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Best Ancient & Medieval Literature

The Odyssey
A lean, fleet-footed translation that recaptures Homer’s “nimble gallop” and brings an ancient epic to new life. “A staggeringly superior translation―true, poetic, lively and readable, and always closely engaged with the original Greek―that brings to life the fascinating variety of voices in Homer’s great epic.”. - Richard F. Thomas, Harvard University. “Emily Wilson has produced a clear, vigorous, sensitive Odyssey that conveys both the grand scale and the individual pathos of this foundational story. Emily Wilson has convincingly answered this call: hers is a vital Odyssey for the twenty-first century that brings into rhythmic English the power, dignity, variety, and immediacy of this great poem.”. - Laura Slatkin, New York University.
Reviews
"More than in other translations, the Odyssey comes across here strongly as a historical document, the product of a culture from a particular time and place. Muse, tell me how he wandered and was lost. when he had wrecked the holy town of Troy, and where he went, and who he met, the pain. he suffered in the storms at sea, and how. he worked to save his life and bring his men. back home. Compare Wilson's language with that of the opening of Robert Fitzgerald's translation: "Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story. of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold. on the proud height of Troy. He saw the townlands. and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days. in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only. to save his life, to bring his shipmates home. Fitzgerald translates it as "skilled in all ways of contending," and Fagles as "the man of twists and turns.""
"I have read and taught the Odyssey at least five times over the past twenty years. And Emily Wilson's version is a godsend."
"The first stanzas will make you perk up and realize that this is the most interesting translation of the Odyssey for our time."
"but at age 81 I consider The Odyssey the greatest book I have ever read, for itself and for its influence on my ways of thinking and of living. The main reason is that, in comparison to the others, it is best at creating the mood of an ancient, epic, poem. I love it when he repeats, for the nth time, "Son of Laertes and the Gods of old, Odysseus, master of land ways and sea ways..." and other such formulaic hints that we are not reading a James Bond or even a Scott Fitzgerald, nor Salinger, nor McEwan, nor certainly a Hemingway novel -- the content should perhaps be enough to distinguish Odyssey as the great epic it is, but I like the complementing embellishments of Fitzgerald's version. For a more important difference, compare the climax, as Odysseus is about to slaughter the suitors: Fitzgerald has him say: "You yellow dogs, you thought I'd never make it. home from the land of Troy. But Fitzgerald focuses on breaking the rules, on disrespecting the mores of their time: the suitors were contemptuous of both the gods, and the opinions of their fellow men."
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The Sagas of Icelanders: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
Set around the turn of the last millennium, these stories depict with an astonishingly modern realism the lives and deeds of the Norse men and women who first settled Iceland and of their descendants, who ventured further west--to Greenland and, ultimately, the coast of North America itself. This volume offers nine full sagas and six tales, all new translations by various hands and all part of The Complete Sagas of the Icelanders, also edited by Thorsson.
Reviews
"So, in order to save anyone I can some time, and possibly money, I've listed all the sagas and tales included in this book here: Egil's Saga. The Saga of the People of Vatnsdal. The Saga of the People of Laxardal. Bolli Bollason's Tale. The Saga of Hrafnkel Frey's Godi. The Saga of the Confederates. Gisli Sursson's Saga. The Saga of Gunnlaug Serpent-Tongue. The Saga of Ref the Sly. The Saga of the Greenlanders. Eirik the Red's Saga. The Tale of Thorstein Staff-Struck. The Tale of Halldor Snorrason II. The Tale of Sarcastic Halli. The Tale of Thorstein Shiver. The Tale of Audun from the West Fjords. The Tale of the Story-Wise Icelander. I hope that you find this list helpful!"
"Highly recommended."
"Egil's saga is hands up the best saga of all."
"We came back from a week in Iceland and bought this book to learn more about the country."
"Fascinating and difficult to put down."
"It does contain a very strong representative selection from among the Icelanders' Sagas, that is those that take place in Iceland, or whose protagonists are Icelanders abroad, during and just after the Viking Age. There is a great deal of supplementary information about the different kinds of sagas, Ages of Icelandic history, Viking ship types, Icelandic social and political structure, the Icelandic calendar, as well as a generous dose of genealogical tables and maps of Iceland, Norway, Vinland, etc. I also own Njal's Saga, and once I acquire the Book of Settlements, these two works in addition to the present collection will probably complete my Icelandic saga needs, because this work is so thoroughly and attractively assembled."
"I WOULD like to see a set of the COMPLETE Icelandic sagas however."
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Republic (Hackett Classics)
The revised edition of Grube's classic translation follows and furthers Grube's noted success in combining fidelity to Plato’s text with natural readability, while reflecting the fruits of new scholarship and insights into Plato's thought since publication of the first edition in 1974. Reeve has taken the excellent Grube translation and, without sacrificing accuracy, rendered it into a vivid and contemporary style. In the cave of translations, Reeve’s revision of Grube's Republic is closest to the sun.
Reviews
"In a Preface to the work, Allan Bloom explains his translation philosophy as follows: "The translator should conceive of himself as a medium between a master whose depths he has not plumbed and an audience of potential students of that master who may be much better endowed that is the translator. It is least of all his fuction to render the work palatable to those who do not wish, or are unable, to expend the effort requisite to the study of difficult texts.""
"This is a book about Plato recording a conversation between Socrates and his peers over the concept of "justice" and "the State.""
"Who am I to criticize Plato."
"Among all the translators of Plato's Republic who claim that their translations are intended to be readable, Robin Waterfield seems to be the only one to have truly fulfilled the pledge. His translation has demonstrated a simple belief that Plato meant for his Greek to be as readable and fluent as in an everyday conversation and that is exactly what Mr. Waterfield is doing with his modern English --- without assuming that there is a built-in difficulty in all the classic literatures."
"In it we find Plato through Socrates discussing the perfect society and reasoning his way through why things should be the way he suggests."
"A gift for a grandson."
"Through Plato's thought we can see the only way to judge fairness and equality is through the ideal state and what man could be, not what man is."
"I bought the kindle edition so I could quickly search for specific words, but the lack of Stephanus numbers in the margins (like the paperback version includes) makes cross-referencing a real pain."
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Best Ancient & Classical Literature

Meditations
Simple in style and sincere in tone, they record for all time the height reached by pagan aspiration in its effort to solve the problem of conduct. The book, which Hays calls, fondly, a "haphazard set of notes," is indicative of the role of philosophy among the ancients in that it is "expected to provide a 'design for living.'". Hays's introduction, which sketches the life of Marcus Aurelius (emperor of Rome A.D. 161-180) as well as the basic tenets of stoicism, is accessible and jaunty.
Reviews
"In this case, the Hays translation is the hardcover, while the authors who translated the paperback and Kindle versions aren't specified."
"Compare the translations of the first paragraph for example: This version: Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. Of my mother I have learned to be religious, and bountiful; and to forbear, not only to do, but to intend any evil; to content myself with a spare diet, and to fly all such excess as is incidental to great wealth."
"Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard, accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.”. Before I get into details, I must say that reading Meditations was one of the hardest, but most rewarding experiences in my own personal growth. There is no reason to feel unhappy, unfulfilled, or unappreciated , and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius offers advice to anyone who is looking for self help, self love, and a rational way of directing life. Sharing his seat of power is the one move that summarizes Marcus Aurelius’s entire life; the fear of power and the duty embedded in him through his interest in Stoicism, a philosophy that grounds itself on self-restraint, reason, and fate."
"great book from a great man."
"This is a nice philosophical read."
"Life is Life and we have to make the best we can of it, and, not take it all so seriously."
"Everyone in this day and age is stupid."
"This is a beautifully packaged classic, with all the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius wrapped up in a pretty little hardcover."
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Best Classic Greek Literature

