What to read when you're done with Harry Potter...

After the Hirshorn, after the late-night diner, a bevy of cute wizard-caped kids (and adults) ran across our path.

Let's shout out, "Harry dies! Harry dies!" *

Nah, that's mean. They'll cry.

Of course, we meant the adults; kids are notoriously resilient.

I don't know know why I never got into Harry Potter books. (linked because they need more publicity) Kudos to J.K. Rowling for entrancing millions and making a killing.

But I have run across a sundry array of good grown-up books lately:

- China Men, Maxine Hong Kingston - Complex take on the immigrant experience.
- Fashion Babylon, Anonymous - Cheeky take on the gossip and risky-as-hell business model behind the fashion industry.
- Disgrace, J. M. Coetzee - South African professor boffs student, gets fired, ends up on the farm.
- The Grass Is Singing, Doris Lessing - South African Mary Tyler Moore type listens to gossip, gets married, ends up on the farm.
- Hank and Chloe, Jo-Ann Mapson - Opposites attract and bring out the best in each other. Hilarity and sex (lots of sex) ensue.
- Mating, Norman Rush - A meeting of the minds and battle of the sexes in an experimental tribal village.

* Note: I have not read the book and have no clue if Harry Potter actually does pass along in this grand finale, or if he and Hermionne finally hook up.