READING L.A.

Alan Chapman, radio host, teacher:

“Doo-Dah: Stephen Foster and the Rise of American Popular Culture,” by Ken Emerson (Simon & Schuster).

“Given the familiarity of Foster’s songs, it’s great to learn more about the man. Emerson places Foster in his social context and gives us an intriguing look at the sources of his lyric ideas.”

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Alan Carsrud, economics professor:

“Masters of Rome,” by Colleen McCullough (Avon).

“This series of lengthy historical novels is a wonderful way to learn, of all things, that business strategies are neither made nor executed in a week. Even in Caesar’s time, planning was a long-term process.”

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Bill Bracken, executive chef,

“Silent Witness,” by Richard North Patterson (Ballantine).

“Patterson has the skill to take me right out of the kitchen and into the courtroom with this fascinating story of two small-town murders. A kitchen is like a small town in some ways, although we don’t consider murder a viable option.”

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Margaret Nelson, teacher:

“Angela’s Ashes,” by Frank McCourt (Scribner).

“This is such a wonderful story and so real. McCourt brings that time in history--and the immigrant tale--alive quite powerfully.”