Rob Bennett:

Ender’s Game  If it can hold Steven Ives’ attention for 300 pages…..

Klondike Fever   It is a narrative history of the Klondike gold rush.  There are two versions by Pierre Burton- Klondike and Klondike Fever.  The second one is better.

Robert Boncheff :

 A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. This represents a current quantum theory as it applies to multi-dimensions, string theory, and gravity expressed in a way that laymen should be able to get after the 5^th read.

Shelley Culver:

Mistress of the Art of Death - Ariana Franklin and any of her other books

Darkwing- 4^th in the Silver wing set- Kenneth Oppel

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter -Kim Edwards

Too Funny  The Numbered Books or the Lucky series

Linda Dubois:

I really liked The Coroner’s Lunch by Colin Cotterill. It is set in Laos in the 1970’s just after the communist revolution. A doctor reluctantly gets promoted to the position of Coroner. He takes his job seriously and is not willing to follow the party line as he investigates mysterious deaths. It is a fun and interesting read in an unusual setting. There are also sequels to this book.

Kim Franklin:

I am hoping to read two books I remember loving when I was quite young, The Source by James Michener about each layer of an archeological dig, and The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart, about Merlin and the birth of King Arthur.  Also planning on reading Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer since I got sucked into the first 3.

Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver is still an old favorite as was The Glass Castle, true story about a very dysfunctional family. 

Dave Lewis:

For kids:
Mysterious Benedict Society (there are two books – both are phenomenal!) by Trebton Stuart Lee

For Adults:
Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin (In my opinion one of the finest American lit books of the 20^th century!)

Once They Walked Like the Wind by David Roberts (fascinating Apache Indian History) Oh yeah and The Secret Knowledge of Water by Craig Childs – This guy is totally crazy

Also, anything by Christopher Moore

Eric Henry:

Holes by Lewis Sachar
For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway
Lord of The Rings series (and The Hobbit) by Tolkin
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall

Amy McCabe:

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley – My book I read when I’m homesick…a realistic portrayal of a farm family from Iowa, minus the molestation. These people could have been my neighbors.

The French Lieutenant’s Woman – As a fan of words and language, this book is pure heaven for me. Written in the 3^rd person with a truly engaging voice who occasionally inserts himself into the story and makes observations about what’s going on.

Lalani Pitts:

The Glass Castle  This is an awesome memoir.  Amazingly, against all odds, the narrator turns out just fine.  This makes you think about resilience, parenting, and homelessness while capturing your heart with beautifully written sentences. 

Doug Sutton:

I'm finishing up the Tom Clancy series - the Jack Ryan and John Clark books - starting with The Hunt for Red October and Patriot Games.  Call them espionage/military science books set during (and after) the Cold War.

James Patterson thrillers are quick and easy reads - the Alex Cross series has 10+ books - probably not considered high literature, but fun nonetheless.

Justin Thibault:

Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon
Short Description:  Inaccessible

 Amber Wichers:

Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? By Thomas Khonstamm (actually now that I think about it, this is not school appropriate at all! But it is a fantastic book by a Seattle guy)

Omnivore’s Dilemma by ?? (forget… same guy that wrote In Defense of Food)

Ann Smart

Tuesday’s with Morrie by Mitch Album. Any educator would love this book. It is a true story about a man who learns his favorite professor is dying of ALS and spends the last months of his life by his bed side learning about life, love, and happiness. After Tuesday’s you will want to read, The Five People You Meet in Heaven and For One More Day.

Reread Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Movie is out in July!!!

 Morgan Lingbloom