Best Literary Anthologies & Collections
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
"If you're an adult and have not read this series before (even if you've seen the movies), I encourage you to read the books. Whether it's the originals or these, the series is sure to be one of the best you've read and much better than the movies, of course."
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"I'll keep it brief, this is not a review of the actual story but of this specific edition."
"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."
"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."
"The copy I received, however, has a fairly significant manufacturing defect in that the pages of 'The Hobbit' were not cut properly."
"A terribly thick pocket book with dense letters offsets all the convenience this form of book should bring to us."
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
Find Best Price at Amazon"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."
"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."
"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!"
"A well written story dealing with the diametrically opposite qualities of human nature."
Best British Literature Anthologies
The Case of the Broken Doll is a gripping standalone mystery in Alison Golden’s bestselling Inspector David Graham series. With plot twists and turns and characters you'll grow to love, it’s easy to see why Golden’s books have been described as “captivating,” “unputdownable,” and “shouldn't be started late at night.”. Praise for the Inspector David Graham mystery series:"Wow! To get your free copy of The Case of the Screaming Beauty, the prequel to the Inspector David Graham mystery series, plus two more books, updates about new releases, exclusive promotions, and other insider information, sign up for the Cozy Mysteries Insider mailing list at: cozymysteries.com/graham.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Especially interesting was watching DI Graham do a thorough job of digging for clues that could have been missed ten years ago and guiding his staff in the techniques of good police work."
"When asked to look into a old, old cold case, DI Graham is at his best."
"He begins to investigate and finds things are not what they seem to be on the island The case takes the officers on a trail that will lead to a shocking conclusion that will shock the people who live on the island to their very core."
"I have now read all four of the available Inspector David Graham novels and have found them to be extremely well plotted and carefully written."
"This - my latest read - is all the above and more."
"Great characters, with compelling story telling."
"The plot and character development in this latest book drew me into the story, and make me eager to read more of Inspector Graham's cases."
"Love this series!"
Best Classic Fiction Anthologies & Collections
VISION IN WHITE Wedding photographer Mackensie “Mac” Elliot is most at home behind the camera for Vows, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into Carter Maguire—the bride-to-be's brother—in an encounter that has them both seeing stars. “Funny sparks fly...[Roberts’] gentle humor and likable cast will immediately endear this series to readers.”— Publishers Weekly.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I read this series in paperback and love them though my favorite all time set was time was and time and again."
"I bought the boxed set of Nora Robert’s Bride Quartet and I am so happy I did!"
"After planning my wedding and helping a friend plan hers, this quartet about a wedding business built up with four friends was a nice read to be back in the moment of planning - for others and for myself."
"I have just finished these four wonderful books the only thing that could make them better would be having the other weddings."
"The books are probably the best books I have read in a really long time."
"A story for every friend, so well-written and so intertwined."
"It's beautiful and silly and sad and messy and just like you imagine it would be."
"This is such a fun book and it really moves."
Best Drama & Play Anthologies
The playscript for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was originally released as a 'special rehearsal edition' alongside the opening of Jack Thorne's play in London's West End in summer 2016. When Albus hatches a plot to go back in time to save the life of Cedric Diggory—what Albus views as the biggest mistake his father made—time becomes distorted and Harry is left to examine his own life, his relationship with his son, and how love can sometimes be much more complicated than it seems. This is an interesting extension of the "Harry Potter" universe, but readers should go into it knowing that it's its own beast. Rowling didn't write it (much to the fury and vitriol of many fans), and it is in script form, so it loses some of the magic that won over millions of readers back when it all began.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"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 want to start this by saying that I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I grew up with Harry, I went to midnight premiers of the books and movies. His character, all jokes no supporting and listening to Harry and Hermione. o In the last book when they are dropping off the children at the Hogwarts express, the kids are genuinely confused as to why everyone is looking at them and Ron makes a joke saying “I’m famous”. It is deduced that the kids do not know the extent of everything their parents went through to save the world. Let’s go back to that epilogue where they all see Draco with his family and a joke gets made about not playing with his son. Which then Hermione corrects and Ron says to beat him on test but not to get too cozy and marry him. She would have loved to mother the Dark Lords child; there would have been no greater honor. And then the gang goes to Malfoy manor there is no baby in sight. Voldemort would have wanted an heir; wouldn’t he have made it a horcrux and offered it more protection? I know she was horrible but I do think Harry would have deep feelings about his mother’s sister passing. Sirius Black escapes and the freaking muggle minister is alerted! But hey, this guy who tortured the Longbottoms into insanity he escapes and it’s cool. It’s sounding more and more as if this witch convinced herself that she is the heir of the dark lord. Cedric a character who was noble and good and died oh so tragically. This character who was loyal and kind and helped Harry turns DARK SIDE?!?! CEDRIC A DEAD EATER HAHAHAHA NOPE NOT FUNNY. Thank you for turning a good character and completely changing him for the worse. Thank goodness you did not include Sirius Black in your play. But wait not, here I got some polyjuice potion here in my back pocket and I just happen to carry my dad and his best friends hairs at all times. Harry duels Delphi (a eighteen year old) and she is stronger?"
Best Horror Anthologies
Everyone else thinks he is just a drunk, but when his girlfriend is killed at night by a man with an axe, he knows he was right to be afraid. A copycat killer who slaughters people in their beds with an axe much like the original Axeman did almost a hundred years ago. Careful Little Eyes is the highly anticipated fourth installment of Willow Rose’s popular series revolving around the Cocoa Beach friends who call themselves the Seventh Street Crew. -Goodreads review 'She keeps you wanting to keep reading until the end and always keeps you guessing. - Goodreads review 'I love that Willow gives links to some of the articles she used in her research at the end of the book, very interesting' - Goodreads review Books in this series: What Hurts the Most (7th Street Crew #1) You Can Run (7th Street Crew #2) You Can't Hide (7th Street Crew #3) Careful Little Eyes (7th Street Crew#4).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Mary and Joey are frantic that Mary's brother, Blake, has taken their son Salter. The book could use some careful eyes to look for errors that were a bit a annoying for this reader."
"Well written."
"She tells multiple stories within a story and weaves them together beautifully."
"I have become addicted to the author Willow Rose."
"She is very talented at weaving the characters together to make you keep guessing."
"I've read all the books, and I think they're well written and captivating."
"Ms. Rose continues to have many characters who at the end all are explained fully."
"I have become very endeared with the 7th Street Crew!"
Best Poetry Anthologies
Songs Of Experience by William Blake Sonnets From The Portuguese: 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning My Last Duchess by Robert Browning Thanatopsis by William Cullen Bryant A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough by Robert Burns The Destruction Of Sennacherib by George Gordon Byron She Walks In Beauty by George Gordon Byron Song by George Gordon Byron Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge 50 Poems: 29 by Edward Estlin Cummings The Chariot by Emily Dickinson Dying by Emily Dickinson I'm Nobody! On His Deceased Wife by John Milton Poetry by Marianne Moore Summer's Last Will And Testament: A Litany In Time Of Plague by Thomas Nashe Anthem For Doomed Youth by Wilfred Owen Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe To Helen (1) by Edgar Allan Poe Miniver Cheevy by Edwin Arlington Robinson Richard Cory by Edwin Arlington Robinson A Birthday by Christina Georgina Rossetti Chicago by Carl Sandburg Fog by Carl Sandburg Sonnet: 116 by William Shakespeare Sonnet: 18 by William Shakespeare Sonnet: 73 by William Shakespeare Sonnet: 94 by William Shakespeare Ode To The West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley To A Skylark by Percy Bysshe Shelley The Emperor Of Ice-cream by Wallace Stevens Underwoods: Book 1: 21. by Walt Whitman Barbara Frietchie by John Greenleaf Whittier The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802 by William Wordsworth Daffodils by William Wordsworth The World; Sonnet by William Wordsworth The Lover Showeth How He Is Forsaken by Thomas Wyatt The Lake Isle Of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats When You Are Old by William Butler Yeats -- Table of Poems from Poem Finder® Here are some of the most-loved poems in the English language, chosen not merely for their popularity, but for their literary quality as well.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The daylight that shines to curse the darkness."
"My daughter needed a poem book for school."
"I bought my man friend a copy and we read and talk about the poem chosen for that afternoon."
"pretty good collection of classic poems."
"My order came before the expected shipping date."
Best Short Story Anthologies & Collections
After losing my wife, I thought love and marriage were out of the question. But my son decided he wanted a mom. And my meddling brother signed me up on a dating site. Six months to find a woman who’s smart, beautiful, wild in the sack and unimpressed by my money. Yeah right. That unicorn doesn’t exist.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A widower with a 7 year old son the hero is an ex-Air Force pilot and he now owns his own company and continues to fly. So, he has his share of women trying to hit on him but so far no real connection. He was very much in love with his wife, she died giving birth to his son. He starts a conversation with her and finds that he is very interested. They have a lot of fun and sex as they get to know each other and eventually fall for one another."
