“‘Passages in Caregiving’ by Gail Sheehy. I’m caring for my roommate, who has stage four breast cancer. It helps you see that people are living the way you are.”

— Francene Beall, organist, Lawrence

“‘Crossfire’ by James Patterson. I like his style. I like his detail. I like the way he portrays his characters.”

— Debra Hinshaw, home teacher, Lawrence

“‘American Assassin’ by Vince Flynn. It’s about a 23-year-old high achiever and he’s trained to become an assassin. ... I heard about the book from Glenn Beck.”

— Judy Krizman, retired, Lawrence

“‘Monsoon’ by Robert Kaplan. It was recommended to my brother in Arizona. It’s about America’s foreign policy in southeast Asia, around the Indian Ocean.”

— Steve Martin, respiratory therapist, Lawrence

“‘Heavenly Intrigue: Johannes Kepler, Tycho Brahe, and the Murder Behind One of History's Greatest Scientific Discoveries’ by Joshua and Anne-Lee Gilder. It’s a book on two famous scientists, and whether Kepler might have murdered Brahe for his notes. I won it at our Astronomy Associates of Lawrence annual Christmas party.”

— Bill Wachspress, balloonman, Lawrence