title: An Open Book: Chapters fom a Reader's Life
author:  Michael Dirda 
description: "Dirda inhabits each book he reads. Inhabits it--and makes a space alongside it for us to join him. . . . He is a rare treasure."
zlib_text: 
  
  
  **Leo's Chance**  
  
  
  
  
  
  Mia Sheridan
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Dedication**
  
  
  
  
  
  This book is dedicated to Darcy Rose for, among many things, teaching me that
  I’m braver than I ever knew.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  Table of Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 1](../Text/part0000_split_004.html#_CHAPTER_1)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 2](../Text/part0000_split_005.html#_CHAPTER_2)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3](../Text/part0000_split_006.html#_CHAPTER_3)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 4](../Text/part0000_split_007.html#_CHAPTER_4)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 5](../Text/part0000_split_008.html#_CHAPTER_5)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 6](../Text/part0000_split_009.html#_CHAPTER_6)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 7](../Text/part0000_split_010.html#_CHAPTER_7)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 8](../Text/part0000_split_011.html#_CHAPTER_8)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 9](../Text/part0000_split_012.html#_CHAPTER_9)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 10](../Text/part0000_split_013.html#_CHAPTER_10)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 11](../Text/part0000_split_014.html#_CHAPTER_11)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 12](../Text/part0000_split_015.html#_CHAPTER_12)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 13](../