April 2010
What's on Your Bookshelf?

Q: What are you currently reading for pleasure?
A: I am almost finished with Gwen Ifill's The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama. I often read mysteries and Buddhist texts, also, but this one appealed to me because Obama's candidacy was one of the very few to excite me in my 50 years as a voter.

Q: What appealed to you about this book?
A: The book is intelligent and readable both, and Ifill's analysis of race and politics, developed through interviews with up and coming black political leaders from around the country, rang true to me. As a young person, I fervently supported the civil rights movement, but I knew little about the next generation of leaders and their issues and struggles.

Q: What is next on your "want to read" list?
A: I want to read Chase Twichell's books of poetry, in preparation for her appearance here on April 2 (500 Hall of Languages, 7:30 p.m.). I have The Snow Watcher and want to get more. After that, I'd like to read a book on poetry by Peter Levitt before his reading on April 27 (500 Hall of Languages, 7 p.m.). I'm advisor to the Student Buddhist Association, which is bringing these two Buddhist poets to campus.