I'm still here!

I know it seems like I've hit a snag in the whole Book Quest. I mean heck between June 26th and July 20th (less than a month for those of you scoring at home) I knocked out 6 books. The fact is I'm just over halfway through The Grapes of Wrath. But then again its over 600 pages so its the size of probably 4 or 5 of those 6 combined. I'm definately working my way through it and am preparing to go all medieval on Callirhoe which is like 400 pages but it alternates between English and Greek so its actual half that (for any of you who are not mathematically inclined that would be about 200 pages).

Speaking of which, I opened the package containing Callirhoe which I paid over $20 bucks for and was very disappointed. Its a little bit bigger than a Gideon Bible.

So never fear I'm working hard on the Quest of Great Significance.

Also the good folks at Barnes & Noble are currently offering about 12 free e-books each week (added on Fridays). I'm not sure if you have to be a member or not. www.bn.com/freelibrary

Riddle me this, Riddle me that.

"I have read of men, who when forced by their calling to live for long periods in utter solitude have made it a rule to dress regularly for dinner in order to maintain their self-respect and prevent a relapse into barbarism."

This is the first sentence from The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers, which so happens to be the most recent book conquered on that most ablist of bibliophiles, Keith Adams's quest. Some times I get the feeling that these random book selection aren't so random after all. Anyway impression of the book was that it was a wee bit too technical for my tastes. It was overflowing with nautical references which were lost on me. It is rather interesting that this book is considered the first of the British spy thrillers.

More interesting than the story is the author. Erskine Childers was a clerk in the House of Commons and wrote this story as a warning to the British people to shore up the defenses from the North Sea. Later Childers would leave his post to champion the independence movement in Ireland. He later joined the Irish Republican Army and was executed by firing squad in 1922. His son would later be elected president of the Republic of Ireland.

Once again I gave people the opportunity to help select the next volume in my quest and there were folks who took me up on it.

1. Chaireas and Kallirhoe – Chariton (Todd)
2. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell (Stewart)
3. Amok - Stefan Zwieg (Matthew)

However since Chaireas and Kallirhoe by Chariton required me ordering online and because yesterday when I went to the Stars' game I was running late and couldn't stop at the B&N, I will attempt a gambit that has befallen me on at least two separate occasions. I shall attempt to read The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. This time victory shall be mine!

The "Great" Gatsby?

Well just finished The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. But was Jay Gatsby truly deserving of the "great" moniker. Sure he threw a some great parties and who doesn't enjoy some nice revelry. But lets look at some other factors that we learned:

1. Gatsby pursued and very probably bedded a married woman.
2. Gatsby's wealth came from all accounts some highly shady avenues.
3. Gatsby drives away from the scene of an fatal accident.
4. Gatsby showed off his wealth way too much.

I'm not trying to show some high moral code after all many people would categorize me as morally ambigious at best. But those things are not things make you great. I think a more appropriate title would have been That Rich Prick Jay Gatsby.

So hopefully tomorrow the good folks at UPS will deliver the next book in the quest, The Riddle of the Sands:


D'oh!

Don't Panic!

Well I have officially blasted through The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (no relation) or at least I don't think there is any relation. I mean I'm sure way back in the annals of Adams history, the Adamses got on a ship from England and sailed over here. So its logical to believe that somewhere over there are some of my relations.

Other Adamses that I'm not knowing related to:

John Adams-Though from reading a biography on him, I can see some rather stark similarities. For instance, he constantly felt underappreciated and he believed people didn't like him.

Samuel Adams-Though it would be cool if I could get some free beer for them using my last name.

Michael Adams: He was an astronaut and though many in my family seem to be from outer space there is no reason to believe we are related.

So now that thats done, onward and upward. Next on the agenda is technically The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. However, I will have to wait for it to be shipped to me so I will tackle The Great Gatsby. I'll see if this Gatsby fellow is truly "great."

What manner of man?

Since last Saturday night, our intrepid bibliophile, Keith Adams, has been able to cross three books (Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway, and Animal Farm by George Orwell) off the list; has worked 53 hours; baked some pretty choice muffins; ran 30 minutes on the treadmill daily; bowled a 216......I'll repeat that because it bears repeating......bowled a 216!, and on top of that he is currently keeping his two nephews overnight. What manner of man indeed.


Dr. Zoidberg: And what about this Keith Adams's social life.

Me: Shut up Zoidberg!

On to the next order of business, the next book on the list as chosen by Patty is The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. If it is not in stock I shall make an executive decision and choose The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (no relation). Also to reward Keith Adams for his fortitude, he shall be eat at Red Robin's.