Must-reads

I have enjoyed almost everything by T.C. Boyle that I could get my hands on. His latest novel, Talk, Talk is wonderful. Boyle lives in the Santa Barbara area and many of his recent stories are placed in parts nearby. Characteristically, he makes the best use of the material that the region provides.

Almost. Today's NY Times real estate suppement (Key) includes: "Subsidized Houses for Rich People ... In Santa Barbara, life is so expensive that a six-figure salary qualifies you for affordable housing."

The article is also a must-read, with plenty of seemingly unintended self-parody. A local reporter notes, "This is good for Santa Barbara. Rich people are great, and it's interesting to live with CEO's. But there are middle-class people who are great, too."