Stolen from Little E's Blog:

I read this on Little E's blog and thought it was interesting so I swiped it (as she did from andi's blog), so here's a little thingy about books and reading.

20 Years Ago: (almost 8 years old) At this point I was reading ahead of my age. I had started reading some stuff like Robinson Crusoe, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, and any books about football/sports I could get my hands on, but the main two things I was reading at this time were: Old Yeller and Where the Red Ferns Grow. I LOVE those books. Especially WTRFG. I have read those books a thousand times. I would read them and immediately start rereading them again. I also read a children's version of Frankenstein about this time, and I have been hooked every since. I love Frankenstein. I used to imagine I was Frankenstein's monster when playing in the woods near my house. I would pretend I was him climbing mountains when I was climbing trees, etc.

10 Years Ago: (age 18) At this time I was reading a myriad of stuff. I loved Anne Rice and read everything she wrote, and I also read quite a bit of Stephen King because my brother loves King and I wanted to be able to have book talk with him. However, at this point I was mostly reading Camus especially The Stranger because I envisioned myself as a anti-moral rebel who felt I did not need to apologize to society for my behavior or outlook. I was also reading quite a bit of Bellow, Steinbeck, and Burgess. It was around this time I found Henderson the Rain King and A Clockwork Orange, which I must admit, I read only after seeing the movie. For some reason I have always wanted to be a character that rejects/breaks every single law the world offers. I simply want to do what I want when I want and I can be a petulant child when I can't. That is why Henderson and Alexander appeal to me, and especially Meursault in Camus' book. I never wanted to hurt anyone but I would never apologize if someone forced me to hurt them. I, much like Meursault, even find it difficult to ask God for forgiveness. I loved and still love Vampire fiction because I think immortality would allow me to do what I please when I please.

5 Years Ago: (age 22) I had just finished my pledge and JI semesters in KA. There was very little reading, and a hell of a lot of boozing going on at this point. I had to read for class but that was it. I remember I loved Waiting for the Barbarians by J.M. Coetzee and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I was also reacquainted with Mr. Conrad and Kurtz around this time. "Mista Kurtz? He Dead" or "The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much" or "I don't like work--no man does, but I like what is in the work--the chance to find yourself" are all fabulous quotes from Heart of Darkness. I did read and reread The Wasteland by T.S. Eliot over and over again because of Dr. Stayer. I felt to be a "Stayer-ite" I had to know it cold.

Last Year: (age 26) A ton of shit to prepare for my thesis. I took the Roth class and read his major works. I also read much Roth that was not in that class. I also took American Realism with Dr. Royal and a course on Reading Theory with Fulkerson. The main thing I read that I loved was All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, Mao II by Don Delillo (although I hated it at first), The Jade Cabinet by Rikki Ducornet (who incidently is the rikki from Rikki Don't lose that Number by Steely Dan), and The New York trilogy by Paul Auster. All fabulous books.

This Month: (age 27) I've read not so much this past month or so. Since the beginning of April I've read: Some stuff for Dr. D-O's class. I can't remember titles.

• Golems of Gotham by Thane Rosenbaum
• How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster (book review for D-O)
• Tons of Shakespeare Plays
• I have begun both Lolita and Sanctuary which I will force myself to complete to overcome my reader's block.

With that being said I am off to the Guadalupe River with Crystal and my KA brothers to float the river while drinking several hundred beers. Pray for me. I just might need it. Be Cool.