Jill Sumner, elementary school teacher:
"Sophie's World" by Jostein Gaarder (Berkley).
"Gaarder presents the history of philosophy in an original way: with the story of a curious young girl. You don't have to be a philosophy lover to read this book. Told through her eyes, it's accessible to everyone."
****
Judith Drury, bookseller:
"Bruculinu, America" by Vincent Schiavelli (Houghton Mifflin).
"This is a warm and wonderful memoir. While the recipes provide nourishment for the body, Schiavelli's anecdotes nourish the soul. This book is so rich, I'm sure I gained a few pounds just by reading it."
****
Jim Manos, producer-writer:
"Red Harvest" by Dashiell Hammett (Vintage).