page illustrations bringing the Tales to life.
Imagination is a taste of infinity. Let’s explore these infinite worlds of imagination together.
David Jones (also known as storydj) is an internationally best selling poet and storyteller followed by over 1 million readers.
Told from the perspective of a conductor on a train that travels through countless different worlds, Tales is a collection of over 40 short stories. Each story explores a new world, all of them accessible via The Station Between Worlds.
From worlds where you can relive your happiest memories again and again, ice worlds where time slows down and sinister seaside carnival worlds, to a train that takes passengers to their soulmates, a movie theatre where you can watch all of your past lives and a doctor who cures broken hearts, Tales transports readers to places where anything is possible.
Paperback and hardback back editions feature full colour, full page illustrations bringing the Tales to life.
Imagination is a taste of infinity. Let’s explore these infinite worlds of imagination together.
David Jones (also known as storydj) is an internationally best selling poet and storyteller followed by over 1 million readers.
96 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2023
137 people are currently reading
744 people want to read
About the author
David Jones
16 books141 followersDavid Jones was born in 1989 in Liverpool, which is still his home. He studied English language and Literature at the University of Liverpool before specializing in Renaissance and Eighteenth Century Literature. He started writing at an early age, and has won numerous prizes for both poetry and prose, as well as writing plays for the radio and producing short films. His chief interests apart from writing are Renaissance texts, performing and producing music, and playing sports.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 26, 2023
Concept was great and promising. However, once you’ve read 5 to 6 of the stories, it somehow blends together, nothing sticks and the endings are pretty much the same. The awe-value of the novel idea from the beginning starts to wane and it couldn’t carry the whole book with its sameness all the way to the end.
April 26, 2023
A million points for creativity, zero points for execution. I’m disappointed I thought we were getting a novel but instead just got a synopsis of the Tik Toks you have already posted. I liked the conductor story and I wish you would have written the whole book from his POV.
Please pick a world and write a novel from the POV of a traveler 🙏🙏 Or sell the stories to someone who wants to flesh them out.
Please pick a world and write a novel from the POV of a traveler 🙏🙏 Or sell the stories to someone who wants to flesh them out.
June 21, 2023
This was an interesting concept, and the worlds were all interesting. I enjoyed the small snippets I got and liked how each were linked through being told by a conductor who hears of the places. The only thing holding it back from 5 stars for me was that I wanted more. I feel a series could have worked well as each world, I feel, held more of a story than was told. Each time I became invested in an idea, I got left with just a snippet. Other than this, I really enjoyed all of it, and so was very nearly a 5-star read, was just missing something.
I liked the writing and would be very interested in seeing this author develop some of these into fully fleshed out stories with interesting characters. Even though only a small story was told for each world, Jones managed to write that short snippet powerful enough for me to feel for some of these characters and be really invested in what I did get. The old man in ‘The Clock Merchant’ for example seems so nice and I wanted to cry for the robots in ‘The Signal From The City’.
I would recommend this as a quick read, with some very interesting worlds, and people. It’s good when you aren’t feeling up to an intricate long story as still holds an interesting, fun story to be pulled into, in the style of connected short stories. Also, there is cool, pretty illustrations.
I liked the writing and would be very interested in seeing this author develop some of these into fully fleshed out stories with interesting characters. Even though only a small story was told for each world, Jones managed to write that short snippet powerful enough for me to feel for some of these characters and be really invested in what I did get. The old man in ‘The Clock Merchant’ for example seems so nice and I wanted to cry for the robots in ‘The Signal From The City’.
I would recommend this as a quick read, with some very interesting worlds, and people. It’s good when you aren’t feeling up to an intricate long story as still holds an interesting, fun story to be pulled into, in the style of connected short stories. Also, there is cool, pretty illustrations.
May 7, 2023
3.4 stars
Well, this is a little treasure! I'm very glad I found and read this one. I really loved the idea of a train going to&through different worlds. If I'm being entirely honest I liked the idea more than the actual book. The tales are really pretty, but very short (most of them are one page long with an illustration on the other side). I would love to know more about the worlds.
Also, if you read all the little stories you'll probably found, like me, a lot of repetitions. Maybe I shouldn't have read it in one go, because the repetitions were very easy to spot.
The book is unique in a way that I wished there were more books like this. Not in a way that makes it unpredictable. It's kind of weird that there aren't many books about traveling to worlds where people lose themselves by making sacrifices. Hoping they will become happier. Sounds like a very good idea to me😅(if you know any books, like this, please recommend me some;))
I guess I could have loved it more if it wasn't so short. Sometimes short is good, but for a world to become unqiue and memorable there must be more details. That's where the 3.4 stars come from. I'm fanatic five stars person, because I always find something that makes it worth all the stars. Unfortunately this one disappointed me (my expectations were too high, that was the problem...). That happens.
