Robyn M. Deterding, associate director, Division of Campus Recreation
"I am an avid reader and have been since I was very young. I was regularly caught reading under the night light after my parents thought I was asleep. I owe my love of reading both as a child and even today to my Grandma Mid. She started me with comic books ('Casper the Ghost,' 'Little Lulu,' 'Richie Rich') and still provides me with my 'fun' books.
"I divide what I read into three areas, and I always have one or more in progress in each area. First are the books I read for personal enjoyment and relaxation. I love a good suspense or mystery story and right now I'm reading 'Let Me Call You Sweetheart,' by Mary Higgins Clark. I also enjoy books by Richard North Patterson ('Eyes of a Child,' 'Degree of Guilt,' 'The Final Judgement' and 'Silent Witness') and Sue Grafton and her alphabet mystery series 'A is for Alibi' through 'M is for Malice.'
"For my professional development I am currently reading 'Coach to Coach Business Lessons From the Locker Room,' by John Robinson. Others on my summer reading list include 'The Popcorn Report,' by Faith Popcorn, which discusses market waves and trends that will impact and affect our professional future. Another I'll soon be reading is 'Seven Secrets of Successful Women,' by Donna Brooks and Lynn Brooks. This involves strategies women have used to achieve success in their personal and professional lives.
"For inspirational/motivational development I like to have books around that have a poem or short, short story that can be picked up when you only have a few minutes to kill. Two on my desk right now are 'Guide My Feet Prayer and Meditations on Loving and Working With Children,' by Marion Wright Edelman, and 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and It's all Small Stuff,' a wonderful book by Richard Carlson that 'shows you how to keep the little things in life from driving you crazy.' "
Nellie McDonald, cashier, Illini Union Bookstore
Nellie McDonald has been working at the Illini Union Bookstore since 1976 and is a familiar face to many regular customers. She's retiring at the end of summer at age 75. While she claims she doesn't read as much as she used to, she still reads regularly.
"I take 'The Upper Room,' a daily devotional, and read that every morning along with the Bible verses it recommends. I also subscribe to 'Good Housekeeping' magazine. I enjoy the question-and-answer sections and the consumer-information articles."
###