Day before yesterday I finished the current book, and discovered that I had nothing unread on hand. So, panicked lest I have withdrawal symptoms, I searched shelves and cabinets and discovered a treasure I had forgotten I owned: Smith of Wootton Major, by J.R.R. Tolkien. This is no 1,300 page behemoth like LOTR, but one of Tolkien's delicious fairy tales--not just for children, either!   I gobbled it down yesterday, weeping (I blush not to say it) at the appropriate places, laughing where indicated, and always marveling at Tolkien's masterful storytelling. I couldn't go to sleep last night before finishing it.

This morning I was faced again with withdrawal symptoms, so back to the bookcases. Another treasure I'd forgotten I had: All I really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulghum. Smash best-seller back in the 80s, and for good reason. Fulghum's book comprises many short articles/stories, two to four pages each in length, containing "Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things". Though I had read it say 25 years ago, only the first little article, which provides the book's name, rings bells of recollection, but Fulghum's penetrating and simple insights and delightful style are a pleasure to (re)visit.

If you haven't read All I Really Needed before, I urge that you go buy it, or run do not walk to your library for it. As a matter of fact, if you have read it, go buy it or run do not walk to your library for it and reread it! It's that good.    Simplicity and delight. Simplicity and delight. Laughter. Tears. Simplicity and delight.

(You might just gather that I like both these books.)

Dave Oesterreich