Fiona Regan, lecturer, Dublin, Ireland

“‘The Green Fool,’ by Patrick Kavanagh. I like his poetry, and he writes very beautifully about his home town in this novel. You can really visualize everything that’s happening.”

Mountain Barber, McLouth High School sophomore, rural McLouth

“‘Interesting Times,’ by Terry Pratchett. It just kind of mocks everything. It even mocks mocking things.”

Erica Shamrock, waitress, Lawrence

“I’m reading Bill Bryson’s ‘The Best American Travel Writing 2000.’ He’s a witty, funny author. He gives his personal perspective on traveling and the places he has been to.”

Nkemdirim Ezekwe, Kansas University senior, Lawrence

“‘The Known World.’ It’s set in Virginia. It’s a historical fiction about slavery.”