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.
- Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton
- ShÅgun by James Clavell
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy
- The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- World War Z by Max Brooks
- The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft
- The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson
- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
- Pacific Vortex by Clive Cussler
- Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn
- American Assassin by Vince Flynn
- Mud, Sweat, and Tears by Bear Grylls
- Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
- Vampire Forensics by Mark Collins Jenkins
- A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
- The Shack by William Paul Young
- The Third Option by Vince Flynn
- Kill Shot by Vince Flynn
- Separation of Power by Vince Flynn
- A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Wolf’s Hour by Robert R. McCammon
- Executive Power by Vince Flynn
- Memorial Day by Vince Flynn
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
- Consent To Kill by Vince Flynn
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
- Inca Gold by Clive Cussler
- Act of Treason by Vince Flynn
- Protect and Defend by Vince Flynn
- Extreme Measures by Vince Flynn
- Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn
- The Last Man by Vince Flynn
- The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor
- Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler with Grant Blackwood
- At The Mountains of Madness by H.P. Lovecraft
- A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
- Lost Empire by Clive Cyussler with Grant Blackwood
- The Lost City of Z by David Grann
- The Kingdom by Clive Cussler with Grant Blackwood
- Tai-Pan by James Clavell
- Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth by Christopher Golden
- The Tombs by Clive Cussler with Thomas Perry
- The Way of The Knife by Mark Mazzetti
- The Mayan Secrets by Clive Cussler with Thomas Perry
- 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!
