John Isom, Des Moines

The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos: Humanity and the New Story Brian Swinne

Ask Me if I Care Nancy J. Rubin

Nancy Rubin teaches a Social Living course every year in the Berkeley, CA high school
system.  She's worked out ways of teaching the course that get students to share in 
words and writings their thoughts, feelings and how they are trying to cope with the 
problems of growing up in America today.

Esther Everett, New Sharon

Sleeping at the Starlite Motel Bailey White

Amusing essays of experiences of the Georgia author and her family.

Hear the Train Blow Patsy Adam-Smith

One of many books of this prolific writer of Australian life.  This book is about the
author's growing up in the Outback before the Second World War.

Babel Tower A.S. Byatt

Intriguing plot, actual events and unusual situations draw me to this author's 
writings.  This is a family breakup and publishing court case book.

Kathryn Zimmerman, Ames

Naked Science: Anthropological Inquiry into Boundaries, Power and Knowledge ed. Laura Nader

Nuclear Rites: A Weapons Laboratory at the End of the Cold War Hugh Gusterson

Sacred Pleasure: Sex, Myth and the Politics of the Body Riane Eisler

Dorothy Oakman, Lakeview

Saint Maybe Anne Tyler

Ian, the protagonist, is a saint in my eyes, no maybe about it!

Prairie Reunion Barbara Scot

A native Iowan returns to her childhood home to come to an understanding of her past.

The Lost Continent Bill Bryson

It makes you mad, it makes you laugh, it makes you say, "Yes-s-s!!"

Linda Burnett, Earlham

Follow the River James Alexander Thom

Thom writes well-researched historical novels.  This one is based on Mary Draper Ingles' kidnapping
and remarkable escape from Indians.  Mary lived to age 83-- her ordeal took place during her early
20's.  A very moving portrait of indomitable strength.  Any book by Thom is worth the money.

The Honeycomb Adele Rogers St. John

Her autobiography of her early reporting days... a remarkable woman.

Three Quaker Mysteries Irene Allen

Good insight into Quaker practices-- plus, it's a good mystery.

Pat Francisco, Panora

Horse Whisperer Nicholas Evans

An inspiring story of overcoming adversity with the help of caring professionals, friends and 
acquaintances.  Shortly after reading it, I saw a segment in TV about Monty Roberts, a horse 
whisperer.  It sort of turned fiction into nonfiction as he seemed so very much like Tom.

Ron Ewing, West Des Moines

Rose Martin Cruz Smith

It was a treat to read.  I have the sense that it would be a splendid book to read aloud.  Smith has
almost a poetic ability with word usage.  And that, in my mind, isn't even the best part of the book!
That, to me, is the character development.  His characters are very well drawn and fleshed out.  He's
done this with a minimum of adjectives.  The development is almost all done by using the interactions 
of the characters to provide each of them with dimension.  Situations are very well described and even 
though the setting and action of the characters are quite esoteric (early 19th century English coal mining) 
its processes are clearly drawn without wordiness of Tom Clancy's device of drowning the reader with far 
more than he ever thought he'd know about a given process.  The plot was rather unusual and a "twist" 
necessary to resolve the plot may be a bit too unbelievable.

Sparrow Maria Doria Russell

The genre is science fiction, with the situation of the first contact with extra-terrestrial species used
as a frame on which to comment of faith, love and duty.  It's a beautifully written book which incorporates
humor and wit.  The author uses crafted sentences and chapter resolutions in an effective manner which 
makes the reader want to continue reading the book.  There is a foreboding aspect to the book, a lot of 
which is told in flashbacks, or rather two different timelines.  The reader is aware that something 
god-awful happened, but the where, how and especially the why are left to be related.  The plot resolves 
with the ability the author exhibited in telling the story.

Salt of the Earth Jack Olsen

The genre is true-crime, at which Mr. Olsen is a master.  (DOC,the Rape of the Town of Lovell 
is an absorbing book about an appalling, almost unbelievable criminal.)  This book tells in
detail the story of a family devastated by a single, inexplicable, criminal act.  The story
unfolds as a dramatic novel, with descriptions of the family, its origins, weaknesses and, 
eventually, strengths.  The solution to the crime, pursuit of the responsible party, and the
description of his actions on his own family are equally engrossing.

