Speaking of bookstores and books, I’ve been reading lately. I know a lot of friends who are always on the hunt for recommendations. Here are a few, if you’re interested.

The Art of Fielding: Loved this because it is unlike any book I’ve read before. I enjoy reading a brand new story. And the characters were very real to me, although I don’t have much in common with them. I always imagine that that would be difficult to do.

Enchantments: I’m sort of fascinated by the story of the Romonav family, and have been since reading Nicholas and Alexandra years ago. I loved seeing story through the eyes of Rasputin’s daughter, although I found the pacing of the book a little distracting.

1Q84: A very long, detailed book that still felt very spare and clean. I really enjoyed it, although I also have the feeling that I didn’t get everything out of it that I should have. Wish I could read this for a class and have a professor’s guidance in thinking through it.

The Snow Child: A little bit of a fairy tale for grown ups. I was so wrapped up in this book, which is set in Alaska, that every time I stopped reading I was surprised not to see snow outside.

Ten Thousand Saints: Set in Burlington and NYC, and it’s always interesting to come to a book with a sense of the places that you’re reading about. I did like it, but it was also a tough read for me. I felt like a suffering parent with very wayward characters for children.et

Carry the One: Fantastic. There’s a death early in the book, and although it isn’t central to the plot, it influences everything. There are difficult characters and kind characters, all very, very real.

All the Hunger Games: These books are like drugs. You know they’re not going to do you any good, but you can’t help reading them anyway. I’ve read them all before, and I read them all again when the movie came out. I haven’t seen it, but seeing all the press about it made me interested.

That’s all for now. Next up: The Last Werewolf, Twenty Thirty, and Train Dreams. Stay tuned.