I'm so glad you have not removed me from the Reading mailing list. I do enjoy reading Reading and, of course, retirement has given me a little more time to read. Since I've added the NYTimes to my daily schedule that has to count as taking up part of the "little more time." The special section added after Sept. 11 is particularly well done and the daily bios of the victims have been must reading for me albeit very painful.

Since you agree that not everyone agrees on books let me start by saying that my husband and I both enjoyed Sobel's Gallileo's Daughter. We found it interesting, good reading, and thought it well worth our time.

I encourage you to read Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer. Your daughter's review was excellent, as was the book. It is beautifully written and contains wonderful descriptions of natural wonders. And, High Tide in Tucson is one of my all-time favorites.

I'd be interested in hearing if any of your other readers has read The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. It was written by Michael Chabon (author of Wonder Boys) and tells the story of the comic book industry before, during, and just after WWII. The author has done a fine job describing the industry and weaving it into the story of a refugee from Europe at the beginning of Hitler's rise and freedom's fall. The only drawback is that the book is a bit too long (650 pages), but I found it intriguing, as did a few women in my book group. The majority, however, thought it far too long. Anyone out there who has read it?

I'm now in the midst of McCullough's John Adams for our couples' book group and finding it very well written and good reading. My other book group is reading Noah Gordon's The Last Jew so I'm splitting my time. And while I cook and prepare for family visits for Thanksgiving I'm listening to Anthony Trollope's Barchester Towers. The latter is very entertaining with delightful comments by Trollope on British social and religious mores.

See how much one can do when not going to HHS every day!

Thanks again for Reading.