Reading is Fundamental

One thing that I have really enjoyed during my service in The Gambia is having the time to read books. Back home I would struggle to finish one book because I was so busy. However, during these last two years I have read 50 books. So for this post I wanted to share a list of the books I have read and tell about my favorites. Just in case any of you are looking for a good read. The books are listed in order read.

1. Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
2. Shōgun by James Clavell
3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
4. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
5. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
6. Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy
7. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
8. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
9. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
10. World War Z by Max Brooks
11. The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft
12. The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson
13. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
14. Pacific Vortex by Clive Cussler
15. Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn
16. American Assassin by Vince Flynn
17. Mud, Sweat, and Tears by Bear Grylls
18. Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
19. Vampire Forensics by Mark Collins Jenkins
20. A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
21. The Shack by William Paul Young
22. The Third Option by Vince Flynn
23. Kill Shot by Vince Flynn
24. Separation of Power by Vince Flynn
25. A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
26. The Wolf’s Hour by Robert R. McCammon
27. Executive Power by Vince Flynn
28. Memorial Day by Vince Flynn
29. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
30. Consent To Kill by Vince Flynn
31. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
32. Inca Gold by Clive Cussler
33. Act of Treason by Vince Flynn
34. Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
35. Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn
36. Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn
37. The Last Man by Vince Flynn
38. The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor
39. Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler with Grant Blackwood
40. At The Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft
41. A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
42. Lost Empire by Clive Cyussler with Grant Blackwood
43. The Lost City of Z by David Grann
44. The Kingdom by Clive Cussler with Grant Blackwood
45. Tai-Pan by James Clavell
46. Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth by Christopher Golden
47. The Tombs by Clive Cussler with Thomas Perry
48. The Way of The Knife by Mark Mazzetti
49. The Mayan Secrets by Clive Cussler with Thomas Perry
50. Gai-Jin by James Clavell 

So I have read some series and trilogies. My favorite is definitely Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series. I really liked the action and suspense in each book. My two favorites in the series would have to be Transfer of Power and Protect and Defend, but I really like the others too. I would certainly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys reading thrillers. Clive Cussler’s Fargo Adventures is my second favorite series. Each one had a great modern day adventure relating to some historical figure or event. I think I like The Tombs the best. I also enjoyed James Clavell’s Asian Saga, although I have not read all of them yet. The three that I have read so far were outstanding. They were long reads, but each had a gripping story-line and great character development.

As for stand alone books, I could not lock down a favorite. A runner up is Robert R. McCammon’s The Wolf’s Hour. This was another longer read, a lot of things happen in the story. But they way events unfold was really well done in my opinion. I also felt that McCammon’s depiction of the werewolf was very good and original. Another runner up is Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth. I am a big fan of the Uncharted franchise, so I had to read it. I actually really enjoyed it. I also liked Bear Grylls’s autobiography Mud, Sweat, and Tears. I good friend back home sent me a copy as a Christmas gift. I am a fan of Bear Grylls, and found a lot of inspiration from his autobiography and shared it with other volunteers as well.

So these are the books that took up some of my time here in The Gambia. I have really enjoyed being able to read here, and I hope to continue when I return home. Which is just about a month away!

Balance

Josh’s Journal

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

2205, Baja Kunda, The Gambia

This journal entry has been edited for content.

Its been forever since I’ve picked up this book. Its just been sitting on my desk with some other books. Not sure what compelled me to pick it up just now, but I suppose I should record some of the things that stand out in my mind. My last entry was early April. Since then some of my close friends here have returned home, some very unexpectedly. I can even recall events from two separate days towards the middle of last year. Both easily being two of the worst days of my life. It took so much of myself to keep a level head during those times, but fortunately I was able to.

Not everything was bad though, there were some highlights. I got to go to two separate yoga retreats. Enjoyed myself at both of them. I’ve met some amazing people who came into the country. Some are still here, some have returned to their homes. I still stay in touch with those that have left. I helped lead Marathon March a few times. Had a blast doing that and I think the trainees enjoyed it. HIV/AIDS bike trek was awesome. I had a great teaching partner for that. Some friends even came to see me at my village.

Lately my time here feels like a balancing act. I have good days and bad days, wonderful days and just down right awful days. Some mornings I wake up with a splitting headache and aggravated with the sound of children crying and donkeys squealing. Days like that just make me think “forget this place.” Other mornings I wake up with a great amount of energy and a productive and positive attitude. Again its all a balancing act.

I’ve been thinking a lot about home lately. Especially since the holidays were recent. I can’t say that I’m too upset about not being home for the holidays. Even before I joined the Peace Corps there have been many times when I didn’t get to see my family, so it’s not a new thing for me. But I still can’t help but think about them and my other loved ones back home. Fortunately I was able to get on Facebook on Christmas day and send messages to people. Christmas here was good too. Spent it with a small group of volunteers and we had a nice meal and watched a movie. We didn’t have a tree, or snow, or an assortment of presents, but we were okay.

Sometimes thinking about going home makes feel both excited and anxious. I can’t stay forever, I have to go home at some point. And I’m getting closer to that point. Sometimes I wish I could fast-forward time, and other times I tell myself to settle down and focus on the here and now. I look forward to seeing people when I get home. As well as other things like having clean feet and people not calling me toubab. Man I hate that word! But for now I got to live in the moment. Despite some of the things that I dislike about being here, this is pretty awesome. I’m doing something amazing! And this West African adventure is about to get even more awesome in the coming months. Next stop… Morocco!