READING L.A.

Lisa Demattia, mother:

“The Tortilla Curtain” by T.C. Boyle (Viking Penguin).

“I had no expectations for this book and had never read Boyle before my book club chose ‘Tortilla Curtain.’ It is an excellent book club book because it raises so many issues: about the haves and have-nots in this country, about people crossing the border.”

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Sue DiJulio, elementary school principal:

“Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman (Bantam).

“This book is full of information that I find very useful in talking to parents and teachers. It’s not the easiest book to read, but I recommend it to parents anyway.”

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Denise Pines, publisher:

“The Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison (Vintage).

“Ellison presents the reader with the powerful story of a life under the overt apartheid rules of the South. This tale of one man’s anger and frustration makes us more aware of the need to move toward a better America for all people.”

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Verne Lindner, TV commercial producer:

“My World and Welcome To It” by James Thurber (Amereon).

“I like Thurber’s wry humor, graceful style and drawings. The parade of downtrodden little husbands, doleful dogs and Valkyrie wives makes me laugh every time I open the book.”