READING L.A.

Doris Finck, administrative assistant: “A Map of the World,” by Jane Hamilton (Doubleday).

“Hamilton writes about how a small incident in an American family grows into a nightmare. Her superb writing and her uncanny understanding of the way people behave keep the story from turning into a melodramatic soap opera.”

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Sam Leslie, accountant-bagel shop owner: “The Partner,” by John Grisham (Doubleday).

“The story is packed with all the intrigue and suspense that we’ve come to expect from Grisham. I love reading about the shenanigans of attorneys and think Grisham should do a book about the people who really handle the money: the CPAs.”

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Tamara Johnson, entrepreneur: “She’s Come Undone,” by Wally Lamb (Pocket).

“I love how this book portrays the bittersweet realities of plodding through life. The characterizations are poignant and soulful.”

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Janet Kaiser, professor of law and literature: “Overcoming Law,” by Richard A. Posner (Harvard University Press).

“This collection of essays, written by a sitting judge, is filled with passion. Whether you agree with him or not, you can’t help but be impressed with the breadth of scholarship he displays.”