and I can't believe I've only had it for two weeks. I've been meaning to write individual posts for each book I've read, but I'm just too busy reading. So below is a brief rundown of the books I've devoured over the past few weeks.
by Orson Scott CardI read this book over ten years ago, and it was my first foray into science fiction. I always recommend it to people who claim to hate sci-fi. The book is actually a young adult novel, but like Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games
trilogy it deals with children forced to fight for their lives.
by Tom Rob SmithA brutal serial killer is targeting children in Stalin's Russia, but the State cannot admit it because to do so would be treason against the perfect workers paradise. Leo Demidov must work around the system in order to stop the killings all the while pretending to be a devoted believer in the perfect state. The story is engaging and well written, but Smith really shines by evoking the oppressive poverty, paranoia and fear that became part of everyday life under Stalin's rule.
by Charles CummingA fun spy mystery about a possible sixth spy from the notorious Cambridge Five. Cummings has been compared to one of my favorite spy novelists, John Le Carré, but I have to disagree. The book was enjoyable, but it's nowhere near Le Carré in terms of talent.
by George R.R. MartinI've been hearing people rave about the HBO series and decided to try the first book in what will eventually be a six-part series. I literally couldn't put the book down, and I've already started on the second, A Clash of Kings
. Martin has written a rich, dense, rewarding epic fantasy novel. For those of you who are wary of the fantasy genre, rest assured A Game of Thrones will not disappoint. There is fantasy, but much of the novel deals with grand themes of family, war, power, love and loss. The setting is the Seven Kingdoms, which bear more than a passing resemblance to Medieval England, giving the book a more realistic feel. 
by Robb WolfThe only non-fiction book in the bunch. I've been reading a lot about primal/paleo eating lately and Robb Wolf's name kept popping up, so I decided to check out his book. Lots of interesting and informative information as well as detailed meal plans to help jump start paleo eating. Robb also has a blog which can be found here.
