It is just past noon as you arrive early at the dentist's office for your appointment. Never one to enjoy your stay in that dreaded chair, you hope to get in early and get it over with before heading on to more enjoyable endeavors. Life unfortunately has decided to prolong your agony as you learn that the doctor is "running a little behind" today. "Hmmph," you mutter as you retake your place in the waiting room. Perusing the various magazines that litter the end table, you look for a minor distraction. You brush past the usual news, science and techno-doohickey periodicals and collect the book lying there that has caught your eye. Lightly thumbing through, you discover that it is a collection of various short stories, the perfect answer to while away the moments as you begin to forget about why you're here in the first place. In short order the clinical surroundings have slipped away and you are soon carried away into another's world, now a casual observer into moments strange and new, yet also so familiar. Having easily drifted away, you are soon strolling along beside the author through various comedic or sentimental moments in life. Finishing up a tale of "popcorn thieves" you are now transported to a quiet waterfront pier as the storyteller takes you to ... "Excuse me. I'm so sorry to interrupt but I guess you didn't hear me calling you. You can come on back. The doctor is ready to see you now." Slightly flustered, you find yourself once again back in reality as you follow the receptionist in to that dreaded chair. With a few pangs of guilt, you quietly slip "Snippets of a Life" under your jacket, hoping no one will notice and promising yourself you'll bring it back as soon as you've finished reading. Sound familiar? Relax. You don't need to feel guilty about stealing Dr. P. Sherman's office copy. Simply pick up your own copy and enjoy the tales wherever and whenever you so choose. I would however recommend that you wait until you're in more comfortable surroundings to avoid unpleasant return trips to reality.