Adult

Let me just come out and confess: I love everything Nick Hornby has ever written and will probably ever write. I like books that make me smile, and while this book is a collection of his articles for Believer magazine, the entire book left me feeling like I had accomplished something by the end of only a couple of hours. In my mind Hornby is simply one of the most readable, funny and gifted authors around.

This one totally caught me off-guard with its wit and charm. When Alex dies with her dog in a car accident, she is thrilled to find out how great Seventh Heaven is but becomes distressed to discover she has to pass an entrance exam or risk being demoted to Fourth Heaven. Perfect beach reading.

With an extensive glossary and loads of pages for notes, this book reads more like a 180-page book, as I breezed through it on a flight from L.A. to New Orleans. The title sounds a bit negative, but Cardone is nothing but positive energy as he calls readers to action in selling themselves, no matter what their field.

While the earthquake hit Haiti in January, many Americans have forgotten of this tiny country’s struggles. Trost’s remarkable journey to feed Haiti’s needy takes place before the earthquake, but I urge people to read this tale to learn more about the Western hemisphere’s poorest nation. To learn how you can help, visit childhope.org, one of my favorite charities.

Have you ever read the real Grimm’s Fairy Tales? They’re pretty creepy, and Knipfel does a fine job of providing his own mischievous tales. I grabbed the book for its title and came away a big fan of Knipfel. I cannot wait to read more of his work.

Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts has always seemed to be one of the most refreshing personalities on television, so it was disheartening to find out she had cancer. In her typical fashion, though, Roberts has taken on cancer with a positive outlook, and I always like to read inspirational books by nice people.

Doerr manages to combine a couple of my passions: travel and the brain. If you have not yet read his travel memoir Four Seasons in Rome, you’re in for a treat. Memory Wall is a novella of short stories deals with faded memories in distant lands, and Doerr is one of the few authors who I wish would write books that are a little longer. He leaves you wanting more! 

This book is a real kick for Cliff Clavins like me who love useless information, such as the origins of certain terms in our vocabulary. Witty, easy-to-read – perfect!

Subtitled “The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities,” this gem acts as an encyclopedia of dangerous garden items. I found the book fascinating.

I just began taping the first episodes of my local TV show People Make a Difference, which highlights the positive contributions of people in my community. In this book famous clothing designer Cole has collected 90 stories from various authors that should inspire people from all walks to get out and make the world a better place. I love books like this.

As summer winds down I thought it would be fun to include a title for you to delight in others’ misery. Torkells is the editor of Budget Travel magazine, and this collection of anecdotes submitted by readers range from outrageous to  improbable, sometimes dull to mostly hilarious. A good way to end one’s day.

One of my goals for my students is that they look at various points of view. I don’t ask them to agree with any points of view; I want them to think critically. This is the perfect book for asking students to re-examine 9/11 from various perspectives. Hamid has created a deeply moving story that is the perfect antidote to the mindless squawking of television politico-shock jocks.

Subtitled “Highlights from the Golden Age of Parenting Advice,” this hilarious book features wisdom from the “good ole days” that is guaranteed to draw smiles from any parents that feel like they are failing. Grab a copy of this book and read real ads that featured “delicious” baby laxatives or advice like this gem: “The nursing mother should cleanse her nipples before and after each feeding with boric acid solution.” This book is a perfect coffee table conversation piece.

Part travelogue, part beachcombers’ guide. Moody provides accounts of her run-ins with flotsam and jetsam that can be at times funny and fascinating. Where does the stuff that reaches our shores come from? This book sparked my curiosity about debris that litters our oceans. Any book that sparks a curiosity is worth the read.

Alright, so it’s a little over 250 pages. The print is big, and the reading is easy. A great airplane self-help read, as I enjoyed how Ciaramicoli, a clinical psychologist, provides clear steps for achieving greater balance in one’s life and not being obsessed with others’ approval. I think it is worth recommending to middle and high school students, too.