I went to the Strand’s main bookstore last night for the first time in months and was pleased to see that they’ve majorly renovated and expanded the place. They’ve added an entire second floor that now contains all the art books and children’s books. And I was relieved (literally) to discover my favorite improvement: real restrooms! Before, there was only one small unisex bathroom on the first floor. It was dank, dark, smelly and right next to some cramped bookshelves, and I always felt really self-conscious doing my business within earshot of other book browsers. And the sink was outside the actual bathroom, so you had to wash your hands in full view of everybody, thereby drawing more attention to what you’d just been doing. That bathroom’s now gone, and it’s been replaced by brand new men’s and women’s restrooms on the top floor. The men’s room contains several stalls and urinals and state-of-the-art appliances, and everything’s covered in nice white tile. Now you can do your business in peace and privacy.

Which is good, because last night I was suffering from what I call Jewish Bowel Syndrome. Matt and I had dinner at EJ’s Luncheonette, which is in our soon-to-be neighborhood, and then we parted ways because he had to go to a meeting. I started walking toward the Strand, but nature soon hollered at me, the bitch, so I turned around and went back to EJ’s to use the restroom. (I’m very familiar with the restrooms there, because it’s right near the 9th Street PATH station and I used to duck in occasionally.)

Afterwards I went to the Strand, but nature wasn’t through with me, so I got to check out the aforementioned restrooms. As I said, they’re great.

Anyway. I went to the Strand in order to find a new book. I’m currently between books. This happens to me every so often; there are times when I finish a book and immediately know what I want to read next, but sometimes I’m stuck in bibliolimbo. On Monday I finished The System of the World. Before that I read A History of the Jews. (Those were both very long hardcover books, and each weighed down my bag considerably during my work commute.) Before that was Cloud Atlas; before that was The Plot Against America; before that was Leave Myself Behind; before that was How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship & Musical Theater.

Anyway – I’ve been all about the Brits lately. So I might find this book I saw on Amazon called The Birth of the English Common Law. I’m a dork. But it’s a short book, and the local library has it, so… why not.

After all, I need something to read on the toilet.