Fool me twice

I read my first 007 novel way before I was able to legally go see a James Bond movie. I got into reading early, so I guess it was bound to happen. I imagine it always happens to people who start reading early: they found out about things that take their peers a few years more to realize or learn about. My mom used to read paperbacks, hardcovers, the lot. I mostly remember her with a book in her hand when I was a child. She used to read us bedtime stories. She belonged to many book clubs. She read most everything, from world lit to bodice rippers. I used to go with her to buy books. I imagine that's why I've always been a bookworm. Less so now, what with Netflix providing so much bingeable entertainment and with most of my books being in my tablet. 

So, James Bond. Once, when I was twelve or thirteen, I was housesitting for one of my older cousins. She had recently gotten married to a Marine and they were traveling, so I stayed in her house once or twice a week until they came back. That's when I read my first Ian Fleming book. It was an old paperback, it had those super-saturated colors book covers used to have way back then (Hey, Upton!) and some pretty woman in some kind of danger. It had seen better days, too. That book had been read, honey. But I thought the cover was awesome and the idea of reading the adventures of a spy was super cool, from my point of view. I wanted to know more about that 007 guy.

I don't really remember which was that first book I read. Was it Dr. No? Goldfinger? I know James got it on with somebody and that people died either eaten by piranhas or burned by lava. I have no idea. What I do know is that he had several 007 books. I went through his collection like water. The idea of a suave, handsome, sexy, daring and absolutely rogue secret agent was a fantastic premise. I wanted a boyfriend like that! I was hooked. I think the fact that the descriptions of his womanizing sounded risqué to me only added to the allure. So that's why George liked those books, huh? That's what pumped up Marines read? Sweet.

To date, I have read most 007 books authored by Fleming. And I have seen most the Bond movies. I have watched many on TV and on the streaming services. My favorite James Bond on the screen are Sean Connery and Daniel Craig. George Lazenby gets honorary mention (swoon!). Every year, for the last ten years or so, going to see the new Bond movie has always been an event. This year I may not be able to see Daniel Craig in all his glory on a big screen. Damn pandemic.

But I'm already hooked on the theme song. I love Billie's voice. Hopefully, I'll be able to see this in a theater sometime soon? I have not been to a movie theater since March. This is one of those times I wish drive in-theaters were still a thing.

XOXO