I'm so sad when people start Paul Auster with the wrong books - and note: the New York Trilogy does begin with a man sitting alone in a room and has a character named Paul Auster. Cute, but not the best. so imagine you have never read those and try Brooklyn Follies some time. My first was actually Oracle Nights and I immediately wanted all my friends to read it. By the way, when it comes to finding used books abebooks is the best. Many many books for $1 + shipping -- although you may be an e-book reader. Have you ever heard of the book Ten Thousand Lovers by Edeet Ravel? It begins "A long time ago, when I was twenty, I was involved with a man who was an interrogator."
This book combines so many unlikely things into one of the most passionate and tragic love stories ever. So many books, so little time. Now back to DFW. Thanks for the encouragement.