On a recent visit to Reading, I appropriately enough bought some books. The newest in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, by Alexander McCall Smith, is out in paperback, as is Neal Stephenson's second book in the Boroque Cycle, The Confusion.
If you haven't read the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, you're missing a delightful read. I picked up the first one from a remainder table at Borders. Apparently the books aren't as popular in the States as they are here. The first paragraph captivated me, and the rest of the series has been charming. Simple, down to earth, the stories feature an African Miss Marple-type, though I find "traditionally built" Mma Ramotswe much more engaging.
So don't expect to see much of me for the next few days. I plan to be curled up somewhere, a last bit of escapism before the madness of the world draws me back to the fray.
