Adult

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.

Let me admit right now that this is not Chabon’s best work. Actually, I have an agenda here: I want readers to discover Chabon, who is one of the best novelists in America today. This book can take a while to get into, but I promise you will be impressed by the end. Hopefully, it will get you interested in picking up a copy of one of Chabon’s longer novels, like The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.

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.

Maybe it is because I spent all of April home (I did not travel for business once) or maybe it is because I am on a diet, but I seem to have done a lot of soul-searching and reflecting recently. Cannon’s lovely novel about dealing with a loved one’s death is both heartbreaking and hilarious. It made me want to dig into the dirt and plant a Southern garden.

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.

Don’t let Amazon fool you (it lists the book as 400 pages): the final 150+ pages are notes and references. This book, subtitled “The Future Is Better Than You Think,” will dazzle you with its positive outlook on the world’s state of affairs. Diamandis and Kotler have done their research and compiled a wonderful examination of the future of health care, education, technology and a host of other fields. I found this book to be so fascinating that my friends have grown tired of all the tidbits I have offered from this marvelous text.

I read a review of this book that complained it was actually only 130-140 pages of actual writing, and that immediately drew me to the text. While it is the author’s debut novel, it is a fairly bizarre and humorous set of tales of veterans’ Gulf War syndromes. It is not as political as some claim. Just enjoy it and don’t read too deeply into the situations (e.g. the veteran who grows a third ear).

The perfect relief to those of you rushing through your lives in a constant state of stress (i.e. “me”). Easy-to-read wisdom from a number of contributors helps anyone focus on what is really important in life, even if you have to put it down to answer your cell phone, e-mail a client and/or lead a videoconference. I need books like this to keep me going while I am on the road, feeling lonely and guilty about not being with my family.

Treat yourself to this wonderfully entertaining summer read, as Ironside – who is just about to turn 60 – brushes aside calls to join book clubs or volunteer in Africa in favor of accepting how old she is and who she is. Marvelously written.

Part of the Donut Shop mystery series – and I confess, I had never heard of the series. Happy to discover these, as they are succinct, engaging and – at times – very funny.

If you have never read anything by Tom Stoppard, you are in for a treat. I rate him as one of the most important playwrights of out time. You may have seen his screenplay Shakespeare in Love. This tale is also set in Elizabethan times and focuses on the mundane daily rituals of two minor characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Hilarious and original, like all of Stoppard’s works.

If you have not yet rewarded yourself with one of Evanovich’s fantastic tales of Jersey bond enforcement agent Stephanie Plum, you are in for a real treat. Nothing gets me reading like a funny mystery, and Evanovich reminds me of a female Gregory MacDonald (author of the Fletch series).

Subtitled “Words to Awaken Your Heart,” this collection of Facebook quotes and “soul-bytes” will provide you with the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of life.

So, who’s in charge of America’s schools? This book is a good introduction to anyone who wants to better understand the challenges educational leaders face.

No, I did not include this book because I am infatuated by Communist revolutionaries. I enjoyed this book because it is one of the few journals that truly captures the simple traveler’s life on the road, and there are very limited travelogues on South America (although I hope to write one based on my experiences in 1996). A movie version of the book will soon be in theatres.