Game of Thrones Book 1

by George R. R. Martin...so, I am a huge fan of the HBO series.  I heard the books were equally as good if not better and just had to try them out.  I love that the story is told from different characters point of view.  I love there is more backstory and explanation in the book...and I love the complications that arise for even your favorite characters.

Reading List from the Past Year

So, what have I been reading?  Well, let me list the books I have read over the last year.  You will notice a pattern for sure...most of them are educational and I admit that I have been listening to books more than actually reading.  I am only going to list the books I would recommend.

All that is Bitter and Sweet by Ashley Judd
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
UR by Stephen King
Sunk Without a Sound by Brad Dimock
National Parks the American Experience by Alfred Runte
American Earth by Bill McKibben
Autobiography of Mark Twain Vol 1 by Mark Twain
Crimes Against Nature by Karl Jacoby
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
The Confederate Battle Flag by John Coski
Politics of Park Design by Galen Cranz
The Strain Trilogy by Guillermo del Toro
The Pacific Northwest by Carlos Schwantes
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Of course I read more...for a more accurate listing, check my GoodReads account!

Reviving the Blog

So, admittedly the last year has been a little crazy.  Thankfully after a lot of hard work and less reading for pleasure than I would like to admit...I have graduated with my Masters in History with focus in Public History from Eastern Washington University.  Now, I will return to the world of a reader.  As some of you know I normally read a lot.  I am getting back into the groove.  I hope to keep up with this a little better than I have in the past year.

Just After Sunset

By Stephen King...oh, how I have missed you Mr. King.  I read Under the Dome recently...but haven't read a lot of Stephen King for awhile.  I think my last book before Under the Dome may have been Bag of Bones or Everything's Eventual.  I kind of checked out of King for awhile.  I recently picked up Just After Sunset to listen to on a roadtrip.  WOW!  I was definitely freaked out and reminded of why I love his writing.  There were a few of the stories that I just couldn't believe...and I recommend listening to it on a trip...the actors who read do an incredible job!

Room

By Emma Donoghue...what a book.  I really can't say much about it except if you are a parent, this will probably take you places the book did not take me.  I am not a parent, and while I thought a lot of it was moving...I think a parent would definitely feel differently about the story.  This is told from the point of view of a little boy...all of the explanations are from a child's point of view.  Maybe that is what makes this book so compelling.  Regardless...be warned...you may need tissues while reading this book.

At Home: A Short Story of the Private Life

By Bill Bryson...I love Bill Bryson.  He has a way of telling you things that aren't always particularly interesting...but he can make them come alive.  Bryson writes of the home...where did some of this stuff come from, rooms in the house, origins, our activities in the house...and some of our food and behavior.  In much the same way A Short History of Nearly Everything grabbed me...this book did as well.  At times funny, at times heartfelt, and most of the time very informative.  I recommend!

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

By Max Brooks...where are more books like this?  I LOVED this book.  The story is told from several points of view by a reporter who wants to learn more about the war and the people it effected.  This book is presented as fact...and is recorded as if it were history.  There are several characters the narrator meets and interviews to find out about the war, survival, and what is going on now that the war is over.  I listened to the book...was incredibly sad when it was over.  HIGHLY RECOMMEND!