The Odyssey
A lean, fleet-footed translation that recaptures Homer’s “nimble gallop” and brings an ancient epic to new life. “A staggeringly superior translation―true, poetic, lively and readable, and always closely engaged with the original Greek―that brings to life the fascinating variety of voices in Homer’s great epic.”. - Richard F. Thomas, Harvard University. “Emily Wilson has produced a clear, vigorous, sensitive Odyssey that conveys both the grand scale and the individual pathos of this foundational story. Emily Wilson has convincingly answered this call: hers is a vital Odyssey for the twenty-first century that brings into rhythmic English the power, dignity, variety, and immediacy of this great poem.”. - Laura Slatkin, New York University.
Reviews
"More than in other translations, the Odyssey comes across here strongly as a historical document, the product of a culture from a particular time and place. Muse, tell me how he wandered and was lost. when he had wrecked the holy town of Troy, and where he went, and who he met, the pain. he suffered in the storms at sea, and how. he worked to save his life and bring his men. back home. Compare Wilson's language with that of the opening of Robert Fitzgerald's translation: "Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story. of that man skilled in all ways of contending, the wanderer, harried for years on end, after he plundered the stronghold. on the proud height of Troy. He saw the townlands. and learned the minds of many distant men, and weathered many bitter nights and days. in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only. to save his life, to bring his shipmates home. Fitzgerald translates it as "skilled in all ways of contending," and Fagles as "the man of twists and turns.""
"I have read and taught the Odyssey at least five times over the past twenty years. And Emily Wilson's version is a godsend."
"The first stanzas will make you perk up and realize that this is the most interesting translation of the Odyssey for our time."
"but at age 81 I consider The Odyssey the greatest book I have ever read, for itself and for its influence on my ways of thinking and of living. The main reason is that, in comparison to the others, it is best at creating the mood of an ancient, epic, poem. I love it when he repeats, for the nth time, "Son of Laertes and the Gods of old, Odysseus, master of land ways and sea ways..." and other such formulaic hints that we are not reading a James Bond or even a Scott Fitzgerald, nor Salinger, nor McEwan, nor certainly a Hemingway novel -- the content should perhaps be enough to distinguish Odyssey as the great epic it is, but I like the complementing embellishments of Fitzgerald's version. For a more important difference, compare the climax, as Odysseus is about to slaughter the suitors: Fitzgerald has him say: "You yellow dogs, you thought I'd never make it. home from the land of Troy. But Fitzgerald focuses on breaking the rules, on disrespecting the mores of their time: the suitors were contemptuous of both the gods, and the opinions of their fellow men."
"This translation offers new insight into Greek culture and the story of Odysseus."
"Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey is breathtakingly good."
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Best Medieval Literature

Viking Language 1: Learn Old Norse, Runes, and Icelandic Sagas (Viking Language Series)
Provides everything necessary to learn or teach Old Norse and runes. Prof. Byock teaches Old Norse, the Icelandic sagas, Viking history and archaeology and directs the Mosfell Archaeological Project (MAP) in Iceland.
Reviews
"A reviewer below complained about the amount of text given over to history and culture; in my mind, this is what makes this book so enjoyable."
"The only thing wrong is that there is a limited translation dictionary so he has to look a lot up."
"Just wish it also came as kindle format... easier to carry!"
"A good enough language primer."
"Yes, there is a lot of history and culture in English, but it actually adds to the language study."
"It is not an "immersion course" in that much of it is about Old Norse rather than being mostly in Old Norse, but that is what most people will likely be looking for who have no expectation of achieving some kind of conversational fluency: as advertised, it is for people want to get the vocabulary and structural familiarity they need to be able to read the sagas."
"Jesse Byock answered all of my questions about how the vowel sounds were written."
"It includes a "dictonary" of word for word translations alphabetically, including sections on the most frequently used words."
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Best Classic Roman Literature

Republic (Hackett Classics)
The revised edition of Grube's classic translation follows and furthers Grube's noted success in combining fidelity to Plato’s text with natural readability, while reflecting the fruits of new scholarship and insights into Plato's thought since publication of the first edition in 1974. Reeve has taken the excellent Grube translation and, without sacrificing accuracy, rendered it into a vivid and contemporary style. In the cave of translations, Reeve’s revision of Grube's Republic is closest to the sun.
Reviews
"His joint book with Terry Penner on the Lysis, for instance, falls far short of giving us an unbiased, expansive, authorative commentary on the dialogue, especially when compared to more sober competitors like Michael Bordt's in the Göttingen Plato. His renderings of Plato's Politicus (Statesman) and Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, the latter published with Sarah Broadie, are probably the most authoritative around. In general, translations of the Republic usually err on the side of either trying too heavily to recreate the literary qualities of the original, or miss out so much of that detail because they try to be super exact on technicalities, that in either case the English falls far short of giving us a good understanding of Plato's Greek. Others, like Cornford, Waterfield, or Grube (even when revised under Reeve) can be safely avoided, for having the translators' hobby horses intrude on and mar the main text. At the same time, Rowe's translation comes with seven hundred footnotes, and these are meticulously researched and show him on top of the current scholarly game. Mistranslations of these lines have encouraged generations of interpretors to saddle Plato with the view that one can posit a (Platonic) Form for each general term, no matter how gerrymandered. A Platonic dialogue proceeds, usually, with (alternating) dominant speakers eliciting agreement or disagreement on particular points from their interlocutors. While Rowe's notes are characteristically informative of what's going on in these passages, and warn readers of the potential inconsistenties on artefact Forms, his translation looks rather unsure, tendentious even. In Republic, book X, translators like Lee (1974) and Griffith (2000) render σκευή, not as furnishing, but as furniture, given that Plato illustrates the term by the examples of a table and a couch. As far as the publisher is concerned, Penguin can be congratulated for sponsoring a new translation so soon after revising Lee's twice in the past ten years, under the careful leadership of Melissa Lane and Rachana Kamtekar. I can't speak for Lane's, but Kamtekar's version of Lee offered helpful diagrams and illustrations in notes and appendices. Undergraduates, not to mention lay readers, find a lot of Plato's text hardgoing without the occasional image to explain how things 'hang together'. Kamtekar's edition had helpful illustrations on such points, and retained Lee's wonderful introductions to sub-sections of the main text, which set the scene and pre-empted some of the more current misunderstandings that twentieth and twenty first century readers are prone to. While I'm glad to see Verity Harte's and Myles Burnyeat's efforts recognized in this area, Alexander Nehamas' older - and equally good if not superior - offerings have been chopped off. The same is true for a great many other essays and books that, I feel, deserves mention to a first time audience coming to Plato."
"As a student and owner of the Hackett Complete Works Plato Complete Works avoid the Grube translation and embrace the literal translation of Bloom."
"Easton Press books often reside on the shelves of those more interested in presenting an image of oneself rather than being read."
"Reeve's translation of Plato Republic is easy reading for a follower of ancient Greek philosophers."
"I really loved Bloom's version of the republic.."
"One of the finest translations of the Republic, the central work in the Platonic corpus, with a solid introduction and helpful notes."
"Translation navigates well between remaining true to the literal meaning of the original and producing fluid conversational prose updated for twenty-first century readers."
"In it we find Plato through Socrates discussing the perfect society and reasoning his way through why things should be the way he suggests."
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Best American Literature

