Alan Alda’s latest book, Things I Overheard While Talking To Myself, generally isn’t very funny. But it is good. Alda, a father and a grandfather, talks about his nearly fruitless search for meaning in life. He talks about making a difference, but also how each of us is responsible for finding meaning meaning in our own lives. Alda, as it appears, is a bit of a nerd, and he certainly does have some funny stories to tell, like the time he blew a hole through his ceiling as a kid when he had a loaded weapon. Sure, it’s funny now! Nobody died or was hurt, and somehow that brought Alda more to the consumate performer we have enjoyed for decades.