The Art of Fielding - Chad Harbach

Chad Harbach made me believe in fiction again. His debut novel, The Art of Fielding (Back Bay, $14.99), is a fascinating examination of the human spirit as defined by the things we do and the people we meet. Harbach writes vividly about many facets of life at Westish College, from the last out of a baseball game to a chance encounter between a student and professor to a young woman realizing her marriage is falling apart. The characters in this story are so well developed, you feel as if you might see them pass by on the street. There is something here for everyone, and this book is the perfect companion for a summer evening.