“'Dona Flor,' by Pat Mora and Raul Colon, courtesy of the Pinckney Elementary School library. My daughter has picked it out twice because she really enjoys the story, and the artwork is really good, too.”

— Kristen Walker, educator, Lawrence

“Patrick O'Brian's 'The Hundred Days.' I think it's the (19th) in the 20-book Aubrey-Maturin Series, which includes 'Master and Commander.' It's about the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars.”

— Vaughn Salisbury, biologist, Lawrence

“'The Day of Battle,' by Rick Atkinson. It's about the Italian campaign during World War II, from the invasion of Sicily all the way to Rome.”

— Randy Van Schmus, retired professor, Lawrence

“'Waiting for the Barbarians,' by J.M. Coetzee, who is a South African author. It's a fantastic tale depicting imperialism.”

— Steven Johnson, teacher, Lawrence

“'Eat, Pray, Love,' by Elizabeth Gilbert. I actually read it when it came out, before the whole Oprah effect, but I wanted to read it again. I think it has a specific importance for all women who want to maintain their independence and achieve their goals.”

— Betsy Coons, homemaker, Lawrence