So I, like many others, have been desperately awaiting the next chapter of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, entitled The Winds of Winter. And as it appears winter is, in fact, not coming anytime soon. Because of that I thought maybe it would be a good idea to share some of the reading material that is going to get me through Spring, Fall, and Summer.

What's at my bedside?

When I finished Dance With Dragons, I was pretty distraught. The cliffhanger is intense and finishing the last page without knowing when I would have the chance to read the next page almost made me slip into I.R.M. (Irish Rage Mode- More on that on a later date.) I immediately called my brother, who is the biggest GoT fan that I know and he sent Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen my way.

Steven Erikson is an accomplished Canadian anthropologist and archaeologist who has created the most immersive literary world that I have ever encountered. If you are looking for something that captures all of the medieval fantasy and politicking as Game of Thrones these books should tide you over. The best part? It’s a ten book series (That’s already finished!). Which means if you start reading now, when you finish in a couple of years Georgie may have a release date for Winds of Winter.

What's on my desk?

Arguably by Christopher Hitchens. A collection of essays by Hitch. I love this guy, he was sharp, smart, and sarcastic in all of his writings. Arguably essays cover topics from Thomas Jefferson to Harry Potter. My desk reading is usually saved for content that spawns critical thought. A lot of times when I am reading Hitchens I feel too stupid to be devouring his work… so I try to devour more, I have an inherent need to make this writer like me. Will someone figure out how to bring him back to life so he can tell me I am a good guy?

What's sharpening my tools?

Let me explain ‘sharpening my tools’: I try to read one or two plays a week in the hopes that I can better understand how to be a successful playwright/artist. This week is Topdog/Underdog by Suzane-Lori Parks. I’m taking notes on the way she uses dialogue to develop tension. I’m going to need it for my next writing endeavour(More to come later? Maybe?). Saw this show directed by one of my mentors/role models when I was in college and I am hoping I learn as much about writing by reading it as I learned about directing when I watched it.

What's in iBooks?

Ulysses by James Joyce. Free download as part of “The Gutenberg Project”. It is …. You know what I’m not even going to pretend I have started reading this yet. This book terrifies me. But you know what? I will probably still finish it before George R.R. Martin releases another book.

Thanks George.