Lucy Sanderson, Urbandale

All of the "Captains" books by Patrick O'Brian

The Horse Whisperer Nicholas Evans

Princess Prunella and the Purple Peanut Margaret Atwood

Ruth Trumbo, Des Moines

The Romanovs: The Final Chapter Robert K. Massie

I like history, biography and mystery and this book combines all three elements.  
A unique story of how the bones of Czar Nicholas II and his family were found and 
identified by DNA; also the roles played by Prince Philip and forensic experts from
Great Britain, U.S. and Russia.  Two skeletons were missing from the burial site-- 
did those two escape being murdered, and if so, where are they today?

True North Jill Kerr Conway

A continuation of that wonderful memoir The Road from Coorain

Pay Dirt Rita Mae Brown

A wonderful light-hearted mystery involving the young postmistress and her cat which 
takes place in Virginia, a suspenseful plot with plenty of wit.

Dorothy Anderson, Des Moines

The Road from Coorain Jill Kerr Conway

Truman David McCullough

Berlin Diaries Marie Vassiltchikov

Don Hall, Creston

Riding the Iron Rooster Paul Theroux

An incredibly descriptive book about the author's venture into China.  He has a very keen
eye for people, landscapes, living conditions-- written after his extensive journey in 1986.

Lincoln David Herbert Donald

A very thorough and interesting biography of Lincoln.  Gives aspects of Lincoln's character
that even one familiar with Lincoln's background will find interesting.

Pelican at Blandings P.G. Wodehouse

One of many... makes light, quick bedtime reading.  Lord Ensworth 
and his prize pig Empress-- very entertaining.

Lynn Fox, Dallas Center

Bucking the Sun Ivan Doig

Wonderful writing-- mystery... the story of Fort Peck Dam and family relationships.

Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson

Again, wonderful writing-- paints setting beautifully.  Life on an island in Puget Sound 
after the Second World War.  Shows effects of racism-- again, also involves a mystery.

The Living and the Dead Paul Hendrickson

About Robert McNamara and the intertwining of five people involved in the Vietnam War.  
Brings the war to a very personal level.

Diane Leonard, Adel

Not Like Other Boys-- Growing Up Gay: A Mother and Son Look Back 
Marlene Shyer and Christopher Shyer

This work of nonfiction is an excellent examination by a mother
and son coming to terms with the son's sexual orientation.

From Housewife to Heretic Sonia Johnson

This nonfiction work tells the story of one woman's feminist awakening and excommunication 
from the Mormon church in 1978. 

Gibbons Decline Sherri S. Tepper

This is a work of fiction-- a futuristic, feminist story.

Mary Baumhover, Carroll

It Takes a Village Hillary Rodham Clinton

As a mother and teacher, I have always been interested in child psychology and development.
It was interesting to read of the experiences and convictions concerning development and 
rearing of children by someone with the experience and stature of Mrs. Clinton.

Terry George McGovern

This certainly was not a fun book to read but it was absorbing.  Like It Takes a Village,
this book dealt with children/family situations and what is involved in the happy adjustment 
of children.  It also gives insight into the life of those in the public sector.

The Joy of Coffee Corby Kummer

A light delight!  This is a complete book on the history, making and serving of coffee.  
This book is as welcome as a good cup of coffee.

Susan Kopecek, Otley

ANY of the works of Naguib Mahfouz.  He provides a fine passage to Egypt and an even 
finer antidote to the rhapsodic, sand-painting-prose of The English Patient.

ALL the works of Primo Levi.  This gentle and civilized Chemist from Turin reminds us all 
what it is to be human in an inhumane universe.

Crossing to Sunlight: Selected Poems Paul Zimmer.

Sometimes funny, sometimes deeply poignant, this is a wonderful 
collection of poetry by that rarest of beings:  a modest poet.

