We want you to get to know us a little better, so here are a couple of comments from employees about the books they’re reading right now:

My latest read is Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin. I wouldn’t normally open up a fantasy story (besides something Harry Potter related) but this book is a deserving exception.

What brought me to buy this book was the TV series on HBO. I’ve always been one of those people to read the story before seeing the movie and then be horrified by all the important things left out in the movie. However, the way HBO fixed this problem was by creating an entire season of a show dedicated to one book. That way they could retain the integrity of the book and not diminish any sort of character development or anything else of great importance to a reader. I applaud HBO for doing such a fabulous job on this project.

When I was finished watching the season and complaining that the next season wouldn’t be out until next year, I went to find the book. My boyfriend, who never reads anything besides car magazines, wanted to read it too so we got it on my Kindle to read when the other person was away at work.

Game of Thrones is such a great read. It’s a very dark story set in a time and place that doesn’t exist but it is incredibly real. The time is similar to medieval times in that everyone wears chainmail when they joust and drinks wine out of some kind of animal’s horn. There are seven different lands in the kingdom that all have their own Lord but there is one King who rules over all. Needless to say, there is much conflict in the kingdom over land, money, relationships, and hidden, oncoming dangers that everyone is worrying about in the back of their minds. There is a touch of ancient magic in the story which brings it out of reality of bit, but I think it adds another dimension of interest. I mean, who wouldn’t want to read about the living dead, dragons, and wolves with extremely loyal personalities?

What really impressed me after seeing the story on TV and also reading it was the fact that almost every single detail was in the TV series. Most of the dialogue was word-for-word and even the color of the knights clothing was the same. I kind of feel like an HBO advertiser, but seriously, their huge budget went to great use on this project.

I haven’t finished the first book yet, but since I already know what a cliffhanger it will be I know I’ll be wanting the second book right away. The only question is… should I wait until I watch the series on HBO in 2012 or should I go ahead and devour the entire book collection before it is aired?

Signed,

Mindy

Melody says:  I’m reading “The Help” right now, thanks to a friend of mine who is vacationing down here and finished it!  I’m of an age that remembers the civil rights movement pretty clearly, and this book is un-put-downable!

Great characters speaking in authentic voices, and a fresh idea on how to portray that era is what makes the book so enjoyable. I saw that the movie is out, and that made me want to read the book. When I saw my friend reading it avidly, I hoped she’d be leaving it behind, and bingo!