Books I’ve read lately: August…
In an attempt to stop thinking about my future sooo much, while also researching for it (if that makes any sense at all), I upped the ante on my reading during the month of August. Here’s my list (in order of last read)

“Chasing Che: A Motorcycle Journey in Search of the Guevara Legend” by Patrick Simmes
Loved this book. Symmes embarks on a motorcycle journey following Ernesto (before he was Che) Guevara’s infamous path from his home in Argentina to his final resting place in Bolivia. With his flawless non-fiction writing style, he introduces us to the exotic landscapes and people he meets along the way while harmoniously weaving together bits and pieces of the Guevara history as well as general South American history.

Definitely got me excited to visit Chile/Peru.

“Not Buying it: My year without shopping” By Judith Levine
Fascinating concept, and a book I was excited to read. However, it failed to live up to my expectations. Levine came off as arrogant and often lost her focus on consumerism drifting off into topics such as the election, and politics not relating to buying. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I hadn’t been able to relate to it so much–i.e. hadn’t been in a situation of frugality.

Thought-provoking nonetheless.

“Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang” By Chelsea Handler
I have been eager to read anything by Chelsea Handler. I still remember the high pitched laugh of the girl who sat in front of me in my college Style class as she read “Are you there Vodka? It’s me, Chelsea.” Unfortunately that book was unavailable at Monroe Public Library, but by some miracle, “Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang” was. The “miracle” turned out to be false, as this book was nothing special. Entertaining and, at times, shocking, but nothing too memorable. I won’t give up on Chelsea; I still intend to read her other books.

“The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World” By Eric Wiener
Another book on my longtime to-read list. This one lived up to my expectations. Interesting, enjoyable, and filled with fun facts. Wiener spends a year traveling around the world visiting the happiest (and not so happy) places in the world and contemplating what it is about a place that affects a persons happiness.

I think even those afraid of non-fiction would enjoy it. Wiener’s writing style has universal appeal.

“Into the Wild” Jon Krakauer
Perhaps my favorite of this bunch. The book hooked me from the first page, and I had difficulty letting go of it once I put it down. A classic. Just read it if you haven’t.

Definitely going to have to watch the movie now.