Give Me One With Everything, But Hold the Ketchup

By Charlotte Bennardo



Hot dogs are like books. Some are basic, like Ernest Hemingway's novel Old Man and the Sea. For purists, the simple language allows them to appreciate the story and literary nuances. A plain hot dog allows one to taste the spices of the juicy meat, appreciate the delicate texture of the roll, and with one condiment like mustard or ketchup, get a little flair. Many people like their books like their hot dogs- don't mess with perfection by overloading.

Others are more demanding. Like the person that loads on onions, mustard, relish, and sauerkraut, or chili, beans, hot sauce, and peppers, the more, the better. With writers like George R. R. Martin and Game of Thrones, the adjectives and descriptive language are piled on. For some, it's too overpowering, but for others, the long parade of varying flavors and textures simply delights.

Like many, I'm in the middle. I love my hot dogs with spicy brown mustard and relish. I have to put mustard under the dog, then on top, then relish, which has excess water drained out so the roll doesn't get soggy. I'm particular about what I read too. I like what I like, and don't want to mess with perfection. Books that I like have description, but more action that adjectives. I like a little backstory, but am not too fond of extensive flashbacks. Bare bones language books tend to bore me because I need a little kick. I need a balance of bones and extras.

Enjoy your hot dogs and your books- however you like them!

Comments

  1. Love the hotdog analogy, Charlotte. My HD of choice is with sauerkraut or carmelized onions...middle choice as well.

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  2. I'm with you on being somewhere in the middle!

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  3. Fun post! For me, the only point of hot dogs is the toppings - and ditto for ice cream!

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