S. Grace Waltz, barista, Lawrence

“I’m reading ‘Blood Meridian,’ by Cormac McCarthy. It’s set in the Old West, and it’s about a traveler who joins a small army to rid the country of Native Americans, but realizes he’s made a huge mistake.”

Dylan Black, construction worker, Lawrence

“‘The Basic Political Writings’ of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. I’m a philosophy major, so I thought I should have a good understanding of it. This is actually the fourth time I’ve read through it.”

Esther Adany, Kansas University sophomore, Lawrence

“‘A Zoo in My Luggage,’ by Gerald Durrell. He’s a naturalist who has written many books about his life and animals.”

Sarah Ramirez, teacher’s aide, Lawrence

“‘Tuesdays with Morrie,’ by Mitch Albom. It was about the author’s relationship with his professor when he was an undergraduate and near the end of his life, and how he helped him gain perspective about his own life.”

Christina Leuty, volleyball coach, Lawrence

“‘The Perfect Mile,’ by Neal Bascomb. It’s about the quest to run the mile in under four minutes.”