• Joneal Joplin, the actor under Ebenezer Scrooge's skin in A Christmas Carol at Playhouse in the Park:

        Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion by Edward J. Larson (Harvard University Press; $13.75).

        “I love histories and courtroom dramas. We were given this book for research when we began work on (Playhouse season opener) Inherit the Wind. The play, of course, is based on the real Scopes Monkey Trial detailed in the book. I've continued to read and re-read it for five months now. It's wonderful!”

        • Ebenezer Scrooge: Mr. Joplin's December alter ego also claims to be an avid reader, currently skimming Moliere's The Miser and Other Plays translated by John Wood (Penguin Classics; $8.95).

        “At first I thought it was a biography about my life. It's good, but the title character is a little soft for my tastes.”

        • Deb Girdler, another star of a holiday entertainment; she plays the evil fairy Wisteria in ETC's Sleeping Beauty:

        Lizzie Borden by Elizabeth Engstrom (St. Martin's Press; $14.95).

        “It's not a true crime book, but a finely crafted novel about a bright young woman who is strained to the limits by poverty and her desire to break free of a stifling family.”

        • Wisteria adds: “I can identify with Lizzie — another great personality who never gets invited to parties!”

        — Jackie Demaline

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