We have color coded days around here (predating the terrorist danger color system). Code orange seems to be the equivalent of a Spare the Air day. Code red means Spare the Air and reconsider breathing it. We haven't had a code purple yet, but it's basically stay inside and pray.

I so don't get the "stay inside" thing. I'm breathing the same air as outside, neh? It isn't as if I have a whole-house filter.

Betsy, I think it's probably recommended so people stay out of the heat and/or sun.

Public transit is free during certain hours on Ozone Days in Milwaukee.

BART is free for the first five Spare The Air days here. But not Caltrain. (BART is the shiny fancy subway that serves the northerly bits of the Peninsula, the East Bay, and SF; Caltrain is the ordinary train that runs on freight-train tracks from the Peninsula to the City.)

I so don't get the "stay inside" thing. I'm breathing the same air as outside, neh?

I think the assumption around here (NC) is that folks inside will be running their AC, which often does come through a filter. And if you're staying home you're not driving hither and yon.

Re: Jonathan Strange. I'm glad a Buffista or two are planning to read it. I'll look forward to hearing about it. There's not sign of my library getting it in any time soon, but with any luck it'll show up in a month or two.

I've been on the edge of my seat about this one for at least a month. It looks like a book designed for me.

Well, that was only partly successful. I went to the Ferry Building instead, because there's a Book Passage there, but they were out. Out!

So instead I bought a very tasty quesadilla at the new gourmet Mexican place and came back to eat it at my desk while reading "Lust Over Pendle". (Which I am, btw, enjoying immensely. The narrative voice is quite enchanting.)

I just finished The Murder Stone by Charles Todd. Wow. Very good. Not what I expected (thought it was a mystery and spent much time looking for clues and trying to figure it out). But a really well written WWI-era book. It simultaneously reminded me of The Wars, by Timothy Findley and Mary Stewart's non-Arthurian stuff. Strong female protagonist without her being un-believeable.

I also finished The Lavender Butterfly Murders by Sharon Duncan this weekend. It was a good, solid, enjoyable mystery. I really liked the detective. The only problem I had with it was that one of the big clues is the title, although some may miss the bit that makes it a clue.

Because I must be contrary to all you say:

I really liked The Shipping News, once I got over my irritation at her choppy writing style.

I tried reading Sophie's World twice, but finally gave up.