A True Story of Modern Physics, by Michael Riordan. A very good book to explain how the Stardard Model came about.
by Richard P. Feynman. Feynman wrote many books for the general public. This book is easy to read and talks about the joys of finding things out, i.e. learning.
A Biography of Brookhaven National Laboratory, 1946-1972, by Robert P. Crease. Bob Crease is the BNL historian. His book explains how BNL started and what happened till 1972. His second book is in the works.
Modern Physicists and Their Discoveries, by Emilio Segre. A book written by Segre must be read. This book is a good overview on how the modern physics came about. It won't bring you to the Standard Model. Easy to read.
If the Universe is the answer what is the question?, by Leon Lederman
SuperStrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the quest fo the Ultimate Theory, by Brian Greene
by Sheldon L. Glashow
High Energy Particles in Astrophysics, by Roger Clay and Bruce Dawson. This is a good introductory book for people in general that would like to read about high energy cosmic rays
A Life in Physics, by Ruth Lewin Sime. This is a must read book. It is trully inspirational.