Adult

Let me preface by saying this is not my favorite book. It is, however, a good, lazy read for those in the mood for an end-of-summer romance novel. I included this book when I learned a startling revelation: this was the bestselling non-religious book of the 1990s!

I do not know A.J. Jacobs, and yet I feel like he and I could hang together, as he has a similarly warped sense of humor. When I was younger I used to go on fake scavenger hunts to pass the time; Jacobs decides to try his hand at a variety of “lifestyle” experiments that lead to lots of laughs. Filled with ideas for the bored and boring.

In case you have not seen "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, this book makes a great segue into the mind of the man all politicians should fear for his sharp wit. What surprised me was how great his parody translates into print, and I especially enjoy his Larry King interview with a kinder, gentler Adolf Hitler.

Droban’s True Story of the ATF's Infiltration of the Hells Angels is a page-turner that passes the time like an episode of a TV true crime show. Fascinating look at two worlds I knew very little about, the Hells Angels and the ATF.

The highly uplifting memoir of a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic who just happened to grow up with Asperger’s Syndrome (and nobody diagnosed it – which could be seen as a curse and a blessing). To me, this is essential reading for all teachers.

I typically choose cheerful books for the list, but this thriller kept me turning pages. A father’s “accidental” vehicular homicide provides the setting for this very compelling read.

My type of book. I read it because a friend told me that anyone who is a fan of Monty Python and/or Douglas Adams would find this book hilarious. It does not disappoint. The author wrote the book to impress a girl. He may not have gotten the girl, but he won over this reader. A lightning-fast read with pauses only for laughs. I highly recommend this wonderful book, and I am thrilled that Defoe has already produced a sequel.

If you have not had the pleasure of reading a Claire Cook book yet, you are in for a real treat as she always finds a way to make me laugh. Some call it chick lit, but to me Cook writes in a way that is accessible to anyone in the mood to smile.

Watch for this to become a movie someday, as it has three strong female protagonists. I can already visualize Woody Allen filming this book, with its glorious Buenos Aires backdrop. Would have been perfect material for Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

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.