While waiting for my flight yesterday, I bought a coffee at this café at Xiamen Gaoqi Terminal 3 and was so happy to see a variety of very interesting English books — from the illustrated Guess How Much I Love You which is one of my son’s favorite books, to a book of Shakespeare’s sonnets.

But one book that made me wish I was in a bookstore not a food place was Nigel Warburton’s A Little History of Philosophy which I really enjoyed reading.

I’ve been listening almost every night to Philosophy Bites for about a year now; I have favorite episodes that I’ve listened to many times. Reading Warburton’s book is truly “A delight. For the young of all ages.”

I asked the staff if I could buy the book and was told it’s not for sale. Luckily it’s available on Kindle for about $10, and I bought it and read it on the plane.

The other book I saw and started reading but will continue reading later is What To Do When I’m Gone.

It’s a beautifully illustrated book by a writer mother and her artist daughter.

The introduction moved me to tears as it reminded me of the times after my mom’s death when I realized she was no longer just a phone call away. There was no one I could call and cry to and ask to pray for me.

I don’t usually hang out in coffee shops or cafés in airports while waiting for a flight. It was serendipitous that I stopped at Miss Zhao’s Café.

Happy Wednesday from the Philippines!