Deciding on my next trip...

My favorite guide was the National Geographic Traveler. It had the best information about the country and the best photos. It did a really good job of getting me excited about experiencing Vietnam.

If you want really specific information (eg. hotels, train stations to get around, etc.) than Foder's is the way to go.

The New Mexico and Bali book was really hard to get through in terms of how they organized the information. Plus the photos and the font seemed really small...

The Lost City of Z by David Grann

This is an interesting novel about the exploration race of the last century, specifically of the mysteries of the amazon, the (mis)adventures of exploring such a harsh environment and the explorers crazy enough to try it. I enjoyed it all the way through.

Rating: Donate It.

Fall of Giants by Ken Follet

This book was an incredible look into the lives of people living in the early 1900's and the historical political happenings leading up to, during and after WWI. This book is very entertaining and well written.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

The Chrysalids by John Wyndham

I read this one again...it's that good.

Rating: Slow Clap It.

Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield

Rob Sheffield takes the reader on a journey as he remembers his life and parallels it with the music that influenced him through the years. This story didn't really connect with me and I found myself waiting for it to be over so that I could start something new.

Rating: Burn It.

As Always, Julia Edited by Joan Reardon

This collection of the letters between Julia and her pen pal turned life long friend, Avis, is tender, funny and very enlightening. It was touching to see this friendship growing with each letter. I thought the background political context to their lives were very interesting but what struck me the most was the technological revolution that was happening and how it was affecting the culture at the time. It's amazing what we take for granted now (tv, processed/fast food, instant messaging, etc.) that was so foreign to them then.

Rating: Donate It.

Essex County by Jeff Lemire

This graphic novel is about the interconnections of the people in the community of Essex County. It is an honest novel that portrays the different challenges and histories that the people in this story live with and how a person affects the people around them, whether they know it or not.

Rating: Donate It.