Adult

What is it about Afghani writers? One of the best books I have read in the last decade was Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, and now Ahmedi presents this touching autobiography of growing up as a girl in Kabul and escaping death after stepping on a landmine. This book inspired me and kept me awake at the thought of Ahmedi’s harrowing experiences.

Perfect reading for those interested in an intriguing story about a small town priest who questions his faith, his vows and everything around him. Breezed through this book.

This is one of my all-time favorites, as it hilariously follows the adventures of Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect as they hitchhike their way through the galaxy following the destruction of Earth to build an intergalactic overpass.

Maybe this book touched me because of my own children, as Resnick offers a refreshing perspective for parents to be advocates. It is alright to trust one’s instincts and maintain healthy skepticism when doctors prescribe this or recommend that. I think more people need to educate themselves and ask a few more questions before anyone tells them what is or is not best for “their” children. Very informative and easy to read.

When you talk about literature at cocktail parties, you sound pretty smart. Here’s a two-for-one: important literature by important author AND IT’S SHORT.

When I need inspiration, I turn to books or the television show CBS Sunday Morning. Every now and then, the show features a wonderful book, and that’s how I came across Vujicic’s incredibly motivating tale of how he has not let the fact that he was born without arms or legs prevent him from achieving all he has wanted to achieve; on the contrary, he credits his perceived “disability” as being the driving force that has helped him accomplish so much before the age of 30. I cannot wait to watch him speak in person and tell him how much I admire him.

Here is sci-fi at its best by a wonderful Los Angeles author. Essential reading for those of us who consider books vital to society.

I love inspirational stories, and if you can get through Sorbo’s autobiographical account of his journey from playing Hercules on television to battling a brain aneurism and multiple strokes (before the age of 40) without shedding a tear or two, you’re stronger than me. I have to admit that I’ve never seen his television show, but the strength and humor he shows in this book has made me a huge fan.

Great parable about learning leadership with some very practical reflective exercises. The principles learned by the authors as Air Force pilots provide an excellent reflective process for anyone determined to improve their leadership skills. I breezed through this book and dog-eared a bunch of pages.

Finally! Waiting around for the next George Saunders collection of short stories is as frustrating as it used to be anticipating when the next episode of Lost would air. He is a terrific writer, and you’ll breeze through this book with a greater appreciation for what is becoming a dying art: the quirky short story.

It's not 300 pages, after you remove the 50-page bibliography! Riveting tale of historical figures like Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John & Abigail Adams. Every American should read this amazingly succinct collection of stories that shaped our country.

With school starting, a lot of teachers, students and parents find themselves with little time to read. I have just the cure: M.C. Beaton. Beaton’s series of mysteries featuring Scottish detective Hamish Macbeth is one of my favorites, as these books are always quick, intelligent and written with just the right amount of humor.

If you do not regularly read the New Yorker, you may not be familiar with the wonderfully witty Frazier. This book profiles the REAL desperate housewife, and it is so uproariously funny that any reader having a bad day should get a real kick out of this treasure.

This is a very warped, fun book with a great opening: “Mother died today. Or yesterday, maybe, I don’t know.” Some funny characters, and mentioning this book at a cocktail party will make you sound “deep.”

I selfishly included this book on this month’s list because I am caught up in pennant fever, and I am pulling for the Dodgers to hold on to the NL West. Rick Monday has always been one of my favorite commentators, and he is beloved by all for sparing the American flag from a couple of knuckleheads who tried to ignite it on the field of a game at Dodger stadium in the 70s. This book recounts the ups and downs of the 1981 world champion Dodger team, with great anecdotes about one of my favorite teams. Yes – this is a selfish pick.