But!!!
I'm just being honest here and I hope that my review doesn't stop you from reading it, because it IS a little treasure. I'm a proud owner of this book and definitely recommend this one to everyone willing to sacrifice just a little bit of time to look through the eyes of a conductor, traveling everywhere but always lonely. It's a special book, which idea is so good. Only by reading the back of the book I was convinced I just had to read it. Curiosity won. I hope you'll read it, that's all😊
Well, this is a little treasure! I'm very glad I found and read this one. I really loved the idea of a train going to&through different worlds. If I'm being entirely honest I liked the idea more than the actual book. The tales are really pretty, but very short (most of them are one page long with an illustration on the other side). I would love to know more about the worlds.
Also, if you read all the little stories you'll probably found, like me, a lot of repetitions. Maybe I shouldn't have read it in one go, because the repetitions were very easy to spot.
The book is unique in a way that I wished there were more books like this. Not in a way that makes it unpredictable. It's kind of weird that there aren't many books about traveling to worlds where people lose themselves by making sacrifices. Hoping they will become happier. Sounds like a very good idea to me😅(if you know any books, like this, please recommend me some;))
I guess I could have loved it more if it wasn't so short. Sometimes short is good, but for a world to become unqiue and memorable there must be more details. That's where the 3.4 stars come from. I'm fanatic five stars person, because I always find something that makes it worth all the stars. Unfortunately this one disappointed me (my expectations were too high, that was the problem...). That happens.
But!!!
I'm just being honest here and I hope that my review doesn't stop you from reading it, because it IS a little treasure. I'm a proud owner of this book and definitely recommend this one to everyone willing to sacrifice just a little bit of time to look through the eyes of a conductor, traveling everywhere but always lonely. It's a special book, which idea is so good. Only by reading the back of the book I was convinced I just had to read it. Curiosity won. I hope you'll read it, that's all😊
November 2, 2023
tiktok, the monster you are. credo possa essere uno dei mie generi preferiti. molte vibes da il mare senza stelle. poche stelle perché aspetto il romanzo. le storie singole non fanno particolarmente per me.
March 25, 2024
For a collection of short stories about different types of worlds, I found this to be very interesting and I loved reading it. I just wish this was a longer novel like I expected when I first bought it but it was still a really good and eerie read which I liked.
April 16, 2024
A perfect little escape. Loved the world building and especially loved the continuity between the stories. Im curious to see where it goes from here.
September 18, 2023
These stories feel like dreams and I love them so, so very much.
June 23, 2023
Very magical, helps relieve stress highly recommend!
April 27, 2023
I was so excited when I found out that he made all of his train stories into a book.
The stories have such a melancholy, eerie, nostalgic vibe. I crave the feeling these stories give me.
It truly is so indescribable. Something I can compare it to is when you see the liminal reality pictures. Something so strangely familiar, yet a little bit uncomfortable...as if you're in between the threshold. It's the weariness that makes me crave more and more of these stories.
Reading these stories also gives me a sense of comfort in a way. Maybe because I dream about places and journeys so similar to the point where I cannot decide if I even wanted to wakeup, or couldn't wakeup fast enough.
There's a story for everyone.
He goes by @story.dj on TikTok if anyone wants a sneak peek.
He has a bunch of his short stories posted there and I also think he made a youtube now too.
Please, I encourage everyone to go check him out.
The stories have such a melancholy, eerie, nostalgic vibe. I crave the feeling these stories give me.
It truly is so indescribable. Something I can compare it to is when you see the liminal reality pictures. Something so strangely familiar, yet a little bit uncomfortable...as if you're in between the threshold. It's the weariness that makes me crave more and more of these stories.
Reading these stories also gives me a sense of comfort in a way. Maybe because I dream about places and journeys so similar to the point where I cannot decide if I even wanted to wakeup, or couldn't wakeup fast enough.
There's a story for everyone.
He goes by @story.dj on TikTok if anyone wants a sneak peek.
He has a bunch of his short stories posted there and I also think he made a youtube now too.
Please, I encourage everyone to go check him out.
June 1, 2023
This book was a little simplistic.. the concepts were great but, the themes all seemed similar and the writing is a little juvenile. Definitely not what I'd consider a must have because he could have really expanded upon these ideas. All in all it was just okay.
Edit: I found out that all the photos were AI generated so I've reduced my rating. Not cool.
