those zany romans

first off, I have to wrap up last year's World Book Tour.  

Thin veneer of awarenesss of global literature?     Check.

Suitable stand in for actually traveling the globe?    No.

Learned some stuff?   Check

Can regurgitate above stuff at cocktail parties to amuse and impress?   No. 

Book theme got me to venture into new genres?     Check

This year's book theme amazingly original?  Strike three

Nevertheless, I'll forge on... 

Announcing this year's theme (cue drumroll):  The Centuries!  

One hundred years, one book.  

Since I can't plough through more than twenty books a year, I'm starting in the first century and damn the 21st. 

First up:  I, Claudius.  Those zany Romans, with their plebian slaughters, and Emperors keeling over at dinner because someone poisoned the figs.  

Now, I know that reading a bunch of either history or period books may seem like nails on a chalkboard for some, 

but I'm a glutton for punishment.  The more ridiculously esoteric, the more I'm attracted to it.   I first bought Satryicon by Petronius, but I'm pretty sure I should just watch the film.