A First-Edition Copy

      I have been recently reading Dune, a science-fiction novel first published in 1965, which I have borrowed. I also have borrowed a couple of the sequels- Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, and God Emperor of Dune. The copy I'm reading is the First Edition- straight from 1965. You can almost feel the age of the book in holding it, and it has that certain old-paper smell. I'm honestly hesitant to take it outside my bedroom but for its age- I don't want to damage such an old thing.

      Dune chronicles the actions of the Atreides house as they are forced to trade their Duchy over the planet Caladan for that over the planet Arrakis- a desert planet where water, essential for life, is a rare commodity. What does Arrakis have? Melange, a 'drug' of sorts that gives the user an extended life-span, heightened vitality, and increased awareness. The only drawback to Melange is in its addictive qualities, and withdrawal being fatal. It is the most valuable commodity throughout the galaxy, and is only found on Arrakis.
   
      The Harkonnen house forced the Atreides to move to this desert planet- their rivalry goes back millennia. The Harkonnens are rich, having worked their way up the ladder, while the Atreides are related to the Emperor of the Imperium by blood.

      The book itself is almost historical- being nearly 50 years since publication. The world has changed very much since the 60's, and I (being a history nerd) find everything from that era fascinating.

Long days and pleasant nights,
Neal

Introduction

     Hello fellow Interneters! I should think that introductions are in order, right? Well, I'll try to summarize myself to the best of my ability. My name is Neal, I am a HUGE bookworm (I am known for ALWAYS having something to read), I am currently fighting (quite successfully, so far) through the strange lands of high school. When I am not slaving away with homework, I am chipping away at the pile of books I have yet to read.

     As I sit cross-legged on the floor of my room, I am admittedly at a loss for anything to say. Is it the time? Nearly 10:30 at night. Is it the radio? The song (Turn the Page, Bob Seger) softly assaults my ears (wait, is it Metallica's cover of the song?). A slight ache emanates up and down my spine. Facebook is open, although I haven't checked it in a while. I glance towards the pile of books near my radio (now playing Heart- or Pat Benatar?). They call me, whispering sweet words of far-off worlds and experiences. The dunes of Arrakis, the infinite levels of the Dark Tower, the war-torn lands around Japanese-occupied Shanghai. I long to leave this world behind, to travel with Roland, Eddie, Jake, and Susannah throughout Mid-World and beyond, to sit down and listen to the many stories and decisions of the Council of Elrond, to wander the lonesome, beautiful western frontier. I jerk back to reality as a political ad declares something. I don't pay attention. Nearly 11:00 already. I need sleep- school tomorrow. Good night world.

Long days and pleasant nights, 

Neal