READING L.A.

Loretta Girardot, insurance agent:

“The Tulip” by Anna Pavord (Bloomsbury).

“The story of a flower once considered so valuable it was worn by both men and women instead of jewels, this book is ideal for anyone interested in history or gardening. The reader should beware: ‘Tulipmania’ equal to that of the most avid Dutch collectors’ may develop.”

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Bill Huggins, executive producer:

“Aphrodite” by Isabel Allende (HarperCollins).

“Food, cooking and eating have never been closer to sex and sensuality than in this wonderful memoir of the senses. Her formulas for aphrodisiacs are great to experiment with.”

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Christy Beaird, student:

“Where Have All The Parents Gone?” by M. T. Coffin (Avon).

“All of the grown-ups in town have disappeared, and the children are scared. The teenagers are also going crazy and can do anything they want. It turns out that aliens have kidnapped the parents to steal their brains.”

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Jack Munsee, retired professor:

“Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond (W.W. Norton).

“This is a fascinating look at the human diaspora that applies archeology, biology and linguistics. It is extremely interesting how these three disparate disciplines come together in this book.”