Kate's Response:

This whole thing started when I pointed out that Rob was hoarding books that I had given him, and told him he needed to learn how to read faster in order to finish all the books he had in his to-read pile.  This somehow evolved into "let's see who can read more books/pages in 2012." 

Rob, not being a competitive person at all, immediately set up a blog, sent me four emails worth of various rules, and dubbed the challenge "Geek Throwdown."

Unfortunately he doesn't know what he's up against; so far in our "preseason" I have crushed him like a true book club (aka) English major.  3 days, 600 pages.

Here is my plan:

Strengths: English Degree.  A superhuman ability to read lighting fast and still comprehend the book.  Ability to understand "serious literature" while some inferior readers stick to historically inaccurate narrative cinder blocks, that is, when they're not reading science fiction.  Lives in Clayton, where there is even less to do than in Boone, other than read, of course.

Weaknesses: Pesky kayak and music habits that sometimes interfere with reading time.  Friends.  Commitment to reading real books with literary value.

Tactics: Cormac McCarthy.  Distracting Rob with social media and ideas to "improve the blog."  Reading good books like those that have won the Pulitzer and National Book Award that suck me in.

Strategy: Win like I always do, tapping into fierce competitive streak that will keep me awake until I have consumed more pages than the enemy.  Keep living in Clayton, where after sleeping, eating going to the gym, reading is pretty much the only other available option.

Let the games begin!