Koncocoo

Best Classic Short Stories

All the Light We Cannot See
A beautiful, stunningly ambitious novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Werner is a German orphan, destined to labour in the same mine that claimed his father’s life, until he discovers a knack for engineering. Yes, there is fear and fighting and disappearance and death, but the author’s focus is on the interior lives of his two characters. Never mind that their paths don’t cross until very late in the novel, this is not a book you read for plot (although there is a wonderful, mysterious subplot about a stolen gem). It is through their individual and intertwined tales that Doerr masterfully and knowledgeably re-creates the deprived civilian conditions of war-torn France and the strictly controlled lives of the military occupiers.High-Demand Backstory: A multipronged marketing campaign will make the author’s many fans aware of his newest book, and extensive review coverage is bound to enlist many new fans.
Reviews
"It has been a while since I have found a book that I wanted to read slowly so that I could soak in every detail in hopes that the last page seems to never come. When reading the synopsis of this novel, I never imagined that I would feel so connected to a book where one of the main characters is blind and the other a brilliant young German orphan who was chosen to attend a brutal military academy under Hitler's power using his innate engineering skills. I was invited into the pages and could not only imagine the atmosphere, but all of my senses were collectively enticed from the very first page until the last. In most well-written books you get of a sense of what the characters look like and follow them throughout the book almost as if you are on a voyage, but with this novel, I could imagine what it was like to be in Marie-Laure's shoes."
"On the other hand, as the author describes it, “It’s also a metaphorical suggestion that there are countless invisible stories still buried within World War II.” Add in a newly blinded French girl who is forced to leave her familiar surroundings, and you’ll soon find yourself in literary heaven. There are lessons about the brain, sitting inside the darkness of our skull, interpreting light; there are lessons about coal having been plants living millions of years ago, absorbing light, now buried in darkness; lessons about light waves that we cannot see—all applicable as the story unfolds. The author also includes connections to the song Clair de Lune, the book 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, and a fictional story about a priceless diamond called the Sea of Flames, whose owner “so long as he keeps it, the keeper of the stone will live forever.”. I cannot proclaim loud enough how much this book means to me; I have been left awe-inspired."
"“All the Light We Cannot See” is a World War II story told from the experiences of two children; each gifted in their own way."
Find Best Price at Amazon
Think And Grow Rich
Think and Grow Rich is a motivational personal development and self-help book written by Napoleon Hill and inspired by a suggestion from Scottish-American businessman Andrew Carnegie. ...During our ten-year association, I learned the missing number to my combination for worldwide successful achievement. Specifically: How to Recognize, Relate, Assimilate and Apply principles whereby you can achieve any goal whatsoever that doesn't violate Universal Law - the Law of God and the rights of your fellowman... -- W. Clement Stone Chairman, Combined International Corporation President, The Napoleon Hill Foundation During the past twenty-five years I have been blessed with more good fortune than any individual deserves but I shudder to think where I'd be today, or what I'd be doing if I had not been exposed to Napoleon Hill's philosophy. As I listened to him, I heard something other than just the words he spoke, I felt the substance - the wisdom - and the spirit of a man and his philosophy.
Reviews
"a clean and unabridged edition."
"Self belief and nostalgic journey of your own life, dreams, memories."
"Great Book, Have read the several times over the past 35 years."
"EVERYONE should read this book!"
"This version is a little weird on formatting and editing but otherwise just fine and doesn't take away from Mr. Hill's brilliance and insight."
"I hope to update this review when I find a less crappy copy of this book, but avoid the version with the black cover with money on the bottom."
Find Best Price at Amazon
A Christmas Memory
First published in 1956, this much sought-after autobiographical recollection from Truman Capote ( In Cold Blood ; Breakfast at Tiffany's ) about his rural Alabama boyhood is a perfect gift for Capote's fans young and old. Gathering the pecans from those left behind in the harvest, buying illegally made whiskey for soaking the cakes, getting a little tipsy on the leftovers, cutting their own tree, and decorating it with homemade ornaments are some of the adventures the two share. Her use of lighter shades, tawny colors, and fine lines plus a background wash which suggests rather than delineates detail is perfect for this holiday memory of Christmas celebrated in rural Alabama in the early 1930s.
Reviews
"I think Gene Shepherd was influenced by reading The Thanksgiving Visitor, when he wrote A Christmas Story."
"True to the genius that Mr Capote is; these three stories are superb."
"3 stories of life with young Truman's friend, Miss Sook."
"Short stories are perfect for those of us who love to read but have little time to partake of this wonderful pastime."
"This little book contains three wonderful stories by Truman Capote about his childhood experiences on Thanksgiving and Christmas."
"It was worth the time it took to read it."
"An interesting book which I read because the person who recommended it had tears in his eyes when he spoke of it."
"I bought this group of stories to read something seasonal for a group gathering."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Classic Romance Fiction

Nora Roberts's Bride Quartet
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
"2) Rated 5★ Emma & Jack prove that friends can turn into love and even with the misunderstandings, makes for lasting love!"
"This series will take you away on a journey into the lives of the women of “Vows”."
"I enjoyed the Bride Quartet Series immensely."
"This is such a great book, that I look forward to going back and reading these stories again like some that I already have, and I am impatient to read the rest of Nora Roberts' stories right now. Hot, Hot, Hot, love scenes, a well written, creative and intriguing story about family plus inventive, vivid characters, all on top of seriously wonderful love and romance."
"I read this series in paperback and love them though my favorite all time set was time was and time and again."
"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."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Classic Humor Fiction

The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure
William Goldman's modern fantasy classic is a simple, exceptional story about quests—for riches, revenge, power, and, of course, true love—that's thrilling and timeless. Anyone who lived through the 1980s may find it impossible—inconceivable, even—to equate The Princess Bride with anything other than the sweet, celluloid romance of Westley and Buttercup, but the film is only a fraction of the ingenious storytelling you'll find in these pages. William Goldman describes it as a "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure." Much admired by academics, the "Classic Tale" nonetheless obscured what Mr. Goldman feels is a story that has everything: "Fencing. Goldman frames the fairy tale with an "autobiographical" story: his father, who came from Florin, abridged the book as he read it to his son. Now, Goldman is publishing an abridged version, interspersed with comments on the parts he cut out. Is The Princess Bride a critique of classics like Ivanhoe and The Three Musketeers , that smother a ripping yarn under elaborate prose? A wry look at the differences between fairy tales and real life? A 'classic' medieval melodrama that sounds like all the Saturday serials you ever saw feverishly reworked by the Marx Brothers." -- Newsweek "One of the funniest, most original, and deeply moving novels I have read in a long time."
Reviews
"William Goldman's story telling is pure genius, writing from a satirical 1st person perspective of how he created an abridged version of an old non-fictional book from a fictional country written by a fictional author. As you read through the "abridged version" you will frequently stumble across familiar lines you've come to love from the film ("INCONCEIVABLE!"). After reading the book you'll have a newfound appreciation for the movie which you'll see is a fantastic adaptation, and you'll have a fantastic time wrapped around Goldman's hilarious finger as he guides you through a truly wonderful story that feels exactly like the timeless classic we've enjoyed watching for years."
"I ordered the 30th anniversary edition, thinking it would have bonus special features in honor of the anniversary, but as far as I can tell, it's just an earlier DVD version...with a new cover literally attached to the outside of the case."
"kids left home. Vizzini, you simply love to hate him. Billy Crystal, Carol Kane . .this movie is a treasure trove of faces, one liners, and fabulous entertaining family fantasy fun! No filth, no foul language, but romance, adventure, chivalry, honor and a Holocaust Robe!"
"This is my all time favorite movie. It's just a really fun movie for all ages."
"I heard Mandy Patinkn tell the story of Rob Reiner summing up the movie as a boy searches for his true love, and that pretty much sums it up! Rob Reiner loves satire and has filled this film with many of his friends in guest star roles."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Classic Historical Fiction

