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: Lamb

Author: Christopher Moore

Paperback: 444

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; First Perennial edition (February 4, 2003)

Genre: Satire

Audiobook: Read by Fisher Stevens

Synopsis from Amazon

The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John leave a gaping hole in the story of Jesus. They tell of the shepherds, the angel, the virgin, the manger, and the wise men, then jump to Jesus as a thirty-something rabbi. What did Jesus do during his formative years? Christopher Moore has an answer in his latest novel Lamb: The Gospel According To Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. Biff is Levi bar Alphaeus, son of a stonemason and childhood friend of Joshua bar Jehovah, son of God. The first section of the novel tells of the adventures of Biff, Joshua, and Maggie in and around Nazareth. The next three sections take Biff and Joshua to visit and learn from each of the three magi. The last section puts a Christopher Moore spin on the story told in the New Testament. We can read the good news according to Biff because the angel Raziel has resurrected Biff [and one other person] to write their versions of the Gospel. Biff's interactions with Raziel are interspersed with the main story, usually at the beginnings of chapters, and [inconsistently] set apart as long block quotes. This is a humorous book from a master of humor.

My thoughts: This book was hilarious. I know it's made up, but it simply fills in a blank space for the Bible. With no way to prove the story is false it just makes everything so much more thrilling. Although it's a complete blasphemy, I liked the part where Joshua and Biff were stuck in China at one of the Magi's palaces. Biff was asking questions that he wasn't supposed to ask, so he got poisoned and temporarily paralyzed. While he was paralyzed, the people at the palace painted Biff blue. Though this book is not well suited for children I enjoyed it and learned some things about the Tora and about the Jewish law back then.

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SNAPS
Rating: ✭✭✭✭✭

Would I read it again? Yes
Would I read more from this author? yes
Who should read this? This book is for adult males. There is some swearing, but if you like satire, you'll enjoy it

Next on the TBR pile: Practical Demonkeeper