READING L.A.

David St. John, poet-professor:

“The Quark and the Jaguar” by Murray Gell-Mann (W. H. Freeman).

“This compelling account of recent shifts in scientific thinking by an esteemed Nobel laureate (and one of the architects of the new complexity theory) is filled with fascinating anecdotes and the many pleasures of scientific inquiry.”

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Michele Walsh, accounting clerk:

“Nureyev: His Life” by Diane Solway (William Morrow).

“A balanced and insightful account of the dancer’s life. Nureyev was a compelling combination of self-aggrandizing publicity hound, star, artist and intensely private person.”

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Carrie Colman, health education specialist:

“The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart” by Lawrence Block (Dutton).

“Humor, confusion and lines from Bogart movies that I’ve never heard of make this a delightful book. I laughed out loud reading this comedy-mystery whose likable hero happens to be a burglar.”

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Jennifer Rule, Headstart teacher:

“ ‘De Colores’ and Other Latin-American Folk Songs for Children” by Jose-Luis Orozco (E.P. Dutton).

“This is a great book for teachers of young children. The songs are very colorful and happy, and children love all of them. The illustrations are wonderful and so culturally rich. My students ask to use the book every day.”