All the Light We Cannot See
A beautiful, stunningly ambitious novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Werner is a German orphan, destined to labour in the same mine that claimed his father’s life, until he discovers a knack for engineering. Yes, there is fear and fighting and disappearance and death, but the author’s focus is on the interior lives of his two characters. Never mind that their paths don’t cross until very late in the novel, this is not a book you read for plot (although there is a wonderful, mysterious subplot about a stolen gem). It is through their individual and intertwined tales that Doerr masterfully and knowledgeably re-creates the deprived civilian conditions of war-torn France and the strictly controlled lives of the military occupiers.High-Demand Backstory: A multipronged marketing campaign will make the author’s many fans aware of his newest book, and extensive review coverage is bound to enlist many new fans.
Reviews
"It has been a while since I have found a book that I wanted to read slowly so that I could soak in every detail in hopes that the last page seems to never come. When reading the synopsis of this novel, I never imagined that I would feel so connected to a book where one of the main characters is blind and the other a brilliant young German orphan who was chosen to attend a brutal military academy under Hitler's power using his innate engineering skills. I was invited into the pages and could not only imagine the atmosphere, but all of my senses were collectively enticed from the very first page until the last. In most well-written books you get of a sense of what the characters look like and follow them throughout the book almost as if you are on a voyage, but with this novel, I could imagine what it was like to be in Marie-Laure's shoes."
"On the other hand, as the author describes it, “It’s also a metaphorical suggestion that there are countless invisible stories still buried within World War II.” Add in a newly blinded French girl who is forced to leave her familiar surroundings, and you’ll soon find yourself in literary heaven. There are lessons about the brain, sitting inside the darkness of our skull, interpreting light; there are lessons about coal having been plants living millions of years ago, absorbing light, now buried in darkness; lessons about light waves that we cannot see—all applicable as the story unfolds. The author also includes connections to the song Clair de Lune, the book 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, and a fictional story about a priceless diamond called the Sea of Flames, whose owner “so long as he keeps it, the keeper of the stone will live forever.”. I cannot proclaim loud enough how much this book means to me; I have been left awe-inspired."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Classic Literary Fiction

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harperperennial Modern Classics)
Harper Lee's Pulitzer prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep south—and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred, available now for the first time as an e-book. Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus--three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. Like the slow-moving occupants of her fictional town, Lee takes her time getting to the heart of her tale; we first meet the Finches the summer before Scout's first year at school. Then Atticus is called on to defend the accused, Tom Robinson, and soon Scout and Jem find themselves caught up in events beyond their understanding. During the trial, the town exhibits its ugly side, but Lee offers plenty of counterbalance as well--in the struggle of an elderly woman to overcome her morphine habit before she dies; in the heroism of Atticus Finch, standing up for what he knows is right; and finally in Scout's hard-won understanding that most people are essentially kind "when you really see them."
Reviews
"Told in the first person, Scout, Jean Louise Finch, introduces to life in he small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama in the early 1930's."
"Set in the days of segregation and racial hatred in America, it was a telling example of how justice was not for black people."
"Where Gone by the Wind elaborates in a dramatic and sentimental manner, To Kill a Mockingbird stays level-headed and down-to-earth, told as it is, in a genuinely naïve and innocent voice."
"I was just a young teen and too wrapped up in myself to. understand that civil rights were only granted to white men. Atticus, a rather distant but loving. father, accepts his children for who they are -- ornery, smart and little left of center."
"...what was wrong with GCHS that didn't make us read these wonderful stories?"
"I somehow managed not to read this as a kid, but I'm glad I was inspired by my current 7th grader to read it now."
"It can be kind of hard to read books that are written with regional slang on every page. It's a must read for Americans to help get our race relations and biases in perspective. It's a must read for anyone who's human and wants to understand what that means just a little bit more."
"Those of us whom want a change or for those of us who have teens that don't want to read it....this performance will turn that around..."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Classic American Fiction

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harperperennial Modern Classics)
Harper Lee's Pulitzer prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep south—and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred, available now for the first time as an e-book. Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus--three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. Like the slow-moving occupants of her fictional town, Lee takes her time getting to the heart of her tale; we first meet the Finches the summer before Scout's first year at school. Then Atticus is called on to defend the accused, Tom Robinson, and soon Scout and Jem find themselves caught up in events beyond their understanding. During the trial, the town exhibits its ugly side, but Lee offers plenty of counterbalance as well--in the struggle of an elderly woman to overcome her morphine habit before she dies; in the heroism of Atticus Finch, standing up for what he knows is right; and finally in Scout's hard-won understanding that most people are essentially kind "when you really see them."
Reviews
"Sympathetic , emotional and profoundly moving , To Kill a Mockingbird seethes to the bases of human conduct -to blamelessness and experience, generosity and savagery , love and scorn, puerility and tenderness."
"Not only is Lee's writing filled with beautiful sentences (though often stunningly economical...) the book deals with many critically important issues, even for today's reader. She examines many social issues -- race and economic inequality, sexual inequality, mental illness, child abuse, and the inequity sometimes found in our judicial system."
"It is written from a child's point of view when children were shielded from knowledge by their parents and allowed to run free and become caught up in their imaginations. But it also includes a secondary plot of the racism that is pervasive in America and gives the reader a lot to think about even in 2015 (especially in light of current events)."
"Considering the time frame when this was written, Ms Lee addresses the problem of hate for someone's race as the terrible scar that it is in a unique and gentle but firm way that draws you into the story."
"Told in the first person, Scout, Jean Louise Finch, introduces to life in he small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama in the early 1930's."
"Absolutely delightful book that gives the reader a view of the world in the 1930s through the eyes of children. By using the perspectives of Scout, Jem, and Dill, Harper Lee is able to bring to light serious social issues using the wit only a child character could get away with and still be sincere."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Classic Coming of Age Fiction

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harperperennial Modern Classics)
Harper Lee's Pulitzer prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep south—and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred, available now for the first time as an e-book. Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus--three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. Like the slow-moving occupants of her fictional town, Lee takes her time getting to the heart of her tale; we first meet the Finches the summer before Scout's first year at school. Then Atticus is called on to defend the accused, Tom Robinson, and soon Scout and Jem find themselves caught up in events beyond their understanding. During the trial, the town exhibits its ugly side, but Lee offers plenty of counterbalance as well--in the struggle of an elderly woman to overcome her morphine habit before she dies; in the heroism of Atticus Finch, standing up for what he knows is right; and finally in Scout's hard-won understanding that most people are essentially kind "when you really see them."
Reviews
"Told in the first person, Scout, Jean Louise Finch, introduces to life in he small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama in the early 1930's."
"Set in the days of segregation and racial hatred in America, it was a telling example of how justice was not for black people."
"Where Gone by the Wind elaborates in a dramatic and sentimental manner, To Kill a Mockingbird stays level-headed and down-to-earth, told as it is, in a genuinely naïve and innocent voice."
"I was just a young teen and too wrapped up in myself to. understand that civil rights were only granted to white men. Atticus, a rather distant but loving. father, accepts his children for who they are -- ornery, smart and little left of center."
"...what was wrong with GCHS that didn't make us read these wonderful stories?"
"I somehow managed not to read this as a kid, but I'm glad I was inspired by my current 7th grader to read it now."
"It can be kind of hard to read books that are written with regional slang on every page. It's a must read for Americans to help get our race relations and biases in perspective. It's a must read for anyone who's human and wants to understand what that means just a little bit more."
"Those of us whom want a change or for those of us who have teens that don't want to read it....this performance will turn that around..."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Western Fiction Classics

Grizzly Killer: Under The Blood Moon
Along with his dog Jimbo, Running Wolf his Ute partner and their wives they travel to Rendezvous, where they battle the dreaded Blackfeet and Zach fights for both justice and honor.
Reviews
"This book, the second in the series with "Grizzly Killer: The Making of a Mountain Man" being the first, is a welcome and refreshing change from the modern genre of urban mayhem and street violence."
"There is a little repetition of regiments and duties of safe camping in the wilderness and great humanizing of indian life on the prairie, as well as insight into real mountain man/trapper life in the early western expansion. We need REAL heroes again like in the best westerns of the past, and the author gives one in this series!"
"Really enjoyed this, an excellent continuation of the Grizzly Killer saga."
"Warenski is a very good story teller, much like the Native Americans that are so much a part of his books."
"Great read, both books."
"I didn't post a review of book #1 because I wanted to read #2 asap just finished the second one in the series and it's 12:46 AM."
"I really like the mountain man genre and this book is a real page turner!"
"A particularly good tale, fairly accurate, reasonably predictable, a lot of editing errors (spelling errors, their instead of they're and such) but you can't have everything."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Religious Fiction Classics

Nora Roberts's Bride Quartet
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
"2) Rated 5★ Emma & Jack prove that friends can turn into love and even with the misunderstandings, makes for lasting love!"
"This series will take you away on a journey into the lives of the women of “Vows”."
"I enjoyed the Bride Quartet Series immensely."
"This is such a great book, that I look forward to going back and reading these stories again like some that I already have, and I am impatient to read the rest of Nora Roberts' stories right now. Hot, Hot, Hot, love scenes, a well written, creative and intriguing story about family plus inventive, vivid characters, all on top of seriously wonderful love and romance."
"I read this series in paperback and love them though my favorite all time set was time was and time and again."
"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."
Find Best Price at Amazon