I find a list useful when there is an enormous book with an enormous number of characters, e. g. Ken Follet's Century Trilogy, where such a list was provided. Many books seem to introduce 10 or more characters in the first few pages. If I feel confused after about 15 pages, I start my own list. I rarely need to refer back to it; as you say, Jeff, the writer does his or her job when the characters have some trait that makes them memorable. It's more a matter of my own focus; by writing the names, I set them in my head. I'm not sure a prepared list would have the same effect for me.

Booksellers are front-line book advocates. Be nice to them too!

The reason I reread your post several times, and that it troubled me all week was that it seemed out of character for you. You are also never clumsy with words. Perhaps I am overly sensitive on this topic since so many are using religious cover to spew their hate. I am comfortable now that I know that what you meant and what I perceived were not the same. And that you haven't changed; you never were intolerant of any group (except maybe Red Sox fans, but we'll stay away from that one!)Apology, although unnecessary, accepted. The explanation was what I needed.

Jeff, I've read this several times over several days. I keep trying to see if I missed something. There's no way around it; it seems you believe that all of us who have faith are in the condemnors' camp. Many, I would say most, people of true faith, no matter the "religion" to which they belong, feel that love is the overriding tenet to be observed. The final commandment given in my particular faith was "Love one another." I am getting truly tired of everyone assuming that the loud-mouth bigots who wrap themselves in a "relgious" aura when they only seek power and control speak for the rest of us. Two people who love each other and do their best to raise children who have a healthy and moral view of life (and by moral, I mean treating everyone with respect and consideration) are called parents, and it doesn't matter how the genders mix and match. We all face the same s***. And judgment is way above my pay grade, or any other human's.Please don't generalize about people of faith any more than you would a racial, ethnic, geographic or gender group. We are a mixed bunch, imperfect and doing our best to love. The ones who feel called to criticize others' lifestyle are generally called "hypocrites."

Tee-hee-hee. I've seen the trend here, and it's building -- back to the paper. Tee-hee-hee. Is Bezos still planning to do away with paper books? He may need to re-examine his objectives.

Lynne, I haven't been able to get the elves to my own house to do all the chores, but I keep trying. As usual, we are on the same page. But then -- we have the advantage of years of experience with having to do our own reasoning without algorithms to determine what is best!

Jeff, you and I share both a happy anniversary day (our weddings) and a sad one. For me, it's 32 years since my first husband was killed in an accident on St. Patrick's Day. I, like you, remember all the details. And I share your grumpiness, lack of interest in partying (and I AM part Irish), and general "squirreliness" at this time of year. My thoughts are with you. We'll get through it -- we always do. There's lots of time to party; for us, right now is not the time.