Edit: I found out that all the photos were AI generated so I've reduced my rating. Not cool.
July 22, 2023
Amazing!
Absolutely loved this book, I wish it didn’t have to end. The author is incredibly creative and I hope they make more!
Absolutely loved this book, I wish it didn’t have to end. The author is incredibly creative and I hope they make more!
April 22, 2025
Grandiose Werbung - Herbe Enttäuschung
Ich wurde auf das Buch (vielleicht eher Novelle von der Seitenzahl her) aufmerksam, als ich mich durch Instagram Reels klickte.
Die Geschichte, die in dem Video erzählt wurde war simpel: ein Schreckensszenario wird dargestellt und es folgt eine Aufzählung an Regeln, die du, der du dich nun in diesem Szenario befindest, unbedingt befolgen solltest.
Mensch, ich hab diesen Regeln zugehört als würde mein Leben davon abhängen, es war so gruselig und faszinierend und hat mich so in den Bann gezogen, dass ich gleich am nächsten Tag dieses erste von... Drei? Fünf? - Legit Diese Reihe ist ein einziges Chaos, kein Plan wie viele Bücher das sind, jedenfalls musste ich es gleich lesen.
Aber Pustekuchen, statt angsteinflößendem Horror bekommt man hier in Ein-Seiten-Kapiteln eine trockene Erklärung über verschiedene "Welten" aus der Sicht eines Zugfahrers vorgesetzt, der halt mit dem Zug durch diese Welten fährt.
Jedes Kapitel läuft genau gleich ab:
- nimm den Zug um so-und-soviel Uhr (stand echt fast immer eine genaue Zeit dran, als würde das irgendwer lesen)
- Die Welt heißt xyz, diese Faktoren machen diese Welt aus
- Mach das hier, aber tu auf keinen Fall dies
- Sonst passiert Jenes
- Geh ins Gefängnis, geh sofort dorthin, geh nicht über "Los", zieh nicht 200 Mark ein- ah ne falsches Spiel
Es war halt überhaupt nicht spannend.
Und die Story, über die ich auf Instagram gestolpert bin, war nicht mal mit drin.
Als ob ich jetzt die anderen DREI ODER FÜNF KEINE AHNUNG WAS Bücher auch noch danach absuche??
Schade schade Schokolade
Ich wurde auf das Buch (vielleicht eher Novelle von der Seitenzahl her) aufmerksam, als ich mich durch Instagram Reels klickte.
Die Geschichte, die in dem Video erzählt wurde war simpel: ein Schreckensszenario wird dargestellt und es folgt eine Aufzählung an Regeln, die du, der du dich nun in diesem Szenario befindest, unbedingt befolgen solltest.
Mensch, ich hab diesen Regeln zugehört als würde mein Leben davon abhängen, es war so gruselig und faszinierend und hat mich so in den Bann gezogen, dass ich gleich am nächsten Tag dieses erste von... Drei? Fünf? - Legit Diese Reihe ist ein einziges Chaos, kein Plan wie viele Bücher das sind, jedenfalls musste ich es gleich lesen.
Aber Pustekuchen, statt angsteinflößendem Horror bekommt man hier in Ein-Seiten-Kapiteln eine trockene Erklärung über verschiedene "Welten" aus der Sicht eines Zugfahrers vorgesetzt, der halt mit dem Zug durch diese Welten fährt.
Jedes Kapitel läuft genau gleich ab:
- nimm den Zug um so-und-soviel Uhr (stand echt fast immer eine genaue Zeit dran, als würde das irgendwer lesen)
- Die Welt heißt xyz, diese Faktoren machen diese Welt aus
- Mach das hier, aber tu auf keinen Fall dies
- Sonst passiert Jenes
- Geh ins Gefängnis, geh sofort dorthin, geh nicht über "Los", zieh nicht 200 Mark ein- ah ne falsches Spiel
Es war halt überhaupt nicht spannend.
Und die Story, über die ich auf Instagram gestolpert bin, war nicht mal mit drin.
Als ob ich jetzt die anderen DREI ODER FÜNF KEINE AHNUNG WAS Bücher auch noch danach absuche??
Schade schade Schokolade
January 25, 2026
Wow, this was such a fun and sweet collection of short stories. I found David Jones years ago on TikTok and bought his book after listening to some of his stories. It’s unfortunate that I’m just now getting around to reading it in its entirety but I’m happy I finally did. I loved hearing about the different worlds and the purpose behind why each wondering soul might find themselves lost in each one. I think to other people it might feel repetitive, but to me, the similarities helped make all the worlds in this universe feel like one big connected system. The conductor’s story at the very end was definitely my favorite part and I thought his ending was a lovely way of tying everything together.
