[The JD]

_Closely_Watched_Trains by Bohumil Hrabal was surprisingly good. It was written in the 1940s, I think, and in Czechoslovakian, but translates across both language and time rather well. I was intrigued with how simple the writing was, which, actually, it had to be: When the view of the book is only in what the narrator knows, and the narrator is naive, then you have to find other ways to communicate this other than by saying "btw, I'm really naive"...because by saying you're naive, it shows a perspective that doesn't sound so naive. In this case, the author stuck with really simplistic language and observations...but it makes for an intriguing story. Worth the read.

Also halfway through the third book in the Game of Thrones series, _A_Storm_of_Swords. It's gotten better, I'm following all the moving pieces better, now caught up in all story lines, not just a few of them. Eager for the next season on HBO now too!

JD