What are you reading? / LJWorld.com

“I just finished reading ‘World Without End,’ by Ken Follett. It’s about 13th century England, but I almost think I liked ‘Pillars of the Earth’ better.”

— Betty Henning, retired, Brownsville, Texas

“‘The Grapes of Wrath.’ It was recommended to me by my mom, and I’ve really enjoyed all of the other John Steinbeck I’ve read so far; always such beautiful description.”

— James Pillar, cashier, Lawrence

“‘The Historian,’ by Elizabeth Kostova. It’s kind of a historical fiction about the background of Dracula.”

— Lisa Patrick, homemaker, Lawrence

“The last one I read was ‘Moby-Dick,’ by Herman Melville. I put that off for about 30 years, and it turns out it’s a great book. I know more now about whales than I ever thought I would.”

— Matt Cahill, potter, Lawrence

“I’m currently reading ‘The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,’ by Edward Gibbon. I love history, but it’s a lot to read. I actually started it last year, and I’m trying to finish the first three books by the end of the school year.”

— Alyson Smith, Kansas University sophomore, Overland Park

Dejacrew423 4 years, 8 months ago

I am reading Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich and also just started Bleeding Kansas by Sara Paretsky. Why does no one comment on this? I'd love to hear suggestions of good books!!

XEPCT 4 years, 8 months ago

I'm reading Black Lamb and Grey Falcon by Rebecca West. It is her personal account of taking a six week journey through what was then Yugoslavia in 1939, immediately before Europe descended into the chaotic horror that was World War Two. It gives a fascinating contemporary depiction of the tense lead up to the war in what once was a profoundly multicultural country and is filled with colorful anecdotes about the histories of the different South Slavic peoples. For anyone interested in the Balkans, it is an absolute must read.