Koncocoo

Best Fiction

The Hiding Place (Radio Theatre)
Enter into The Hiding Place to relive Corrie ten Boom's heart-pounding account as a leader in the Dutch Underground during World War II.
Reviews
"This is the remarkable story of a remarkable family that literally laid their lives out to save Jews in Holland during WWII. I only wish that I could do something good for any person that would give respect for the wonderful people in this story."
"Though the story is set in such a terrible time, the hopefulness and commitment to faith is what should be taken from it in the end."
"Inspiring to say the least."
"I read this book many, many years ago."
"In these times of evil, I wonder if I will have the clarity and certainty to be a Christian and follow Jesus no matter the cost as Corrie and Betsie did."
"What a story."
"I started this book with curiosity about how they hid people during this time and became quickly humbled by their faith and lives."
"This is a book that everyone should read."
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Come Rain or Come Shine (Mitford)
#1 New York Times –bestselling author Jan Karon returns—with the story readers have been waiting for. Over the course of ten Mitford novels, fans have kept a special place in their hearts for Dooley Kavanagh, first seen in At Home in Mitford as a barefoot, freckle-faced boy in filthy overalls. In Come Rain or Come Shine , Jan Karon delivers the wedding that millions of Mitford fans have waited for. Jan Karon is the author of the bestselling series of ten Mitford novels featuring Episcopal priest Father Timothy Kavanagh and the fictional village of Mitford, the most recent of which, Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good , has spent more than two months on the New York Times bestseller list.
Reviews
"As a matter of fact, in the past six months I have read and re-read the entire series at least 4 times while waiting not so patiently for the release of Come Rain or Come Shine. Even the nodding acquaintances have a unique and full place in Ms. Karon’s stories. Her descriptions are unique and folksy, and fit perfectly with each scene and character. Although I loved attending the wedding, from the very first page I could not shake the feeling that this was not typical Jan Karon writing. Perhaps it is the transition from Father Tim to Lace and Dooley as the main characters, changing the voice of the narrative, that bothered me. For example in the previous books, the story of Pauline’s apology would have been much more important, given more room to breathe, more of a lead up. Yes, she has grown into a wonderful woman, and she “talks” a lot about her change and growth, but we would have “seen” more of this if it had been written as the earlier novels were. He was there, inserted just enough times to perhaps convince the reader he was still there, but he and Cynthia were side stories. I enjoyed being at the wedding, but I felt like a distant relation instead of part of the family."
"Come Rain or Come Shine by Jan Karon is the book that readers have been looking forward to for a long time. Dooley and Lace decided to make it a potluck dinner reception (asking each guest to bring a dish). Dooley will be taking over a veterinary practice after graduation and they will be installing a new sign that reads “Kavanaugh Animal Wellness Clinic”. What could go wrong (rain, not enough food, surprise guests, escaping animals)? I wish it had been written differently so Come Rain or Come Shine could have been more enjoyable to read. I received a complimentary copy of Come Rain or Come Shine from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review."
"Jan Karon's stories are always good."
"Jan Karon never disappoints."
"This was a very good book if you are into the Mitford series."
"Another outstanding Jan Karon novel!"
"The poetry of the hard work of preparing for a wedding and all of the other experiences of life along the way, was a great setting to be reacquainted to beloved characters."
"I just didn't like this book and I love the Mitford books."
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Father Gilbert Mysteries Collector's Edition (Radio Theatre)
When Louis Gilbert turned in his detective badge to become an Anglican priest, he thought his days of solving difficult mysteries were over.
Reviews
"These are great stories and Radio Theatre does an amazing job on this and all their other offerings."
"Yes, there are a few that may not be suitable for younger listeners, but my kids 13 and 9, loved them."
"We listened to the Father Gilbert mysteries on our road trip to Oregon and enjoyed them so much that we listened to one right after the other."
"already owned all these but I did not remember owning them [I must be getting old!]."
"Bought is for my grandson's birthday."
"These are awesome stories they have really made me realize more than ever before that we are in a battle and that God is all powerful."
"This is an amazing series!"
"Loved this series."
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Best Harris, Thomas

Red Dragon
Exploring both the nature of human evil and the nerve-racking anatomy of a forensic investigation, Harris unleashes a frightening vision of the dark side of our well-lighted world. Graham, in turn, enlists the aid of his old adversary, Hannibal Lecter, to find the killer, who poses family members on film after murdering them.
Reviews
"I've always loved the movie but I'm glad to finally be able to say I've read the book."
"You get just enough of a taste of Hannibal to make you remember how thrilling Anthony Hopkins was in the role (for those of us who saw and loved the movie) and you see each scene with stunning visuals."
"Mostly wanted to read the books that inspired the movies."
"This was a great story that could have been greater with some additional research and fact checking to ensure improved authenticity."
"Luckily, the book also contained a lot of the gruesome and twisted elements that makes the show so interesting. Talking about some of the things the killer does would spoil the surprise and suspense of the book, but suffice to say, there were some cringe-worthy moments that literally had me squirming as I read them."
"He knew about the case the whole time and only provided the pieces the FBI needed at the time - like a cat playing with a mouse."
"The book has much more detail, of course, than the movie, and gave me many new insights about Hannibal Lecter and the other characters in the story. There are some significant changes from the book to the movie, which add to the suspense and terror of both Hannibal Lecter and the character of Buffalo Bill. It's hard to write a review of this book without giving away details that the reader needs to discover for her or himself, so I'll just say that I did not "know" any of the characters from the movie on the level that I did after reading the book."
"I was required to read this book for a class and the fastest way to get it to me was through Kindle."
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Best Kingsolver, Barbara

