I have discovered I am in love with Bundle Brent from sadly only two Agatha Christie novels (but specifically The Seven Dials Mystery). I would not call myself a mystery fan per se, but every now and then I go on a bender wherein I must read as many Agatha Christie novels as I can get my hands on, and Seven Dials Mystery has absolutely enchanted me.

Also, her father, Lord Caterham, should be in more stuff because he has the best dialogue. A snippet:

"Go and tell Mr. Lomax that you have made a mistake, that I am out in the village, that I am laid up with the gout, or, if all else fails, that I am dead."
"Mr. Lomax, my lord, has already caught sight of your lordship when driving up the drive."
Lord Caterham sighed deeply.
"He would. Very well, Tredwell, I am coming."
In a manner highly characteristic, Lord Caterham was always most genial when his feelings were in reality the reverse. He greeted George now with a heartiness quite unparalleled.

I don't know how to introduce something like this, exactly, but as I've been thinking about books and words and things I love lately, I wanted to give you all a recommendation for one of the best books I've ever read: Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier.  I become a pitiful attempt at a wordsmith when I try to describe all the glorious goodness of this book, especially in comparison to the gorgeous prose-poetry of the book itself, but seriously, you should all read it.  For friendships between women and across cultures, for coming of age and coming of culture, for self-discovery, for loves of all different kinds and examples of all different gender identities, all told from the perspective of a young artist growing into herself, her identity, and her relationships.

It's about a seventeen-year-old girl named Dimple Lala who was born in America to immigrants from India, and wants desperately to fit in with the American culture and the grace so easily embodied by her "all-American" best friend Gwyn.  But over the course of the summer before her senior year, reconnection with old family members, introductions of new friends and estrangements with old ones help Dimple start finding and connecting with her culture and her family.

I can't summarize very well, but it's one of my favorite books of ALL TIME.  And really accessible to me as a white person reading about the experience of a person of color, but in a way that doesn't shy away from the damaging effects of white privilege and cultural appropriation.  It's hard to describe... I didn't feel like the book was written for me (obviously) so much as that it opened a window for me and allowed me to look through it.  I think I'm better as an artist and as a person for having read it, so I can't help but try to recommend it to others as well.

And if for no other reason, read it for Dimple's mother:

--Mom, what are you doing?
--I am channeling the energy flow.
--Say what?
--You see, these corners all symbolize different areas in life-- like the lines in a palm-- and it is best to put mobiles or fountains or chimes in them to deflect the bad vibes and keep them working at their optimum.  There was a whole special on it just now.  Feng shui, they are calling it-- but, between you and me, this was invented in India. You know, like the back door theory.
My mother believed back door exits and entries stripped the wealth from homes.  (Was this yet another ancient Indian proverb? I'd asked her once.  Yes, and besides-- what robber in their right mind is going to be entering by the front door? the ever-logical one had replied.)
--What area is that you're doing?
--The financial sector.  First things first.
--Mom, what about love?
--What good is love without money?  Did you know one out of every . . . certain number of couples divorce over money problems?
--Health?
--How to pay for the hospital?  We can only get so many favors from our medical profession friends.
--I can't believe you! I cried.
--I told you you were moody.  And now you are not believing your own mother who birthed you, to put the cherry on top of the kettle black.

This has been the end of my spontaneous promotion.