Henry James is My Ambien

The standard lore is that most scientists are essentially self-aware robots, thinking their rigid rightleft brain thoughts from morning to night, taking short breaks to practice mentally rotating 3-D objects. In reality, most of the scientists I know also have a long suit in one or more of the arts as well. Many are excellent musicians, artists, or writers. Even more are voracious readers, or at least, as voracious as their schedule allows. With all the parenting and sciencing going on, the only time I really have to read is right before bed. This window allows me a bit of peace and quiet, while simultaneously serving to divert my rather obsessive brain from the pressing issues which dominate the rest of my waking thoughts. Finding the right book, however, is a problem. Non-fiction tends to work well, but fiction is a bit trickier, as if the book is too compelling, ...