utterly engrossed

[15_the_circle]

[OT from cottage renovations]

A. S. Byatt: The Children's Book (ISBN 978-0-0307-47306-6)

One does not often wish for flights to take longer, for airport layovers to be extended, and for major delays to befall the trains to and from work.  Recently I have wished for all of the above: any excuse will do if it prolongs the opportunity to enjoy this volume (and in truth I must confess to having finished it, only to immediately start it over again at a more leisurely pace).