Attended Jhumpa Lahiri’s book-signing event at Books and Books last night. Lahiri read “Heaven-Hell” from her new collection of short stories, Unaccustomed Earth. Like her other works, this series focuses on the immigrant experience, specifically that of ‘transplanted’ Bengalis. However, what makes Lahiri’s writing so captivating is her examination of the so-called human condition, an examination that is unnervingly complex in its simplicity.

After reading to a packed house (a 400 count fire hazard), Lahiri took questions from the audience, explaining that the title of the book was inspired by Hawthorne’s “The Custom-House”, and offering a brief account of her writing process.