The Poisonwood Bible
The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. Barbara Kingsolver is the bestselling author of the novels, The Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven, as well as collected essays, High Tide in Tucson.
Reviews
"Evangelical minister takes his family (wife and four daughters) to the Congo on a missionary assignment."
"Colors not seen before...more likely...not noticed."
"The enjoyable aspects of the novel provide the "trials and tribulatrions" of a missionary family's expierence in the Belgium Congo circa 1960 as well as a enlighteniing glimpse of the native Congo culture and life under a long oppressed society at the hands of colonialism and a corrupt native puppet government led by (Mobutu)."
"I read this book, twenty-something years ago, and re-reading it was an entirely new experience."
"Profoundly serious as the story is, the author introduces downright hilarity into it when she speaks in the voice of the oldest daughter, Rachel, who misuses big words and lots of them."
"It was a somber but hopeful book that gives individuals a chance to really contemplate how they are affecting the world around them."
"In Kingsolver's story the contrasts, between the West (U.S.) and central Africa, play out elaborately in the environmental settings, the religions and the socio-political events presented."
"I had not read anything since."
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Best Inspiration

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World
Both winners of the Nobel Prize, both great spiritual masters and moral leaders of our time, they are also known for being among the most infectiously happy people on the planet. From the beginning the book was envisioned as a three-layer birthday cake: their own stories and teachings about joy, the most recent findings in the science of deep happiness, and the daily practices that anchor their own emotional and spiritual lives. Born in 1935 to a poor farming family in northeastern Tibet he was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama. For over three decades the Dalai Lama has maintained an ongoing conversation and collaboration with scientists from a wide range of disciplines, especially through the Mind and Life Institute, an organization that he co-founded. The Dalai Lama travels extensively, promoting kindness and compassion, interfaith understanding, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace. In 1994, Tutu was appointed chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission by Nelson Mandela, where he pioneered a new way for countries to move forward after experiencing civil conflict and oppression. He is the founder and president of Idea Architects, a creative book and media agency helping visionaries to create a wiser, healthier, and more just world.
Reviews
"The Book of Joy lives up to its title and goes much further."
"Both the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu have risen beyond their respective religions to reach out to all humans regardless of their location."
"The best book that I read in 2016."
"In these controversial times, how wonderful to be offered the chance to sit in on the respectful and insightful dialogue between these two spiritual leaders, who give us all hope that their messages will be spread far and wide."
"The Dalai Lama and Archbishop."
"The writing is primarily dialog and the Dalai Lama and Bishop Tutu are surprisingly informal and chummy."
"Many wonderful thoughts, gives unique perspectives , as well as reinforces many established perspectives."
"I have the audiobook that I got in Audible and I wanted to get the book so I can underline and write notes on it."
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Best Bible

The Word of Promise Audio Bible: New King James Version
This faithful rendering of the New King James Version(R) presents the Bible in more than 90 hours of compelling, dramatic audio theater format. Producer Carl Amari and director JoBe Cerny use many audio drama techniques (more than the average audiobook or even contemporary audio drama) to create the people and places found in the Bible.
Reviews
"The case enclosed won’t hold the collection."
"For someone who does not have the time to sit down and read all the time, it is great to hear the whole story of the Bible while sitting in your car."
"Wonderful!"
"Very good."
"Wow the Word comes alive with this dramtized version - reaaly nice!"
"Easy listening."
"Great for when you travel or just driving around town."
"A brilliant recording that brings the Bible to life."
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Best Christianity

The Word of Promise Audio Bible: New King James Version
This faithful rendering of the New King James Version(R) presents the Bible in more than 90 hours of compelling, dramatic audio theater format. Producer Carl Amari and director JoBe Cerny use many audio drama techniques (more than the average audiobook or even contemporary audio drama) to create the people and places found in the Bible.
Reviews
"The case enclosed won’t hold the collection."
"For someone who does not have the time to sit down and read all the time, it is great to hear the whole story of the Bible while sitting in your car."
"Wonderful!"
"Very good."
"Wow the Word comes alive with this dramtized version - reaaly nice!"
"Easy listening."
"Great for when you travel or just driving around town."
"A brilliant recording that brings the Bible to life."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best General

The Word of Promise Audio Bible: New King James Version
This faithful rendering of the New King James Version(R) presents the Bible in more than 90 hours of compelling, dramatic audio theater format. Producer Carl Amari and director JoBe Cerny use many audio drama techniques (more than the average audiobook or even contemporary audio drama) to create the people and places found in the Bible.
Reviews
"For someone who does not have the time to sit down and read all the time, it is great to hear the whole story of the Bible while sitting in your car."
"Wonderful!"
"Very good."
"Wow the Word comes alive with this dramtized version - reaaly nice!"
"Easy listening."
"Great for when you travel or just driving around town."
"A brilliant recording that brings the Bible to life."
"I knew when other people were talking and could relate and follow."
Find Best Price at Amazon