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A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens 78 pages Adult

Danny Says

Does it get any better than Charles Dickens? He was basically the John Grisham of his day, popular with everyone but the critics. Whether I am teaching 12th graders or preschoolers, this book is a mandatory read aloud. With young children I like to make the story highly interactive, allowing students to shout “Bah-humbug” whenever I say Ebeneezer Scrooge, “Ahh” whenever I say Bob Cratchit and “God bless us, everyone” whenever I say Tiny Tim. Every child needs to hear this tale of kindness and the true meaning of Christmas.
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An Iliad

An Iliad

By Alessandro Baricco 174 pages Adult

Danny Says

Sticking to Classics, I sped read this alternate version of Homer’s The Iliad. I think this book would make a great supplement for high school students reading Homer’s original. Baricco is one of the most talented writers I have read for the past ten years, and I highly encourage you to pick up any of his works, beginning with his debut Silk. Trust me: if you read Baricco, you will be more intelligent because of it.
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One More Year: Stories

One More Year: Stories

By Sana Krasikov 256 pages Adult

Danny Says

When I see high praise from Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner) on a book jacket, chances are I am going to have to buy that book. In this stunning debut of short stories about Russian immigrant experiences in America, Krasikov manages to write downer stories that have hope. I love this book and look forward to a lot more from this gifted author (how does the Iowa Writers’ Workshop produce such consistently great talent?).
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So You Think You Can Be President?

So You Think You Can Be President?

By Iris Burnett,Clay Greager 210 pages Adult

Danny Says

A new President gets sworn in this month, and many Americans catch themselves wondering, “Could I be President?” The authors of this fun book have put together a battery of 200 questions to see if you have what it takes. I learned that I certainly cannot be President based on my past (and present).
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Points of Light

Points of Light

By Robert Goodwin & Thomas Kinkade 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

I am so proud to be an American, and one of my guilty pleasures is being involved with wonderful charities like BookEnds and The Wonder of Reading. This delightful book profiles some of the extraordinary differences ordinary American citizens make every day. A good read for those who want to affirm the positive things about our country.
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The Story of a Marriage

The Story of a Marriage

By Andrew Sean Greer 195 pages Adult

Danny Says

Endorsements usually sell me, and when I see that both Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner) and Dave Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) love something, I have to buy it. Greer is a gifted novelist who understands how to be economical with words. This easy page-turner deals with sexual and racial restraints in the 1950s. The language of the story is wonderful.
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And Never Stop Dancing: Thirty More True Things You Need to Know Now

And Never Stop Dancing: Thirty More True Things You Need to Know Now

By Gordon Livingston 192 pages Adult

Danny Says

Grab a copy of this book, or anything else by Gordon Livingston, if you want a quick read that makes you smile, think and treat others better. Subtitled “Thirty More True Things You Need to Know Now,” this book is filled with simple wisdoms that rank among the best writing I have seen since Robert Fulghum. How can I not recommend an author who has an uncanny ability to inspire me to be a better human being after every book? I am serious – check out anything by Gordon Livingston.
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Zero Mostel Reads a Book

Zero Mostel Reads a Book

By Robert Frank 40 pages Adult

Danny Says

For truly lazy readers, I recommend reading lots of books by photographers. Not only are they quick reads, they tend to leave readers seeing the world from different perspectives. Robert Frank is an interesting photographer, but this book is a hoot, as it highlights one of my favorite comic talents, Zero Mostel, excelling at what he does best: pantomime.
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Phaic Tan

Phaic Tan

By Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner & Rob Sitch 256 pages Adult

Danny Says

From the creators of Molvania, this latest fake travel guide made me laugh and yearn to get back on the road of leisure travel. There is nothing better than encountering foreign cultures and griping about the things we fail to appreciate about our homeland every day.
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From the Mountain, From the Valley

From the Mountain, From the Valley

By James Still 176 pages Adult

Danny Says

I spoke throughout Kentucky this past summer and fell in love with the Bluegrass State. My friends, the teachers of Hindman, presented me with this wonderful collection of poems about Kentucky. Still’s writing provides a lyrical Appalachian tongue with observations that leave the reader craving for more. 
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The Sign for Drowning

The Sign for Drowning

By Rachel Stolzman 192 pages Adult

Danny Says

Poignant look at one woman’s efforts to overcome the personal childhood tragedy of losing her sister. I like stories about hope, and this one fits the bill. Just beware that you may shed a few tears on the way. Remarkable debut novel.
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Great Peacemakers: True Stories from Around the World

Great Peacemakers: True Stories from Around the World

By Ken Beller,Heather Chase 208 pages Adult

Danny Says

Too much found in history books focuses on wars and the people who participate in them. What I love about this uplifting book is that it exposes audiences to 20 significant examples of a better way to live. The chapters are brief enough to make ideal read alouds for teachers and parents of students of all ages. The best part of this book: its focus on the good on this planet.
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The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told

The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told

By Rick Beyer 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

This past month we lost one of my favorite authors and speakers, the incomparable Paul Harvey. Rachel Reichman recommended I try Beyer’s wonderful series of books (there are three in total) that each include 100 two-page vignettes about amazing events. I love them! Buy all three of Beyer’s books. These are perfect for teachers and parents to use to calm students down and gain their attention during transitions. 
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Damage

Damage

By Josephine Hart 195 pages Adult

Danny Says

A reader complained I include too many happy books on my list and not enough fiction. Well, here is a depressing book of fiction that you can read in one evening. Stephen Fleming is a middle-aged British politician who lives the ideal life – or so we think. His obsession with his son’s girlfriend can only lead to destruction, but Hart writes a novel that makes readers turn pages to see how far this tragedy can go.
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A Lion Called Christian

A Lion Called Christian

By Anthony Bourke & John Rendall 280 pages Adult

Danny Says

Need something to lift your spirits? Indulge in this true story of two Aussie wanderers in London who bought a lion cub at Harrod’s and watched their pet grow big quickly. Rather than put Christian in a zoo, they flew him to Kenya under the care of lion expert George Adamson. A stunning reunion sparked a youtube.com sensation that caused this uplifting tale’s re-release. The perfect antidote to the dreary nightly newscast.
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