What I’m reading

For the last 3 weeks or so I have been stripped of my main connection to the outside world…my computer.
Without being able to be entertained constantly with Facebook and StumbleUpon, and being thoroughly tired of every pathetic excuse for T.V. show on the boob tube. I resorted to the archaic practice of reading books!

I typically have a couple books in rotation at all time, just to keep my wits sharp (or dull them with mindless fiction). But these last few weeks my arsenal has grown to a whopping !

…I have become a bookworm.

The first book (one I’ve just finished) is World War Z by Max Brooks.
This book is a great read! Its told from the point of view of a researcher interviewing the survivors of World War Z (the zombie war). Each “chapter” is broken down into little stories from each survivor, elaborating on his/her accounts of the war.
Brooks does a fantastic job of giving each “Survivor” their own voice and personality, and in doing so makes for a truly interesting, inspiring, funny, and sad piece of reading. Definitely pick this one up!

This next book is by the same author (actually published before the aforementioned WWZ book). The Zombie Survival Guide Is just that…
A survival guide.
It reads like an instruction manual, complete with rudimentary illustrations, and “Dick and Jane” examples. Having read WWZ before this one, I had a heads up on most some of the things he covers. Like which gun is best? You’d think a machine gun right?…Wrong! I’m only around 60 pages in, but this book is funny! It takes a very serious tone to protecting oneself agains the “eventual” rising of the dead. Later on in the book he gives “real” accounts and stories (which I can only assume was the inspiration for writing WWZ), which should be just as fascinating as the rest of this one! If you have a fear of zombies, or are into books that take themselves too seriously (on purpose) this is a must have. I’d read WWZ first, It’ll help add some humor to the instructional part of the book.

To keep with the end of the world theme I also picked up The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
I’m only about 30 pages in on this one as well, but so far the characters are incredible. This story is about a man and his son in a post-apocalyptic world. They are travelling south to avoid the harsh winter, and along the way come across many challenges and choices that really make this book worth reading. This is the same author who wrote No Country for Old Men so if you’ve read that one… you’ll be familiar with McCarthy’s writing style. If not… the best way to describe it is disjointed. McCarthy has a knack for great characters and descriptions of scenes, but it can be tough to follow sometimes without the typical format of: “The man said ‘….’” McCarthy ‘s character dialog floats between the father and son, and occasionally requires a re-read of a paragraph to cure confusion. Flash backs are rampant and unannounced, which often blend in to the story you thought you were following.
Don’t get me wrong… I love McCarthy’s writing style, but for those not used to it… It can be a shock. Nonetheless this is a must read, just for the simple fact it won the Pulitzer Prize. (No I haven’t seen the movie)

On the lighter side of things I’m reading Russel Brand’s Autobiography, My Booky Wook.
Brand is an English stand up comedian most popular for his role as the eccentric rocker Aldus Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I picked this book up because I think this man is hilarious. His attitude, and delivery are classic, and believe it or not can be found in his writing. This guy writes just like he talks…with all the “innit’s”, “mum’s”, and “wanka’s” Brand’s accent is readily prevalent while reading. So far its just ok… but again… I’m only a few pages in, and I’m sure once I get to the good stuff… the good times will roll!

Last but not least is a book I have read before. I’m re-reading it because it was one of the greatest reads of all my life.

I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell

This book is by far the funniest book I have ever read in my 31 years on this earth. Never have I laughed so hard at the written word, nor have I had to put a book down for fear of having an aneurism from laughing so much.
Tucker Max (The main character and author) is the stereotypical college douchebag. He’s rude, he’s obnoxious, he’s disrespectful to anyone and everyone, and he has the most crazy adventures in the world.
Have you seen The Hangover? Ok… take that movie, and multiply it by 100 (or how ever many Tucker Max stories there are). My favorite “friend” that joins Tucker on virtually every adventure is called Slingblade…(gonna leave that for you to find out). He’s introduced in the chapter “Everyone has THAT friend”. From that point on…you’ll never look at going out to bars and chatting to people the same again! Of all the books I’m reading…This is by far the one you MUST read. On a side note, I have the original paperback version which has since been discontinued and replaced with a “movie Tie in” version which supposedly concentrates on stories associated with the movie. (No I have not seen the movie…I don’t want to ruin the incredible awe this book has provided)

So that’s it… for right now… These should keep me busy for a while.

Are you guys reading anything awesome?