I know I’ve mentioned several times that I’ve been reading a lot. I try to vary the types of books I read. I love a good easy-to-read thrillers and love stories, but I realize it’s important to read things that will actually make me think/use my brain as I am reading it. The other reason that I read so much is that once I start a book, I must finish it – even if I hate it. TC, Paul, and I have been collecting books over the last two years in hopes of actually reading them on this trip. Kwaj friends, I may have the book that you dropped off at the library’s free bookrack.
After a month of reading, I have to say that I have enjoyed all the books that I’ve read, but I do have some that I’d particularly recommend. I suppose in the future, I could just comment on a book as I finish it.
Here are the books I’ve read so far . . . (feel free to ask me more about them)
Non-fiction
*Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost – memoir about the author’s time living in Kiribati
*Getting Stoned with Savages by J. Maarten Troost – memoir about the author’s time living in Vanuatu and Fiji
**Dove by Robin Lee Graham – memoir of a teenage boy who sailed around the world in the 1960s (I think it was the 60s) before GPS units and SSB radios were common on sailboats. There is no way I could do what he did.
***A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah – memoir of a boy who grew up in Sierra Leone during the 90s; became a child soldier. I was crying at times throughout the book. I think you should read it.
Fiction
The Beach House by James Patterson and Peter de Jonce – criminal/legal thriller where common folk try to get justice for one of their own (common vs. rich folk)
*Masquerade by Gayle Linds– a spy thriller, but with a female main character; it was a fun read
Life Support by Tess Gerritsen – medical thriller & I didn’t realize that she lived in Maine
Death Match by Lincoln Child - a technothriller about a dating service where people who get matched up start committing suicide together; this was written by the same guy who wrote Relic, which was a book (a good one) turned into a movie in the 90s (don’t even both watch the movie)
Queen Bee of Mimosa Branch by Haywood Smith – a fun novel about a southern woman and her family
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift – a classic; gotta get those in right? I enjoyed this way more than I would have in high school because I know the historical times that Swift is satirizing fairly well now (I had to teach it the past 4 years). However, the character of Gulliver himself kind of annoyed me, not sure why.
**Snow Flower and Secret Fan by Lisa See – a novel about a girl in 19th century China and what her life was like; talks about food binding (CRAZINESS)
Over Tumbled Graves by Jess Walter – criminal thriller about a serial killer set in Tacoma, WA
Fiction and/or Non-Fiction – Highly Debated (You Decide For Yourself)
Bible – in the fall of 2003, I started reading through the Bible cover to cover and I’m still not done. I hope to be done by the end of this trip. Always an interesting read.
I heard about the sex lives of cannibals and have wanted to read it. I miss learning about other cultures in my anthropology classes and I'm so bad about not making time to read now and I always seem to go for fiction. Hopefully I'll get to it one day.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of book reviews. Do it.
:)
Steph, I'm pretty sure that you would like the sex lives book. The author is funny (and he swears a lot). :-)
ReplyDeleteStephanie-- you should audit Anthropology courses at your local Community College. Not only is it fun knowing there is no pressure on you, but you get to enjoy being in a class with others who are interested (for the most part) in the subject. :)
ReplyDeleteChristi-- These sound great! Email me your address and I'll stop by my local Library and see what is on their free shelf to ship out your way. I'm sure your friends on Kwaj would enjoy some new reads too. :) Let me know if there are any newer ones you'd like to read. I know people are raving about the Left Behind Series (which might help you finish your debatabe fact vs fiction Bible). I also loved The Shack. Great Read! Not sure if you've had the pleasure of reading any of the Mitch Albom books (Tuesdays with Morrie; The 5 People You Meet in Heaven...etc). Let me know! I also highly recommend reading Steinbeck now that you're out of high school. Grapes of Wrath or even East of Eden would amaze you with your journey so far and what you've seen. It'd take on a whole new meaning. :) I'll look through my collection when the shipment arrives and see what I have that you might like. :) The Pillars of the Earth is a great read as well...so is the follow-up World Without End both by Ken Follett. Oh my gosh and some of the historically based novels by Philippa Gregory. She writes novels about the history of monarchs in England--the Tudors and such. She is great. I have tons of non-fiction works I love too, but I will have to send you an email with those. Far too many to list! Haha. :) I'm a nut when it comes to book stores and I spend all my time in the History Section and the Classic Novel Section. :)