"Dani and Ty meet on a dating site that has been arranged by his brother and her aunt and seem to hit it off sexually, and intellectually however, Ty is still holding himself back emotionally."
"Ty, Dani, Bobby, and Blake's story is based around a sexy widower, with an adorable seven year old son, and the love that grows between them as a family unit, as well as Ty and Dani as a couple."
"There are a wide varity of genre - contempory, paranormal and post-apocoliptic with the common theme of single parent meeting or reconnecting with their one and only and the hero is very wealthy."
"There was humor, flirting, some idiocy (courtesy of our hero Ty) and forgiveness (Dr. Dani) for the HEA we romance readers love."
"Each one has their own problems to deal with they needed to deal with."
"I really enjoyed this book."
"I recommend this "super" romance to anyone who has tried a dating website!"
Best American Literature Anthologies
Scalia Speaks will give readers the opportunity to encounter the legendary man more fully, helping them better understand the jurisprudence that made him one of the most important justices in the Court's history and introducing them to his broader insights on faith and life. "Reading Scalia Speaks — the marvelous collection of his speeches, lovingly compiled by his son and a former law clerk — brought Nino back to life for me." -Alan M. Dershowitz, The New York Times Book Review "This marvelous book surely will be required reading for anyone seeking to understand the mind of this great jurist and conservative thinker. “A treasure that captures Justice Antonin Scalia’s brilliance, wit, faith, humility and wide range of knowledge...Scalia speaks in his own words in this magnificent volume that should be on the bookshelf of every educated American.”. - Washington Post. Christopher J. Scalia , the eighth of Justice Scalia's nine children and a former professor of English, works at a public relations firm near Washington, D.C. His book reviews and political commentary have appeared in The Wall Street Journal , The Washington Post , TheWeekly Standard , and elsewhere.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In his later years on the bench, he became the most prominent member of the federal judiciary as he published law review articles, granted television interviews, and gave talks across the country. In a speech to the Dominican Order, the justice explained Thomas Aquinas believed any written code opposed to natural law was immoral and invalid. For him, Roe v. Wade and its case law progeny were a tragedy, not just as a member of the Catholic faith, but also for reading into the United States Constitution a right to abortion contained nowhere in the text. Another was the concern of many that the Constitution is a relatively barebones text and legislatures are often lethargic or unresponsive in crafting laws supported by broad swaths of the public, so Justice Scalia’s philosophy did not account for the challenges of the modern era. Whether those criticisms have merit is left to each individual reader, but undoubtedly Justice Scalia’s views continue to have an outsized influence on legal interpretation. Justice Scalia covered a wide range of other issues, including his general hostility to using foreign law to interprete American rights outside rare circumstances, eulogies lamenting the passage of time and friends, his pride in being a Catholic and Italian-American (emphasis on American), the value of a college education for newly-minted graduates, and an encomium on turkey hunting that may be the best defense of sportsmanship by a federal official since Herbert Hoover’s advocacy of fly fishing. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg noted in her touching foreword, “Now and then he would call me, or stop by my chambers, to point out a slip I had made in an opinion draft. Justice Scalia homed in on all the soft spots, energizing me to strengthen my presentation.” With the bitter partisan bickering that plagues both the Republican and Democratic parties, it is nice to know that tucked away in the far corners of government some people still have the capacity for personal respect during instances of professional disagreement. Even on occasions when one disagreed with him, the force of his character and intellectual acumen challenged his opponent’s preconceived notions and pushed them to make their own arguments sharper."
"Each speech is expertly seasoned with lovely and personal stories that cover the span of his life, thus, making each one a "delicious" read, leaving the reader craving the next one. At a time when America seems so divided by ideological lines, this book reminds us that we are blessed to live in a country where the character and contributions of one of us transcends politics and that true affection for those with whom we disgree is possible because people are so much more then any particular point of view. One final thought, as a longtime admirer of Justice Scalia who always seemed so much larger than life and exceptional in every way, I was thrilled to learn that he was not, much like me, a gifted speller."
"The mind of Justice Scalia, coupled with the moral compass that directed him, is so impressive, makes one cry out in agony for his loss to our highest court."
"The speeches range on faith, character, tradition, ethnicity, education, turkey hunting, and even the games and sports that a young Nino played on the streets of Queens in the 1940s."
"Caused me to read the constitution and Federalist Papers (of all things) to better understand the founders' bases for the U.S. government and protection of American of rights."