More Reading

One of the things I want to do before classes start again on January 19th is read every book on my "want to read" list which according to the list I made on Facebook is something like 57 books. Unrealistic?? I think not. So I just finished this book
It was tremendous. If you want an honest view of what it's like to be a female in the service - this is the book to read. The author doesn't pull any punches about her experiences which is refreshing. At the same time it raises alot of questions about what it is like to be a female in the military. In addition to navigating the male dominant hierarchy that is the military she has to deal with all of the sexual bullshit which includes rumors, innuendo's and outright lies from men that she thought were her friends. She was strong enough to deal with it, many women aren't. What happens to those women? That's the problem isn't it? How does a male dominated machine deal with sexual assault within it's own ranks? Usually not that well. They cover it up, keep it quiet or
basically tell the women that it was probably their fault. Nice huh?
This subject makes my blood boil.

Reading For Fun

One of the things I have missed dearly over the past couple of years is reading for fun. It's been a very rare occasion that I've been able to pick up a book that hasn't somehow been school related. Luckily my pleasure reading has taken on a bit of a research edge, so if I'm reading something that technically isn't for school, I'm still going to get something out of it. Take for instance the book I just finished. It's called "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien and it's about Vietnam. It's an amazing book of stories from out on patrol, life prior to the war and life after the war written by someone who was there. I made the mistake of picking this up during finals - let's just say my finals got done but it was a struggle.I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Vietnam - it gives you an interesting perspective.

There is a young adult series written by a woman who published under the name Zack Emerson (her name is Ellen Emerson White). The series is The Echo Company Series it's four books written from the perspective of one soldier from the day he lands in Vietnam until the day he goes home. There is a follow up book written under her own name called The Road Home. These books are out of print and hard to find but they are worth the read. As I mentioned they are a young adult series so they are also quick reads.

This brings us to the book I am just about to start. Band of Sisters - American Women at War in Iraq. I'll let you know how it is. I love the cover - it looks like these chicks are coming to kick your ass.