I was in New York City for three events yesterday. After four decades of commuting into the city, it felt surreal to do it again. Driving in and sitting in traffic on the helix entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel felt WAY too familiar. I was thinking of the Stevie Wonder song “Living for the City,” where he says, “Wow, New York, just like I pictured it. Skyscrapers and everything.” Heading crosstown to a parking garage meant that I saw at least one car run a light. For my heart-stopping moment, there was a woman with a tiny dog who decided that the Don’t Walk sign was not for her, and she sprinted in front of my car as the light was green for me to go. She did wave and mouthed “sorry” as she did this. I had forgotten that this was a typical NYC pedestrian move.

I do not think I am alone in asking, "Wait, how did it get to be May 31st already?" I have been hearing it from people all day. The weather here has been spectacular --- what we call California weather. Last weekend, I finally just sat outside and read; it's been weeks since I've had the time to do that. I missed book group last week for the second time, which is not like me.

Onward to share what's been going on to keep me busy...

This Bookreporter.com Special Newsletter spotlights a book that we think is a great summer reading selection. Read more about it, and enter our Summer Reading Contest by Thursday, June 1st at noon ET for a chance to win one of five copies of LADY TAN'S CIRCLE OF WOMEN by Lisa See, which releases on June 6th and will be a Bookreporter.com Bets On pick. Please note that each contest is only open for 24 hours, so you will need to act quickly!