Susan L. Recommends

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. And it boasts many great authors – E.L. Konigsburg, Karen Cushman, Avi, Bruce Alexander, Steven Saylor, and my favorite, Rosemary Sutciff, to name a few. But while I can declare a favorite genre and a favorite author , and even a favorite librarian, I can’t settle on a favorite book. But in these times, as we examine the definition of patriotism, Kenneth Roberts’ 1940 novel, Oliver Wiswell, comes to mind. This powerful, plausible and poignant journey through the American Revolutionary War in the shoes of a middle-class “loyalist” dispels any romanticized notion of patriotism.

Amy C. Recommends

I read two to three books a week and have a very eclectic reading style. But if I could only recommend one book to someone, it would have to be Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. I first read the book as an assignment in junior high school and have read it many times since. It is exciting, thought-provoking, and vivid. No wonder the book won the Nebula and Hugo awards... it’s a great read!

Kristin M. Recommends

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t read. I read a wide variety of books so it was hard to come up with one recommendation. I decided to recommend The Know-It-All : One Man’s Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World by A.J. Jacobs because this book made me laugh. This is a memoir of the year the author spent reading the Encyclopedia Britannica from A to Z. Doesn’t really sound funny but trust me it is an entertaining read. The author tells about his quest and how he used his newfound knowledge to amaze his family and friends. Along with enjoying the humorous writing I also learned some new and strange facts along the way. If you read this in the company of others be prepared to have them look at you strangely when you laugh out loud, because you will.

Lee S. Recommends

Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth’s Children Series) by Jean Auel is the first book in a series of five. I’ve read and enjoyed all in the series, but the first book provides the background and character description for the complete series. The books depict the journeys of a man and woman (Ayla and Jondalar) across Europe during prehistoric times.

Ross T. Recommends

The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge focuses on the five major leadership disciplines that lead to effective and strong organizations - personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, team learning, and systems thinking.

Beverly B. Recommends

The most important role I have in life is being a Grandma. Therefore, the book I have chosen, Double Trouble in Walla Walla by Andrew Clements, is a book I have read many times to my grandchildren. It is my personal belief, children learn to love reading from examples set by parents, grandparent and teachers. This book has wonderful illustration, wonderful sounds, and children love it. I often hear phrases from it repeated on occasion around our home. It is a happy read, and I highly recommend it.

Joanne H. Recommends

As I am a person who loves to read, and always has, there are many books that are considered favorites. Often it is the one that I am currently reading, or have just finished. Currently, I am reading, Kentucky Sunrise, by Fern Michaels. It is the last in a series of 10 books. The series began with Texas Rich and an introduction to the Coleman family and their strong, successful women. Ten books later, we have followed them through building a dynasty in Texas, a gambling empire in the desert of Nevada called Vegas, and multiple Triple Crown winners in Kentucky. You can find the series titles listed on www.fernmichaels.com. Enjoy.

Blaine N. Recommends

I highly recommend The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch, as an opportunity to pause and appreciate what really matters in life. Pausch, a professor at Carneige Mellon, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and as a means of leaving something that would help to define him to his young children, delivered his "last lecture." As an institutional tradition CM faculty are asked to consider what they would share with their students in their last lecture only in Randy's case this was his reality given the short time he has to live. The book doesn't cover the content of his actual last lecture, which is available at www.TheLastLecture.com but really speaks from the heart about the importance of some of the most important things in our lives.

Bentley G. Recommends

My book is A New Life by Bernard Malamud. This is one of those books where we wonder and dispute whether it's an autobiographical novel. It is a story of a young intellectual, on the skids in New York City, who comes to the Pacific Northwest to start a new life. He finds that it is hard to do, a change of location is not sufficient and, ultimately, he fails.

What fascinated me on another level was the description of university campus life and the feelings of inferiority faculty at Oregon State University -- where Malamud, in fact, taught English in the late '50s -- relative to life at the University of Oregon. The campuses, the roads and countryside that surround them, familiar to many of us, and university faculty and staff -- often with too little disguise for the comfort of several real people -- are vividly depicted.

Paula U. Recommends

At no time in recent history has there been such energy and excitement surrounding a presidential election campaign. Because of the importance of this election not only for us as Americans, but for the global community as well, I would challenge every voter to read books written by each candidate. Here are my recommendations:

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama.

This book gives insight into Obama's views on the Constitution, faith, the economy, our global community, and race relations. The author shares how he got involved in politics and how it has led him to run for the highest office in the country. After finishing this book, readers will understand why the author has embraced hope and change as rallying calls in his campaign.



Worth the Fighting For by John McCain.

In this memoir, McCain talks about his heroes, about service and honor, his initiation into politics, and his battles on the Senate floor over positions that he felt were worth fighting for. This book also provides some valuable insights into John McCain as a personality.


Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Hillary Rodham Clinton helps readers understand the forces that shaped her growing up and eventually led her to Yale Law School where she met Bill Clinton. Throughout this book, readers are given insights into the issues that have been important to this author and why. In this book, Ms. Clinton also gives us an inside look at her years in the White House.

H. Ní Aódagaín Recommends

My most favorite book, if I have to pick one, is Toni Morrison's, Beloved.

I love this book for its portrayal of a mother who loves her child so much she will destroy her rather than allow her to be taken into slavery. The power of Morrison's language and her ability to paint images with words always move me. I return to this book whenever I want to be fed by good literature.

Dennis O. Recommends

My book is When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan by Peggy Noonan.

This book shows that courage, persistence, honesty, and incredible patience in the face of setbacks are essential to success as an individual and a leader.

Katie C. Recommends

One of my favorite novels is Norwegian Wood, and I first read it because of a conversation about kitchen appliances. One day, my friend called and asked: “Which sounds better to you: ‘The cat was in the fridge,’ or ‘The cat was in the refrigerator’?”

“Isn’t the real question: why is the cat in the refrigerator at all?”

“Yes,” she said, “But I think you answered my dilemma.” As it turns out, she was translating part of a novel recently published in Japan for a research paper. The title was Kafka on the Shore, and the author (whom I had never heard of) was Haruki Murakami.

Murakami would eventually win the 2006 Franz Kafka Prize for his work on the surreal Kafka on the Shore, but this was in late 2002 or early 2003 and Norwegian Wood was the only title I could locate in translation. There was a summary on the back cover promising a “stunning and elegiac novel,“ “flaming love,” and absolutely no cats in refrigerators, all of which the novel fulfills admirably.

Kirkus calls this “one of Murakami's most appealing—if uncharacteristic—books.” I’d have to agree. This is a story about losing and finding yourself in your college years, with wonderful influences from other works of western writers and musicians like Raymond Carver and the Beatles, though it is set in Japan in the 1960s. The writing is beautiful even in translation, and Toru, the main character, manages to be both heartbreaking and wonderful.

If you enjoyed the movie High Fidelity, you will adore this book.

Charles Y. Recommends

One of my favorite books is The Washing of the Spears: The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation by Donald R. Morris. This is an outstanding example of well-researched history joined with engaging writing that makes you feel you are there in Zulu land in 1879. A history that, in short, enlarges perspective and excites interest in knowing more.

Sue G. Recommends

Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle is an excellent and thought provoking book. The style is reminiscent of John Steinbeck and opens with a quote from The Grapes of Wrath…"They ain't human. A human being wouldn't live like they do. A human being couldn't stand it to be so dirty and miserable." According to Wikipedia, it's "about middle-class values, illegal immigration, xenophobia, poverty, and environmental destruction."