My first blog entry…
To tell you the truth I’m not sure what to talk about. Let’s be honest: There are a million and two blogs on the internet, and I’m quite sure at least half of those are dedicated to cats, how to sew clown faces onto quilt tops, and home techniques for self-circumcision.
But my blog, you ask?
Well, to be honest I’m not completely sure. I could always pimp my latest writing endeavor (which I plan on doing when anything fictional hits paper with my name on it *wink*). I could tell you about a shitty day at work (plenty of those to file under “rants”) Hell, I could even spout off about gas prices or religion–God knows we all need another public smart ass to tell us how to live our lives according to the Good Book.
Maybe some other time, kiddos. That just isn’t me.
Let’s introduce me to you. Nice to meet you, I’m Wesley Southard. Location: Southwestern Indiana. Loves: writing, friends, pizza, Doritos, and Ski (I can imagine that most of you don’t know what Ski is, and I truly weep for you). But for now, let’s talk about my favorite subject in the whole world…
No, not boobs, you pervert.
Books.
Anyone that knows me personally knows that I love books. I love everything about them: the smell, the feel, the joy of getting a beautiful new hardback in the mail just screaming to be opened. I’ve been known to talk someone’s ear off about a book that I love (for literally hours—I should be a damn college professor!). But for this blog entry I want to know about you.
In your own collection, what’s your favorite book? Could be because of the cover art, could be sentimental value. Doesn’t matter. Let me in on the book that makes you smile. The one you pull off of your shelf time and time again to dive in for a few hours of bliss. The one that you brag to your friends about owning, nana-nana-boo-boo.
Mine? My first edition hardback of I Am Legend, written by one of my personal literary heroes, Richard Matheson. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve taken this age-worn beauty off of my shelf. This timeless novel was the first adult book I had ever read. My then 5th grader mind had no idea what the hell was going through it. But several years, and numerous reads later, I can tell you that it still amazes me how often I think about the story, how far ahead of its time this short novel truly is. Even though the dust jacket is ripped, the pages are yellowed, and the corners are riddled with thumb prints, memories continue to soar from this book. That’s my favorite.
What’s yours?
Wesley Southard 
WHAT?! I did not know you had a first edition copy if I Am Legend!!! Did you intentionally hide this glorious treasure from me? Well my friend I must say, if there was ever a time that I was jealous of your collection, this moment surpasses them all.
Even though I Am Legend is a phenominal story, I must ask why? Out of all the ground-breaking books you’ve read- and I know because I’ve read some of them too- why I Am Legend? Does it just have sentimental value considering the young age at which you read it? I can understand that. I know my passion for the living dead didn’t arise until you threw The Rising into my hands. Of course I had prior exposure to zombie movies and things growing up. However, the insatiable hunger didn’t surface until that book was put into my hands. Needless to say, it changed everything in my life. I assume the same goes true for you and your book. It awoke something dormant within. Something waiting to come alive, and to show its’ face to the world.
An equally battered copy of We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson. It was the first horror novel I’d ever read that was written by a female author. (When I was little I thought all writers had to be boys for some reason) and aside from that, it’s well written and an all around fantastic story.