If You've Ever Thought You Ought to Read the Bible

 But it seemed like a whole lot more bother than it was worth...

Have I Got A Blog For You

Why read the Bible? Good question. We've always had a bunch of folks who like to use the Bible as a way of justifying what they do, how they think, how they perceive and treat other people.This has been going on for centuries. We also have a whole lot of literature, music, visual arts, important and not so important bricks in the edifice that is Western Culture, that are based on, or inspired by, or like to quote The Good Book. For these reasons and more I've felt for some time that if I want to consider myself well read as well as properly prepared to parse and, if need be, dismantle the arguments put forward, especially by elected and appointed officials who wave and quote and misquote and quote out of context in order to try to make themselves look righteous and worthy, I needed to actually read the darned thing myself. Not only read it, but take notes. And thus was born my new blog, "Book by Book Through The Good Book" which may turn into my next book, we'll have to see about that.

To be clear, I am not approaching this project as anything other than a discerning reader. I'm not going into this with the intention of making fun of it, neither am I approaching it with with awe and reverence, hoping to be reborn in my faith. I'm coming at it as a reader, looking for what is actually in the Bible, not what others have said about it or how they have interpreted it. I want to read the stories, get to know the characters, see what, if any of it, makes sense or even inspires. Also what may make me scratch my head and mutter "What is that all about?" I want to find out why it has had such a lasting impact on our world, for good or bad.

So here I go, making my way verse by verse, chapter by chapter, book by book (there are 66 of them, 37 in the Old Testament and 29 in the New Testament) through the entire thing. I'm even checking out the preface, which is called "To The Reader" and was written by a member of the committee that put together the New Revised Standard Edition, which is the text I am using.

My primary goal here is personal. I've gone through (mumber, mumble) decades without having read more than bits and pieces of the Bible, and it's time to correct that. Plus, it may toughen me up for another try at Ulysses or Infinite Jest, I don't know. So, honestly, anyone who comes along with me is a real bonus, but audience or not I'm doing this.

If you would like to join my journey through the Best Selling Book of  All Time, here is where you can find it...

Book by Book Through The Good Book

And here's an excerpt from my notes on Genesis.

CHAPTER 7:

    In verse 2 God fleshes out his instructions by telling Noah to not only gather his kin, but also "seven pairs*** of all clean animals, the male and its mate: and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate,".

            ***Honest. It says it right there in Chapter 7, Verse 2. "Seven pairs."

    So all this time we've been telling the kiddos in Sunday School that it was a strict two-by-two sort of arrangement for the fauna. But in verse 2 we are told the ones who had established good grooming habits get to bring some of their friends and family along.

 

Ted and Jerry are back!

Ted Hogwood and Jerry Kwiatkowski, the jazz playing inadvertant heroes of "Boomerang", are back in a new adventure in "devil Went Down to Phoenix." A Deal is made at The Crossroads that lands an amoral, hamburger loving, intellectually challenged horndog in the White House and while he's having a pretty good time, the Deal is looking like a bad idea to everyone else except perhaps the members of an Indiana militia and Mr. Skratte, a mysterious figure in tight black jeans, blood red boots, and billowy white shirt.  All the fun of "Boomerang" along with a dollop of political satire.

 Welcome to Boomerang's Home on the Web

Thank you for stopping by. This is the spot for you to check out sample chapters, read reviews (I include the not-so-great right along with the "Oh good lord, this is Pulitzer Prize material!" reader reviews from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and Smashwords. And, of course, all those links just to the left and down a bit that make it so, so easy for you to own a copy of Boomerang your very own darned self.

Speaking of owning your very own copy, the second edition is available now in both ebook and paperback. One of the benefits of being your own publisher is the opportunity, after time has passed, to take another look at your work and maybe do a tweak here and there. Nothing major at all has been changed in the second edition of "Boomerang", but anytime I can bring something closer to my vision and do it as perfectly as possible, why not?

Update: May, 2017. Lots of readers have asked "when are we going to be able to revisit these characters?" I am happy to say Ted, Jerry, Director Fatherday and some of the other characters from "Boomerang" are beginning to get their lives frazzled in a brand new story. Stay tuned for progress reports and more information. And in the meantime, tell all your friends to check out "Boomerang"!

Thanks!

Boomerang is a comic novel of international intrigue played out by characters operating way outside their comfort zones. Available in paperback or ebook. Links to retailers can be found just to the left!

Here is what Boomerang is all about:

Ted Hogwood's beloved Sarah, a jazz guitar, is in the window of Topp Dollar Pawn. The only way he can get the money to rescue her is to accept an assignment from the AABC, a not nearly official branch of the United States Intelligence community. He is partnered with Jerry Kwiatkowski, master of the Hammond B-3 organ and chronic flatulence sufferer, to steal a boomerang containing secrets that should have died with J. Edgar Hoover over thirty years ago. It would be a simple job if only they knew what they were doing. And if a crossbow wielding assassin, two unemployed Australian women, the Director of Central Intelligence and a clothing optional ex-cheerleader were not also hot on the boomerang's trail. 



And here is what one reader has to say about Boomerang.

A Wonderful Quirky Caper, 17 May 2011

By 

evertheoptimist (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Boomerang (Kindle Edition)

Boomerang is a wonderfully exuberant chase caper, a cleverly executed laugh out loud gem full of quirky characters, impossible scenarios, unlikely allies, all pulled together by the brilliantly skilful penmanship of Alan Hutcheson. An absolutely wonderful book...a joy to read from start to hectic finish.


You can find more reader reviews by clicking on the link to the left. Other clicks will take you to sample chapters and the various places where you can purchase the book.

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