Milk and Honey
The book is divided into four chapters, and each chapter serves a different purpose. (USA Today). “Rupi Kaur has vision beyond her years … Her work is simply but powerfully expressed, and viscerally captures both universal human experience and the particular struggles of a young woman today." Rupi Kaur's first book, Milk and Honey is the poetry collection every woman needs on her nightstand or coffee table. Rupi Kaur’s writing echoes of artistry and wisdom which is seen in the work of those that have been writing for years. rupi kaur is a bestselling author and illustrator of two collections of poetry. while studying at the university of waterloo rupi self-published her first collection milk and honey in 2014. milk and honey became an international phenomenon that's been translated into over 30 languages and sold over 2.5 million copies. through her poetry rupi explores a variety of themes ranging from love.
Reviews
"I found Rupi Kaur (after hearing her name drifting about) when I saw a breathtaking piece by her (starting with "let me tell you about a selfish person..."). I love poetry. I love traditional poetry, struxtured poetry, unstructured poetry, modern poetry, stand up poetry, you name it. My shelves are lined with just as much edgy, modern, is-this-even-poetry books from up-and-coming poets as they are lined with TS Elliot and Tennyson."
"I would've maybe given it two stars if I checked it out at the local library for free, but I'm annoyed I invested my hard earned American dollars into this book. I seriously don't understand if everyone is just reading into the completely non-thought provoking "poems" in this book and making up their own deep meaning or if I'm just totally missing the boat on this one. If you told me my 9-year-old nephew and 6-month-old niece collabed on this book, with him covering the poetry while she handled the artwork, I would fully believe you. If you're a 10th grader who just got dumped by Jimmy from home room and you wanna post a snapchat of one of these heart wrenching break up poems to express how angsty you are, you'll love it."
"This is some of the most trite poetry I have ever read, and exemplifies zero skill of poetic craft."
"I have been seeing this at all of the bookstores and decided to give it a read based on the brilliant cover design and book description. It has been a while since I have read a book of poetry, but I have to say I don't feel like I just read one."
"I feel poetry is where you have the most freedom to play with words and how they flow and sound together, and it really did not meet my expectations. Some of the one liners I'm sure I've seen from other people on photo captions - so basic that it's difficult to call it original material."
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Best African American Literature

Sing, Unburied, Sing: A Novel
*WINNER of the NATIONAL BOOK AWARD for FICTION. *A TIME MAGAZINE BEST NOVEL OF THE YEAR and A NEW YORK TIMES TOP 10 OF 2017. *Finalist for the Kirkus Prize. *Finalist for the Andrew Carnegie Medal *Publishers Weekly Top 10 of 2017. *Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award “The heart of Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing is story—the yearning for a narrative to help us understand ourselves, the pain of the gaps we’ll never fill, the truths that are failed by words and must be translated through ritual and song...Ward’s writing throbs with life, grief, and love, and this book is the kind that makes you ache to return to it.” — Buzzfeed. An intimate portrait of a family and an epic tale of hope and struggle, Sing, Unburied, Sing journeys through Mississippi’s past and present, examining the ugly truths at the heart of the American story and the power—and limitations—of family bonds. When the children’s father is released from prison, Leonie packs her kids and a friend into her car and drives north to the heart of Mississippi and Parchman Farm, the State Penitentiary. Set on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi (a place rich in oil rigs and atmosphere, if almost nothing else), the book’s Southern gothic aura recalls the dense, head-spinning prose of William Faulkner or Flannery O’Connor. It combines aspects of the American road novel and the ghost story with a timely treatment of the long aftershocks of a hurricane and the opioid epidemic devouring rural America." On a real and metaphorical road of secrets and sorrows, the story shifts narrators — from Jojo to Leonie to Richie, a doomed boy from his grandfather’s fractured past — as they crash into both the ghosts that stalk them, as well as the disquieting ways these characters haunt themselves." Sing , which is longlisted for a 2017 National Book Award, establishes Ward as one of the most poetic writers in the conversation about America’s unfinished business in the black South." The length and music of Ward’s sentences owe much to her love of catalogues, extended similes, imagistic fragments, and emphasis by way of repetition ... "[A] tour de force ... Ward is an attentive and precise writer who dazzles with natural and supernatural observations and lyrical details ... she continues telling stories we need to hear with rare clarity and power." "The novel is built around an arduous car trip: A black woman and her two children drive to a prison to pick up their white father. As soon as they leave the relative safety of their backwoods farm, the snares and temptations of the outside world crowd in, threatening to derail their trip or cast them into some fresh ordeal ....
Reviews
"She sets this novel in the Mississippi Delta, and we have two main narrators Leonie, the young mother and Jojo her thirteen year old son, and a third narrator who leads three chapters and his presence gives explanation to the book’s title, Richie. Jojo and his little sister Kayla are children of Leonie, who is a drug abusing mother with zero mothering instincts. Jojo is like the surrogate father, as Leonie is often gone and the father, Michael is locked up in the notorious Parchman prison. Jesmyn brilliantly uses that actual road trip to take readers on a virtual trip thru the lives of Leonie, Pop and Man, and also Given. Pop often regales young Jojo with stories about his life and his own stay at Parchman. It seems he tells Jojo the same beginning and middle parts of his Parchman stay, but never the ending, well the ending of Pop's story coincides with the denouement of the novel and the book title will be clearly and fully brought to light."
"I know you're looking for a review, but instead, you're getting a prediction: Sing, Unburied, Sing will not only be regarded as the most important work of fiction published in 2017, but it will prove to be a work of enduring significance in American literature."
"I cried so hard, not for myself, but for the cruelty of humankind, the love that is, but often only memory contains and thankfully talented writers can capture. Set in rural Mississippi, told from each character’s point of view, we learn about the untimely and extremely unfortunate deaths of two people, different generations, both a result of racial strife, who come to haunt a mother and her son. They have enough love to give, despite having lost a son and raised a selfish daughter, perhaps who took a wrong turn as a result of drugs or when she married a louse who is in jail."
"Her descriptions and how she moves the story forward...I swear it was like one of her ghosts reached out and pulled me right into this book."
"I am a huge fan of Haruki Murakami and the magical realism genre generally."
"If so, you’ll be transported to someplace you probably have not experienced."
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Best World Literature

