Adult

Schirripa, who used to play Bobby Baccalieri on The Sopranos, made me laugh heartily during this delightful read. A great gift!

An amazing memoir of a neurosurgeon diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Kalanithi begins to re-examine all of life’s biggest questions in a work that should cause all of us to slow down and reflect a little more.

Ellen Degeneres has about as much exposure nowadays as Jessica Simpson, only she has talent and warrants every kudo. Read this on the beach with a margarita and enjoy life. Ellen is plain funny.

Had to read this book, as I loved the title. I am not usually someone who is drawn to science books, but Zuk’s wonderful knack for creating intrigue at every corner while educating laypeople make her a natural teacher. Where was she when I was asleep in high school life science class? I think even arachnophobes would enjoy this book.

How have I managed to live so long in Los Angeles and never read a Raymond Chandler book? This guy rocks! A friend gave me this book and told me it was Chandler’s last book – not necessarily his best. No matter, as it is short and sweet and has given me an appetite for his other works.

Touching mother-daughter tale delivered by the dependable Pulitzer Prize-winning Strout. This short novel examines the complexity of love and is a very rewarding read.

The title is a lot like the writing: too long (my dissertation had a shorter title). However, grab a copy and snag some very useful advice on how to retire by the time you turn 47 (like Kiyosaki did).

This book cracked me up, as I’m more accustomed to the Disney version of mermaids than the terrifying sirens that prevail in this page-turning mystery.

Not your typical self-help book, this delightful read will have you laughing on every page and – hopefully – encourage you to go out and be all that you can be.

What ever happened to short titles? Regardless, P.J. O'Rourke is one of the funniest political satirists today. I once bumped into him at the bar at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. He said, "Hey," and I replied, " Excuse me." That is about the extent of my brushes with celebrities.

A couple of years ago I attended a motivational workshop at the Pond in Anaheim that included some of the biggest names in sports: Magic Johnson, Pete Rose, Jerry Rice…some big-name sports figures. The last speakers were 1984 U.S. Olympic gold-medalist gymnasts Peter Vidmar and Mary Lou Retton, and they blew everyone else out of the water (I told them that afterwards, too). I had to read Mary Lou’s book, and I breezed through this inspirational, autobiographical self-help guide. Some really good stuff on motherhood, and even 18 easy recipes, as well.

A compilation of 28 short stories (part of the Travelers’ Tales series) by 20 very funny writers like Bill Bryson, Dave Barry and Calvin Trillin, I love books about travel misadventures, and this book is filled with hilarious horror stories from abroad. If you enjoy this book and have any friends in the publishing business, please e-mail me, as I am trying to get my book published (tentatively titled From Backpacking to Marriage in Eleven Complicated Steps). How’s that for a commercial?

This book surprised the heck out of me. I was looking for a book to recommend for father’s day, and a friend handed me a copy of Lindberg’s just-released, wonderful autobiographical account of life as a father (of three young daughters, bless his soul) and punk rock singer. I realize I am lame and have never listened to Lindberg’s band Pennywise, but I will definitely look them up. Lindberg is from the Los Angeles South Bay (where I live), and I could relate to so many of his views and observations that I finished the book in one sitting (laughing and nodding the entire time). I think you will love this gem, and I hope to bump into Lindberg sometime...outside of a mosh pit, that is.

Not that she needs my help, but Sue Grafton is a wonderful mystery writer that everyone needs to read. This is not my favorite of her “alphabet mystery” series, but I do appreciate her descriptions of how detectives pry through countless documents in search of clues.

This is number 13 in the Harry Bosch series, and it does not disappoint. Reading Michael Connelly’s books is like watching a great three-hour movie: it is a wonderful journey, and by the time it ends you cannot believe the time flew by. You will enjoy any of these crime books set in my beloved Los Angeles.