The Unbearable Lightness of Scones.

You know those nights when you get home from seeing people and you can't help but smile to yourself? Nothing overly exciting happened while you were out, no one was drunk (although there may have been drinking) but somehow you enjoyed yourself immensely? And all the while you ask yourself how did you manage to piece together such a delightful collection of friends?

I'm not talking about an evening I had recently, but rather a book I just finished today. It's called The Unbearable Lightness of Scones by Alexander McCall Smith. The novel is set in Edinburgh and is composed of 100 chapters, all of which were first published in a newspaper before being bound and printed as a book. McCall Smith revives the forgotten 'serial novel' as he gets into the heads and lives of a dozen realistic characters leading normal lives. The plot isn't clearly defined and you find yourself enjoying your time "spent" with the characters and their daily run-ins. Still, there is enough to keep you interested and intrigued. [wow - I just had a really hard time spelling intrigued...]

Also, I should mention that the author is Scottish and used to be a "distinguished...Professor of Medical Law" before becoming a full-time writer [according to Amazon.com]. The book contains some passages of Scottish pride which are beautiful, subtle, yet not at all imposing. Apparently he's written over 60 books so I'll be keeping an eye out for those! And if you're looking for a good read, I suggest you check him out.