Big Little Lies
Reviews
"It's incredible; Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon are compelling as a pair of 'yummy mummies' who on the surface appear to have the perfect life, but beneath the surface things are far from the polished facade they portray. Alexander Skarsgard steals every scene he appears in as the poised, rich, handsome husband with violent tendencies behind closed doors."
"There are three main characters, all mothers with kindergarten children in the same school. The scene where the death actually occurs is so wonderfully written that I had to read it twice. I am going to watch the tv show but I don't know how it can measure up to the book!"
"When I started reading this, I thought it was going to be a beach-read sort of book."
"Great story teller."
"Think of the song Sisters and add one more - "Lord help the Mr who comes between me and my sister"."
"Liane Moriarty is a truly gifted author, her plots are incredibly intriguing, her phycological incite in to her characters is flawless, and her stories flow with such ease that you are inclined to read every word....I intend to read everything she has written and recommend that to anyone reading this...."
"Focuses on the squabbles of parents of kindergarteners about the kids, their relationships, spouses, ex-spouses, abusive spouses and how important all of it is."
"The different women in the book provided enough separate stories to keep me interested."
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Best Genre Literature & Fiction

Beneath a Scarlet Sky: A Novel
Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share.
Reviews
"It is a gripping story of resilience, the indomitable spirit of a young man that knew no boundaries and courage that sustained him during dark hours. The action intensified throughout the remainder of the book, and one is allowed a rare glimpse into the mind of Il Duce - Benito Mussolini - plus the inner workings of the German High Command. Pino Lello witnesses atrocities he wishes he could forget but keeps soldiering on...wisely... Just a gripping and harrowing Kindle First selection which I feel is the best one I have read."
"He takes us deep inside the love story of his discovery, the unknown hero, Pino Lella, and he crafts an epic tale set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Milan and the Italian Alps during World War II that is as intimate and tragic as it is thought-provoking and triumphant."
"Set in Italy during the last two years of the second World War, this story follows the life of a remarkable young man, Pino Lella, who finds himself assigned as the driver of one of the most powerful Nazi officials in Italy. He accompanies this General throughout northern Italy as the war deteriorates and comes to a violent and tragic end. A very worthwhile story that author Mark Sullivan was lucky enough to learn of, then putting several years of research into piecing together as many of the details as he could."
"I cannot add more to the excellent reviews previously posted other than to say I read this book in one sitting not being able to put it down until 4:00 AM!"
"But after everything, and even when the skies turn scarlet and threatening, I still believe that if we are lucky enough to be alive, we must give thanks for the miracle of every moment of every day, no matter how flawed."
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Best Classic Literature & Fiction

The Lord of the Rings: One Volume
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, the Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. When Bilbo reached his eleventy-first birthday he disappeared, bequeathing to his young cousin Frodo the Ruling Ring and a perilous quest: to journey across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and destroy the Ring by casting it into the Cracks of Doom. The Lord of the Rings takes place in a fantasy world that is not too unlike the English countryside, though it has characters that range from hobbits to Elven creatures. Widely regarded as one of the genre's most loved works, The Lord of the Rings has garnered worldwide acclaim and praise from critics and fans alike. Originally broadcast in 1981 on BBC Radio, this full-cast adaptation of Tolkien's epic trilogy is justifiably regarded as a classic; unfortunately, in 2008, it faces inevitable comparison with Peter Jackson's films. Ian Holm (who appeared as Bilbo in the films) offers a mature, nuanced portrayal of Frodo that is far truer to the text than Elijah Wood's wide-eyed innocent approach.
Reviews
"I did a ton of research and decided upon this version (ISBN 116-1749849-2513827), illustrated by Alan Lee and published by Harper Collins in June 2014 (I am adding these details because the Amazon.com site does not make it clear what this version is). The only drawback is that the facsimile pages of the Book of Mazarbul was not included, which I found to be surprising and a bit disappointing Also, the ring inscription and the Gandalf "rune" are printed in black rather than silver and red. Probably the main issue is the clear plastic slipcover, which is barely bigger than the book itself, and it is difficult to slip the book back inside it after taking it out."
"I'll keep it brief, this is not a review of the actual story but of this specific edition."
"The font size seems to be based on the length of the books, the longer the books are, the smaller the font is (I suppose this was in order to keep them pocket-sized as well as consistent with the sizes of the other books throughout the set)."
"Most readers shouldn’t have an issue when you consider how comfortable the book is to hold in one hand. It’s a matte vinyl material that has a leather feel with recessed and stained cover lettering. After reading The Hobbit, with no special care, there were no creases in the outer binding."
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Best Women's Literature & Fiction

Before We Were Yours: A Novel
But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family's long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption. Based on one of America's most notorious real-life scandals--in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country--Lisa Wingate's riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong. "Lisa Wingate takes an almostunthinkable chapter in our nation's history and weaves a tale of enduring power.That Georgia Tann and her Memphis Tennessee Children's Home Society couldactually exist, unraveling the lives of countless children, stealing their pastsand changing their futures, will give you chills. - Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of Circlingthe Sun "A powerful taleof family, of sisters, of secrets kept and secrets shared. - Susan Meissner, author of Secrets of a Charmed Life " Before We Were Yours , Lisa Wingate's heart-racing tale of a family ripped apart by the TennesseeChildren's Home Society scandal, r. ang so true I couldn't sleep until I knewtheir fate. . [Lisa] Wingate is a master-storyteller, and you’ll find yourself pulled along as she reveals the wake of terror and heartache that is Georgia Tann’s legacy.” — Parade. It is almost a cliché to say a book is ‘lovingly written’ but that phrase applies clearly to Lisa Wingate’s latest novel, Before We Were Yours . This story about children taken from their parents through kidnapping or subterfuge and then placed for adoption, for a price, clearly pours out of Wingate’s heart. “This story is heartfelt and genuine, especially as Wingate explores the idea of home and family from a youngster’s point of view.” — Historical Novels Review. “Lisa Wingate takes an almost unthinkable chapter in our nation’s history and weaves a tale of enduring power. But the real feat of this stirring novel is how deeply Wingate plunges us into the heart and mind of twelve-year-old river gypsy Rill Foss. Rill’s utterly singular voice will stay with you long after the last page is turned, as will Wingate’s courage to follow her anywhere. Vivid and affecting.” —Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of Circling the Sun. I’m still basking in the afterglow, in shock at the true-crime elements, in awe at the journey of these characters who seem to have immortal souls.” —Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
Reviews
"It follows the story of the Foss children in the '30s and Avery Stafford in present day, and brings to light a horrifying and shameful real-life scandal. Avery Stafford finds a puzzling photograph that leads her into an ever more confusing story of secrets and lies inside her upright, respected family."
"This is the first book I've ever read by Lisa Wingate, but having read it I will search through her other titles."
"Children were stolen, warehoused in homes until they could be adopted into "high class" families. When the mother and father return to their houseboat the other five children have been stolen by the authorities."
"I found the story of the Foss children sort of predictable and obligatory, and I had Avery's story-line figured out about 1/4 of the way in. The story of the Tennessee Children's Home is horrifying, even more so that it's based on true incidences, but I feel that Wingate relied too heavily on stock characterization."
"I do remember hearing the name Georgie Tan years ago, and plan on doing some searches to find out more since reading this book."
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Best British & Irish Literature & Fiction

