Did you know “nonrequired” was one word? I certainly did not. I also am not quite sure if my order is correct from here on out, but I will do the best I can.

Look! The Best American Nonrequired Reading 2004. Which means you don’t have to read this book. But you can! Because you will like it! Certainly not every short story, graphic excerpt, and essay, but enough of it that it is worth it. And the introduction by Viggo Mortensen of Lord of the Rings fame is also quite good. I highly recommend this, becuase it covers everyone’s interests. And it lets you know what the good American writers are writing. If they are writing, and if they got selected. But it is still a good general idea. You could also read 2005 if you want to be real current. But I am not that current. Yet.