Dave

great work on understanding contemporary linguistic issues and topics. probably not the most academically intensive book on linguistics but still well written and easy enough to understand for the beginning linguist.

Great book on the legacy of American influence in the East Asian region pre WW2. Gives you great insight into how geopolitics of that region were shaped.

Bryson is a good story teller. I enjoyed his sense of humor and wit though the book didn't delve a whole lot into describing the scenery on the AT in detail.

Good book on tracing the steps of an explorer gone mad in search for a purported city in the Amazon. Basic premise is that the jungle is probably the hardest terrain to explore compared to anything else (e.g. desert, frozen tundra, etc).

The perfect book for dog lovers.