Title: A walk in the woods

Author: Bill Bryson

Paperback: 276 pages

Genre: memoir, humor

Bill Bryson decides one day to hike the Appalachian Trail. Not wanting to do it alone he decides to call up his friend Katz, a friend he hasn't spoken to in five years since they had a falling out in Europe. Sounds like a simple enough task. Just two guys hiking in the woods. Simple. That is, until they figure out that the Appalachian Trail is over two thousand miles long. A feat reserved for only the bravest. The Appalachian Trail winds its way from Georgia to Maine, going through a grand total of 13 states all together. But Katz and Bill plan their hike, not all the way but still, it's the thought that counts. They lay out their maps and prepare to set off on a journey of a lifetime, carrying backpacks well over forty pounds with everything they need. Once on the trail though, everything gets more complicated. Bill and Katz aren't in the greatest shapes of their lives and their lives have become dependent on electronics and fast food, not something just around the bend in the trail. Being on the trail weans them of their need for electronics and makes them live with the land and sleep in a tent through animal invasions and pouring sheets of rain. Besides the occasional rest stop with flushing toilets and cheap motel rooms with five channel TVs, they become men of the trail on their journey through the woods and nothing can stop them from achieving their goal. And when they finally do meet their goal they feel fulfilled and they part ways. Both feel that they have accomplished something, that is until Bill figures out that all their tireless work, all those days filled with miles in the double digits, and they're not even half way there.

Bill Bryson is a genius in explaining in vivid detail his emotions and the adventures of the trail. No one is left without feeling that they are somehow related to Bryson in a way, once they finish this book. Be forewarned, that though this story is an amazing read, the only problems with this story is the information overload and constant moping of Bill when he canʻt understand something immediately. All together this book is still a great side book, one to read when there's nothing else to read, or when you forgot your main book somewhere else.

Rating:✭✭✭

Title: The Schwa Was Here

Author: Neal Shusterman

Paperback: 228

Publisher: Puffin; Second Edition edition (March 2, 2006)

Genre: Humor

Source: purchased

Synopsis: (From Amazon)

When Anthony "Antsy" Bonano and his friends meet Calvin Schwa, they are impressed and puzzled by his ability to appear and disappear before their very eyes. Antsy concocts a moneymaking scheme based on the Schwa's invisibility that seems promising until he and his friends overreach and are caught by the town's legendary mean millionaire, Mr. Crawley. Their resulting community service project--walking the 7 virtues and 7 vices (Crawley's 14 afghan hounds) and going out with Crawley's granddaughter Lexie--cements and ultimately challenges friendships. The humor is just right for boys, but the complexity of plot, the depth and richness of the characters, and the underlying seriousness of the issues belies the easy-to-read comedy. Schwa is an average kid who hangs on the periphery of the crowd and longs to be noticed and included, not simply ignored. His character is extreme, but far too many adolescents--and the adults who work with them--will sadly and guiltily recognize him.

My Thoughts:

This is possibly the greatest, most confusing book ever. Schwa is a "Functionally Invisible" child ignored by everyone, even his dad. I really love this story because it goes through all the problems of being a teen like girls, parents, and who is and who isn't your friend. But I sometimes feel sad for the Schwa because no one listens to him, no one sees him, and in the story he talks about his paper clip collection using those paper clips as a metaphor for himself. He says that, like the paperclip, his life is about holding everything together and never being noticed for it.

I also like Mr.Crawley, the crazy old man that just happens to own everything. He's absolutely insane, but he can be insane with the amount of money and power he has. Antsy tells a story about one year a group of kids egged Mr. Crawley's house, and for the next month, no one could find eggs anywhere within their neighborhood.

If you like this book, look for Antsy Does Time.

Thə End

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SNAPSRating: ✭✭✭✭

Would I read it again? Yes
Would I read more from this author? Yes
Who should read this? This book is for tweens or teens and sometimes older. You should read this book if you like weird random events and humor.
Next on the TBR pile: Paper Towns by John Green