DC By the Book

Excerpt: The next summer we moved, hoping for redemption through change of location. My father accepted an offer from Georgetown, where so far as anyone knew he'd always been quiet and eccentric and prone to drinking, not unforgivable traits for a law professor.

Excerpt: "I used to go to the zoo sometimes in high school. It was calming." A minute later she said softly, "Let's go see them. The elephants. Before we look for Carlos, I mean." She turned to look at me with very big eyes, and very lightly brushed her hair off her forehead. I knew what she was doing, but it was working anyway. "Liddie," I said, "it's Thanksgiving." "The National Zoo is open every day of the year except Christmas."