Favorites: Political activist Gayle Ruzicka

Personal: The mother of 12 and president of the Utah Eagle Forum never leaves home without a book. "I carry one in my purse . . . and if I have a down moment, I'm reading."

Grown-up selections: Ruzicka's night table is well-stocked. "I usually have a church book I'm reading and some type of political book, too. Now for novels, my all-time favorite is Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables.' I could read that over and over again."

Together time: Ruzicka says she's always re-reading childhood favorites like "Anne of Green Gables" and "Little House on the Prairie" with her children, who are home-schooled. The Ruzicka family meets before breakfast for scripture study and then a few pages from a favorite novel. "They can't wait to get up and get their chapter."