Mark Gordon, Ames

Snow Falling on Cedars David Gutersen

The Shipping News Annie Proulx

The Bird Artist Howard Norman

Jay Cole Simser, Ames

The Servant of the Bones Ann Rice

Steve Deeds, Des Moines

Blood Sport James B. Stewart

Undaunted Courage Stephen Ambrose

Eye of the World Robert Jordan

Amy Rawson, Indianola

Ishmael Daniel Quinn

On the cover of this book, there is printed a statement from a review given the book by 
somebody named Jim Britell, and he says, "From now on I will divide the books I have read
into two categories - the ones I read before Ishmael and those read after." I couldn't 
put it better myself. It is quite a shocking book, and while it is technically fiction, 
its message carries significant weight in our world. I would recommend it to anyone, and 
have bought several copies already for friends/family as gifts, with the message attached 
that says 'You HAVE to read this book.' Trying to explain what Ishmael is about is almost
impossible. It simply has to be read.

The Holographic Universe Michael Talbot

A piece of non-fiction about the nature of reality itself, in terms of the 'new' holographic
theory, it doesn't speak above the layman at all. I found it quite interesting.

Songs of Earth and Power Greg Bear

This is my token bit of pure fiction. I don't read much fiction anymore, but this had me captured,
and I am currently re-reading it.  It is actually a compilation of two books, the second one being
the sequel to the first, The Infinity Concerto and The Serpent Mage.  It would probably
fall in the realm of fantasy, but it's beautifully written and I appreciate a good story.

Barbara Doughty Des Moines

Dancing After Hours Andre Debus

A collection of short stories by a well known New England writer - The characters, plots and 
settings are fascinating, and the stories themselves redemptive.   A wonderful collection!! 

American Requiem James Carroll

The winner of the National Book Award for nonfiction this year, this is a memoir of family
love, loss, and forgiveness, much of it taking place during the Vietnam War.

Our War David Harris

A memoir of the effect of the Vietnam War on David Harris and on the United States.  Until we as a country 
have a "reckoning" and a coming to turns with what we did to a land and its people, we will never be healed.

George Giesler, Des Moines

Riding the Iron Rooster Paul Theroux

This was a gift, and as I have a keen interest in the Trans-Siberian Railway, a very good
one.  I found it to tell the truth about Russia, China and Mongolia.  Not the newspaper version,
or the color enhanced television stuff, but the reality of the people, their lands and lives.

The Second Deadly Sin Lawrence Sanders

As a reader of mystery novels, I found this wonderful.  His characters are so gritty, that 
for awhile you forget the case and just follow them along with their lives.  But in the end
the murder is solved and yes, there is a twist.

Harvey Garrard's Crime E. Phillips Oppenheim

This is the tenth book I have purchased and read by this author.  From the newspaper 
clipping that was glued to the inside cover, Oppenheim died in 1946.  He had completed 
150 novels in 50 years of writing.  He is an excellent storyteller and has the life of
London in the early 1900's well researched.  He deals with the wealthy and the privileged 
class.  He shows their faults and virtues, all the while weaving a simple story of the 
usual greed, sex and power.

Jackie Donovan, Des Moines

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil John Berendt

I loved this book!  A tale of intrigue based on fact.  All of the characters were so colorful-- 
you won't forget Sister Chablis-- and someday I would really like to visit Savannah.

Glass Lake Maeve Binchy

I've read most of her books and her characterization of Irish family life is wonderfully 
accurate.  Having visited dear friends in Dublin, it's like being there all over again.

Fault Lines Anne Rivers Siddons

May not be as well written as Downtown or Colony, but her description of the redwood forest was breathtaking.

Rolfe Blaess, Jefferson

Return with Honor Captain Scott O'Grady with Jeff Coplon

On June 2, 1995, U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady was helping enforce the NATO no-fly zone in the 
skies over Bosnia when a Soviet-made anti-aircraft missile slammed into his F-16.  With the aircraft 
exploding around him, O'Grady desperately grabbed his ejection handle and pulled.  Five miles up and 
traveling at 350 miles an hour, O'Grady had escaped certain death, but his ordeal was just beginning.
I usually have a difficult time sitting down to read a book.  This one of 206 pages I finished in 5 days.
At times it is very emotional and I went through a box of Kleenex.  I think it's an excellent book!!

