JAMESLAND

I started Jamesland, by Michelle Huneven, at E’s recommendation. Turns out it takes place in L.A., and the author is a food writer for the Times who lives in Altadena, the next town over from me. The verdict: I really like this book. Every time I have to stop reading, I can’t wait until I can start reading again. There’s nothing fancy about it; it’s just a good, strong, solidly written book with compelling characters who are vaguely interrelated and trying to figure their lives out, which sounds like the kind of contemporary fiction I can never really get excited about, but for whatever reason I’m becoming deeply involved in this one. One of the characters is a descendant of William James—hence the title—so there’s a nice intellectual/academic angle (and a slightly spiritual one, too). Thanks for the tip, E!