What We’re Reading, Summer Edition
Summer reading! We love it. There’s something about sitting down with a good book in the sun with a frosty drink. Here’s what we’re currently consuming.
Colin: Han Solo at Star’s End by Brian Daley
This is a book about Han Solo, my favorite character from The Star Wars Universe, one of my favorite universes. So, is it good? In terms of being high-literature and a work of astounding prose and artistic commitment…no. In terms of being a book with my favorite Star Wars character in it and lots of laser shooting? It’s a masterwork.
Drinking: Mint Julep with Buffalo Trace
This book bears the same name of the popular restaurants in Portland and New York. It’s technically a cookbook, but as the subtitle states, it’s also full of great stories behind the dishes, the ingredients, and the culture of Thailand. I can’t say another cookbook has compelled me so much to try so many new things. I especially love the thorough ingredient guides at the beginning of the book, since Thai food has so many unique components.
Drinking: Apple Gin Rickey
Micah: The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastards) by Scott Lynch
The debut of of Scott Lynch’s “Gentleman Bastards” series is nothing short of astonishing! It’s a tale of a dashing thief duo who put the story of Oceans 11 to shame. Picture Robin Hood with a Renaissance James Bond, and you’ve got an idea of how insanely good this book is. You like humor, wit, creativity, mystery, intrigue, and of course foul language??…Then this is absolutely your next read! Worst case scenario is, you hate it, and in that case…let’s not be friends.
Drinking: Three fingers of a glass of whiskey, neat
Robert: Extinction Point trilogy by Paul Anthony Jones
I’m always up for a good post apocalyptic story. I’ve been reading the “Extinction Point” trilogy by Paul Anthony Jones, and after finishing the first two books I’d give it a B+. What I love is that it’s got all the fun tropes: mysterious global disaster, main character possibly the last person on earth, pure survival, life without rules, looting, arming yourself at the sporting goods store, and without spoiling anything—things you need to arm yourself against.
The writing style is what I don’t always love. Sometimes it’s too real hearing the inane conversation the main character is having in her own head as she copes with the fact that everyone else in the world might be dead.
Not sure if it’s categorized as “Young Adult”, but has that feel. Ultimately it’s a good fun fast read.
Drinking: Lagavulin, neat
Tyler: Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Have been meaning to read this for awhile now, and so far it’s certainly living up to all the good things I’ve heard about it!
Drinking: Old Fashioned with Bulleit Rye