Book #2: "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy"

Poor little bloggie. I have neglected you shamefully for over a week. I'll repent and do better, I promise.

I have read this book probably...oh, I don't know, forty or fifty times? Either my father or my older brother introduced me to it, and I loved it from the beginning. Though it's the first book of the series, it wasn't the first one I read-something that happens to me a lot-and I had read the fourth book a dozen times before I got to the first one. Which may possibly account for missing some references the first time around ("almost two thousand years after a guy had been nailed to a tree for saying how great it would be to be nice to people for a change", for instance).

Unlike "Catch Me If You Can", the movie version of this book is NOT faithful to the source material, at least not the way I pictured it. Which is of course the problem with turning a book into a movie: you're never going to please all the people. I long ago came to terms with movies and books being separate genres and needing different story-telling methods, but...I am not a fan of this movie, is what I'm saying. (The other night at dinner, the Ninja and the Domestic Goddess pointed out that I frequently use thirty words when four will do, to which I respond...better get used to it.)

Anyway, this book has been many many things to me over the course of my life, not least of which the inspiration for my phone's name, Marvin. (It's an Android phone. Trust me, it's hysterical.) The edition I have now was given to me by a casual acquaintance; it was, I think, my twentieth birthday, and my best friend was taking me out to dinner. When I got to her house, a friend of hers was there and asked to take us both out. So we went to a Japanese place (my first time with Japanese food) and then he insisted on buying me a birthday present. I demurred, and he said he'd just start buying things unless I picked something out. I finally chose the "Les Miserables" soundtrack, and as we were headed for the checkout, I spotted this volume, which he grabbed from me and purchased as well. A very sweet gesture, especially for a guy whose name I no longer remember.

Yeah, you probably didn't need to know any of that. Again, I say unto you, get used to it! I love this book; always have, always will.

Author: Douglas Adams

Potentially objectionable content: Some language, flippancy about religion and politics

Introducing the Roommates

It's early days, obviously, but I'm sure these people will feature in many many stories. So an introduction would seem to be in order.

The Ninja: Capable of appearing and disappearing anywhere in the house without warning, the Ninja is the youngest (and quietest!) member of our household. Sweet and (so far) completely unflappable, she takes life as it comes.

The Domestic Goddess: Our resident grandmother, who always makes sure things are tidy, people are fed and the world is in order. Crafty (in both senses!), funny, interesting and kind.

The Jukebox: Also known as my youngest sister. Always singing snippets of something suggested by the conversation. Responsible, creative, fiercely loyal and my best friend, she is the creator of our little group. 

Me: The oldest. The tallest. The reader. 

Book #1: "Catch Me If You Can"

I purchased this book at a thrift shop, I think, which are incidentally the most dangerous places for a book addict. Retail stores have plentiful supply in excellent condition, but thrift stores have the same at a fraction of the cost. And since I rarely go looking for a specific book, I am virtually guaranteed to find something I want to have.

Such is the case with "Catch Me If You Can", which I bought because I love the movie. If your criteria for judging a movie's worth includes faithfulness to the source material, you can't do much better than this. The book, of course, includes far more detail, including Abagnale's three-month stint as a sociology professor at, of all places, BYU. (Yes, really.) It is a fascinating look into the mind of a brilliant con artist, and I recommend it. 

Author: Frank W. Abagnale, Jr.

Potentially objectionable content: Some language, euphemistic sexual references (no details) and a fairly intense (and gross!) scene in a French prison

In the beginning...

I can't remember learning how to read.

It's true. I remember lots of other things, but though many of my earliest recollections have books in them, I don't remember learning to read them. I've always assumed that I was simply born with that skill. And all my life I have used and developed it, inhaling virtually every word I saw. In short, I read more than anyone you have ever met. Probably more than any twelve people you have ever met.

Nearly four years ago, I moved back in with my parents for what was supposed to be a short time. They didn't have room for my ever-expanding library, and so it went into storage. Two months ago, I finally moved into my current residence. One week ago, the books were shelved, cataloged and counted. And let me tell you, they are glorious to behold.

The most common reaction to seeing my library for the first time (after "WOW.") is to ask: "Have you read all of these?" And the answer is: "Not yet." I aim to fix that. Starting tomorrow, I will read the entire collection, from A to Z. All 936 titles. And chronicle what is sure to be a life-altering experience, right here in this very spot. Come along for the ride.