READING L.A.

Rob Smith, writer:

“Memoirs of a Georgian Rake,” by William Hickey (Folio Society).

“Hickey was a self-proclaimed profligate and considered himself lucky to be one of the first English barristers posted to India in the 19th century. His account of colonial decadence is appalling but entertaining.”

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Gregory Vargas, print production manager:

“Dream Animals,” by James Hillman and Margot McLean (Chronicle Books).

“Enriched by metaphorical illustrations, the book features Jungian musings on animal visitations in our dreams and how we become a catalyst for the animal’s living presence.”

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Shawn Nelson, attorney:

“Derailed: What Went Wrong and What To Do About America’s Passenger Trains,” by Joseph Vranich (St. Martin’s).

“I love trains, but Amtrak is a miserable failure. Vranich outlines the problems and offers some ideas for solving them. If only rail enthusiasts and policy makers would listen.”