I saw a woman in her early 30s wearing surgical scrubs and reading The Jewel in the Crown, the first book in Paul Scott's Raj Quartet (basis of the beloved 1980s TV miniseries).
A Wall-Streeter in his 40s was reading Life, Keith Richards' autobiography, which received a VERY good review in the Times earlier this week.
A rotund little woman in her late 50s/early 60s sported a bowl-shaped haircut, bright red reading glasses, big clunky beads, and an NPR tote bag, and was reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave. I keep meaning to read this one, but . . . I don't know. I just haven't.
I read the Raj Quartet in the late 1970's when I was a junior reporter and the volumes came in handy for when I was covering the magistrates court and the bench were taking forever to deliberate (as they often did!)
Wished I could have taken it to the local council meetings as they were so boring and I was often only there for a couple of agenda items but I didn't dare as I would have got too engrossed and probably missed what I needed!
Was going to say that I hadn't read Little Bee but I had read The Other Hand by the same author, til I remembered reading that LB is actually the US title for the same book! Enjoyed it though so might be worth a try.
Posted by: Liz F | October 29, 2010 at 11:19 AM
I've the same reaction to Little Bee and I don't know why I keep avoiding it.
Posted by: ML Richardson | October 29, 2010 at 06:44 PM
I've got the whole set of those British Raj books--old mass market paperbacks that I found at a library sale. Will save them for when I need a really good dose of escapism. Even though I know next to nothing about Keith Richards and am not sure I would want to, I bet there is some good/entertaining reading in his book. I will have to read the review.
Posted by: Danielle | October 29, 2010 at 07:26 PM
Hi LizF: I can well understand the desire to have reading material during those s-l-o-w moments! I never go anywhere w/o a book or my Kindle. Sounds like you had/have a very interesting career.
Hi ML -- I've heard very mixed things -- from raves to the reverse. LizF (just above) liked it, so . . .
Hi Danielle: It's been ages since I read the Raj Quartet, but maybe you should dust them off -- not that YOU ever lack for reading material -- LOL! -- As I recall there's not much about them that I would call escapist. The plot of the first novel that the woman on the subway was reading revolves around an alleged rape of a British woman by an Indian man. I also recall Tim Piggott-Smith playing a real baddie in the TV program, but I'm a bit vague on the details. Anyway, a great read for those snowy winter weekends ahead. As for the Keith Richards book, I spotted it again tonight on the subway ride home, but I confess I don't really follow the Stones, so much of the rich anecdote would probably be lost on me!
Posted by: Karen | October 29, 2010 at 07:45 PM