Books 23-24

23) In Cold Blood: One of a long list of classics that I haven't read, the long commute let me tear through this in audiobook and I was highly impressed - not just with the book but with the reader as well, whose ability to to realistic voice shifts to identify characters without resorting to falsettos and goofy accents was something I'd love to emulate. I was both surprised and no surprised that Capote took Harper Lee with him to the small Kansas towns to help him do research, somehow guessing that his flamboyantly outsized personality might not go over as well with the locals. Of course, I am always surprised when I remember that Capote and Lee grew up in the same town. Just one of those things. 

24) Surely Your Joking, Mr. Feynman!: This collection of autobiographical essays was fascinating, both for his voice and the depth of his curiosity and willingness to experience the world. It's now on the list to read out loud to my wife. It also made clear how much the 1996 movie Infinity, by focusing on Feynman's early life and relationship with his first wife, missed the mark when trying to capture his personality.