You've probably noticed that Nancy has been doing the heavy lifting here for lately, while I've been dealing with the death of my mother-in-law, Shirley Feldman. We often highlight the passing of well-known authors -- J.D. Salinger, John Updike, Lucille Clifton et al. Now I'll take the liberty of mentioning Shirley too, because -- in addition to her other notable qualities -- she was a life-long reader.
She grew up in the New York apartment building that was home to Herman Wouk, so he was always a favorite author. She favored historical fiction, and was always asking me for recommendations on the latest novels. She also loved art, and I still have many books from her trips to museums around the world. (She's probably also the source for my family's Francophile tendencies.) Until she passed away last week at 90, she kept a book near her chair and was a faithful borrower at the Baltimore County bookmobile that visited her senior living center.
Rest in peace, Shirley. May we all be so alert and curious and well-read at 90.