Francesca Vance, KU lecturer, Lawrence

“Right now, I am reading a book on compassion by the Dalai Lama called ‘An Open Heart.’ It teaches how to be empathic and put yourself in other people’s shoes.”

David Vance, architect, Lawrence

“I’m reading ‘The Feud that Sparked the Renaissance.’ It’s about Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti and the competition for the baptistery doors in Florence.”

Desiree Warren, KU sophomore, Lawrence

“I just finished ‘The Poisonwood Bible’ by Barbara Kingsolver.”

Brendan Pisstachio, airplane mechanic, Lawrence

“‘The Illuminatus Trilogy’ by Robert Anton Wilson. The book starts over three times. … So it’s parallel universes coexisting next to each other.”

Marcela Quintana Lara, KU graduate student, Lawrence

“I’m reading a book by Paulo Coelho called ‘Brida.'”