While recently traveling back to civilization, I was heartened to find that books survived the flood in New York City. The Reading Room at the main branch of the New York City Library was full, and Rizolli’s Inde Book Store on 57th had shelves of old favorites, as well as Ian McEwan’s new “Sweet Tooth,” which I purchased – my ongoing support for the independent bookstores.

The room at the top surrounding the statue of Columbus had its own collection of books – the artist’s idea of eclectic reading material. Among them – Zeitoun, Leaves of Grass, American Lion, Gulliver’s Travels, and Patterson’s Restless Giant.

Books – familiar faces when traveling.