Adult

I could not put this book down! Ever heard of William Henry Ireland? Neither had I. This book takes you through his incredible con-job in 18^th century England, when he claimed to have discovered a bunch of never-before-seen documents written by Shakespeare. A fascinating tale that would make a great movie.

I first saw Patrick on Extreme Makeover: The Home Edition and was touched by his inspiring story of living with a disability and his incredibly supportive father (they perform as a team in the Louisville marching band). If you want to get motivated for the new year, I know no better book to show you how to put things in perspective and beat any odds.

Baker has written quite a few novels covering a lot of diverse topics. In this nod to the value of poetry, Baker writes about a poet trying to write an introduction to an anthology of rhyming verse. As a writer, I could relate. As a reader, I secretly cherished being part of a community of people who celebrate the rhythms of language.

Would you believe there is an emerging genre of food mysteries? Is this the result of the Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen? I can only speculate, but one thing I am sure of is that you will spend a wonderful afternoon devouring this fun mystery – part of a series, of course – by Carl.

Hemingway says in The Old Man and the Sea that the old man gets up early each morning because it may be his last. Elrod reminds us all how to count our blessings and celebrate each and every day. This is a wonderfully inspiring book that should be read by (or to) all ages.

I think just about any middle-aged guy – of which I am a member – can relate to this funny play on overly-obsessed American football fans.

Breezed through this guide to navigating the highly competitive white-collar world. While it is intended for college graduates about to enter the work force, I can see it as a very useful resource for parents and high school students interested in making great impressions on college recruiters. Very practical tips.

The title sold me, and the wickedly funny story did not disappoint.

Subtitled “Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes,” this book is simply AWESOME, and I would recommend it for everyone over the age of 18 (only because some of the jokes may be inappropriate for younger readers). I have always felt that humor is one of the best teaching strategies (and brain research confirms this), and I was fascinated by how co-authors Cathcart and Klein make philosophy interesting and hilarious.  Many thanks to Pat Gallagher for loaning me his copy.

If you know Quentin Tarantino, you may want to pass him along a copy of this hilarious and macabre tale of fencemakers gone awry. Leave it to the British to write the best deadpan humor in the world. This story makes Pulp Fiction seem tame.

Alan Alda is just one of my favorite actors of all time (not just because his name is great for a certain drinking game), as he made the character of Hawkeye Pierce my American idol. I had no idea that Alda almost died, and this book treated me to one of the best inspirational books I have read this year (and anyone who knows me knows that I read a lot of inspirational books). Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this wonderful and thoughtful account of how one man grapples with life’s eternal questions when given a second chance to live.

I wanted to give Steve Martin his props, as I was disappointed that he did not get to host this year's Oscars. I laugh at just about anything this man writes or says. This is a good book to cheer you up, and, at 128 pages, it should cheer you up quickly.

I am a sucker for good biographies, and this quick read on one of the most important people to change the world is a must for anyone interested in capitalism, perseverance or Big Macs. Ray Kroc must have been a fascinating person to know.

And_So_Can_You)

As far as I'm concerned, this Neil Simon classic is the funniest play ever written. Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar are two of the most delightful characters ever created in print.