'Taking Things Seriously: 75 Objects With Unexpected Significance'

Horrible title, great book.

I happened on it via a chance reference somewhere, thinking it was going to be about everyday things embodying superb design whose presence we take for granted.

Wrong.

Once you get past the boring 10-page-long introduction, which didn't promise much enjoyment in the text to come, you're greeted by a series of 75 very well written, entertaining two-or-three-paragraph long essays by as many different people, most of whose names I didn't recognize, about objects (pictured on the respective facing pages) that acquired significance in their lives, often via strange and inexplicable series of events.

Perfect for a plane trip.

$11.90 at Amazon.