Leisure reading

'Everyday Greatness' Insights and commentary By Stephen R. Covey

Compiled by David K. Hatch

Rutledge Hill Press, $24.99.

Local author Stephen R. Covey, famous for his "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," has teamed up with Reader's Digest to write about "everyday greatness" — which includes many of Covey's insights and stories along with ideas from some extraordinary people such as Reba McEntire, Maya Angelou and Jack Benny.

Numbers always play a role in Covey's work — although no sevens this time. Instead, he outlines three basic choices that lead to greatness —the choice to act, the choice of purpose and the choice for principles. The stories in the book illustrate 21 timeless principles such as courage, respect, humility and perseverance. — Dennis Lythgoe

'You're Lucky You're Funny'

By Phil Rosenthal

Viking, $25.95.

The author was the creator and executive producer of "Everybody Loves Raymond," the popular sitcom starring Ray Romano. Much of the material on the show was taken from Rosenthal's dysfunctional family and their experiences.

In this amusing book, subtitled "How Life Becomes a Sitcom," Rosenthal offers a glimpse into the making of a hit show, including the casting, writing, production and the managing of egos necessary to make everything come together at the right time.

The author demonstrates in this book some of the reasons "Raymond" was such a hit. — Dennis Lythgoe

'Over Here'

By Edward Humes

Harcourt, $26.

Toward the end of World War II, the U.S. government devised a new program to assist the flood of returning soldiers, partly to avoid economic catastrophe.

Through the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Congress and veterans groups negotiated a modest measure that would help 16 million men and women get an education. This book, subtitled "How the G.I. Bill Transformed the American Dream," tells the story.

The G.I. Bill of Rights helped veterans become college graduates, homeowners, professionals and successful people in the midst of a slipping middle class.

This bill transformed American society in ways the authors of the bill only understood in a minimal way — but they had created one of the greatest pieces of legislation ever. — Dennis Lythgoe