Mary Butler, sales associate, Lawrence

“‘Five Comedies,’ by Plautus and Terence. I just started it, and it’s very complicated right now. I think it’s supposed to be funny, but it’s really not.”

Cara Orban, book store clerk, Lawrence

“Right now I’m reading ‘Time Quake,’ by Kurt Vonnegut. It’s a half-fictional biography, half-science-fiction adventure, where the characters involved in the time quake get thrown back 10 years.”

Dave Palamaro, editor, Los Angeles

“‘The Second World War in the West,’ by Charles Messenger. It’s a very in-depth book about the battles of World War II.”

Sam Turner, Kansas University sophomore, Lawrence

“I just read ‘Dharma Bums,’ by Jack Kerouac. It’s about his travels across the U.S. in search of enlightenment.”

Chris Romain, desk attendant, Overland Park

“I’m reading ‘I: Subjectivity and Reality.’ It’s about metaphysics, spirituality and kinesiology.”