Laura Bush Reveals What's On Her Must-Read List

First lady Laura Bush is always talking books, books, books, and tomorrow's National Book Festival on the Mall -- with 70 authors this year -- is one of her favorite projects. But we wanted her private reading list, so she gave us a peek between the White House book covers.

On the bedside table: "The Samurai's Garden" by Gail Tsukiyama -- a gift from Martha-Ann Alito -- and Jay Winik's "The Great Upheaval," sent over by Lynne Cheney. "She said in her note that she was barely into the book, but she was finding the part about Catherine the Great very interesting," she told us. (Hmmm. Which part?) The president also has a copy (sent by Winik) on his side of the bed.

Venues: Anyplace she can grab a few minutes, and always in bed. "I have trouble going to sleep if I haven't read first," she said. (The president reads on long flights and on his stationary bike.) She typically finishes three books a month, though more since she's recovering from nerve surgery; most are given by friends, a few ordered from bookstores.

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