Faith Sherman, Des Moines

Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson

The assumption of murder (and guilt) at sea appears to be clear cut-- regrettable, but 
justified by prejudice and myth.  The gently emerging, dispelling truth, in fact, is much 
more complex, which makes Snow Falling on Cedars my favorite book of 1996.

Wes Shank, Ames

The Sixth Extinction Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin

The anthropologists' and archeologists' answer to the philosophical and religious question, "What is man...?"
The answer is chilling: the species that overruns the planet and may bring about the sixth extinction.

Lincoln David Herbert Donald

The man as he saw himself and as others in his time saw him.  This account is free of 
psycho-history and other anachronisms.

Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson

Fiction capturing historical truth-- the dignity and humanity of Japanese-Americans in the 
years of the Second World War and their interaction with the community they lived in.  A 
story sensitively and thoughtfully told.  Guterson's story here reminded me of Graham Swift's 
work, some of which I had also read this year and liked.

Velna Matchinsky, Des Moines

The Music Master Charles Klein

This is not a new book... published in 1909.  Was purchased at a flea market.  
The story of a would-be famous European musician uprooted to America and how 
he struggles to rise above poverty and keep from becoming depressed.

The New Year's Owl Susan Shetterly

A naturalist's story of animals rescued by her and her family, and the personalities they found in each one.

The Glass Lake Maeve Binchy

My favorite author.  A story of how lies and mistrust alter the lives of everyone in this small Irish community.

Bertha Seifert, Ames

Rewrites Neil Simon

A memoir about his life up until his wife dies of cancer in 1973.  It's a good read 
with interesting anecdotes about other celebrities and insights into how he writes.

Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot Al Franken

Hilarious, especially if you're a liberal.

Mr. Smith Went to Washington Neal Smith

An excellent memoir by a man of integrity who served 
Iowa and the nation well while he was in Congress.

Helen Votteler, Marshalltown

A Suitable Boy Vikram Seth

It is set in the early 1950's in an India that's newly independent and 
struggling through a time of crisis.  Every page was delightful!

Eleanor Zeff, Des Moines

Indian Killer Sherman Alexie

Wild Swans-- Three Daughters of China Jung Chang

The Fatal Shore Robert Hughes

Lucille Griffin, Des Moines

Running From Safety Richard Bach

As with his other books, this book also lifts the reader from our mundane everyday 
world to a momentary world of delight, of love, and even a feeling of serenity.

Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother Lois Wyse

A compendium of wonderful thoughts and verses

She Taught Me To Eat Artichokes Mary Kay Shanley

Thoughts of one woman toward another

Alice Willis, Des Moines

Endangered Pleasures Barbara Holland

Little essays "in defense of naps, bacon, martinis, profanity and other indulgences."

The Rotary Club Murder Mystery Graham Landrum

For folks who like the people and the puzzle more than the
mayhem in their mysteries.  Solved by an elderly woman.

The Shipping News Annie Proulx

My brother hated it and I loved it.  Full of surprises.  A
quirky love story about extraordinary ordinary people.

Elizabeth McKee, Carlisle

My Life with the Great Pianists Franz Mohr

Mr. Mohr was the head technician for Steinway for many years, and was particularly 
associated with Horowitz, who wanted no other technicians to prepare his pianos.  
The book is fluidly readable, and ranges in subject matter from Mr. Mohr's early
life in wartime Germany, to how a Steinway is made, to Mr. Mohr's Christian faith, 
to the "great pianists" with whom he has worked.

No Time On My Hands Grace McHans Snyder, as told to Nellie Snyder Yost

Grace Snyder is now known to quilters everywhere as one of the most talented quilters ever.  
This book is the story of her life, growing up on the grasslands near Cozad, Nebraska.  As a 
young girl, she had to herd cows (no fences!), so she would beg whatever scraps her mother would
let her have and sit under the shade of a haystack piecing quilts while she watched the animals.

