I don’t know if it’s because the days are so much longer, or because I’ve surrendered to the fact that I’m not going to get more than six hours of sleep a night, or because my attention span has finally gotten back to a more normal state, but I’ve been tearing through books lately. What a relief! I feel like myself again. Selections from the last few weeks:

Where’d You Go Bernadette? This was recommended by a friend on Facebook way back in the winter. It took me a while to get around to it, but I’m so glad I did. Very funny and one of those books that don’t feel like an update of an old story. Lovely voices.

The Interestings. Thank you, Matt, for finding this one, and John, for approving it based on its brightly striped cover. One of the best things I’ve read in a while. I think it perfectly captures both the intensity of adolescent relationships and the (sometimes painful) evolution of those relationships as we get older.

The House of Special Purpose. I always read books about Nicholas II and his family, and I have no idea why. It’s sort of morbid, right? Anyway, this one is fiction but a nice read. But if you want the real story, this is great non-fiction from years ago: The Last Tsar.

Dog Stars. I’m also fascinated by stories that take place after most of the people are gone. No crazy zombies here, but a surprising thoughtful and gentle story about how good and bad we could be even without them.

The Last Dragonslayer. Jasper Fforde’s books for adults are packed with clever wordplay and wit. This one’s for young people but he’s not talking down to them – it’s just as smart and funny. John and I are reading it together — he’ll like it even more when he re-reads it in a few years.

A Place of One’s Own. When Michael Pollan starts thinking about something, he apparently thinks very, very deeply about it, and then writes it all beautifully down. This book popped up at just the right time for me. I wish I could build myself a little house, too.

And now summer’s coming. Time for more reading — both serious and silly. Suggestions welcome.