The City Wide Literacy Challenge starts next week and the Chiefs organization is excited to be partnering in this community initiative.

You can win great prizes and all you have to do is read 20 minutes a day for 21 days and track that with the passports that are available at various locations including the Chilliwack Times (see page 21 in this edition for a passport), The Book Man and the Chiefs office.

If you don't have a book to read, then I am going to try and help with that by offering you some books that members of the Chiefs have enjoyed.

Let's begin with one of the toughest and most popular Chiefs of all time: current assistant coach Brandon Fleenor, who recalls reading the Cat in the Hat as a kid and loving every Dr. Seuss word ever written. As an adult he says he enjoys Anne Rice books, with Interview with the Vampire, a 1973 novel, at the top of his list.

No surprise that Jacob Bestebroer, who eats, breathes and talks hockey as much as anyone west of the Rockies, got his start by reading The Stanley Cup, a book which he received for Christmas as a seven year old. For those older, his choice is Gross Misconduct, the Alan Eagleson story.

Strength and conditioning coach Paul Nicolls's go-to book is The Power of Focus, by Jack Canfield. He says it is a great read for anyone trying to be better in life, at work, in sports or family life. When Paul was a youngster, Peter Puck, was a common bedtime story.

Assistant Coach Doug Ast gives props to The Majors, by John Feinstein. The book is about the four major golf championships. As a kid he enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl, and the Hardy Boys.

Without hesitation, head coach and general manager Harvey Smyl told me his all time favourite book is Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, which is a story of survival, resilience and redemptions.

With his recommendation, I am in the midst of reading Unbroken and must admit it is riveting thus far. As for Harvey, as a youngster he remembers his parents reading Dr. Seuss books like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and Green Eggs and Ham.

Office Manager Andrea Laycock goes with Choosing To Smile, a story of three local cancer survivors and how they faced the challenges life presented to them both preand post-cancer diagnosis. Asked her favourite as a kid, she said: "Sleeping Beauty, I even have the book still!"

President Glen Ringdal's choice is Good to Great, by Jim Collins. It tells how vision, passion and teamwork can yield spectacular results in business and life. As a youngster, the book Blackboard Jungle by Ed McBain brings back fond memories for Glen.

As for myself, Unbroken could turn out as number one, with Seal Team Geronimo not far behind. A cherished memory for me was reading the Screech Owls series of hockey-based books to my son Darnell. Regarding the Chiefs players favourite books, check the Chiefs facebook page next week or follow the Chiefs on twitter @ chiefs_hockey. Who knows, maybe next season we can start a Chiefs book club.

? Barry Douglas is the sales and marketing manager for the Chilliwack Chiefs