RTP's Summer Reading

Since we've been dealing with the hottest summer on record, I've been spending more time with low-sweat indoor activities. Reading tops my list. I bought a Kindle not too long ago and I've rediscovered my love of reading. I've been paying attention to book reviews on radio and television as well as book recommendations from the blog world. I thought I'd mention a few books that I've heard about or read recently. These aren't reviews but if you have a comment about any of these books or if you can recommend something that you've read recently, whatever the subject, I'd like to hear about it.

Born To Run-A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and The Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall. I first heard about this book over at Love to Pedal (I haven't read it). I also saw it referenced by Pilar Garza. This book has something to do with the popularity of those freaky five-toed shoes that you've no doubt noticed recently. It sounds like the author advocates flat soled shoes or bare feet for endurance running. Read about it at Love to Pedal and check out the 750+ reviews on Amazon.

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson: I recently heard a radio interview with Erik Larson, author of the new book In The Garden of Beasts. This book tells the story of America's first ambassador to Hitler's Berlin. It sounds like a great book and I intended to buy it, but instead I ended up downloading another book by Larson titled The Devil in the White City. The book is a true story about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair as told through an architect responsible for the fair's construction and a serial killer masquerading as a doctor. Another Larson book that looks really interesting is Isaac's Storm-about the hurricane that struck Galveston in September 1900 and killed over 6,000 people.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas: I was reading this book at the same time Jeff (The Flat Tire) was reading it. It's a long book but it's a great story with lots of twists and turns. It's a free download from Amazon.

Other stuff I've read recently:

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk-The movie has become one of my all-time favorites.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen-My wife urged me to read it. It was a free download from Amazon so I gave it a try. I was surprised to find that I actually enjoyed it (more than I care to admit).

Chasing Aphrodite-The Hunt for Looted Antiquities at the World's Richest Musuem by Jason Felch and Ralph Frammolino. It deals more with the internal bickering and politics at the J. Paul Getty Musuem than with the actual hunt for looted items.

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Why not?