Night-table Reading

Henry Kravis (financier):

The Second World War, by Martin Gilbert (Henry Holt). "I am reading this to understand any parallels that might exist between the Europe prior to World War II and the current changes in Eastern Europe. "

Vikram Seth(writer): Mrs. Bridge,by Evan S. Connell Jr. (North Point Press). "My family has been reading this book in delighted, alarmed self-recognition. And so has everyone I've lent it to.'

Michael York(actor): Who's Had Who,by Simon Bell, Richard Curtis, and Helen Fielding (Warner). "This new, U.S. edition is a veritable encyclopedia of Jolly Rogering!"

Jean Rivers (talk-show hostess): The Wilder Shores of Love, by Lesley Blanch (Carroll & Graf).

"It's romantic, it's lusty. And it's nonfiction. Yeah! Life really is much more interesting than fiction."