A yellow-headed blackbird seen on my morning walk with Maggie makes me go "Awww!" -- Photo by Pat Bean
“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the muddle you see the blue center light pop and everybody goes ‘Awww!’” – Jack Kerouac
Travels With Maggie
Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road,” is listed in almost every version of the 100 Best Travel Books. And on all of the various lists I’ve come across in recent years, I’ve read well over 50 percent of the selections.
But I haven’t read “On the Road.” That is I’ve never finished it. I’ve started the book several times but have never gotten beyond a few pages before laying it down and forgetting about it.
While there are quite a few of Kerouac’s quotes in my journal, such as the one above that I absolutely love, I can’t connect with this author like I do with say Tim Cahill, who has me rolling on the floor with laughter, or Charles Kuralt, whom I consider my travel soul mate, or John Steinbeck, whose down to earth writing draws me into his circle, especially since he writes about traveling with his poodle, Charley, and I write about traveling with my cocker spaniel, Maggie.
But I don’t, except for an occasional quote, get Jack. I keep thinking I will if I just read more than a few pages of “On the Road.”
Perhaps one day I will. Perhaps I’ll even find that copy of his book I bought a few years back to give it a fifth or sixth try. It was at least the third copy of “On the Road” that I’ve bought over the years, and I honestly have no idea where it is now.
And a patch of colorful pansies lights up my eyes as well as a fireworks display. -- Photo by Pat Bean
I recently read a book in which needful books kept turning up magically for one of the characters. I wonder what it means when books disappear. Or how come I can’t get into a book that so many other people think is a great classic.
Perplexing questions to which I have no answer. But I do love Kerouac’s above quote. It’s a whole book in itself.
Pat Bean's blog 
What I seem to need to read at the time just shows up for me too. Even if the book has been on my shelf for years unread, one day I’ll take it down, and that’s just what I need to hear at that particular time. I may have tried to read the book before but never made it past a couple of pages or put it back cause it wasn’t right for that day. Even the “trash” novels I read have a place. I needed something mindless or just pure entertainment. Books unread have gone out of my life to come back years later and treasured. Other books never get cracked open. I love the mystery to that.
If something (or someone) disappears in life, I think it’s because we don’t need them or aren’t in tune with them any more. I look back at all the people and things that have flowed into and out of my life over the years. It’s quite a tapestry. Each had its place and its purpose. Some stayed longer than others. All were greatly valued (at one point or another) and are greatly appreciated for assisting me in becoming the person I am today.
I like the quote, and I love the “mad” too, but I am also in-love with the souls who get depressed and sad, and are honest enough to discuss it.
I have books like your “On the Road”, where I pick them up, read a couple of chapters and I just can’t get into the story. So, back to the shelf it goes, and then 2 months or years later, I’ll pick up the same book and find I cannot put it down.
Some books I read just because of the style of writing, For instance, when reading “The English Patient” I felt as though I were reading poetry.