Adult

“LARP” is an acronym for “live action role playing,” which, you might presume, is something of a hobby for “wannabes.” You would be right, and that is what makes the underdog heroes so appealing in this fast-paced adventure that has its share of laughs along the way.

Probably the most annoying thing about reading John Maxwell’s books is the number of pages I wind up dog-earring. He is such a wonderful teacher. I love his anecdotes, and his teaching points will have a tremendous impact on anyone committed to becoming a better leader.

I have a confession to make: I love reading short mysteries. I’ve read just about every Agatha Christie, and I treasure reading a book from cover to cover in one sitting. Bishop writes in a very reader-friendly style, and I plan on reading more of her work. This book is a breeze.

Ever since reading The Alchemist I have found myself devouring Coelho’s books, as he is truly insightful in dispersing gem’s about how to live a meaningful life.

As summer approaches, I always like to create an excuse to read anything Peter Mayle has to offer. After breezing through this crime novel, I have a feeling you’ll yearn to travel to the South of France as much as me.

I have my friend in Tuscaloosa, Annie McClendon, to thank for introducing me to this gem collection of writings by the immensely talented Bragg. From Southern cuisine to football, there’s something for everyone in this easy-to-read book.

Several subscribers have asked me to review more romance novels. I cannot say that I am the best person to recommend romances, but I can say that I had no trouble selecting this book, as I already love Maine. Surprisingly good writing from first-time novelist Connie Falconeri of General Hospital fame.

This is a perfect book for light and entertaining reading. Actually, the book that is in bookstores now has a collection of Capote’s short stories, including this classic about Holly Golightly.

I love Truman Capote for a number of reasons: (a) he was best friends as a child with To Kill a Mockingbird scribe Harper Lee; (b) his stories are very different and all well-written; and (c) I read a story that a six-year-old boy sent Capote a story he wrote, and Capote mailed the boy this response: “good writing…poor spelling…send more.”

That boy turned out to be a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Moral: be nice to everybody because you never have any idea who they may or will be.

Sunee Foley recommended this “almost” memoir to me, and it appealed to me because it is written in verse. The book reads a lot like Larry McMurtry’s excellent (but longer) Terms of Endearment.

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).

So what if it’s a tad bit longer than I’d like. Patricia and Jay Edie, as well as Jill Aguilar, recommended this book to me, and I am so glad I read this hilarious and touching mystery of sorts.

I do not know quite how to categorize this book: think Rain Man meets As Good As It Gets, with touches of Memento and What the Deaf Man Heard thrown in. Do I sound like a guy who can pitch a movie to Hollywood or what?

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.

Since I have started conducting motivational leadership seminars, I have read an endless array of books on leadership.

This is one I recommend because of its length, lessons and readability (many thanks to Beverly Franco for telling me about it). Written more as a parable (a la Ken Blanchard) than a business text.

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.

Say that title five times fast. I am a sucker for travel memoirs, especially ones with “quixotic” journeys (“quixotic” is such a wonderful word, and I find I get to use it so infrequently). I had read some of Unferth’s fiction, and she brings her solid writing to this wonderful story of her idealistic travels throughout Central America in the late 80s with her boyfriend. Both were looking for a worthy cause to fight for, and, like any good travelogue, this one features plenty of bumps in the road that should garner tension and laughs.