A revisit to past inspirations.

 I never never, let me just say-never, reread books. There are so many brand new books that I haven't cracked that why should I ever want to go back reread words I have already read in a story I already know the ending. Well. I started thinking. Supposedly I claim East of Eden as one of my favorites...and I couldn't tell you a thing (aside from major themes) about the plot, characters, style, ending, nothing. So two hours later. I am rereading my first book.

Also, I would go ahead and classify myself as a sub-par English graduate as I throughout my career never appreciated Steinbeck. East of Eden was the first to show me that homeboy truly did have talent and not just another wordy dead white guy. His words are beautiful. And for all chapters he dedicates describing his stories' foundations (the scenery, the history, the background, the ancestral heritage), it's remarkable how he fuses descriptive with anticipation and just sidesteps droning and dull altogether. Here's an early example:

"They called him a comical genius and carried his stories carefully home, and they wondered at how the stories spilled out on the way, for they never sounded the same repeated in their own kitchens." East of Eden, Chapter 2.

My version: The Steinbeck Centennial Edition, paperback with a reinforced cover detailed with inside flaps, the covers wears a simple pen drawing of a still countryside. But on the inside, the first page. A quick little quip about Steinbeck is ignored with a little drawing. Similar to a water mark, squint and you'll be able to make out it's a pig with wings. A "pigasus."

I love that the publishers included this next short passage (and maybe if I wasn't such a sub-par English major back in my day, this would be old news):

Throughout his life Steinbeck signed his letters with his personal "Pigasus" logo, symbolizing himself "a lumbering soul but trying to fly." The Latin motto Ad Astra Per Alia Porci translates "To the stars on the wings of a pig."

This man forever has my respect. And I am now have an appetite to devour all (shoot for all, hopefully get to most)  of his delicious works.

Song of the Moment:
Yo La Tengo: Don't have to be so sad.
Matador Turns 21.
A song that will fade easily into the background, but you're rewarded if you take the effort to really listen.