Reading With the Stars

Books and libraries are a cornerstone of education and learning, and a passport to new worlds for men, women, and children across America and around the world. In Reading with the Stars, editor Leonard Kniffel offers a compelling collection of interviews, essays, and speeches contributed by luminaries from literature, politics, sports, stage, and screen to showcase how important the reading experience is to the success and happiness of so many. Whether it's Oprah Winfrey explaining that hooks were her "path to personal freedom" Or writer David Mamel calling the public library his "alma maler" or Bill Gates explaining why bringing Internet access to libraries in rural communities can change lives, the personal stories in this enlightening, inspiring book showcase how vital the world of books has always been and how important books and libraries will be to the future of America and the world.

Leonard Kniffel is a publishing executive for the American Library Association in Chicago. He was editor-in-chief of American Libraries magazine from 1996 to 2011 and worked as a librarian for 18 years at the Detroit Public Library. He is also the author of A Polish Son in the Motherland: An American's Journey Home, a travel memoir.