Evidence Not Seen Darlene Diebler Rose

Subtitled "A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II," this is the story of 
a newly-married missionary woman who was captured by the Japanese in New Guinea.  She spent 
4 years in a prison camp, enduring unbelievable conditions.  Her husband died in a different 
camp.  Interestingly, Darlene Diebler Rose is mentioned in Steve Newman's World Walk, as he 
encountered her on her ranch in Australia many years after the events of World War II.  
World Walk is another great book, but I am limited to three!

Beverly Hull, West Des Moines

A Dog's Life Peter Mayle

A delightful story by Peter Mayle's dog.  Peter is the author of A Year in Provence.

Charles Kuralt's America Charles Kuralt

I ended the book with an intense desire to visit each place he had written about.

Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial John Persico

This brings history alive.  American, Allied, and German thoughts and actions 
documented.  A time and event I hadn't paid much attention to at the time.

Mary Powell, Mason City

The Bean Tree Barbara Kingsolver

A wonderful different story.

The Runaway Jury John Grisham

An improbable story, or is it?

These two books my husband and I read to each other while we
were driving on long trips.  We have read many books this way.

Truman David McCollough

In the years when Truman was President, I was a teen.  My father, a dyed-in-the-wool 
Republican-- an Iowa farmer-- thought and said, "Truman is a crook."  It was wonderful 
to find he was actually a very good President and a good man.

Winifred Kelley, Des Moines

The Road from Coorain Jill Kerr Conway

I read this book this year and was amazed at the responsibility in the sheep raising business 
taken, or rather given to the 9 year old girl.  Her character, which carried her to the 
presidency of Smith College was early shown there on the Australian Outback sheep farm.

Sarah Gold, Des Moines

Writing Home Alan Bennett

A collection of non-fiction writings by the author, playwright and member of Beyond the 
Fringe, with Jonathan Miller, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.  Compassion,  wit and a deep 
intelligence come through in his thoughts about life, book reviews and essays.

Some Tame Gazelle Barbara Pym

She wrote of little people's little lives with great sparkle and an eye for the telling detail.

Smoke Donald Westlake

Another of his comic capers.  The hero is a crooked but innocent 
wiseguy.  There is a brilliant lampoon of the tobacco industry.

Kim Francisco, Lucas

Fatal Shore Robert Hughes

This book is an excellent history of the early settlement of Australia taken primarily from 
original sources and journals.  It is amazing what humans can endure or do to each other.

Ravens in Winter Bernd Heinrich

This book lets you experience pleasures and difficulties of doing accurate 
biological field work.  You also pick up a lot of information about ravens.

The Journal of John Lafite John Lafite

This autobiography is not very well written but it is not difficult to read.  Lafite's story, opinions
and descriptions of the United States Caribbean coast and many national figures is fascinating.  
He provides some very different perspectives than the standard history texts of this era.

Naomi Neu, Carroll

Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson

On an island north of Puget Sound, a murder trial takes place in the midst of a roaring 
blizzard.  Flashbacks reveal memories of relationships developed prior to 1941, the effect
of the Second World War on these relationships, and Japanese experiences in California 
internment camps.  This novel is haunting, unpredictable and beautifully written.

A Map of the World Jane Hamilton

Set in Wisconsin, this story revolves around a young mother who is associated with an 
accidental drowning and, later, is falsely accused in a separate situation.  These 
events had not been included in the course she had "mapped" for her life.  I turned 
each page of this well-written book with trepidation.

Raptor Red Robert T. Bakker

Raptor Red, a female Utahraptor dinosaur, is heroine of this story about the Early 
Cretaceous Age.  The author presents her as an intelligent and strong (almost human) 
"being" with a definite social and emotional life.  His descriptions, intertwined 
with the story, of landscapes and other animals are wonderful.

David Winterton, State Center

How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

SOS! Help for Parents Lynn Clark, PhD

It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health
Michael Emberly and Robie Harris

The first two books offer straightforward advice for parents on discipline 
and communication.  The third book is an excellent book for parents to share
with preteens to initiate a dialogue about sexuality.