A Column of Fire (Kingsbridge)
International bestselling author Ken Follett takes us deep into the treacherous world of powerful monarchs, intrigue, murder, and treason with his magnificent new epic, A Column of Fire . As power in England shifts precariously between Catholics and Protestants, royalty and commoners clash, testing friendship, loyalty, and love. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country’s first secret service to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions, and invasion plans. Recommended reading by * The Washington Post * USA Today * New York Post * The Christian Science Monitor * The Philadelphia Inquirer *. A Column of Fire is absorbing, painlessly educational, and a great deal of fun.” —The Washington Post “Follett’s historical epics, including this one, evoke the Romantic adventures of Alexandre Dumas. “Fans of Follett's epic sagas The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End , set in the Middle Ages in the fictional city of Kingsbridge, will be thrilled by this latest installment.” —New York Post “[Follett is a] master of the sweeping, readable epic.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Reviews
"We waited three years for a new Ken Follett novel and almost ten for the next, the third, book of his Kingsbridge story. If you know novels by Ken Follett, you know what you get: Tension, entertainment, a lot of well researched knowledge – and unfortunately a little black and white where you expect more gray. Two things first: Ken Follett gets back to Kingsbridge, his fictional town in England, for the third time, ten years after “World Without End” and 28 (!). It plays in Modern History, right after the reformation by the German monk Martin Luther (these days exactly 500 years ago). But there are evil villains, sexist and racist, very bad according to these our values and these guys giving him a hard time. But experience told us that the world is gray and evil characters are more interesting if they are complicated. Because Follett is such a good writer that you never lose track, also there are so many persons and plots."
"It's the greatest book I've ever read and it unearthed my passion for historical fiction. Even IF you're not into historical fiction, it's impossible that you wouldn't love this book or its series or any of Ken's novels."
"Knowing how Follett like to finish the history, he has more to say on this site to bring it to the present times ( at least 5 more centuries). What I like about the way he writes is that he shows with his stories how cyclical things keep happening ( the constant rich demeaning the poor)."
"I enjoyed this book as I have all his other books."
"We waited a long time for Edge of Eternity (his trilogy about the wars) to come out and instead of wrapping it up, he turned it into a Handbook on the Liberal’s view of the world."
"That they seem too modern is periodically reinforced by the inclusion of words and phrases such as "dreamboat," "talking trash" and "puke,"--somewhat jarring to come across."
"Oh yeah, and the pain in my wrists from balancing this thing which I would have forgiven except for the cardinal sin: Column of Fire was just plain boring."
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Best Contemporary Literature & Fiction

A Man Called Ove: A Novel
So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” ( Booklist , starred review). “You will laugh, you will cry, as his heartbreaking story unfolds through the diverse cast of characters that enter his life, all uninvited. The lyrical language is the confetti thrown liberally throughout this celebration-of-life story, adding sparkle and color to an already spectacular party. “A funny crowd-pleaser that serves up laughs to accompany a thoughtful reflection on loss and love… The author writes with winning charm.” ( Publishers Weekly, starred review ). “This charming debut novel by Backman should find a ready audience with English-language readers… hysterically funny… wry descriptions, excellent pacing… In the contest of Most Winning Combination, it would be hard to beat grumpy Ove and his hidden,generous heart.” ( Kirkus Reviews ). “Poignant and unpredictable, Backman’s book is filled with many twists and turns, as well as enjoyable characters and humorous situations."
Reviews
"Such a sweet, well written story of despair and hope.Having just lost a husband less than a year ago, I can certainly relate to his sorrow and feelings of worthlessness - being old and useless."
"Therefore, I give the book five stars for being exactly what it claims to be--a story about one man and the circle of friends that he makes despite his grouchy personality. I bought the audio book to listen when I couldn't read and the narrator was flawless. The 50-somethings in my office know what an iPad is, how to use computers, have the latest cell phones, and are pretty up on all the new tech gadgets because they are the ones that can afford them! I wonder why the author chose such a relatively young main character to act like my grandfather would."
"He complains about everything, has put up signs around his neighborhood with rules about what should and shouldn't be done, and feels there is a proper place for everything. After an accident with the lanky one, Ove is forced to help this family, complaining the entire time. Throughout the book Ove also speaks to his wife, complaining about the neighbors, the rule breakers, and how much he misses her (very minor spoiler). I will say by the end of the book, a bunch of dust was flying around the room and some got into my eyes. Backman interweaves the two (funny and tragic) quite well and doesn't make it overly heartwarming."
"I have made several attempts to read this novel."
"Masterfully written, so the characters come to life and evoke wonderful memories of people you have known in your own life."
"Underneath this old man's hard outer shell is such reluctant caring that you'll find yourself laughing and wiping away tears as you turn the pages."
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Best Foreign Language Literature & Fiction

