Characters Who Form You

All of us voracious readers have favorite books—book we re-read, books that encouraged us, inspired us, challenged us, and soothed us. Not always the same (the book and the character) there are those members of the cast who never leave us. I wonder, is there a difference between most memorable books, and the individual characters … Read more

Back in Baby’s Arms?

I had a visit from the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future this year—but unlike Scrooge’s rattling guys, my spirits crept in on the first night of Hanukkah. They told me I’d been whining about my unrequited crush on Santa for too many years. They told me it wasn’t him, but me. Yes, he’d … Read more

Stupid Book Clubs, Depressing Libraries & Horrible Bookstores

Recently I listened to Joe Queenan—author of a book about his love of books and reading—on NPR (the soundtrack of my life) eager for the pleasure of hearing someone who reads as voraciously (okay, more) as I do, and loves books as intensely (not possible that it could be more) and who, like me, is obsessed … Read more

Reading Without Borders

About when I turned ten I began crafting my library checkouts, hoping I’d look smart. I’d balance my Nancy Drew with a biography of Abraham Lincoln, so the librarian thought well of me. (It seems my self-esteem problem enacted early.) Today, reading Why Are So Many Literary Writers Shifting into Genre?, on The Millions, I … Read more