Zack Hart, Kansas University senior, Lawrence

“‘Dirt Music: A Novel,’ by Tim Winton. It’s a family drama about a lobster-fishing community in western Australia.”

Marty Hayes, retired teacher, rural Tonganoxie

“‘The Kite Runner,’ by Khaled Hosseini. It’s about two boys in Afghanistan who come from different classes and the way they deal with each other during their childhood and as adults.”

Kyle Batson, freelance Web designer, Lawrence

“I just finished ‘Guns, Germs and Steel,’ by Jared Diamond. It’s kind of a sociological and anthropological history of why certain civilizations conquered others.”

Jill Blancho, pastry artist, Lawrence

“‘Life Among the Savages,’ by Shirley Jackson. I just like her short stories a lot, so I though I would read some more of her novellas.”

Eric Nielson, retired, Lawrence

“‘Ask and It Is Given,’ by Esther Hicks, Jerry Hicks and Wayne W. Dyer. It’s about visualizing positive things and then receiving them.”