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On our trip to Ireland I read a new book. As in I read page 1 at the airport while we waited for our departure flight, and I read the last page the night before our flight home. This is something that I haven't done since I stopped riding the commuter train into Philadelphia more than a year ago. I could probably count the number of books above a 5th grade reading level that I have read cover to cover in less than a month on one hand. I owe it all to Bill Bryson, and my friend John.

John read me part of A Short History of Nearly Everything, and I went straight to the store and bought it. I read that book like a dysfunctional couple dates: off again, on again, off again. Several years later, on the train to Philadelphia, I finished it. Since then I've read four of his other books, the rest are on my wishlist, and he is hands down my favorite author. Not that there is much competition.

A Walk in the Woods is about Bryson's attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail, and I know how exciting that sounds at face value (not very). I could tell you that the man has written four or five books about different walking trips — all of them worthy of their excellent reviews — but still… it's a book about walking. (One which I was thrilled to receive as a Christmas gift.)

When I was in high school, I joined the NJROTC, and I think all of the work I did on my "bearing" there has more or less ruined my ability to laugh. Seriously. Even when I laugh, I am nearly silent most times — and when I do make noise, it's uncomfortable. Obviously I'm very self conscious about this.

Still, while reading this book I laughed so hard I cried — the tears of hilarity were streaming down my face — and Megan can vouch for that because she made fun of me at the time. If you've ever hiked part of the AT, or if you enjoy camping; because that is an integral part of hiking the AT, then I can't recommend this book enough.