Martha Gerstenberger, Johnston

Alias Grace Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood has done it again.  She has written another striking book.  Alias Grace, though
based on reality, is a work of fiction.  Grace Marks was an actual person, a notorious woman accused
of murder in Canada in the 1840's.  Where facts were not clear, fiction has been skillfully invented.

A Yellow Raft in Blue Water Michael Dorris

This author's first novel is about three generations of native American women and their relationships 
with each other.  Each woman, going backwards in time, tells her story.  The author has a wonderful
ear.  The result is very well written and very moving.

Prairie Reunion Barbara Scot

If I'm not mistaken (ed. and you're not!), it was now and then hearing snatches of this book 
read on The Book Club that made me want to read the whole thing.  The book takes the author
back to the place in which she grew up, Scotch Grove, Iowa.  Barbara Scot tells a remarkable story,
a universal story about family, the land and the spirit that connects them.

Florence Eldrenkamp, Des Moines

The Beans of Egypt Carolyn Chute

I heard Carolyn Chute being interviewed by Terri Gross about three years ago and just read this 
book recently.  Carolyn Chute writes about the rural underclass.  The book gives understanding
to a group of people which is greatly misunderstood by the general population.

Regeneration Pat Barker

This book was discussed on the Talk of the Nation "Book Club of the Air."  Siegfried Sassoon,
noted poet is the poet featured who publicly refused to continue as a British officer in the First 
World War, his reason being that it was a senseless slaughter.  It is a very thought-provoking book.

Howard Eldrenkamp, Des Moines

Snow Falling on Cedars David Guterson

Description of the dislocation of Japanese-Americans.

Cloister Walk Kathleen Norris

Norris' recapturing of her spiritual identity in a monastery.

Murder Down Under Arthur Upfield

Description of Australian land and workers, as well as the mystery.

Delores Barringer, Spencer

Watership Down Richard Adams

After I listened to parts of it read by Doug Brown, I got the book
and enjoyed the entire book.  It was a great adventure story.

Barbara Munson, Ames

A Lesson Before Dying Ernest J. Gaines

Stone Diaries Carol Shields

Between Earth and Sky Karen Osborn

I read these three in a row last summer.  Reading doesn't get much better!  
All are beautifully and carefully written and tell powerful stories.

Roger Smed, Urbandale

Sinus Survival: The Holistic Medical Treatment for Allergies, Asthma, 
Bronchitis, Colds and Sinusitis Robert S. Ivker, D.O.

I've had a problem with sinus disease for many years.  Last January, I had sinus surgery.  In August,
I was told that the condition was redeveloping and it was recommended that I go to the Mayo Clinic.
I decided to look at alternatives.  It was then that I bought the book, read it twice, and have been
following its recommendations since September.  Not only has my sinus disease completely cleared, 
but I have not had to take an antibiotic since the first of October, and I've been able to discontinue
nasal sprays.  Fresh air flows through my nostrils like a wind tunnel.  Life is good!

Active Meditation: The Western Tradition Robert Leichtman, MD and Carl Japikse

As a result of reading Sinus Survival, I became interested in finding out more about meditation.
This book has given me answers to questions that have been on my mind most of my life.  Questions
like, "Who am I?", "Why am I here?" and "Where am I going?"  It's pretty heavy stuff presented in 
an easy-to-read and understandable book.  It has changed my life.

The Bible

I haven't read the whole Bible this year, but the passages that I do read have taken on a 
new and wonderful meaning.  This has come about as a result of reading the first two books 
on the list.  I'm not sure how much better life can get, but I'm looking forward to it.

Tom Trotter, Perry

Confessions Father Matthew Fox

His autobiography, in which he enthusiastically promotes a post-denominational Christianity.  
He envisions a faith spawned by our electronic information technology, a faith expressed
through sensory perceptions and interpreted by right-brain activities including dancing, for 
Gawd's sake!  What's a curmudgeon to do faced with a Credo, a Confession, and a Conga?