December 23, 2023
A very short read, with a bunch of 1 paged ideas. Which get excruciatingly repetitive after a while. There is a sweet short story towards the end, but that's just too predictable too.
Overall, I'd really like to commend the author for this unique idea, I've seen their stories on IG which is how I came across this book. But my expectations were probably higher considering this is their first book.
But there is an intrigue that's left behind after the book ends, to see what else would be there to be offered in this journey. So I'll probably pick up more from this author, but probably after a substantial break.
Overall, I'd really like to commend the author for this unique idea, I've seen their stories on IG which is how I came across this book. But my expectations were probably higher considering this is their first book.
But there is an intrigue that's left behind after the book ends, to see what else would be there to be offered in this journey. So I'll probably pick up more from this author, but probably after a substantial break.
May 6, 2025
I came across this book on TikTok and it had me intrigued, so I of course had to go and see more in detail what it was about, and at the start it was a really interesting concept with all the small stories, but after reading a few of them the stories suddenly just start to blend together. The endings of all the stories are basically the same so the grip on the interest starts to lose up the more of the stories I read. But even so it was kinda fun to read since it’s the first book I have come across with this kind of setting so I did finish it even tho all the stories became 1 at the end
July 16, 2023
*4.5.
Favorite stories:
The theater of past lives.
The doctor who cures broken hearts.
The world of memories.
The glass city.
A warning.
The dream world.
The failed world.
An overhead phone call.
The library of past mistakes.
The dessert world.
The masked ball.
The fog world.
Searching for lost memories.
The town that doesn’t exist.
Funeral city.
The hotel.
A letter from faraway.
The conductor’s story.
Favorite stories:
The theater of past lives.
The doctor who cures broken hearts.
The world of memories.
The glass city.
A warning.
The dream world.
The failed world.
An overhead phone call.
The library of past mistakes.
The dessert world.
The masked ball.
The fog world.
Searching for lost memories.
The town that doesn’t exist.
Funeral city.
The hotel.
A letter from faraway.
The conductor’s story.
January 29, 2024
I discovered this book on TikTok and I really liked this short story… If I can really call it that. It kind of felt like getting a glimpse into the back rooms. like luminal worlds or something. That’s kind of the best way I can describe it. Me being a night owl it definitely was a little unnerving, because most of the time frames are pretty much super late at night, but I really did enjoy the surrealism of it.
June 12, 2023
I found out about this through Tiktok, the author has much more in depth stories on there than he does in this book. Despite it being a collection of short stories I did expect the stories to be a bit more than a page. The way it’s written it just feels like ideas of stories jotted down, but the creativity is undeniable and the artwork is well done hence the 4/5
September 6, 2023
so amazing
Found the author on TikTok of all places and loved the stories. So interesting and intriguing and spooky and sad. Just wow. About to start the next one and can’t wait for the Novel
Found the author on TikTok of all places and loved the stories. So interesting and intriguing and spooky and sad. Just wow. About to start the next one and can’t wait for the Novel
July 1, 2024
Many adventures one after the other.
I love this book, it's very interesting and sends the imagination soaring with each story you read. Each world is oddly different from the next with a lesson to be learned from each one. I am excited to read all The Tails.
I love this book, it's very interesting and sends the imagination soaring with each story you read. Each world is oddly different from the next with a lesson to be learned from each one. I am excited to read all The Tails.
April 27, 2023
Loved the summary, but the paperback is not available in India sadly.
May 2, 2023
I've been waiting for this book for so long and it's finally here !! I loved all the stories and I think this just might inspire me to write some of my own
May 10, 2023
found this author on tik tok
His short stories are so unique and interesting, I love listening/reading to them. The author has a way with storytelling and it’s mesmerizing!
His short stories are so unique and interesting, I love listening/reading to them. The author has a way with storytelling and it’s mesmerizing!
May 16, 2023
3.75*
July 9, 2023
Love these short stories, it literally feels like a dream✨
Im curious to see more of them👏
Im curious to see more of them👏
July 29, 2023
I have listened to these stories on Instagram and really enjoyed them, just disappointed the art work in the physical book is not included in the kindle version.
August 14, 2023
Interesting eye opening ideas about realities in different worlds. Always amazing to see the creative minds of talented authors!
Read
September 5, 2023I wish this was a full length novel about the conductor and his experiences with the worlds.
Beautiful art work and enticing stories
Beautiful art work and enticing stories
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews