I Saw You Reading

Overexposure

2010-11-07T19:17:00.003-05:00

When: Monday 7/19/10, 7:45 AM
Where: MBTA Harvard Station, upper busway
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

I think I've officially gotten over seeing these books. I can't generate enough interest to read them. Now I've seen all three, though.

Reading envy

2010-11-07T19:08:00.002-05:00

When: Thursday 7/15/10, 6:45 PM
Where: MBTA 554 bus, inbound to Boston
Who: Female, late 20s
What: This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

Yet another book I'd like to read, being read by a repeat observee of this blog.

Consider the postal service

2010-11-07T19:02:00.003-05:00

When: Saturday 7/3/10, 11:00 AM
Where: Post office in Porter Square, Cambridge
Who: Female, 30s
What: Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace

It always makes me happy to see people reading DFW. I loved reading this book anywhere I could, too.

Oscar Wao Appearance #2

2010-08-29T17:58:00.002-04:00

When: Friday 5/28/10, 6:45 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (B Line), outbound, between Park St. and Kenmore
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

I do really want to read this book. It will, however, have to get in line behind a lot of others.

Salinger!

2010-08-29T17:56:00.001-04:00

When: Thursday 5/27/10, 5:00 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (B Line), outbound, between Park St. and Kenmore
Who: Male, late teens
What: Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger

Still haven't read this. I'm glad I read Catcher in the Rye in high school, because I have the sneaking suspicion it wouldn't hold up, emotional-investment-wise.

Celebrity books

2010-08-29T17:52:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 5/27/10, 5:00 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (B Line), outbound, between Park St. and Kenmore
Who: Male, 40s
What: American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot by Craig Ferguson

I'm sure Mr. Ferguson's book is a lovely exception, but it sort of grinds my gears that any celebrity or pseudo-celebrity can write or ghostwrite a book and sell it well.

In recent fiction

2010-08-29T17:50:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 5/20/10, 7:45 AM
Where: MBTA Harvard Station, upper busway
Who: Female, early 30s
What: The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

WorldCat summary: "An unforgettable story of three brothers, of history and love, of marriage tested by disaster, of a Jewish family's struggle against annihilation, and of the dangerous power of art in a time of war."

Blast from the academic past

2010-08-10T17:41:00.002-04:00

When: Sunday 5/16/10, 12:30 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going toward Ashmont , between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, early 30s
What: The Bisexual Option by Fred Klein

I wrote a paper on this book in college! I went looking for a "primary source" on bisexuality and this was really all I could find in my college library. It was first published in 1978, and you can tell.

From the French

2010-08-09T17:27:00.001-04:00

When: Sunday 5/16/10, 12:30 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going toward Ashmont , between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, 30s
What: The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

I didn't realize, until I looked this book up in WorldCat, that it had been translated from French. I always assumed it was British for some reason.

Going to catch up on posting...really

2010-08-05T16:20:00.004-04:00

When: Saturday 5/15/10, 3:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going toward Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, 20s
What: Shadow of the Giant by Orson Scott Card

This woman took her book out of a Brookline Booksmith bag, one of my two favorite bookstores in the Greater Boston Area.

The Black Book on the Red Line

2010-07-18T18:55:00.002-04:00

When: Saturday 4/3/10, 1:30 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going toward Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, 60s
What: The Black Book by M.A. Harris

WorldCat's synopsis: "Copiously illustrated scrap-book on folk culture of black people from early days of slavery through the present." Interesting.

The girl who smiled while reading

2010-07-18T18:51:00.003-04:00

When: Saturday 4/3/10, 1:30 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going toward Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

This book's second appearance. The woman reading it was smiling real big.

Prisoners on the moon

2010-07-18T18:48:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 3/25/10, 5:45 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (C Line), outbound, between Park St. and Kenmore
Who: Male,20s
What: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein

For some reason I thought this was a much older book (it was published in 1966). Maybe I was thinking of The Moon and Sixpence.

Not that kind of better

2010-07-18T18:46:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 3/25/10, 5:45 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (C Line), outbound, between Park St. and Kenmore
Who: Male,20s
What: Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance by Atul Gawande

I had assumed this book was about health care, but I guess it's more of a self-help book, which is sort of disappointing.

Naked on the T

2010-07-18T18:41:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 3/25/10, 5:45 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (C Line), outbound, between Park St. and Kenmore
Who: Male, early 30s
What: Naked by David Sedaris

Surprised it took Sedaris this long to make a second appearance. This might be my favorite book of his.

Possible sci-fi

2010-07-04T17:43:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 3/25/10, 5:30 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, 60s
What: The Hidden Family by Charles Stross

The subject headings for this book are pretty mundane (Women journalists - Fiction), but the publisher, Tor, usually publishes fantasy and science fiction. With no knowledge of the plot, I'll just classify it as fiction.

A couple of Steves

2010-07-04T17:41:00.002-04:00

When: Wednesday 3/24/10, 6:00 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (D Line), outbound, between Park St. and Newton Centre
Who: Male, 30s
What: Superfreakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

This is one of those hyper-current books that also, I think, has a window in which one can read them - and then the circulation statistics fall off.

Catching up again...sorry for the delay!

2010-07-04T17:34:00.005-04:00

When: Wednesday 3/24/10, 6:00 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (D Line), outbound, between Park St. and Newton Centre
Who: Female, late 30s
What: Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

I've never read this, and the chances aren't looking good. I think my personal window for this series has closed.

Vampires again

2010-06-01T17:08:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 3/11/10, 5:00 PM
Where: MBTA 73 bus, inbound to Harvard Square
Who: Male, 50s
What: Whitby Vampyrrhic by Simon Clark

The book's WorldCat summary:

"1942. Beth and Sally come to Whitby to act in a film whose purpose, according to its director, is to explain what it is like to live in the Britain of 1942. They find the town is infested by vampires, and must fight for their very souls."

Second sighting of a favorite

2010-06-01T17:05:00.002-04:00

When: Wednesday 3/10/10, 5:30 PM
Where: MBTA 73 bus, inbound to Harvard Square
Who: Female, late 20s
What: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

This person was taking a break from reading while talking on her cell phone, so I probably shouldn't record her, but I'm going to anyway, because it always makes me happy to see people with this book.

Repeat sighting

2010-06-01T17:01:00.003-04:00

When: Wednesday 3/10/10, 5:00 PM
Where: MBTA 554 bus, inbound to Waverley Square
Who: Female, early 30s
What: The Harvard Psychedelic Club: How Timothy Leary, Ram Dass, Huston Smith, and Andrew Weil Killed the Fifties and Ushered in a New Age for America by Don Lattin

A repeat reader! (The same one who was reading Monsieur Pain.) This particular reader always has a new book, so she either reads very fast, gives up on books before they're over, or is reading a large number of books at once.

Subtitles galore!

2010-05-23T19:19:00.003-04:00

I have some serious catching up to do. GO!

When: Tuesday 3/9/10, 5:30 PM
Where: MBTA 73 bus, inbound to Harvard Square
Who: Female, 60s
What: Why we love dogs, eat pigs, and wear cows: An introduction to carnism: The belief system that enables us to eat some animals and not others by Melanie Joy

An interesting title, for sure. The Boston Vegetarian Society has an ad along similar lines that I've been seeing lately in the T.

That's "Mr. Bread," not "Mr. Pain"

2010-04-05T13:17:00.003-04:00

When: Monday 3/8/10, 5:00 PM
Where: MBTA 554 bus, inbound to Waverley Square
Who: Female, early 30s
What: Monsieur Pain by Roberto Bolaño

Long gap in between the dates of the previous entry and this one...trying to catch up!

Popular titles

2010-04-05T13:14:00.003-04:00

When: Monday, 2/1/10, 4:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

This book joins Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and New Moon as the only titles so far to be spotted twice.

Written by a former mujahideen leader

2010-04-02T22:47:00.003-04:00

When: Monday, 1/25/10, 10:15 AM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Female, late 20s
What: Confessions of a Mullah Warrior by Massod Farivar

Male readers were catching up for a minute there, but females have pulled far ahead. Maybe men are more secretive about their reading, or maybe I'm less likely to notice them.

Channel Islands fiction

2010-04-02T22:38:00.003-04:00

When: Monday, 1/25/10, 9:00 AM
Where: MBTA Green Line (E Line), outbound, between Park St.
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I first heard about this book on NPR a couple of years ago, but I was never that interested in it.

Maine in Massachusetts

2010-04-02T22:31:00.002-04:00

When: Monday, 1/25/10, 8:30 AM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, 20s
What: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Ditto what I said about the last book for this one; here's its WorldCat site.

African American plantation owners - Fiction

2010-04-02T22:18:00.002-04:00

When: Monday, 1/25/10, 8:30 AM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, late teens
What: The Known World by Edward P. Jones

I'd never heard of this book, but from some of its WorldCat reviews, I think I might be interested.

Keep on pushing my love....

2010-03-24T16:46:00.001-04:00

When: Monday, 1/25/10, 8:30 AM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, 50s
What: Borderlines by Archer Mayor

Recording this book immediately put Madonna's "Borderline" into my head. Now I want it out.

Posthumous movie rights

2010-03-24T16:41:00.003-04:00

When: Saturday, 1/23/10, 7:30 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Braintree and Harvard
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

This author is popping up everywhere; now two different film versions of his other book (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) are coming out. I just noticed in his authority record that he died in 2004. The books seem new; they must just have been translated into English recently.

Tilting at windmills

2010-03-24T16:34:00.001-04:00

When: Saturday, 1/23/10, 3:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, 30s
What: Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes

I believe this is the second Spanish-language book sighting for the blog.

First Kindle sighting

2010-03-01T13:43:00.003-05:00

When: Wednesday, 1/20/10, 6:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe (Kindle version)

I didn't think I'd ever post an e-reader sighting, because you can't tell what people are reading on them, but I caught a glimpse over this woman's shoulder. I am very ambivalent about e-readers, and especially about the Kindle, which doesn't actually allow you to "own" any of its books.

Omnivores!

2010-03-01T13:41:00.000-05:00

When: Wednesday, 1/20/10, 6:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Female, early 40s
What: The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

This book is both omnivorous and omnipresent. I'm surprised I haven't recorded a sighting of it before.

Junior slump

2010-03-01T13:35:00.003-05:00

When: Wednesday, 1/20/10, 6:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb

The WorldCat reviewers on this one are largely disappointed with this book as compared to Lamb's other novels. That's too bad - She's Come Undone had a big impact on me when I first read it. I must have been about thirteen.

Queens, not senators

2010-03-01T13:31:00.001-05:00

When: Tuesday, 1/19/10, 4:15 PM
Where: MBTA 73 bus, inbound from Waverley Square
Who: Female, early 50s
What: Time and Chance by Sharon Kay Penman

Apparently this is the sequel to a book I really liked in high school, The Queen's Man. They're both about Eleanor of Aquitaine, a woman in power. Unfortunately, I spotted this on my way to vote in the Massachusetts special election, which did not result in a woman in power, but instead Scott Brown.

Mystery on the green line

2010-02-05T12:59:00.002-05:00

When: Sunday, 1/17/10, 7:30 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (D Line), outbound, between Park St. and Kenmore
Who: Male, late teens
What: In the Woods by Tana French

The WorldCat summary:
"Detective Rob Ryan and his partner, Cassie Maddox, investigate the murder of a 12-year-old girl near a Dublin suburb. The case resonates with similarities to a murder committed twenty years before that involved two children and the young Ryan."

More Twilight

2010-02-05T12:55:00.002-05:00

When: Sunday, 1/17/10, 7:30 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (D Line), outbound, between Park St. and Kenmore
Who: Female, late teens
What: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Stephenie Meyer moving up the ranks in sightings - she is now tied for most-spotted with Dan Brown, J.K. Rowling, and Terry Pratchett.

Guerrilla in training

2010-02-05T12:51:00.002-05:00

When: Friday, 1/8/10, 10:00 AM
Where: MBTA Green Line, inbound, between Kenmore and Park St.
Who: Male, late teens
What: Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson

This was clearly a business student; the Billy Corgan lookalike seated next to him kept looking at the book askance.

New year, new psycholinguistics

2010-01-30T18:44:00.003-05:00

When: Wednesday, 1/6/10, 7:40 AM
Where: MBTA Harvard Station, lower busway
Who: Female, 20s
What: Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things: What Categories Reveal About the Mind by George Lakoff

So want to read this book!

Last sighting of 2009

2010-01-30T18:41:00.002-05:00

When: Friday, 12/31/09, around 4:30 PM
Where: O'Hare Airport, Chicago
Who: Female, 60s
What: U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

What is Ms. Grafton going to do when she runs out of letters?

Plane reading again

2010-01-21T12:17:00.001-05:00

When: Friday, 12/18/09, around 7:30 PM
Where: on a flight from Boston to Chicago
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

A hugely popular book, but the first time I've seen it being read.

Waiting for drugs....

2010-01-13T16:20:00.002-05:00

When: Thursday, 12/17/09, around 6:00 PM
Where: Pharmacy, the CVS on Church St. in Cambridge
Who: Male, 50s
What: Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett's third appearance on this blog. Popular man.

Intrigue at the neurologist's

2010-01-13T16:18:00.003-05:00

When: Wednesday, 12/16/09, around 1:00 PM
Where: the waiting room at my doctor's office
Who: Male, late 50s
What: Siro by David Ignatius

A thriller about the Soviets! from 1991.

Only my second Twilight sighting

2010-01-13T16:13:00.002-05:00

When: Friday, 11/27/09, 5:30 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, Park St. platform
Who: Female, 20s
What: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

I had to look up the title - I just had scribbled down "the one with the flower on the cover." I have somehow remained unsnared by the Twilight series.

French history

2010-01-03T17:26:00.002-05:00

When: Wednesday, 11/25/09, 3:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Davis and Harvard
Who: Female, 30s
What: The Discovery of France by Graham Robb

On my way back from Dave's Fresh Pasta, getting herbs for Thanksgiving.

Catching up

2010-01-03T17:21:00.002-05:00

While I may not have been posting, I have been keeping track of what other people have been reading. Stay tuned in the next week for the last month and a half's sightings.

First, this one.

When: Wednesday, 11/25/09, 3:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Davis and Harvard
Who: Female, 20s
What: Betrayed by David Givens

It's looking like a nonfiction week

2009-11-19T16:06:00.002-05:00

When: Friday 11/19/09, 10:30 AM
Where: MBTA Green Line, inbound, between Fenway and Park St.
Who: Male, 60s
What: The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman

I have to say, I usually find these kinds of books pretty boring. But this guy seemed very into it.

The atheist and the church

2009-11-19T16:01:00.001-05:00

When: Wednesday 11/18/09, about 10:30 PM
Where: Church St. & Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
Who: Male, late 20s
What: The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution by Richard Dawkins

Amusing to see someone standing outside a church (though, granted, a Unitarian church) reading a book by one of the most diehard and famous atheists out there. For maximum effect, it should have been The God Delusion.

Filed under "memoir" and "novel"

2009-11-10T12:17:00.003-05:00

When: Tuesday 11/3/09, around 11:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Female, early 20s
What: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

The cover was torn off this copy, but I could tell by the font on the spine what book this was. A closer look confirmed my suspicions.

Swedish mystery

2009-11-10T12:13:00.001-05:00

When: Monday 11/2/09, time not recorded
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Harvard and Alewife
Who: Female, 40s
What: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

I have been hearing about and seeing this book everywhere lately.

Consumer behavior

2009-11-10T12:08:00.003-05:00

When: Monday 11/2/09, time not recorded
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Harvard and Alewife
Who: Male, early 70s
What: Think Like Your Customer: A Winning Strategy to Maximize Sales by Understanding How and Why Your Customers Buy by Bill Stinnett

Surprisingly not in the library catalog of the business-focused university where I work.

Team-writing

2009-11-10T12:00:00.003-05:00

When: Monday 11/2/09, time not recorded
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Harvard and Alewife
Who: Female, 20s
What: Lifeguard by James Patterson and Andrew Gross

After a long hiatus, I am finally seeing people reading again.

Oh, those teen vampires

2009-10-04T18:36:00.001-04:00

When: Wednesday 9/30/09, around 5:00
Where: MBTA Green Line (C Line), outbound, between Park St. and Coolidge Corner
Who: Female, 30s
What: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

I'm shocked it's taken this long for a Twilight book to make the blog.

Brand new Dan Brown

2009-10-04T18:33:00.001-04:00

When: Wednesday 9/30/09, around 5:00
Where: MBTA Green Line (C Line), outbound, between Park St. and Coolidge Corner
Who: Male, 30s
What: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Dan Brown and J.K. Rowling are now neck-and-neck in terms of author mentions, now both with 3.

I now want to see a male reading this

2009-10-04T18:31:00.002-04:00

When: Monday 9/21/09, time not recorded
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Female, late 20s
What: You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation by Deborah Tannen

I should probably read this, even if it will probably only make me irritated.

Catching up on more old sightings

2009-10-04T18:15:00.002-04:00

When: Sunday 8/30/09, time not recorded
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, late 20s
What: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This may be one of the last people to read this book. Even I've read it!

Capote makes his ISYR debut

2009-10-04T18:12:00.001-04:00

When: Friday 8/28/09, time not recorded
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, 20s
What: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

One of the most well-written books I've ever read. I remember reading it while waiting to get my sister's car fixed and shivering.

Nice timing

2009-10-04T18:08:00.002-04:00

When: Sunday 8/23/09, time not recorded
Where: MBTA Silver Line, between Logan Airport and South Station
Who: Female, 30s, reading to female, 9 or 10
What: When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr

After dropping my mom off at the airport, saw someone reading (to her daughter, I assumed) a book my mom has used with her fifth grade students.

This qualifies as postmodern, right?

2009-08-27T17:51:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 8/20/09, around 6:15 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, 20s
What: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

I'm surprised this book hasn't made it on the blog before. If you haven't heard of it, you've probably been living under a rock somewhere.

My least favorite Sedaris book

2009-08-27T17:45:00.003-04:00

When: Thursday 8/20/09, around 6:00 PM
Where: Garden St. & Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
Who: Male, early 30s
What: Barrel Fever by David Sedaris

Walking and reading at the same time along the sidewalk beside the Old Burying Ground. Very dangerous thing to do on a sidewalk made of bricks.

Almost missed my stop recording this one

2009-08-24T17:49:00.003-04:00

When: Sunday 8/16/09, around 6:00 PM
Where: MBTA 73 bus, outbound
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov by Vladimir Nabokov

With this rather trippy cover (the 1997 Vintage edition). Image from WorldCat.

First sighting of a prolific writer

2009-08-24T17:44:00.003-04:00

When: Sunday 8/16/09, around 3:45 PM
Where:MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Male, 50s
What: Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11 by Thomas Friedman

Published in 2002...I wonder what the sequel will be like.

Does anyone else find the phrase "finger lickin'" really gross?

2009-08-19T17:50:00.002-04:00

When: Friday 8/14/09, 1:00 PM
Where: Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA
Who:Female, 40s
What: Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

I was hoping to get some more "beach reading" sightings than these two, but I was too busy having my own fun, I guess.

Long subtitle much?

2009-08-19T17:46:00.002-04:00

When: Friday 8/14/09, 1:00 PM
Where: Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA
Who: Female, 60s
What: Fleeced: how Barack Obama, media mockery of terrorist threats, liberals who want to kill talk radio, the do-nothing Congress, companies that help Iran, and Washington lobbyists for foreign governments are scamming us-- and what to do about it by Dick Morris & Eileen McGann

Oy vey.

Enchiladas & crime

2009-08-11T17:36:00.002-04:00

When: Monday 8/3/09, 8:00 PM
Where: Border Cafe in Cambridge, downstairs
Who: Male, late 60s
What: Murder in Vegas: New Crime Tales of Gambling and Desperation, ed. Michael Connelly

I may have noticed this particularly because I just got back from said city. My favorite story titles in this collection: "Rolling the Bones" and "Death of a Whale in the Church of Elvis."

The reader was furiously underlining

2009-08-10T17:49:00.001-04:00

When: Friday 7/31/09, sometime in the early afternoon
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, 30s
What: How God Changes Your Brain: Breakthrough Findings from a Leading Neuroscientist by Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman

I wish I could better separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to this type of book. Book reviews, I guess.

Shakespeare - whoever he was

2009-08-10T17:45:00.001-04:00

When: Friday 7/31/09, sometime in the early afternoon
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, 40s
What: Shakespeare: The World As Stage by Bill Bryson

From what I can tell, this is a biography of Shakespeare, about how difficult writing a biography of Shakespeare is. I've never read anything by Bill Bryson, though I see his books everywhere.

Otras lenguas!

2009-08-05T20:59:00.002-04:00

When: Friday 7/31/09, sometime in the early afternoon
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, 20s
What: Las cinco personas que encontrarás en el cielo por Mitch Albom, translated by Mariano Antolín Rato

The first Spanish-language book to appear on this blog (I think), even if it's just a translation.

Got way too excited about this one

2009-08-05T20:55:00.003-04:00

When: Friday 7/31/09, sometime in the early afternoon
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Braintree, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This is one of my favorite books ever in life, and I am hoping that the movie adaptation coming out next week won't be too disappointing. This book profoundly affected me; cf. me crying at the trailer, just because I know what's going to happen.

Last of the West Coast sightings

2009-08-05T20:40:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 7/30/09, 10:00 AM
Where: Long Beach (CA) airport
Who: Male, 40s
What: Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear

I was intrigued by the title, but not so much by the WorldCat summary:

"A retrovirus is discovered which provokes miscarriages in women, followed by a second pregnancy without sexual intercourse. As scientists race to unlock its mysteries, fears grow it may herald the end of the human race as we know it."

Title = what I was on the plane ride back to Boston (along with hysterical)

2009-08-04T17:51:00.003-04:00

When: Thursday 7/30/09, 10:00 AM
Where: Long Beach (CA) airport
Who: Female, 20s
What: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

I have this irrational feeling I wouldn't like this book. Not sure why.

Poolside

2009-08-04T17:46:00.004-04:00

When: Monday 7/27/09, around 4:30
Where: Monte Carlo Hotel, Las Vegas
Who: Female, 30s
What: Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner

Apparently the sequel to Good in Bed. The woman was in the pool, leaning on the edge with a drink and a book. It was 110 degrees outside.

A book set in Boston, after a flight from Boston

2009-08-04T13:08:00.001-04:00

When: Friday 7/24/09, around noon
Where: Long Beach (CA) airport, baggage claim
Who: Female, early 60s
What: The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner

Not even I read while waiting for my bags. It must be a good one.

Literal escapism

2009-07-20T17:54:00.001-04:00

When: Thursday 7/16/09, around 8:15 AM
Where: MBTA 554 bus, inbound
Who: Male, 50s
What: Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

I would like to have been reading, too, but I had to put in my headphones so as not to hear the loud rantings of the man in front of me on the decline of civilization vis-a-vis Michelle Obama's sleeves, and Sonia Sotomayor's membership in "La Rosa" (aka "La Raza").

Movie adaptation time!

2009-07-16T17:51:00.000-04:00

When: Thursday 7/16/09, around 7:45 AM
Where: MBTA 73 bus, outbound
Who: Male, 20s
What: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

The first book, I believe, to get a second mention.

Telegraphic title

2009-07-09T17:52:00.001-04:00

When: Tuesday 7/7/09, around 10:30 AM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Park St. and Harvard
Who: Male, early 50s
What: Retreat, Hell! by W.E.B. Griffin

I had written down the words "retreat" and "hell," which was all I could see, thinking I would look up the rest of the title later - but there it is.

Sci-fi classic, waiting for the train

2009-07-09T17:39:00.002-04:00

When: Tuesday 7/7/09, around 8:30 AM
Where: MBTA Park Street station, Green Line platform
Who: Male, 30s
What: Foundation by Isaac Asimov

I really had to crane my neck to see this title. Very nosy.

Awesome author last name alert

2009-07-09T17:36:00.002-04:00

When: Friday 7/3/09, around 9:00 PM
Where: MBTA Silver Line, between Logan Airport and South Station
Who: Male, 70s
What: The Bourne Legacy by Eric Van Lustbader

That anyone is able to read on the Silver Line without puking, I am amazed.

Back to the eighties

2009-07-09T17:31:00.002-04:00

When: Friday 7/3/09, around 6:00 PM
Where: United Airlines flight from Chicago to Boston
Who: Male, 40s
What: Den of Thieves by James B. Stewart

Yet another patient person unfortunately seated next to me on an airplane.

Their sons had video games instead

2009-07-06T17:46:00.001-04:00

When: Friday 7/3/09, 4:00 PM
Where: O'Hare Airport, Chicago, Terminal C
Who: Female, 30s
What: Theory of Relativity by Jacquelyn Mitchard

This was one half of a couple, both reading library books, but I didn't write down the husband's at the time. It was some kind of spy novel - a stereotypical sort of "his and hers" kind of pairing.

Beach reading circa 2007

2009-07-06T17:39:00.002-04:00

When: Thursday 7/2/09, 2:00 PM
Where: Crystal Lake Main Beach; Crystal Lake, IL
Who: Female, 30s
What: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Is it sad that I recognized this with a quick glance at the back cover?

Beginning of Chicago edition

2009-07-06T17:35:00.002-04:00

When: Tuesday 6/30/09, 5:15 PM
Where: Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line, going from Park Ridge to Chicago
Who: Female, 20s
What: The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Another one I could die without reading.

Objectivism!

2009-06-22T17:52:00.000-04:00

When: Saturday 6/20/09, around 5:00 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line (E Line), outbound, between Park St. and Arlington
Who: Male, early 30s
What: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

I have a feeling I have not seen the last of Ms. Rand on this blog.

Discworld, again

2009-06-22T17:48:00.001-04:00

When: Friday 6/12/09, around 11:00 PM
Where: MBTA Orange Line, going towards Oak Grove, between Forest Hills and Downtown Crossing
Who: Female, 60s
What: Feet of Clay by Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett gets the distinction of being the second author with two entries in this blog.

Lower halves

2009-06-22T17:42:00.003-04:00

When: Friday 6/12/09, 7:15 PM
Where: MBTA Orange Line, going towards Forest Hills, between Downtown Crossing and Forest Hills
Who: Female, 40s
What: Two's Company by Jill Mansell

Why do chick-lit book covers always feature photos of people below the waist?

Early morning Greene

2009-06-22T17:38:00.003-04:00

When: Thursday 6/11/09, 7:45 AM
Where: MBTA 73 bus, outbound
Who: Female, early 20s
What: The Quiet American by Graham Greene

I know absolutely nothing about Graham Greene except his name; he is on my reading list in a canonical capacity.

Middle of a series

2009-06-15T17:36:00.004-04:00

When: Wednesday 6/10/09, around 6:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, 20s
What: Rabbit is Rich by John Updike

On a train packed with Red Sox fans going to the second game of a series with the Yankees. This book was massive; I can't imagine trying to read all the Rabbit novels.

Late-night magical realism

2009-06-15T17:32:00.001-04:00

When: Wednesday 6/10/09, 11:45 PM
Where: MBTA Green Line, inbound, between Kenmore and Park St.
Who: Male, 20s
What: Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins

Another one of my favorite books! Maybe I'm predisposed to notice these, especially if the cover is the same as the edition I own.

Not "an" autobiography, but "the" autobiography

2009-06-02T17:08:00.003-04:00

When: Thursday 5/28/09, 8:30 AM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Ashmont, between Harvard and Park St.
Who: Male, early 20s
What: Clapton: the Autobiography by Eric Clapton

This particular T ride was frustrating, because half the car was reading books, but the only book whose title I could see was this one.

