Man, I have been on one of the best reading jags ever.
Not a miss in six months.
And I keep thinking I’m going to post about them all — both the books for kids and adults — but then I get all embroiled in the next-one-I-can’t-put-down.

People.
This is a very good problem to have.

Still, I’m going to take a quick breather here and (better late than never) tell you about Dave Eggers’ Zeitoun.

This book blew me away for all kinds of reasons.

1. It totally completes Eggers’ evolution from self-referential memoirist, through creative-nonfiction-based novelist, to impassioned journalist. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve actually loved all of Eggers’ books and am not dissing Heartbreaking Work or, god forbid, What is the What at all. But there is something newly and deeply generous and outward-looking about Zeitoun.

2. It takes place in New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina which, as you know, was not a time or place filled with great hope. But I had.no.idea.quite.how.bad.it.was. I mean, I live close enough to New Orleans that when they have a storm, we get some of the rain, and still, I felt as if I were reading post-apocolyptic sci fi or something. The story is crazy eye-opening.

3. It is also an indictment without hysteria. It is calm and measured and graceful. Which, on the one hand, just makes you want to scream. And on the other, makes you want to bow, in admiration and gratitude.

4. Hello, Muslim faith education. Feeling kind of dumb about the gaping holes in my knowledge that this book shone light through and I have been working to rectify that ever since.

5. The covers of the McSweeney’s books are beautiful to look at and wonderful to hold.

I’d like to recommend that you read this one.
I really would…