Everyone has a favorite book or two - or even more. Sometimes they've earned the honor of being a classic. There are thousands that could be named: "Don Quixote," "The Canterbury Tales," "A Christmas Carol," "The Great Gatsby," The Old Man in the Sea," "Frankenstein," "War and Peace," "Huckleberry Finn," "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Treasure Island."

Some of my favorites are "Lord of the Flies," "Animal Farm" and "The Grapes of Wrath." One of my favorite openings comes from Herman Melville in Moby Dick - "Call me Ishmael." And one of the simplest (which is often the best) openings comes from Genesis: "In the beginning …"

Today's young readers are more than mesmerized by Harry Potter, wizards, deathly hallows, fire goblets, secret chambers and sorcerer's stones. Then there are various other novels about Hobbits, dragons and fantasy that has been all the rage.

Reading is fun. Reading opens doors of imagination, escape, history, knowledge, geography, love, growth - you name it.

What people read and why they read it isn't as important as simply reading. But what to read, that is the question?

The Bismarck Tribune, as a 30,000-circulation newspaper, can't afford to employ a full-time book reviewer to help others determine if a specific book is a great way to spend a few hours, if the effort is a total waste of time - or if the story is worthy of something in between.

But the Tribune readership market has more than 100,000 people, many of whom have varied interests and expertise and share the love of reading. If you are one of those people, you could read a book and write a review for possible publication in the newspaper.

From time to time I will list in this column various books, CDs or other products for possible citizen review. If you have an expertise or interest in the topic/subject, and want to review the book or product, let me know via e-mail, and you might be selected. The book or product, after reviewed, will be passed along for others to read or donated to charity or a library. Interested reviewers can be young, old or middle-aged, women, men, boys or girls. The only requirement is interest and some topic/subject expertise.

Here are some books that are waiting to be reviewed:

n "Then Are the Children Free," Sylvia Klope Eller, Vantage Press. This is the story of Sophie, a member of a hard-working, close-knit farm family on the North Dakota prairie. Through hardships, Sophie dreams of attending college and becoming a famous author, artist, dancer or all three. Sophie's first date, at the age of 14, took her to a boxing match in Bismarck. 118 pages. (Target audience: Pre-teens and teens.)

n "Zan-Gah, APrehistoric Adventure," Allan Richard Shickman, Earthshaker Books. The story is about a youth's struggle against the harshness of his world, and his emergence as a man and a leader. Zan-Gah proves his courage in the action plot and undertakes a quest which leads to suffering, captivity, conflict, love and triumph. 148 pages. (Target audience: Pre-teens, teens and young adults.)

n "When Technology Fails, AManual for Self-Reliance & Planetary Survival," Matthew Stein, Chelsea Green Publishing. Basic instructions and recommended resources for the wide range of skills and technologies necessary for self-reliant living and achieving mastery of emergency conditions. 405 pages. (Target audience: Adults, parents, survivalists and the eco-minded.)

n "Fiona Finds the Son," Andrea Byers, Linda Roesch (illustrations), Flower Kingdom Fables and CMC Publishing. The story is told in a magical world of miniature plant people whose adventures include Todd the Toad, Davy Dill, Andy Lion and Fiona, the Bleeding Heart ballerina. 22 pages. (Target audience: Children; story-illustration book).

n "Punishment and Sacrifice," John Reid, Lulu. This is a story about the extreme consequences of child abuse told through the character of a respected clinical psychologist who is a loving father, quiet neighbor and pillar of society. He also is a serial killer. The story unfolds as a cat and mouse tale of a down-and-out recovering alcoholic police officer and his search to find the serial killer. 480 pages. (Target audience: Crime novel fans.)

(You can reach editor John Irby at 250-8266 or john.irby@;bismarcktribune.com and go to http://www.bismarcktribune.com/blog/?w=thepaper&e_id=2671/ to read his blog.)