Few books have garnered the accolades that describe "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. As the years pass, the truth of this book grows; the history of mankind confirms the book's insights and humans join the farm, just as the farm joined humans when the book was published.

The 70th anniversary of the publication of "Animal Farm" was last month. The story is as important today as when first printed. Unless mankind changes, the book will resonant for centuries to come.

Joe McIlvaine picked this book as his favorite. He picked a second as well, but we'll let Joe explain that.

Joe is a longtime friend. I met him when I broadcast for the Mets and he was the assistant general manager. He has been involved in pro baseball since the mid-1970s as a minor league player, super scout, and Mets and Padres GM.

We sat at Camden Yards recently to discuss books.

"I love mankind ... it's people I can't stand!!" - Charles M. Schulz, "The Complete Peanuts, Vol. 5: 1959-1960"

I urge a reading of Health News from National Public Radio and the article on youth sports. The parental desire to push kids in sports for money reasons, to push them to one sport and to massively interfere with a child's chance to be a child is far too pervasive. The odds on making money as an athlete are not good, and certainly not worth a tunnel-vision approach to childhood.

From Anjanette Wiggins, the Forest Park Branch manager of the Enoch Pratt Free Library comes a unique offering.

"The book I recommend for a fun, thought provoking read is 'The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead' by Max Brooks," Wiggins says. "I reread this book at least once every year, and the audiobook version is fantastic. The book, published in 2003, is a satirical parody of survival manuals that features dry, witty humor and exhaustive detail. It's easy to see the considerable effort Brooks put into creating this work, with detailed descriptions, lists and discussions for several types of zombie outbreak scenarios. This effort helps elevate 'The Zombie Survival Guide' above other similar works, making it a must-read for fans of zombie literature. Readers who enjoy thoroughly developed satirical works and zombies, will definitely appreciate 'The Zombie Survival Guide.' "

Great insight Anjanette, and thanks.

Gary Thorne is the play-by-play voice of the Orioles on MASN, and the 2015 season is his ninth with the club and 30th covering Major League Baseball. His blog will appear regularly throughout the season. The Orioles and Sarasota County have partnered on the Big League Reader Program, which rewarded kids who read three books in February with tickets to a Grapefruit League game at Ed Smith Stadium in March.

* Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne. © Copyright 2015 Gary F. Thorne. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Gary F. Thorne and MASNsports.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.