Welcome to Book Beat

When I was growing up, one of my favorite activities was going down to the local bookshop and spending hours browsing through its selection. I found endless treasures there, from Anne Lamott's novel "Rosie" to my first copy of Tennessee Williams' classic play "A Streetcar Named Desire." I spent way too much money there, but I usually came away with food for my mind and -- if I was especially lucky -- my soul.

I caught bookworm fever at an early age and have never stopped reading anything I could get my hands on -- novels, plays, memoirs and political books. Even the worst books -- and I've encountered more than a few duds in my time -- have taught me something.

But I rarely get the chance to share my love of reading and my favorite books with other people. Certainly, my mom and I compare notes on books we've read from time to time, but we have to cram it in between discussions of work, family and other matters. And I just don't know that many people in Dodge to talk books with.

So I was pleased with the Globe's managing editor, Mark Vierthaler, asked the news staff to start blogging about any topic they liked. Hence, Book Beat.

In the weeks ahead, I'll be sharing stories of some of my favorite books and why I keep coming back to them, as well as mini-reviews of new releases and oldies but goodies. I'd like to start an ongoing dialogue about favorite authors and books, why we love certain books and despise others.

I hope you'll join me as we rediscover cherished classics and find new treasures. I'm looking forward to the conversation.

Eric Swanson