The Sanctity of Rural Life Shelley Baranowski

This is a painstakingly documented history of church politics.  The Weimar Republic Constitution
separated church and state which denied political and economic security to the old state-supported
evangelical church.  Consequently, the church preached that Germans were blameless victims of the 
government's tax policies and liberalism.  When the Nazi Party promised to reverse Weimar's tax 
policies, church leaders allied themselves with the Nazis.  Jointly, they promised patriotism, 
family values, and economic security through a nationalized vision of an ideal society based on the
mythic values of the patriarchal German village.  The Nazi government reneged on tax promises.  The
evangelical leaders maintained political allegiance and economic security by denouncing the Old 
Testament as a Jewish book, and the younger pastors failed to disentangle the church from the state.

Remember Laughter: A Life of James Thurber Neil A. Grauer

In addition to the general biogrpahical information, the 
author observes that Thurber's husbands deserve their wives.

Michael Luepke, Urbandale

Rama Revealed Arthur C. Clarke

This is the final book in the four-part Rama science fiction series.  In it, the massive alien space
craft with it's human passengers live out on small scale the kinds of conflict and display both the
evil and the goodness and courage which typify us.  The space craft reaches it's point of origin, 
light years from Earth, with astonishing consequences for the passengers.  I enjoyed the book's 
message, that there is a purpose for our existence beyond our petty yet destructive conflicts.

Circle of Friends Maeve Binchy

Set in Ireland, this book portrays the group of friends which grows as it's young central characters
come of age and move beyond their small-town origins.  They experience pain and display courage as 
they encounter conflict these new friends bring to them, but also gain something very precious: 
Learning how to give of themselves, and learning about inner strengths of which they weren't aware.
I enjoyed seeing the interplay of small town and big city worlds, since that has been in my own journey.

A Live Coal in the Sea Madeleine L'Engle

Written by one of my favorite authors, this book's message is that the mercy of God, just as the 
sea can overcome the searing heat of a live coal, is greater that any crisis or evil that one
person can inflict upon another.  The healing takes time, however, and the development of the 
relationships in this book shows it:  Time, love, courage, faith in God, can overcome it all.

Mike Marty, Drake University


Some book thoughts:  Sometimes incredibly bad books make it to best seller lists.  
Robert Bork's Slouching Towards Gomorrah is an example.  I suggest calling
attention to several that are wonderful books but have not received much attention:  

Why Things Bite Back: Technology and the Revenge of Unintended Consequences Edward Tenner

This book is a lot of fun and teaches one a lot about the pervasive effects of pervasive technology.  

The Day Before Yesterday: Reconsidering America's Past, Rediscovering Its Present Michael Elliott

The book explains why Americans feel so bad while things go so well.  It, too, is a delightful read.  

The best serious book I read in 1996 was William Lee Miller's Arguing About Slavery: 
The Great Battle in the United States.  Not that the others were not serious--it's just
that this one, in the author's words, took a serious issue and wrestled it to the ground.

Incidentally, I reviewed these four books and about a dozen others for the 
St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Next will be two controversial ones on Jefferson.

Sandra Hugus


I teach 7th and 8th grade reading, reading everything the students read for book reports, so my reading 
list runs heavily toward YA fiction.  This is not as stultifying as one would think from reading the 
bestseller lists.  (I don't  care if I ever SEE another R. L. Stine novel!)  So, here's my commercial:
What?  Only THREE?  What a choice!  Sick of your Harlequins used for light recreational reading, but not 
quite willing to pick up a weighty college tome voluntarily?  Dip into some top YA (young adult) fare. 

In the "also ran" category for my LEAST favorites: any of the latest 150 found on the top ten bestsellers 
list by R. L. Stine.  All but one Christopher Pike horror story.  Over the last two years, student loyalty
has switched from the saccharine "Sweet Valley High" series to the Lurlene McDaniel "dealing with dying"
titles among the girls.  R. L. Stine and Gary Paulsen still lead the way among the young gentlemen.  
(Personally, I think it is an insult to Paulsen to have to appear in the same sentence with Stine...)

The best book in my 1996 repertoire was Driver's Education by Carolyn Cooney, I think.  Billed
as the only class in school dealing with a life and death issue, the driver's education class is the backdrop
for a story about students who go sign-stealing on a lark, and the anguish they go through before they 'fess 
up when a lady is killed because she does not stop at the now-unmarked intersection.  The book is deep in 
characterization, true-to-life angst, and comes to a realistic conclusion I didn't guess ahead.

