READING L.A.

Ann Wang, research administrator:

“The Springs of Affection” by Maeve Brennan (Houghton Mifflin).

“I haven’t been to Ireland, and yet this collection of short stories about Dublin makes me feel as though I have. They’re beautifully written, full of humor and delight, tinged with an underlying sadness. I found it hard to put the book down.”

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Ruth Slepak, retired nurse:

“Little Known Tales in California History” by Alton Pryor (Stagecoach Publishing).

“This is perfect for the distractions of summer, and I am learning something about California history. What a bunch of scoundrels the men were around the time of the California Gold Rush!”

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Yolanda Finley, administrative assistant:

“Windy City” by Hugh Holton (Forge Books).

“Police Chief Larry Cole leads the manhunt to stop a series of brutal killings in Chicago. Margo and Neil DeWitt are a filthy-rich couple who murder for fun. Holton’s story is filled with such suspense that you’ll stay up all night to finish it.”

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Eric Collisson, medical student:

“The Quiet American” by Graham Greene (Viking).

“Greene gives a fascinating look into the Southeast Asian culture of the time, the clash between British and American culture and a relationship between a man and woman that runs against everything there.”