On Looking: A Walker's Guide to the Art of Observation by Alexandra HorowitzAs we go through our daily routines, we filter out most of the sights and sounds bombarding us. On the whole, this habit of "selective attention" is a good thing; it enables us to focus on what's important at the moment. But from time to time we should try to open our eyes to the things we usually disregard. This is what the author of this book tries to do. She takes twelve walks, mostly in her Manhattan neighborhood, each with a different companion -- her dog, her nineteen-month-old son, an artist, a blind woman, a geologist, an entomologist, an urban sociologist -- who help her see the familiar environment with fresh eyes. This book will awaken, or rekindle, your sense of wonder at a world we too often take for granted. -- Recommended by James Woodruff