Reading on the train

I was reading on the train today when this girl from Barnard starts talking to me about the book she is reading over my shoulder. We had a little chat about the book and it was all nice and friendly. I enjoyed it very much actually.

Chicago tried having this thing a couple of years ago where the mayor would encourage the whole city to read the same book so that people would just have something in common they can all talk about. It was like Oprah but for everyone. They tried to get books with broad appeal. I think we should do this here in New York. It is nice to have a chat with a complete stranger about something you are reading.