Introductions and first book - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

This blog is intended to a repository for my thoughts and observations as I endeavor to read more.  Although reading is something I very much enjoy when I take the time to do it, I always seem to find excuses as to why I don't have that time.  The last work of fiction that I read cover to cover was Tom Clancy's "The Cardinal In The Kremlin" and that was over two years ago!

I would also like to use this blog as a way to log my attempt to read some of the 'classics'.  I'm 49 years old and have never read a classic piece of literature like "Moby Dick", "Treasure Island", or even "Tom Sawyer".  Oh, I've seen all the movies, but even I've read enough to know that reading the book is almost always a more rewarding experience.  I remember in high school being given the assignment to read John Steinbeck's "The Grapes Of Wrath" and actually convincing my instructor that I would do a much better job if he would allow me to read "Star Wars" instead.  As a result of this short sighted thinking, I feel I've missed out on some really wonderful books... Hence the title of this blog:  "Behind On My Reading".

For added fun and inspiration, I have recently signed up to receive Easton Press's "100 Greatest Books" and "Great Books of the 20th Century" series.  They look absolutely beautiful and I'm looking forward to digging into those as well and will discuss them here as they arrive.

Probably what I read the most is non-fiction books about space exploration and I have a decent collection of titles from that genre that I may discuss here from time to time just to change things up once in awhile.

For my first book on this blog, I intend to tackle a book most of you probably read in middle school...  Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer".
 

I chose this title because it's a classic and it's short, simple and entertaining.  Also I've always been curious to read something by Mark Twain longer than a notable quote.  I'll get a few chapters into the book and then come back and give some of my initial thoughts and impressions.  So sit back, grab a cold beverage and here we go...