I was in Marrakech once. Marrakech is the location of the summer palace of the Sultan. According to Koranic law, the sultan has to meet with his subjects each day to hear their complaints.

Because of the custom, a public square has been built outside of the palace. The square fills up every night at sundown. It's quite a show.

On this particular night, I sat in the public square, sipping a pastiche, watching people bartering for camels, monkeys, spices, perfumes.

Suddenly, the huge crowd parted, and a 6'8" man in indigo and saffron robes, with indigo dye from the robes tinted into his skin-a totally amazing looking man-appeared in my sight line.

So my British publisher goaded me into starting a Facebook page. Apparently it’s all the rage. Do you guys have one? Do please feel free to become my “friend.” I can’t promise I’m going to remember birthdays and things, but here’s the link.

One thing I do enjoy about the site, though, is that lately people have been using an application that’s all about... books!

You can make a virtual bookshelf by picking out books you’ve read, are reading, or would like to read, and folks can easily come by and chat with you about them.

I don’t know if your kids have Facebook pages— and I’m not suggesting they should, necessarily, especially not if they’re younger— but if they do, or are about to get one, you might suggest they try out this application. It’s kind of fun.

Please let me know what you think.

JP