Adult

I love reading autobiographies, and this goes down as one of my favorites. I am so sorry that I never ha the chance to meet Sam Walton, as he truly was an American original. I learned so much from this book about hard work, singular focus and maintaining one’s core values. Everyone should read this marvelous book.

Moving mythic Alaskan legend about a couple of elderly women known by their nomadic tribe more for their complaining than contributions. When the tribe abandons the two in the dead of a grim Arctic winter, a powerful and inspirational tale ensues.

Powerful program meant to inspire people to take control of their days before their days control them. Easy to read and easy to follow.

So what if the book may be over 300 pages with all the appendices? If you enjoyed Malcolm Gladwell’s excellent The Tipping Point, you have to read this book. If it were up to me, every teacher, manager and leader would get a copy of this book, which teaches how to get ideas to stick to people’s minds. Quite honestly, I have dog-eared numerous pages and find it to be one of the most useful books I have read in years. You will not regret spending a couple of hours plowing through this excellent book.

This month my parents celebrate their 37th wedding anniversary. That’s about 35 years longer than the typical American marriage, and I know my brother, sister and I are so happy that our parents decided to get together (we wouldn’t be here without them). I like this book because it is the perfect coffee table book: you don’t have to read it cover to cover, as you can take your time and read a random couple of pages from time to time.

When I read a quote on the cover of a book from Stephen King that boasts “the best memoir I’ve ever read,” I am just a tad curious about the contents. This book does not disappoint, as it tells the compelling story of Thomas as she deals with her husband’s brain trauma following a car accident. A truly honest, inspiring and often hilarious account.

Before Mr. Holland has his opus, this classic (also turned into a great Oscar-winning movie with Robert Donat) followed Mr. Chips, who dedicated his life to education after the untimely death of his wife. A heartwarming story that should be required reading for beginning teachers (even though I am opposed to required reading).

Since I despise textbooks, I have been on a fake textbook kick. If you are not familiar with The Onion, you are in for a treat, as the Onion provides readers with all sorts or egregious, inaccurate and hilarious “facts.” Since the news can often be a drag, I recommend you pay attention to the Onion’s news. It may not be true, but it certainly brings a smile to my face (something the nightly news rarely accomplishes).

This could also be classified as young adult, as this was the first book in middle school to get me to laugh so hard that I had to put the book down. Holden Caulfield is a profile of every teenager I've ever known (including myself), and it is a shame that this is one of the most banned books in America (attention all serial killers). I think the only reason I read this book was because there wasn't a movie - what a lucky break.

As the summer leaves us, I had to include at least one baseball book. This is one of the best. Piersall’s autobiography has less to do with his incredible fielding exploits for the Red Sox in the 1950s and more to do with his nervous breakdown (later made into a mediocre film with Anthony Perkins). Quick and captivating reading.

A wonderful coffee table book, this fun read includes the book jackets of some classic titles you may not be familiar with, like How to Avoid Huge Ships and People Who Don’t Know They’re Dead.

Lili Sanchez gave me a copy of this book that I used to read to my ESL students at USC. Can you believe that we had internment camps for Japanese Americans in the 1940s? This appalling chapter in American history is masterfully retold through one family's experiences (I believe this book formed the basis of a mediocre Dennis Quaid movie).

A quick, uneventful book that I include for two reasons: Diamant’s writing is superb, and I always like to read books about friendship. Any woman who has ever had a best friend will appreciate this lovely story.

Good riddance to the economic catastrophe known as 2009. It’s a new year, so why not get your finances in order? This is a practical, easy-to-read guide that conveniently maps out a financial strategy week-by-week. Very helpful.

If you really want to know what is happening in our schools, please do not turn to the newspaper or TV news. Grab a copy of this hilarious and heartbreaking work of staggering genius. Batory served for years in the “teaching and administrative trenches” of education, and this gem provides great insights that a lot of politicians and so-called “reformers” should take heed to instead of the nonsense perpetuating the corridors of power.