Ok, I have another book to add to my "must read" list. You know, because I don't have nearly enough to do!   It is titled "What is the What?" by Dave Eggers. It is story about one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. The book is part biography, part fiction as the story was verbally shared with the author by a real person.

There is a legend in the book that the main character's father tells which forms the title of the book. In the myth, God creates man and woman and then presents them with cows. But then He tells them, "You can either have these cattle, as my gift to you, or you can have the What." God would not tell them what "What" was but they had to choose on the spot which they wanted...the life-giving cow or the mysterious "What"

Hmm, sounds familiar. The constant search for the mythical "What". That thing that promises just a little more. The thing that will fulfill all of your desires and bring meaning to your life but is always, always just slightly out of reach. It is not God and it is not necessarily divine but people are forever reaching for it like a carrot in front of a mule. Every step you make towards it seems to move it a little further away. Is it Fame? Is it Wealth? Is it Love? Or does it even matter what it is? Perhaps that is the power of the "What"...since it is unknown it is forever intriguing and it can never disappoint you although the constant search for it most certainly will.

Any book where the title alone makes you think is probably worth a read.

Here is a quote from the book. Gosh, I wish I could write like THIS!

"Whatever I do, however I find a way to live, I will tell these stories. ... I speak to you because I cannot help it. It gives me strength, almost unbelievable strength, to know that you are there. ... I am alive and you are alive so we must fill the air with our words. I will fill today, tomorrow, every day until I am taken back to God. I will tell stories to people who will listen and to people who don't want to listen, to people who seek me out and to those who run. All the while I will know that you are there. How can I pretend that you do not exist? It would be almost as impossible as you pretending that I do not exist."

It just gives you goose bumps, doesn't it? So, the book goes on the list. I figured I won't have nearly as much time for leisurely reading when the kiddies are home so I need to get my fill now while I can!