You can tell a lot about a person by what books they read, and judging from what’s on his shelves, Vice President Joseph Biden is (gasp!) a Democrat with a strong interest in international affairs.

An HOH spy recently got a glimpse of the veep’s bookcase at his official residence and saw a collection that included the following tomes (we’re guessing he keeps his Danielle Steel paperbacks somewhere more private):

“Angler: The Cheney Vice Presidency” by Barton Gellman — perhaps Biden uses this critique of former Vice President Dick Cheney as a handy what-not-to-do list?

“The Good Fight” by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid — good for brushing up on anecdotes from Searchlight, Nev., all the better to make small talk the next time he needs the Nevada Democrat’s vote.

“Secrecy: The American Experience” by Daniel Patrick Moynihan — for when he wants an account of simpler times (remember the Red Menace?).

“Disarming Iraq” by Hans Blix — because the hunt for weapons of mass destruction makes for a relaxing bedtime story.

Somebody should get Biden some lighter reads.