What I'm reading right now is T.C. Boyle's latest short-collection, After the Plague.

Mr. Boyle is a tremendous writer -- most of these stories I've read already when they appeared in magazine form. I'm looking forward to reading them again. Boyle, by the way, is not only a gifted author -- arguably the best short story author around right now, unarguably the most consistently good short story author around -- but also a very nice man, who engages his readers in his web site's message board. Go say hi!

The Lovely Bones was a great book, the first great book I've read this year. I've read okay books and pretty good books but had not hit upon a great one until now. It's funny and heartbreaking and true. Please please read it.