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The Lilies of the Field

The Lilies of the Field

By William E Barrett 128 pages Adult

Danny Says

With the help of a black ex-GI, some determined German nuns build a chapel in the desert. Short in length but filled with substance, the movie earned Sidney Poitier a well-deserved Oscar in 1963.
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Heart of Darkness

Heart of Darkness

By Joseph Conrad 78 pages Adult

Danny Says

I like to sound intelligent every now and then by including a classic. This book freaked me out in high school, as it tells the story of a man whose African expeditions lead him to the heart of the Belgian Congo and the darkness of man’s desire for power (classically adapted by Francis Ford Coppolla into his Vietnam epic Apocalypse Now). I am always more fascinated learning the story behind the story (the same as the story behind any great painting), and you may find it interesting to know that English was Conrad’s third language (he preferred to write in French).
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The Member of the Wedding

The Member of the Wedding

By Carson McCullers 176 pages Adult

Danny Says

This one could just as well be classified as “young adult,” as I have introduced it to teenage girls with very positive results. It is the coming of age story of a young girl who has made up her mind that she will go on her brother’s honeymoon whether she is invited or not. A very well-written novel.
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Creative Visualization

Creative Visualization

By Shakti Gawain 192 pages Adult

Danny Says

As the school year winds down for many, I thought I’d offer this simple yet powerful guide to meditation. This is an easy book to read with a variety of helpful exercises. Don’t take my word for it, though, as it has been a bestseller for over 25 years.
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The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership

The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership

By Steven B. Sample 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

So what if I am a disciple of Steven Sample? I’m a proud Trojan, and anyone can learn a thing or two from USC’s President, who has raised over $3 billion in his ten years there. For a book on leadership, this is a practical, easy-to-read book that I kept beside my bed and read a chapter each night before I went to bed. I especially enjoyed his thoughts in Chapter 10. Buy the book to find out what I am talking about.
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A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

By Anthony Burgess 213 pages Adult

Danny Says

While this is not one of my favorite books, I can appreciate its incredible use of language (Burgess, after all, was a linguist). Most people find the book to be hilarious, but it just disturbed me. Perhaps that is a tribute to its powerful images.
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The Restraint of Beasts

The Restraint of Beasts

By Magnus Mills 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

If you know Quentin Tarantino, you may want to pass him along a copy of this hilarious and macabre tale of fencemakers gone awry. Leave it to the British to write the best deadpan humor in the world. This story makes Pulp Fiction seem tame.
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Grinding It Out

Grinding It Out

By Ray Kroc 256 pages Adult

Danny Says

I am a sucker for good biographies, and this quick read on one of the most important people to change the world is a must for anyone interested in capitalism, perseverance or Big Macs. Ray Kroc must have been a fascinating person to know.
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The Bridges of Madison County

The Bridges of Madison County

By Robert James Waller 208 pages Adult

Danny Says

Let me preface by saying this is not my favorite book. It is, however, a good, lazy read for those in the mood for an end-of-summer romance novel. I included this book when I learned a startling revelation: this was the bestselling non-religious book of the 1990s!
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Being John Malkovich

Being John Malkovich

By Charlie Kaufman 160 pages Adult

Danny Says

Whenever I am busy at work and cannot find time to read books, I turn to screenplays. You can read most screenplays in 2-3 hours, and it is interesting to see how a director’s vision may differ from that of the writer. Charlie Kaufman should have won the Oscar for this script, as it is the most original screenplay of the last decade.
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Utopia

Utopia

By Thomas More 84 pages Adult

Danny Says

I decided to throw in a piece of literature to sound intelligent. Actually, More’s classic is just as applicable today as it was back in the 15th century. It reads a lot like Plato’s “The Republic,” only this one gets to the point. I’d recommend it to any politician in search of clarity.
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Bag the Elephant

Bag the Elephant

By Steve Kaplan 188 pages Adult

Danny Says

There seems to be a proven rule that the shorter the business book, the better the information. That certainly proves true in the case of this gem that is great for anyone interested in developing winning strategies and attitudes (while the book is business-oriented, the principles can be applied to all sorts of areas).
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Happy Anniversary!: A Guide to Fun and Romantic Anniversary Celebrations

Happy Anniversary!: A Guide to Fun and Romantic Anniversary Celebrations

By Robin A. Kring 200 pages Adult

Danny Says

This month my parents celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary. That’s about 35 years longer than the typical American marriage, and I know my brother, sister and I are so happy that our parents decided to get together (we wouldn’t be here without them). I like this book because it is the perfect coffee table book: you don’t have to read it cover to cover, as you can take your time and read a random couple of pages from time to time.
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Goodbye Mr Chips

Goodbye Mr Chips

By James Hilton 64 pages Adult

Danny Says

Before Mr. Holland has his opus, this classic (also turned into a great Oscar-winning movie with Robert Donat) followed Mr. Chips, who dedicated his life to education after the untimely death of his wife. A heartwarming story that should be required reading for beginning teachers (even though I am opposed to required reading).
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Fear Strikes Out: The Jim Piersall Story

Fear Strikes Out: The Jim Piersall Story

By Jim Piersall,Al Hirshberg 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

As the summer leaves us, I had to include at least one baseball book. This is one of the best. Piersall’s autobiography has less to do with his incredible fielding exploits for the Red Sox in the 1950s and more to do with his nervous breakdown (later made into a mediocre film with Anthony Perkins). Quick and captivating reading.
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