Lost in Place

I really enjoy perusing the used book cart at the Claremont Library.  A few years ago I bought a copy of Louise Erdrich's The Master Butchers Singing Club and not only thoroughly enjoyed reading it, but I think I've loaned it out to about 5 or 6 friends and relations who also thoroughly enjoyed it.  I'd say that was $1 well spent.

More recently I came upon Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia by Mark Salzman.  I have read his Lying Awake and seen the movie about his time in China called Iron and Silk, and I know I should have read more of his work before now.

I finally got around to reading this one (if you own a book, it usually gets to the bottom of the pile since the library books are pressing you onward with their due dates).  It was funny.  I liked it very much.  Mark was a kid who followed through on his passions until they wore themselves out - from kung fu to cello to Chinese.  Now I really do need to go back and read more of his work.