This I am serious. This is just about the first Lovecraft book I ever got. If I were to go broke or die I will certainly not get rid of this one. In this book are all of Lovecrafts finest works. Though I must say to read them at first you will not understand quite fully,especially if for the first time reading Lovecraft. I recommend reading: The Loved Dead, The Hound, The Rats in the Walls and, Nyarlathotep.

An excellent compilations of many of the short stories that did not make it into many of the mass market anthologies of recent years. Though yes, it also has a few of the old standbys like the Call of Cthulhu and At The Mountains of Madness. The small font and two-column layout means that there is a good deal more material in this book than the page count might tend to imply.

This is the definitive collection of Lovecraft; if you've never read his work, but want to check him out, this is the place to start.

In this first book in a five-volume set collecting all the short stories of Philip K. Dick, we get a chance to see the first stories he wrote and published and can learn that from the very start, Dick was a great writer.

This is one of those rare story collections where there absolutely NO bad stories. Each one is a well-written and interesting piece; some have a dark humor, others are utterly horrifying, but each one is good or great in its own way.

Written in the 1950s, these stories are a refreshing change of pace from some of the more banal sci-fi pieces to come out of that era. The emphasis here is not on the science (which is often unexplained) but on the fiction: the characters, the mood and the plot. Adept at the plot twist, Dick often resolves his stories in logical but unanticipated ways.

From evil toys and malicious butterflies to trolls and lethal towels, Dick puts us in a number of worlds not far removed from our own and entertains us from first page to last. I look forward to reading the other four volumes in this set; some of the stories I have read before and others I haven't, but I'm sure I'll have a blast with all of them.

There are three consistent aspects to PKD's (Philip Dick's) work that I find compelling:

1. He constantly asks the (most important) question, "What is the nature of reality"?

2. He repeatedly states and offers evidence that the answer to the question "What does it mean to be human?" is the ability to feel empathy.

3. His plots involve such "ordinary" people, and have excellent character development - so you quickly get to understand them. Meanwhile, the story involves some bizarre science fiction device , idea, or condition, that he makes a part of this very normal human's world. You're quickly drawn in by the master.


PKD spent a significant amount of time thinking and writing about philosophy. In a way, reading his stories is an entertaining way of doing a survey of his take on the world's philosophical history without having to read (and understand) endless tomes of the great philosophers. You can see how this changes in PKD as you read different books in the Collected Stories series.


Philip makes it abundantly clear that he hates much of the stupidity that mankind inflicts on itself. War is a commonly expressed example of this. Of course, with the science fiction plot theme, he can easily spread examples of this through time, through the galaxy, and beyond (even to gods, other sentient races, etc).


As is tragically true so often with deep thinkers, Philip's life was far from carefree...As a consequence, and the fact that he's obviously a man bent on searching for TRUTH, his writing often has a dark underlying feeling. Comedy is sprinkled through the stories, but it too has a dark quality. Even the moments of greatest joy provide a somewhat bittersweet feeling, due to the background of the plot worlds. But again - reading PKD is not a dose of happy-pills, it is about TRUTH, whether pretty or not.


No matter who you are, these stories will make you think and I suspect learn a thing or two. They cover such a variety of plots that almost everyone is bound to be pleased by some, alarmed or saddened by others, and to feel a surge of empathy for some situations and realize that (bizarre as the situation may be) - this too is human.


I think it would be truly impossible for any thinking person to read and reflect on the 118 stories in the 5 volume series and come away completely unchanged. And for the vast majority of us (to borrow a PKD novel title) "Cosmic Puppets" with empathic capabilities, I'm betting the change will be for the better...

Reading the collected short stories - Volumes 1 through 5 - is like watching the old Twilight Zone. Weird and wonderful stuff!

This book is a reference every manager should keep in his desk or by his bed to read from time to time. It is uplifting, encouraging and simple to read. I rate this little book very highly. There are plenty of topics and with 365 quotes more than enough material to bring you back again and again.

I am a 31 year old wife and mother with a B.S. and Masters degree and a state license in clinical social work. I am always on the look-out for motivating and introspective literature to help inspire my clients, and to teach my 2 year old daughter. What I found in reading this book were several quotes that were so profound I had to sit with my thoughts for a while. I had expected to find only chapters dealing with happiness and well being, but discovered from the first chapter that overcoming adversity is key to both. The words in this book have already inspired me to create change in my life, to value all of my strengths, and to think hard about what my definition of a successful life really is.

Lisa Wright, LPC

This is a wonderful compilation of thought provoking and inspiring quotes on many different and important topics! This book is applicable to many different ages of people with diverse occupations, gender and religions. I will love to have this book for all of my adolescent and adult clients so as to inspire them to reach higher and further than they already are reaching. I think it is important for all of us to try not to re-create the wheel, but to pull from the experience and words of those who have already "said it so well". I was impressed by the wide range of topics and the quotes to cover them. I challenge anyone to read this book and become inspired to grow. There isn't a person around who could read this book and NOT be inspired to change something in their lives!

Elissa Gifford, LPC NBCC

One of my favorite memories of my youth is that of my grandfather sitting down to read to me from this book. The timeless stories mix hilarity with common sense; their life lessons appeal to all ages. My all-time favorite is the Armadillo story, from which I can still quote directly. You and your children will benefit from and find much delight in these wonderful stories. Buy this book, Best Beloved - you'll be glad you did.

this is an excellent, intelligent book that will make everyone smile. the animal stories are cute and compelling and silly...after my sister took our childhood copy of this book, i'm buying it for myself. although it is intended for children, it is written with such an intelligent wit that adults, too, will find the stories endearing. this is an especially charming book to read aloud.

DETECTIVE STORIES is a wonderful compilation of a few of the best detective stories that have ever been written. Some stories, others elaborate, some puzzling, and some rather comical, this wonderful novel includes mysteries written by legendary detective authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, Raymond Smullyan, Issac Asimov, Italo Calvino, And Tony Fletcher. The first story, THE SPECKLED BAND, is by Arthur Conan Doyle and features everyone's favorite detective: Sherlock Holmes. It's a little bit of a scary story involving a terrified woman who hears the strange, low whistle is the night air that once killed her sister while she was sleeping. The mystery is deep and dangerous, and chilling. Another personal favorite of mine was THE CROSS OF LORRAINE by Isaac Asimov, which elaborately tells the story of a keen magician who met a woman who disappeared as soon as he took a liking in her. Even he can't find her, and when he tells the story of the vanished lady to guests at a dinner, the plot of the mysterious vanishing thickens. Yet another wonderful mystery is that of FINGERPRINTING A GHOST, by Tony Fletcher. It is a frightening tale that involves the obvious supernatural: taking the fingerprints of a mysterious ghost that appears and reappears in an old house in order to solve a mystery. These are just some of the mysteries available in this great novel selected by my favorite author, Philip Pullman, who also wrote the wonderful HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy and the thrilling Sally Lockhart mystery trilogy. It even has one very silly and comical story just for fun in case the reader has had too many serious reads. Any detective story fan shouldn't miss out on this thrilling read, perfect just before bed when it is at the peak of its fright.

This book was the scariest book I have ever read. All of the characters are deep, and the plots are very complex and twisted. It is a thuroughly enchanting book, all of the books in it, I should say. All of the stories grab you and don't let go. It's a full time thriller, you can't get away.

I have allways loved Andersons fairytales, for their darkness and insight, and Brent's illustrations fits them perfectly. A beautiful book for a fairytale collector, or a precious gift for a child, you cannot go wrong with this one.

I have read and re-read this book so many times the binding has completely fallen apart. I can't imagine a better collection of stories and illustrations, perfect for any age!

This is another one of the American Girls Short Stories series about Josefina Montoya, a nine-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824. When Josefina's grandparents arrive with her aunt Dolores, Josefina finds herself suddenly torn. She had always been her grandmother's favorite, and mainly because she reminded her so much of her dead mother, a fact that Josefina had always been proud of. But now, she is getting older and is beginning to grow in directions her mother never had, a fact that her grandmother finds disappointing. What can Josefina do?

The final chapter of this book is a fascinating look at women's rights in 1824, both in Mexico and in the United States. (Plus there are directions for making apple empanditas, and delicious apple tart!) And, as always, Jean-Paul Tibbles' illustrations are excellent, and help to make this a truly wonderful book.

This is an excellent story, and a wonderful addition to the Josefina stories. My daughter and I both enjoyed the story for itself, and I like the lesson it taught, both for children and the ones who love them. My daughter and I both highly recommend this book.

"Just Josefina" is the most recently published (and fourth) short story about Josefina. "Just Josefina" fits between the books "Meet Josefina" and "Josefina Learns a Lesson". Josefina's grandparents have brought Tia (Aunt) Dolores to stay with Josefina's family and to visit. Josefina and her sisters greet their grandparents with respect, and then Josefina helps Abuelita freshen up after her journey. It is clear that Abuelita holds a special place in her heart for Josefina. It is also clear that Abueblita expects Josefina to be a quiet, well mannered girl who follows the rules of conduct, even when her sisters don't.

Josefina is torn between wanting to please her Abuelita and wanting to be herself. At a party, Tia Dolores plays her piano while the friends and neighbors dance. She urges Josefina to show them the new dance that she has learned, but Josefina is too young to dance in front of others. Abuelita is shocked at Tia Dolores's suggestion, and claims that Josefina is too shy. But dance is exactly what Josefina wants to do, and ends up doing, to Abuelita's disapproval.

Then, her skirt button pops. Abuelita had given the skirt to Josefina because it was the skirt of Josefina's deceased mother, and Abuelita's oldest daughter. Josefina tries to give Abuelita the skirt back, because, like Abuelita's image of Josefina as being shy and obedient like her Mama, it just didn't fit. In the end, the skirt button can be adjusted to fit, just like how Abuelita sees Josefina can be changed to accept Josefina as "Just Josefina".

This book is my favorite out of the Josefina short stories because of the clear, dignified portrayal of Abuelita as a traditional Spanish matron. I also enjoyed this book because Josefina learns that she can communicate who she is without compromising her relationship with her grandmother.

First of all I would just like to point out that I have only read the original Welsh version of this novel. Briefly this novel follows a madman and his memories as he wanders around his childhood home. The man finds it difficult to tell the difference between past and present and he presents a distorted picture of the village life, a village where suicide, transvestism and insanity are a constant presence. These scenes become more poignant since they are presented by the voice of a child.

The greatest strength of the novel is that it shows rather than tells. Thus we are presented by the insanity of a crowd after a football match, the insanity of a mother after a lifetime of poverty and hardship as a single mother, the fevour of organised passionate religion and the eccentricities of different characters within the novel. It is left to the reader to decide how much of these, and all the suffering and death the child witnesses throughout the novel affect his future state of mind.

In addition to insanity the novel deals with the empty hypocripsy of organised religion, the intolerance of a small community, poverty, the loss of innocence, guilt, the Oedipus complex, the psychology of a child.

The main character is particularly well drawn and the supporting cast are all interesting. Since the novel draws heavily on Caradog Prichard's own life the events themselves feel alive, especially the scene where the child's mother is sent to an assylum.

If you dislike ambiguous novels however this may not be the best novel for you. For example an ever present destructive earth pagan goddess seems to dominate the present of the main character. She may be an embodiment of the main character's guilt, a mother figure he yearns for or a lost love. It is difficult to be sure. Otherwise I would highly recomend that you read this book.

Well rounded characters. Very readable

One moonlit night is a first person narrative which follows a man through a north Wales village on a moonlit night having been away for many years. On passing through different memories come to his mind. So far so conventional.

The man is insane, he speaks with the voice of a child. Stuck in a never never land inside his head he finds it difficult to tell the difference between happier times as a youth and his current more troubled state. The narrative does not follow a conventional timeline but jumps to and fro between different times in his life as they come to mind ever leading towards the climatic downfall.
The village like the character and the novel itself is shrouded by a dark atmosphere. In the first chapter alone we are introduced to insanity, illness, suicide and sexual immorality made all the more poignant since they are seen through the eyes of a child.

The main theme of the novel is insanity. The novel deals with insanity in it's entirety whether the insanity of a crowd engulphed by football passion in a game or engulphed by intense religious passion; or an individual's insanity as he confronts death, sexual passion or following a lifetime of suffering. The mother in the novel breaks under the strain of illness, poverty and being single parent.

Other themes discussed are the loss of innocence of youth, the pressures of poverty on a rural community, suicide, religion and the empty hypocrisy of organised religion, the destructive power of sexual desire, the relationship between men and women, the Oedipus complex and guilt.

Caradog Prichaard used a great deal from his own life in writing this novel therefore the characters are rounded and interesting and there is a real sense of gritty realism to the events. However this novel is not for those who intensely dislike ambiguous novels. There is some ambiguity about what happened to the boys father for example. Otherwise buy this book.

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Samantha Parkington, a nine-year-old orphan girl living in the America of 1904. In this book, when Samatha's Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia present her with a beautiful new bicycle, she's overjoyed. However, when her she suffers an accident, she finds her love for the bike turned to fear. She wants to ride the bike, but what can she do?

The final chapter of this book is a wonderful look at bicycling in 1904. We found this so entertaining, that we had to share it with the whole family! This is a great book, with very good illustrations, and an excellent lesson. My eleven-year-old daughter and I loved reading it, and we think that you will too!

I first read "Samantha's Blue Bicycle" when I was 12, under a different title in American Girl magazine. This mini book takes place between Samantha's Surprise and Happy Birthday, Samantha!. Uncle Gard and Aunt Cornelia come back from their honeymoon with a present for Samantha..a blue bicycle. Samantha likes it at first, until she discovers that her skirts always get caught in the bike. Samantha refuses to ride her bike, but then gets help from an unexpected source. A great read!

This is a short story in the American Girls Short Stories series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1865. After the joy of celebrating the end of the Civil War, Addy's world is thrown into confusion when she receives the news the President Abraham Lincoln was shot. All her hopes for a better future seem gone. However, just when things look their darkest, Addy finds reason to hope.

The final chapter is a historical look at Lincoln's death and its aftermath, and then a nice quiz on Mr. Lincoln. (My eleven-year-old daughter got 8 out of 8!) Once again, Connie Porter has produced a great Addy book, one that shows what life was really like, and teaches a lesson. We highly recommend this book!