Adult

Discover Your Inner Economist: Use Incentives to Fall in Love, Survive Your Next Meeting, and Motivate Your Dentist

By Tyler Cowen 245 pages Adult

Danny Says

My inner economist told me to buy this book because it was on the cheap rack at Barnes & Noble (you’d be amazed how many random, brilliant books you can find for under $5). Cowen writes like Malcolm Gladwell about principles popularized by Freakonomics, and I found myself thoroughly entertained and intrigued throughout this delightful read. Cowen also convinced me that I shouldn’t feel badly about watching only parts of movies or putting books down after a few chapters.

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Bottom of the 33rd: Hope, Redemption, and Baseball's Longest Game

By Dan Barry 272 pages Adult

Danny Says

Time for baseball, so why not start with the best baseball book I have read since Jane Leavy’s excellent Sandy Koufax? Barry chronicles the longest game in baseball history, a 1981 minor league affair between the Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings (featuring a couple of young lads named Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken, Jr.). As long as the game may have been, I wish the book never ended. Great writing and fascinating story.

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Housekeeping: A Novel

By Marilynne Robinson 219 pages Adult

Danny Says

This book proved to me that just because a book is short does not mean it is a quick or easy read. It took me awhile to get through, but Housekeeping rewarded me with a mini-course in how to write the English language. I do not know what I think about this book yet, which usually means it is a really good book.

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Little Patient Big Doctor: One Mother's Journey

By Haleh Rabizadeh Resnick 170 pages Adult

Danny Says

All parents need to read this book. Ever have a doctor tell you something, and your gut instinct told you that was not the right thing for your child? This book will illuminate all sorts of questions parents should ask their medical providers – as parents need to remember that they know more about their children than just about anyone else. It is also so easy to read that it will not intimidate anyone.

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Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout

By Philip Connors 272 pages Adult

Danny Says

Maybe it is because I am getting older and constantly seem to be busy with family or work-related issues or maybe it is my fond memories growing up in the mountains of the Four Corners area, but I immediately connected with this beautiful book by former journalist Connors talking about his experiences as a seasonal “fire watcher” in the Gila National Forest of New Mexico. His prose moved me like no book since Norman MacLean’s A River Runs Through It, and ever since reading it I have felt the need to go on a wilderness hike and soak in the air. Connors also provides excellent insights into forest preservation. Just a really enjoyable reading experience.

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Twelve Angry Men (Penguin Classics)

By Reginald Rose 96 pages Adult

Danny Says

Director Sidney Lumet passed away in April, and he left behind a stunning legacy of celluloid achievements. My favorite, though, is the one that began his career: a movie version of Rose’s powerful play Twelve Angry Men. I encourage you to re-read this play (or enjoy it for the first time), and then watch the movie with one of the most amazing casts ever assembled on screen (I cannot think of one less than stellar performance in the ensemble, headed by the mighty Henry Fonda). This play is timeless.

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This Is a Book

By Demetri Martin 288 pages Adult

Danny Says

Don’t worry about the page count, as there are plenty of blank pages and spaces to justify this selection. It should take you only a few hours to read, and you’ll thank me for it, as Demetri Martin is simply one of the funniest comedians around nowadays (set your DVR to Comedy Central at 3:34 a.m. sometime to catch his hysterical show, Important Things with Demetri Martin).

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Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

By Gregory Boyle 217 pages Adult

Danny Says

If you have never heard of Fr. Gregory Boyle, you are in for an inspirational insight into his wonderful work reforming gangsters with HomeBoyz Industries. Uplifting and thought-provoking.

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Sweet Ginger Poison

By Robert Burton Robinson 180 pages Adult

Danny Says

As summer begins I understand that a lot of folks are looking for quick beach reads. What better than a fast-paced murder mystery on a lazy afternoon?

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Independence Day: A Broken Heart's Voyage Around the USA

By Jim Keeble 256 pages Adult

Danny Says

I was looking for titles related to the 4^th of July and stumbled upon this hilarious travelogue of Keeble’s misadventures across America, following his girlfriend’s rejection of his marriage proposal at Niagara Falls. This book makes for great quick reading by the pool and BBQ grill.

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Thank You Notes

By Jimmy Fallon,the Writers of Late Night 176 pages Adult

Danny Says

I have to confess that I did not think Jimmy Fallon was very funny at first, but he has definitely grown on me. I admire a lot of the comedy bits he does, and this is one of those books where I constantly found myself laughing aloud. Perfect coffee table reading for when you are stuck waiting for someone.

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The Kiss Murder

By Mehmet Murat Somer 256 pages Adult

Danny Says

During these hot summer days there is nothing better than sitting in the shade with a good mystery. If you are not familiar with Mehmet Murat Somer’s six-part Turkish delight series, you are in for a real treat as this is one of the funniest page-turners with the most unforgettable protagonist I have read about in recent memory.

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The Brutal Language of Love: Stories

By Alicia Erian 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

Probably the greatest joy I get from reading short stories are the innumerable quirky characters and situations gifted authors can portray. This book was a breeze to read and did what any great book does: it made me laugh, it made my cry and it made me (heaven forbid) think.

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Vintage Hughes

By Langston Hughes 208 pages Adult

Danny Says

As the summer days wind down, why not treat yourself to a lazy afternoon reviewing this superb collections of poems from one of America’s finest poets, Langston Hughes? He is one of my favorites.

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Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within. (ROUGHCUT)

By Maria Shriver 112 pages Adult

Danny Says

Why did I choose this book? Lots of reasons, but three in paricular: (1) I like Maria Shriver, and I wanted to show a bit of support for her during what must be a very rough time in her life; (2) what better way to start a new school year than to push yourself with what amounts to a terrific graduation speech; and (3) the book can be read while waiting at the doctor’s office!

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Adult

Discover Your Inner Economist: Use Incentives to Fall in Love, Survive Your Next Meeting, and Motivate Your Dentist

Bottom of the 33rd: Hope, Redemption, and Baseball's Longest Game

Housekeeping: A Novel

Little Patient Big Doctor: One Mother's Journey

Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout

Twelve Angry Men (Penguin Classics)

This Is a Book

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion

Sweet Ginger Poison

Independence Day: A Broken Heart's Voyage Around the USA

Thank You Notes

The Kiss Murder

The Brutal Language of Love: Stories

Vintage Hughes

Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question. Little Book. Answer Within. (ROUGHCUT)

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