Reading in the Dark by Seamus Deane was the best. It’s a terrific Irish novel packed with mystery, lies, family dynamics, and above all, a coming-of-age story with a twist. The title – "reading in the dark" – is the kind of wonderful paradox that defines Deane’s writing. It’s Deane’s first — and last — novel.
Sex and Reason by Richard Posner let me down. Usually, Posner brings alive any topic he writes about. This time, though, I could only make it half-way through. While there are some interesting nuggets about sexual theory and norms, homosexuality, and feminism starting in Greece till now, on the whole it’s too dense for lay readers.
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki is a quick, casual book on Zen meditation and practice. A good read for anyone getting started with Zen meditation. Thanks Steve Silberman for sending this to me!
I’d suggest Posner’s book “Law & Literature.” It’s an interesting synopsis of many great stories by an incisive mind. He talks about how the law is depicted in famous works of literature, the choices that the authors made, and what their commentary may mean or not mean for reforming the law.