Don Quijote de la Mancha (Spanish Edition)
Las múltiples interpretaciones de esta historia son, simplemente, el reflejo de su riqueza de significados y contenidos: una crítica de las novelas de caballerías, la contraposición entre el realismo y el idealismo, la primera novela moderna o una sátira de las ilusiones caballerescas. Y llegó a tanto su curiosidad y desatino en esto, que vendió muchas hanegas de tierra de sembradura para comprar libros de caballerías en que leer, y así, llevó a su casa todos cuantos pudo haber dellos; y de to­dos, ningunos le parecían tan bien como los que compuso el famo­so Feliciano de Silva, porque la claridad de su prosa y aquellas entricadas razones suyas le parecían de perlas, y más cuando llegaba a leer aquellos requiebros y cartas de desafíos, donde en muchas partes hallaba escrito: La razón de la sinrazón que a mi razón se hace, de tal manera mi razón enflaquece, que con razón me quejo de la vuestra fer­mosura . Tuvo muchas veces competencia con el cura de su lugar —que era hombre docto, gradua­do en Sigüenza—, sobre cuál había sido mejor caballero:Palme­rín de Ingalaterra o Amadís de Gaula; mas maese Nicolás, barbero del mesmo pueblo, decía que ninguno llegaba al Caballero del Febo, y que si alguno se le podía comparar, era don Galaor, hermano de Amadís de Gaula, porque tenía muy acomodada condición para todo; que no era caballero melindroso, ni tan llorón como su hermano, y que en lo de la valentía no le iba en zaga. En efeto, rematado ya su juicio, vino a dar en el más estraño pen­samiento que jamás dio loco en el mundo; y fue que le pareció con­venible y necesario, así para el aumento de su honra como para el servicio de su república, hacerse caballero andante, y irse por todo el mundo con sus armas y caballo a buscar las aventuras y a ejercitar­se en todo aquello que él había leído que los caballeros andantes se ejercitaban, deshaciendo todo género de agravio, y poniéndose en ocasiones y peligros donde, acabándolos, cobrase eterno nombre y fama. Es verdad que para probar si era fuerte y podía estar al ries go de una cuchillada, sacó su espada y le dio dos golpes, y con el primero y en un punto deshizo lo que había hecho en una semana; y no dejó de parecerle mal la facilidad con que la había hecho peda­zos, y, por asegurarse deste peligro, la tornó a hacer de nuevo, po­niéndole unas barras de hierro por de dentro, de tal manera que él quedó satisfecho de su fortaleza; y, sin querer hacer nueva experien­cia della, la diputó y tuvo por celada finísima de encaje. Cuatro días se le pasaron en imaginar qué nombre le pondría; porque, según se decía él a sí mesmo, no era ra­zón que caballo de caballero tan famoso, y tan bueno él por sí, estu­viese sin nombre conocido; y ansí, procuraba acomodársele de ma­nera que declarase quién había sido, antes que fuese de caballero andante, y lo que era entonces; pues estaba muy puesto en razón que, mudando su señor estado, mudase él también el nombre, y le cobra-se famoso y de estruendo, como convenía a la nueva orden y al nuevo ejercicio que ya profesaba. Pero, acordándose que el valeroso Amadís no sólo se había contentado con llamarse Amadís a secas, sino que añadió el nombre de su reino y patria, por Hepila famosa, y se llamó Amadís de Gaula, así quiso, como buen caballero, añadir al suyo el nombre de la suya y llamar­se don Quijote de la Mancha , con que, a su parecer, declaraba muy al vivo su linaje y patria, y la honraba con tomar el sobrenombre della. —Si yo, por malos de mis pecados, o por mi buena suerte, me encuentro por ahí con algún gigante, como de ordinario les acontece a los caballeros andantes, y le derribo de un encuentro, o le parto por mitad del cuerpo, o, finalmente, le venzo y le rindo, ¿no será bien tener a quien enviarle presentado149 y que entre y se hinque de rodi­llas ante mi dulce señora, y diga con voz humilde y rendido: «Yo, señora, soy el gigante Caraculiambro,150 señor de la ínsula151 Malin­drania, a quien venció en singular batalla el jamás como se debe ala­bado caballero don Quijote de la Mancha, el cual me mandó que me presentase ante vuestra merced, para que la vuestra grandeza dispon­ga de mí a su talante?».
Reviews
"But, if you would just like to sit down with a readable and fairly mainstream version there are two free Kindle volumes that offer you a happy choice. It also offers a kindleunlimited, (and sometimes free as a promotion), copy of Gerald Davis' reworking of the Shelton version. Grossman is the most modern, but is frequently criticized for taking great liberties and being almost purposefully prolix and obscure. The Davis book is highly regarded, although sometimes relegated to a niche position, because of the translator's attempt to find a middle ground between the Shelton original and a modern reader's sensibilities. As a consequence you do not have to lower your standards, or accept an inferior translation, when selecting one of these freebies as your text of choice. The kindleunlimited Davis displays a white cover and a pencil or engraved image of Don Quixote framed in yellow."
"Notably, Don Quixote takes great pleasure in using outdated language (e.g., "thou," "giveth"), even though the ordinary people he encounters don't understand his speeches. Maybe not such a big deal, but it strikes me as disingenuous to use the emoticon-like "sad face" to describe what Sancho meant to refer to Don Quixote's worn-out, gaunt appearance. Out of the translations I've read, this one contains none of the encumbrances I've found in Raffel (oversimplified), Grossman (pretentious), Smollett (archaic), Rutherford (reliant on British slang), Putnam (tastes like the 1950s), Montgomery (riddled with errors), Motteux (censored) or Lathrop (not as evocative)."
"Brilliant because subject such as destiny, fate,common sense, love, and good governance are as relevant today as they were in the 1500s. Thankfully, Sancho stuck by his knight-errant master through thick and thin, not because of blind loyalty but because he was promised an elusive pie in the sky in the form of an island to govern one day. Thus it was one misadventure after another, written in beautiful prose and lovely analogies, proverbs and idioms that brought me so much mirth and merriment while reading it."
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Best Action & Adventure Fiction

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Then, on Harry's eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley. Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" So far it has won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. After 11 years of disregard and neglect at the hands of his aunt, uncle and their swinish son Dudley, Harry suddenly receives a visit from a giant named Hagrid, who informs Harry that his mother and father were a witch and a wizard, and that he is to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry himself.
Reviews
"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"I was ravenous to get my hands on my copy as soon as it was delivered this morning, but was quickly disappointed. But when I took a close look at my dust jacket, I was extremely upset to find that the gold foil lettering for "Harry Potter" had been rubbed away and destroyed completely in some places leaving ugly, black matte in its place-- pock marking the otherwise handsome gold lettering. Needless to say I'm in awe how Bloomsbury has managed to put together such an incredible project, with JK Rowling's remarkable literature and Jim Kay's otherworldly illustrations-- and allowed it to be put together in a low quality binding! Not all alone in a box... Update (October 9th): I have finally received my new book and it was in much, much better condition. The cover and spine were tight, intact and falling apart from the binding like my original copy."
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Best Literary Fiction

Beneath a Scarlet Sky: A Novel
Now, with the opportunity to spy for the Allies inside the German High Command, Pino endures the horrors of the war and the Nazi occupation by fighting in secret, his courage bolstered by his love for Anna and for the life he dreams they will one day share. “Sprawling, stirring, like the richest of stories, and played out on a canvas of heroism and tragedy, Beneath a Scarlet Sky is like one of those iconic World War II black and white photos: a face of hope and tears, the story of a small life that ended up mattering in a big way.” —Andrew Gross, New York Times bestselling author of The One Man. “Action, adventure, love, war, and an epic hero—all set against the backdrop of one of history's darkest moments—Mark Sullivan's Beneath a Scarlet Sky has everything one can ask for in an exceptional World War II novel.” —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of Playing with Fire. Mark has received numerous awards for his writing, including the WHSmith Fresh Talent Award, and his works have been named a New York Times Notable Book and a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year.
Reviews
"It is a gripping story of resilience, the indomitable spirit of a young man that knew no boundaries and courage that sustained him during dark hours. The action intensified throughout the remainder of the book, and one is allowed a rare glimpse into the mind of Il Duce - Benito Mussolini - plus the inner workings of the German High Command. Pino Lello witnesses atrocities he wishes he could forget but keeps soldiering on...wisely... Just a gripping and harrowing Kindle First selection which I feel is the best one I have read."
"He takes us deep inside the love story of his discovery, the unknown hero, Pino Lella, and he crafts an epic tale set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Milan and the Italian Alps during World War II that is as intimate and tragic as it is thought-provoking and triumphant."
"Set in Italy during the last two years of the second World War, this story follows the life of a remarkable young man, Pino Lella, who finds himself assigned as the driver of one of the most powerful Nazi officials in Italy. He accompanies this General throughout northern Italy as the war deteriorates and comes to a violent and tragic end. A very worthwhile story that author Mark Sullivan was lucky enough to learn of, then putting several years of research into piecing together as many of the details as he could."
"I cannot add more to the excellent reviews previously posted other than to say I read this book in one sitting not being able to put it down until 4:00 AM!"
"My father served as an American in WW2 and told a few stories of his journey, and like Pino was traumatized for a good part of his life sorting out the horror and truths."
"I really enjoyed this book, especially because I had just left Milan and had visited the Duomo when I started reading it."
"Interesting story which also allows you to realize the horrors of Syria will not be healed overnight."
"A chapter of the history that's not well known."
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Best Literary Criticism

Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder
One of The New York Times Book Review 's 10 Best Books of the Year Millions of readers of Little House on the Prairie believe they know Laura Ingalls―the pioneer girl who survived blizzards and near-starvation on the Great Plains, and the woman who wrote the famous autobiographical books. It was only in her sixties, after losing nearly everything in the Great Depression, that she turned to children’s books, recasting her hardscrabble childhood as a celebratory vision of homesteading―and achieving fame and fortune in the process, in one of the most astonishing rags-to-riches episodes in American letters. “An absorbing new biography [that] deserves recognition as an essential text.... For anyone who has drifted into thinking of Wilder’s ‘Little House’ books as relics of a distant and irrelevant past, reading Prairie Fires will provide a lasting cure.... Richly documented (it contains 85 pages of notes), it is a compelling, beautifully written story.... One of the more interesting aspects of this wonderfully insightful book is its delineation of the fraught relationship between Wilder and her deeply disturbed, often suicidal daughter. We’ve long understood the Little House series to be a great American story, but Caroline Fraser brings it unprecedented new context, as she masterfully chronicles the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family alongside the complicated history of our nation.
Reviews
"The Zumbro river runs under my porch and canoeing downstream takes me to South Troy where Laura and her cousins waded, and where baby Freddie is buried. But that book is dominated by Laura's narrative, and there's only so much that editorial commentary can correct or expound when entire facets of her life were simply omitted. Enter Caroline Fraser and "Prairie Fires," a biography of two women, a textual history of their work, and the historical context of their times skillfully interwoven as a narrative. The Prairie Queen, New York Review Books, circa 1994) to learn everything that can be known about Laura Ingalls Wilder, including her family, her daughter, her times, and even the natural history of the Midwest. Prairie Fires starts strong, with genealogical research harking back to the colonial Pilgrim era, then flashing forwarding to the Dakota War of 1862 (a skirmish of which wiped out the Dustin family just ten miles from my childhood home, six months *after* the mass-execution at Mankato). For me the book was literally a page turner, I couldn't put it down, took it on vacation, read it in every spare moment, several times hiding in the bathroom just to get to the end of a chapter. But Prairie Fires is not only about Laura, spilling a considerable amount of ink on her daughter Rose Lane, a very unflattering picture: selfish, immoral, manipulative, petty, mentally ill (manic depressive), dishonest, modestly talented, irreligious (flirting with Islam her whole life), plagiarizing, economically incompetent, politically hypocritical, casually anti-semitic. You will finish Prairie Fires in no doubt whatsoever about the absurdity of charges that Rose Lane ghost-wrote the LIW series, and you will wonder how it was possible for such a hack to ever make a dime as an author. Ms. Fraser seems generally in favor of collective politics, supportive of Roosevelt's New Deal programs, and bothered by Wilder's criticism thereof. She spends a great deal of energy detailing the misguided attempts by Laura's successors to corral her work into the Conservative/Libertarian cause, and in this she is somewhat successful. But her attempts to explain away the fundamental reasons why people like Laura Wilder resented the very New Deal programs intended to help them come across as feeble and condescending. But we hear again and again and again the litany of supposed hypocrisies: the homestead act was a Government Program after all, everyone necessarily took jobs off the farm, the bank where Laura worked administered Government Lending, the frontier was only open thanks to the Army, Pa cheated the Railroad, Almanzo lied on his Homestead Application... and that's about it. It's a mighty thin list to set against decades of hard toil, thrift and scrupulous morality, and it doesn't bear the weight of being Exhibit A in Wilder's Real Politics On Trial."
"Wilder struggled to turn her family's pioneer story into the inspiring, heart-warming, heroic tale that fills the Little House books. And yet, Fraser's affection for the books and their author shows through her admission of their myopic worldview, omissions, and outright fabrications. My own grandmother was born in a log cabin in Wisconsin, and she married my grandfather, whose family homesteaded not far from Walnut Grove. When Wilder presents the pioneer story while minimizing or totally ignoring the plight of the displaced and murdered Native Americans, she is telling the tale as my family would have told it. Fraser expands the view to encompass what we must admit if we are honest: our success and wealth were built on the suffering of real people."
"I am a Wilder fan, having visited her home twice, taught her books many times, and been quotingly familiar with them since the age of seven. After all this valuable light brought to our subject, which is a rocky life covering nearly a century, one comes away, if anything, even more impressed by the resilience of Laura Ingalls. And she did it, in league with her daughter, beginning in later life, in a farmhouse, on Big Chief nickel tablets that are a handicap to write on, besides."
"Wonderfully entertaining, touching and very enlightening."
"Fascinating back story of my favorite childhood author."
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Best Humor & Satire Fiction

A Man Called Ove: A Novel
So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” ( Booklist , starred review). “You will laugh, you will cry, as his heartbreaking story unfolds through the diverse cast of characters that enter his life, all uninvited. The lyrical language is the confetti thrown liberally throughout this celebration-of-life story, adding sparkle and color to an already spectacular party. “A funny crowd-pleaser that serves up laughs to accompany a thoughtful reflection on loss and love… The author writes with winning charm.” ( Publishers Weekly, starred review ). “This charming debut novel by Backman should find a ready audience with English-language readers… hysterically funny… wry descriptions, excellent pacing… In the contest of Most Winning Combination, it would be hard to beat grumpy Ove and his hidden,generous heart.” ( Kirkus Reviews ). “Poignant and unpredictable, Backman’s book is filled with many twists and turns, as well as enjoyable characters and humorous situations."
Reviews
"Such a sweet, well written story of despair and hope.Having just lost a husband less than a year ago, I can certainly relate to his sorrow and feelings of worthlessness - being old and useless."
"Therefore, I give the book five stars for being exactly what it claims to be--a story about one man and the circle of friends that he makes despite his grouchy personality. I bought the audio book to listen when I couldn't read and the narrator was flawless. The 50-somethings in my office know what an iPad is, how to use computers, have the latest cell phones, and are pretty up on all the new tech gadgets because they are the ones that can afford them! I wonder why the author chose such a relatively young main character to act like my grandfather would."
"He complains about everything, has put up signs around his neighborhood with rules about what should and shouldn't be done, and feels there is a proper place for everything. After an accident with the lanky one, Ove is forced to help this family, complaining the entire time. Throughout the book Ove also speaks to his wife, complaining about the neighbors, the rule breakers, and how much he misses her (very minor spoiler). I will say by the end of the book, a bunch of dust was flying around the room and some got into my eyes. Backman interweaves the two (funny and tragic) quite well and doesn't make it overly heartwarming."
"WOW, I must say it's one of the best books I've ever read and so I purchased this one for someone I work with on her birthday."
"But by the end of the book, I was sold on Ove's principled simplicity, decency and that the community finally pulls together despite their differences."
"I have made several attempts to read this novel."
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Best Short Stories & Anthologies

Interpreter of Maladies
Navigating between the Indian traditions they've inherited and the baffling new world, the characters in Jhumpa Lahiri's elegant, touching stories seek love beyond the barriers of culture and generations. But Mr. Kapasi has problems enough of his own; in addition to his regular job working as an interpreter for a doctor who does not speak his patients' language, he also drives tourists to local sites of interest. In that single line Jhumpa Lahiri sums up a universal experience, one that applies to all who have grown up, left home, fallen in or out of love, and, above all, experienced what it means to be a foreigner, even within one's own family. Frequently finding themselves in Cambridge, Mass., or similar but unnamed Eastern seaboard university towns, Lahiri's characters suffer on an intimate level the dislocation and disruption brought on by India's tumultuous political history. The two things that sustain her, as the little boy she looks after every afternoon notices, are aerograms from homeAwritten by family members who so deeply misunderstand the nature of her life that they envy herAand the fresh fish she buys to remind her of Calcutta. Delusions of grandeur and lament for what she's lostA"such comforts you cannot even dream them"Agive her an odd, Chekhovian charm but ultimately do not convince her bourgeois audience that she is a desirable fixture in their up-and-coming property.
Reviews
"Loved these short stories and can't wait to read more by this author!"
"I thoroughly enjoyed the book."
"I really enjoyed this book of short stories."
"Wonderful author."
"Beautifully written short stories."
"A collection of lovely, lyrical stories."
"Don’t know how I missed the point."
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Best Essays & Correspondence

