Suggested summer reading for high school graduates

I checked in with the folks at Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh to see if they had any book recommendations for all the kids who are turning the tassel this weekend.

The brilliant, funny, and inquisitive Bryson takes us on a tour of the world of science, examining the forces behind us and our world. For those pondering 'what do I do next?', it's good to look at where we came from, and what makes us 'us'.

"The Most Brilliant Thoughts of All Time (In Two Lines or Less)," edited by John Shanahan.

Trying to come up with the right thing to say at the right time? Sometimes it's OK to borrow genius. And these brilliant one-liners offer much food for thought. Grouped under general topics such as "Human Foibles", "Pursuits - Artistic and Otherwise," you'll have fun and many "oh, wow" moments.

"Shop Class as Soulcraft" by Matthew Crawford.

Not sure where you're going after high school? Crawford draws on his experiences as an electrician and mechanic to promote the value of hands-on work and the satisfaction of mastering skills.

"Outliers: The Story of Success," by Malcolm Gladwell.

To become successful, should we study success? Malcolm Gladwell does, finding a logic to the lives of "outliers" - those whose achievements fall outside the norm. It's not just intelligence and ambition that determine success. Always fascinating and often surprising.