There are many stories of earth’s creation, but the one a father tells his son in Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman is one of my favorites. “In the beginning,” the father … more

“The smell of salt air filled my nostrils. . . . I searched the southwest horizon, trying to find the light from Bodie Island. There were no landmarks. There was no land. I’m committed … more

Just about a month ago, I put my books down and got on a bike strapped with bags stuffed with clothes, snacks, tools and tubes, and a swimsuit. A few months prior I had met a college friend for … more

Sometimes I believe in book karma. I pick up a book for one reason and by the end it’s given me dozens more reasons to recommend it. This was the case with Ma and Me a memoir by Cambodian … more

The woman seated next to me at the book group describes almost word for word the image I’ve been trying to put out of my thoughts since reading it a few days earlier. It is worse than grim, but … more

The women in almost-matching black down coats are grazing a table full of books and both still look hungry for more. I recognize a title by Amor Towles under the arm of one of them, an author … more