Mere Christianity
Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of Christian faith stand together. The volume on the Blackstone edition is recorded at a higher level than HarperAudio's. Whether or not one agrees with Lewis's arguments, it is a pleasure to hear such a skillful reading of an eloquent work.
Reviews
"It is a timeless classic that is as true today as when it was originally penned by Lewis as a series of talks given in London over the BBC during the challenging days of WW2. As you work through this great book take some time to digest the material in each chapter and reflect upon the material that Lewis covers and the thoroughness of his argument and perspectives."
"He expertly (and extensively) uses metaphor to help mere humans understand the incomprehensible facts about God. Lewis's explanation of Christian doctrine from the ground up helps the Christian fill in the blank parts of their theological understanding."
"This book is a very interesting read for Christians, regardless of your religious background."
"Rereading it now I see that this is still an excellent and relevant book for those who are exploring, or new to, following Christ today."
"His insight cuts right to the core of the matter, and he is able to share his insights in a simple and accessible style. He presents a rational argument for his belief in Christianity, and while it may not convert the most stalwart atheists, I do believe it would help them to understand the fundamental belief system shared by most mainstream Christian denominations."
"This book has helped me tremendously on my journey."
"A must read."
"Mere Christianity is a GREAT book, but DO NOT BUY THIS VERSION."
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Best Dramas & Plays

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2, Special Rehearsal Edition Script
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. Praise for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts I and II * “Series fans can breathe easy knowing this play has been respectfully and lovingly wrought.
Reviews
"I read the books 2-3 times per year since I was a child. These books are a part of me, I've named my children after characters in these books. I have waited for this book like the rest of you. I get more of a harry potter vibe from the fantastic beasts trailer than this entire book. I think the best way to go into reading this and saving yourself from despair is to read it as a fanfic and not the true works of rowling."
"I keep wondering if there's a therapy group where all the disgruntled fans can congragate and weep together. The entire 7 book series was about friendship, love and loyalty, and Harry knew that; and most importantly, knew that's what made him different from V. You're telling me, he, Ron and Herm didn't continue to live and instil those values in their children? Harry wouldn't have choosen work over time with his family, which after all he'd been through WAS ALL HE EVER WANTED. This new book is the worst kind of trash, the one that destroys the soul of our hero. Also, what they did to calm, measured, quirky, wise Dumbledore, making him a weepy, rude mess, who spoke in cliches, issuing a completely unnecessary "apology" to why Harry was at the Dursleys, when Dumbledore had already apologized profusely for that in HP5 AND severely told off the Dursleys in HP6 for their abusive behavior! And what a weak, floppy mess Harry was during the fight scene?!"
"I am horrifically obsessed with these books, for the past 19 years (tattoos, pet names, my adult apartment covered in maps and memorabilia - you get the point). I sighed, scowled, and groaned mercilessly while reading, and eventually completely gave up trying to understand even a semblance of what was going on in this story.This is NOT cannon, nor something I can physically or mentally endure sitting on my bookshelves next to what was the light of my childhood (and early adulthood if I'm honest). **SPOILER WARNING**. So many issues: the timeturner now apparently having the ability to go back decades, and create butterfly effect implications; Hermione's visage as a cold, cruel, DADA professor; Harry's Hermione-like myopic focus on his work, above his family; Ron - as a whole; too many others to list without losing my cool once again."
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Best Mythology & Folk Tales

salt.
Reviews
"If you are someone who has never read poetry, this book is for you."
"This book made me angry, nod my head in agreement, cry, laugh, smile."
"Beautifully and powerfully written."
"I loved this collection."
"Love this."
"This book was recommended by a friend and I purchased it for a different friend, but wound up reading through the entire book before I wrapped it."
"You are reading this review as you are probably debating on if you are interested or if you should purchase this book."
"These poems have found a way to awaken my love for my experience as a black woman inspire my growth and continued knowledge quest through life apart of the African diaspora and encourage me to healing from within."
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Best Erotica

Grey: Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian (Fifty Shades of Grey Series)
Christian Grey exercises control in all things; his world is neat, disciplined, and utterly empty—until the day that Anastasia Steele falls into his office, in a tangle of shapely limbs and tumbling brown hair. She displays a compelling blend of vulnerability and backbone and finally feels like a character women can get behind ... Best of all the book allows readers direct access to Christian Grey's deepest, darkest thoughts ... "Fifty Shades of Grey" stayed on the "New York Times" Best Seller List for 133 consecutive weeks, and in 2015 the film adaptation on which James worked as producer broke box-office records all over the world for Universal Pictures.
Reviews
"I do believe this book helped to better understand Christian I am not altogether certain it was necessary as the series was already a huge success but just as I am sure with other readers the times I really wanted to know what he was thinking came in book two and three. For instance when he and Ana marreid, what was on his mind as he and Ros made their way home after Charlie Tango crashed, and I really want into his head the night he confronted Elena at his mother's home. As far as the movie I watched it and believed it to have been as true to the book as was possible for a decent rating."
"This is my first time reading a fifty shades book and I have to say it was better than I expected."
"TThe Socialist Party candidate for President of the US, Norman Thomas, said this in a 1944 speech: "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism."
"That's not to say that there is some poignancy to James' work, but let's face it, the fact that her books have garnered millions for her, gives her more than one capitalistic option to wallow amongst the greenbacks she continues to accrue within this franchise. Listening to his voice and hearing his expectations and first hand reactions regarding scenes and events of which the reader is already aware adds anticipation to the story and more nuance to the Grey character. Perhaps, James started her series off on the wrong foot; Anastasia Steele, all innocence and burgeoning kink, is not all that exciting; however, Grey is a memorable character--he's flawed and readers want to know what he thinks and what he's going to come up with next."
"I felt like they glossed over it in the first three books."
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Best Poetry

Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Collection (Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, Fox in Socks)
A perfect gift for new parents, birthday celebrations, and happy occasions of all kinds, this collection of five beloved Beginner Books by Dr. Seuss— The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Green Eggs and Ham, Hop on Pop, and Fox in Socks —will be cherished by young and old alike. Dr. Seuss’s long list of awards includes Caldecott Honors for McElligot’s Pool , If I Ran the Zoo , and Bartholomew and the Oobleck , the Pulitzer Prize, and eight honorary doctorates.
Reviews
"She's three, and I was looking forward to reading them to her now, and watching her learn the words, so she could 'pretend' she was reading them along with me, as I did as a child, and ultimately, letting her read them to me. I've just opened a couple of them at random and taken pics to show you the bleed-through of the images and words on the reverse side of the page."
"Picked up for our almost-3 yo."
"You start your kid's collection with these books by Dr. Seuss."
"I read these in a lower light setting given they are bed time stories for my daughter so perhaps that's why I'm not seeing it."
"My daughter absolutely loves these books."
"What would childhood be without One Fish, Two Fish and The Cat in the Hat?"
"I always have fun with these books and reading them to my son is always a great experience."
"Kind of hard to enjoy the story when the illustrations on the back of the page are showing through."
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