Mary Stein’s reading list

This month, our children are back in school, and the city is gaining new momentum for its planned downtown library branch. Read more about that development and see the latest renderings of the branch.

While young students have wrapped up their summer reading lists, we asked longtime assistant library director and TEDxLSU speaker Mary Stein to give us hers. Here is a stack of Stein’s favorite reads and her take on five.

The Star Beast by Robert Heinlein. This is illustrative of all that I love about Heinlein’s optimistic, mid-Century sci-fi. It’s a coming-of-age story filled with humor, adventure and the great unknown.

An Excellent Mystery by Ellis Peters. Historical mysteries are my favorite way to touch the past, especially before taking a journey, so the Cadfael Chronicles series that features a wise monk who uses his knowledge of herbs and deduction skills to bring evil-doers to justice is especially great before heading overseas.

Last of the Breed by Louis L’Amour. A natural storyteller, L’Amour wrote in many genres, not just Westerns. I really appreciate his gift in this modern thriller.

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. Everything this Newbery medalist publishes is beautifully and lyrically written, even if it as a tale of swords and sorcery.  I’ve given her titles to adult fantasy readers and they were totally satisfied, so don’t judge it by its “teen” classification.

The Essential Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Tight, clever, intense, yet with a wonderful turn of phrase. My favorite mysteries rotate between Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.