Given the headlines and news of the last few weeks, and the grim economic forecasts going forward — for the foreseeable next few weeks anyway — I’m feeling the need for some escape from reality. Not in the expensive vacation to paradise sort of way.

It’s not that I’m anti-vacay — far from it, thanks. But a less expensive mode of escape is in order these days as the fiscally responsible thing to do for my budget.

So, let’s talk fiction.

Read any good books lately? Some juicy pulp fiction? A daring starship rescue of a colony in distress from an oncoming ravaging horde in a really good space opera? Entered a world of fantasy imaginings that left you begging for the next volume? Read a book to your kid(s) that leaves them begging for another chapter every single night?

Do you have some all-time favorite books that you think everyone ought to pick up and read because they are just too awesome to miss? Ones that you still read from your childhood? Or one that you discovered recently that just blew you away?

Let’s talk favorite books. Because, frankly, I get the feeling that we could all use a break.

And if folks have some children’s book suggestions, I’d love it. Give The Peanut and I another excuse to head over to the library.

So, whatcha reading? Pull up a chair…