Most of us have insomnia now and again, and this book may offer you the double benefit of (a) giving you some little bite-sized nuggets to chew on late at night, and (b) assuring you that you have plenty of company in your malady. For some reason, my favorite piece in the collection was "Crimes of the Face" by Jonathan Carroll. What's yours?

Placed in Medicine Chest Bookbox

Chose from the Medicine Chest Book Box.

As it happens, this book came to me during a particularly difficult time for sleeping. I therefore kept it by my bed and called upon it pretty much every night until it was done.

The book contains essays about being an insomniac, stories about experiencing insomnia, and stories just to while away the late night hours. There is a wide range of writers, and a wide range of story themes, beyond the insomnia theme found in several.

Several of the insomnia-themed stories tend toward strange fantasies, thoughts that the insomniac develops into horror stories or imaginative journeys. I wonder if this is the case for many insomniacs. When I can't sleep I am usually just unable to sleep. I'm not making up stories. I usually am unable to let go of thoughts from my everyday life - things I need to do, things I should have done, things that just won't get out of my mind. During the time I read this book my sleeplessness was caused by physical pain and discomfort from recent knee surgery, which is altogether different.

My favorite story in here was "Sleep" by Haruki Murakami. I've read only one book by Murakami - After Dark - and it was similar in that it was dreamlike. In "Sleep" a woman decides to stop sleeping and finds it surprisingly easy to do. I found myself smiling as I read on, enjoying every bit of it.

Other stories did not grab me as much but were interesting or appealing in different ways. I think the book works as an exploration of insomnia and a comforting compilation you can turn to when you,too, have it.

Taking to a bookcrossing meeting...which may not materialize...if nobody shows or takes the book it goes on the bookcrossing zone shelf.

Will release to Sierra Vista Hospital Waiting room when I volunteer there next Saturday.