My #2 pick is the humorous Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered by long-standing favorite Gary Paulsen.
One of the humorous bits is a recycle he's used in three books that I know of so far, but it is so funny, I 
forgive him.  When one of the characters tells how to blow up a frog with a straw, I watched the magic happen.
Reluctant readers guffawed in class.  The book was passed.  More laughter.  Passed again, and again.  By the
end of the class, half had read from it, including students who have taken a vow never to really look at the 
words on the page before them.  They're NOT waiting for the movie on this one! 

And for my favorite entry in the "dealing with dying" genre, #3 for the year, Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons.
You know the youngster has a problem dealing with her mother's abandonment of the family, and her in particular.
Only in the final chapters do we discover that she was killed in a bus wreck!  Our emotional upheaval nearly 
equals the main character's by then, our emotional involvement is so great.  

Carla Offenburger, Des Moines

The Orchard Adele Crockett Robertson

It's a great autobiographical read about a single woman keeping the family apple 
orchard running.  The book is so real that you can smell the rotten apples on the
ground during harvest time and feel the bitter winter cold.  

My Antonia Willa Cather

You just feel good about being from (and living in) the Midwest when you read this classic story.
The struggles of immigrant families that pioneered the midwest are startling and inspiring.

Civility Stephen Carter

First in a trilogy of books focusing on being better citizens (my choice of words).  Carter wrote
The Culture of Disbelief a few years ago (it's equally as good).  Civility focuses on how,
as individuals,  we can -- and should --  act more "civil."  If -- and when -- we do society as a 
whole will flourish.  Without a bit more civility eventually we will all "perish."

Adriana Tomas

Paula Isabel Allende

I read it in Spanish but I know it is in English.  Memories of the life of Isabel Allende told as the author
speaks to her daughter who is in a coma.  Wonderfully written.  Hope nothing gets lost in the translation.

The Illustrated World's Religions - A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions Houston Smith

Brief descriptions of how the major religions evolved, their tenets, symbolisms, differences 
and similarities, how they come about to depart from the original concept.  Written with a 
lot of love and empathy for people's beliefs.  Beautiful, almost poetic, writing.

Please Understand Me David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates

A description of the different psychological temperaments and how they affect relationships 
(mating, parent-child, working).  Based on C. Jung's studies.  The authors encourage people
to abandon their effort to change others and replace it with an effort to understand others
and let them be. The underlying message is "You won't be able to understand me because I am
different, but you can try to appreciate me".  Excellent book and, from my own experience, 
very useful!  On a work-related note, the temperament typing presented in this book is used 
by many companies worldwide to assure employees are placed in the appropriate type of job 
(put an extrovert in a closed office away from other people and he/she will go insane in week!).

Tales of Wisdom - One Hundred Modern Parables ed. Howard Schwartz

I quote from the front flap:   Whether incorporating the innocent charm of a fairy tale or the 
menacing confusion of a dream, the modern parable- like its predecesor the ancient scriptural 
parable- is a brief story infused with a moral dimension.  Meaning does not lie exposed on the 
surface but, submerged, waits for the reader who has ears to hear the message.  Recognition may 
come instantly as an insight or reveal itself languorously (slowly), stirring up the unconscious
contents of the psyche.  

Anonymous Contributions

The Boat Gunther Buckheim

Excellent book, gives a realistic picture of the Second World War U-boats from a German perspective.

900 Days Harrison Salisbury

Graphic portrayal of the Second World War and what the Russians endured.  Our suffering 
was nothing compared to this portrayal.

The Oxford Book of Humorous Prose ed. Frank Muir

Muir is, of course, the amiable wit and buffoon of the BBC's My Word.

People Have More Fun Than Anybody James Thurber

Previously uncollected pieces and cartoons by Thurber.

The stories of Vladimir Nabokov, proof positive that the greatest 
20th century master of English prose was a Russian.