“'The History of the Decline of the Roman Empire,' by Edward Gibbon. I just have a general interest in history - of the ancient world in particular.”

— Kuroki Gonzalzles, Kansas University senior, Lawrence

“'The World is Flat,' by Thomas L. Friedman. It's about trends in globalization and outsourcing jobs. He thinks that both are inevitable and they also have some positive outcomes.”

— Jing Li, Free State High School senior, Lawrence

“'Never Let Me Go,' by Kazuo Ishiguro. It's a Booker Prize finalist, and I've always enjoyed those books. They're extremely well-written and unusual. It's a very prestigious award. You know you're getting a good book.”

— Diane Meyer, speech language pathologist, Lawrence

“I just finished 'The Alchemist,' by Paulo Coelho. It's about a young man's quest for his own happiness and the meaning of life.”

— Michael Aldridge, director of technology, Lawrence

“'The Pilgrim's Progress,' by John Bunyan. He was like an earlier C.S. Lewis. He writes spiritual allegories of a person's Christian journey.”

— James Kellogg, audit manager, Lawrence