My favorite book of all time is Catch-22. I’ve loved it ever since I read it years ago at age 12. I have shown it to everyone I meet. Thanks to me, there is now a copy of Catch-22 in the school library, in case anyone wants to read it. I know it’s not a book for everyone, but that has not stopped my proselytizing. Catch-22’s characters are so lovable and fun to read about that I analyze...

The one thing about living in the Midwest that people from the other states never understand is the sense of juxtaposition you get when on car trips. It’s amazing how sneakily the city falls away when you start driving and before you know it, you’re on a highway in an open field in the middle of nowhere. You’ve only been on the road for a few miles and you could be on the moon for all the...