Mary Schmich: So you couldn't focus on a book for a while, but now you're ready? 6 good books to read right now

In the earliest days of the pandemic, I heard a lot of people say they couldn't focus on a book. I felt the same. When yet another media organization would issue a jolly "Pandemic Reading List" I would think, "Are you crazy? Who can read anything but the news?"

But something has shifted. Recently I've heard several people say, "I'm ready to read again." Me too. In fact, I've read with more appetite and pleasure in the past month than normal. Here are an eclectic few