Santa brought my kids the “Lord of the Rings” version and it’s way too complicated for me. Has anyone else learned how to play it?

Meanwhile, I received a ton of books I’m eager to read, including “Links” by Nuruddin Farah, the “Zanzibar Chest” by Aidan Hartley and “Half a Life” by V.S. Naipaul.

(And no, I’ve never read “Lord of the Rings” but my 9-year-old son has, and he gives it quite good reviews. But if I’m ever in the mood for pure fantasy, a Paul Krugman column takes less time.)