Starting at the beginning

2009-06-02T17:05:00.001-04:00

When: Wednesday 5/27/09, 7:45 AM
Where: MBTA 73 bus, outbound
Who: Female, 30s
What: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I wish I could read these for the first time again. Of course, my memory is so bad that it probably would be like the first time.

Back-dated post

2009-05-30T12:54:00.002-04:00

When: Saturday 5/23/09, early afternoon
Where: corner of Garden St. and Berkeley St., Cambridge (outside the Sheraton Commander hotel)
Who: Male, early 20s
What: The Dying Animal by Philip Roth

I forgot to record this one, and remembered it the other day. I've never had much of an interest in reading Roth - from what I've heard, his novels seem like everything I dislike - but I suppose I should at least read one.

Genre fiction issues

2009-05-30T12:50:00.002-04:00

When: Monday 5/25/09, around 2:00 PM
Where: Davis Square, on the benches in front of JP Licks
Who: Female, early 30s
What: The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett

I've known plenty of people who liked this author, but have never actually read a book by him myself.

I wanted to start labeling books with genres where appropriate, but I don't know enough about this one to label it sci-fi or fantasy. Maybe at some point int he future.

Maybe a more modest financial goal is appropriate these days....

2009-05-30T12:45:00.003-04:00

When: Monday 5/25/09, early afternoon
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Harvard and Davis
Who: Male, early 20s
What: I Will Teach You to be Rich by Ramit Sethi

The WorldCat summary: "Presents the author's six-week personal finance program for adults ages 20-35. Integrated with his website, where readers can use interactive charts, follow up on the latest information, and join the community, it is a hip blueprint to building wealth and financial security."

This is perhaps the only instance of "hip" modifying "blueprint" in the English language.

London in Cambridge

2009-05-20T14:42:00.003-04:00

When: Saturday 5/16/09, around 4:30 PM
Where: Brattle Square, Cambridge, near the florist shop
Who: Male, 20s
What: White Teeth by Zadie Smith

One of my favorite books! I got very excited.

Political novel

2009-05-20T14:36:00.003-04:00

When: Saturday 5/16/09, around 4:00 PM
Where: MBTA Red Line, going towards Alewife, between Downtown Crossing and Harvard
Who: Female, 40s
What: Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley

The novel about a TV judge who ends up on the Supreme Court, by the erstwhile National Review writer (see this October New York Times article). I recognized the title from when I saw him on The Daily Show (or maybe it was The Colbert Report).

Image from WorldCat.

Ubiquitous Salinger

2009-05-18T17:02:00.002-04:00

When: Saturday 5/16/09, around noon
Where: MBTA Red Line, going toward Braintree, between Harvard and Broadway
Who: Female, 20s
What: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger

Salinger keeps popping up lately (he was an answer on Jeopardy! the other day). I've never read this one...this blog is quickly becoming a list of books to read. I'll add it to the several others I keep.

First children's book of the blog

2009-05-18T16:54:00.002-04:00

When: Saturday 5/16/09, around noon
Where: MBTA Red Line, going toward Braintree, between Harvard and Broadway
Who: Male, around 8 or 9
What: Dragon of the Red Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne

An installment of the Magic Tree House series.

Dan Brown strikes again

2009-05-14T12:14:00.000-04:00

When: Tuesday 5/12/09, 7:35 AM
Where: MBTA Harvard Station, lower busway
Who: Female, early 40s
What: Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

Catching up before the movie comes out....

Classic in the air, part two

2009-05-14T12:12:00.001-04:00

When: Sunday 5/10/09, 7:00 PM or so
Where: American Airlines flight 154 from Chicago to Boston
Who: Male, 30s
What: The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Classic in the air, part one

2009-05-14T12:09:00.001-04:00

When: Sunday 5/10/09, 7:00 PM or so
Where: American Airlines flight 154 from Chicago to Boston
Who: Male, early 20s
What: Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson