What I'm Reading!

I've been reading a lot of new (to me) books recently.  First was the intimidatingly huge (1,100 pages) The Stand by Stephen King.  I know, I'm probably waaaaay behind the times.  It was fantastic and incredibly gripping.  A good vs. evil tale with strong religious themes, it's about a government experiment with a "superflu" (that somehow gets to be called Captain Tripps; I still haven't figured that one out) as a biological weapon that goes awry and is released into the world accidentally.  The survivors must deal with the aftermath and are slowly separated into two morally opposite camps.  One is drawn to the mysterious and evil Dark Man, a.k.a. Randall Flagg or the Walkin' Dude.  The others migrate to an old woman called Mother Abagail who somehow represents God or the forces of good.  Over the course of the book the two sides prepare for confrontation. 

The story is incredible and the characters unforgettable (Trashcan Man, anyone?).  Never once did the story drag or did I feel like skimming over sections.  I really need to buy myself a copy.  Oh - one word of advice: I read a recently published "expanded" version that included much material that wasn't included in the original book in the 80's due to editorial constraints.  Be sure to read the new version (which I think uses the cover shown here, at least on the paperback version; I read the hardcover so it was different)!  I'd hate for you to miss the additional story and character development.  Woo!

Anyway, The Stand was one of those books I just didn't want to end, and when it did, I didn't know what to do with myself.  I was bereft.  No other books appealed to me.  One day I randomly picked up a book I'd had for years but never gotten around to reading: A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson.  It's nonfiction about his decision to walk the Appalachian Trail with his buddy Stephen Katz.  I got into it rather reluctantly, but soon realized it was a terrific book.  Bill Bryson's writing is excellent, with a sharp eye for details and a sardonic wit that made reading about his misadventures and the oddball characters and places he encounters a hilarious read.  I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions.  Highly recommended!  Also, it made me want to read everything else Mr. Bryson has ever written.  I checked it out at Barnes & Noble and found his stuff in the travel section.  He's written about Australia, England (where he lived for 20 years) and, one that particularly caught my eye, one called The Lost Continent, about his road trip through America in search of the perfect small town.  Well, I like small towns, and I like his writing, so of course I had to check it out. 

I enjoyed it thoroughly!  Again, very funny, including witty commentary such as this example:  "Des Moines is the most powerful hypnotic known to man.  OUtside town there is a big sign that says, 'Welcome to Des Moines.  This is What Death is Like.'  There isn't really.  I just made that up."  Ha!  He does that repeatedly throughout the book.  He also forever endeared himself to me by going through Montana and visiting Custer's Last Stand.  So, yet another Bill Bryson book to recommend.  I think it's safe to say you can pick up anything this guy has written and have a darn good time.