I read. oh lordy, do I read. I read printed books, blogs, kindle books, and for the last year or so I have defeated insomnia by listening to audio books before I fall asleep. Why does that work? Well, my brain LOVES to wander…thinking all about the bazillion things I have messed up, things I should have done, could have done, things I still have to do.  You all know what I mean because I’m pretty sure this little habit of mine is one of the few things about me that is completely normal.

So, about a year or so ago I found Audible. I knew of it before but didn’t use it. Don’t get me wrong–some of the books are just not great “listens”. But there are a few series I loved listening to including The Dresden Files by Mike Butcher and anything by Molly Harper, Tamora Pierce, or Terry Pratchett.  Rarely do I find a book that sucks me in so deeply that I make time to listen to it outside of my normal bedtime ritual.

I have absolutely loved listening to Zombie Fallout by Mark Tufo (http://www.marktufo.com/zombiefallout.html). In fact, I have already started on the 2nd in the series.  The protagonist is funny, sarcastic, and quite simply–awesome. Some of the reviews list this book as being slapstick or comedic–in my opinion it is neither.  Don’t get me wrong, I have laughed out loud more times than I can count while listening to this book and that in and of itself is a rare thing in an audio book–but the protagonist in this book has more of a running sarcastic commentary in his head which resonates with me because I do that as well.  There is, so far, only one thing throughout this story line which has annoyed me. Why didn’t he teach his daughter to shoot? His two sons are very competent gun users. Why did he not teach his daughter?  I can look past this and still enjoy the hell out of this book but I just need to take a moment and tell everyone–teach your girls and your boys about tools AND weapons. It is our duty to prepare the next generation to prepare  the generation that follows.

And, if you want to read (listen) to a good book–check this one out. It has made me laugh out loud, nervously look around an empty room for zombies, hold my breath in anticipation, and squeeze a Herbert (dog) out of fear of what was happening next.

Here is a tidbit that made me laugh my butt off which doesn’t in any way spoil the story–and I am paraphrasing here:

                                                           He walked into the yard in his bare feet and stepped in something squishy, BRAINS! he thought…then the smell hit him and he realized it was dog poop. He kind of wished it had been brains…. 

Trust me, it is funnier in the book. 🙂  I hope y’all like the book if you decide to read or listen to it. 🙂

Here is the book description copied off of the Amazon site:  http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Fallout-Mark-Tufo/dp/145151705X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347817905&sr=8-2&keywords=zombie+fallout

It was a flu season like no other. With fears of contracting the H1N1 virus running rampant throughout the country, people lined up in droves to try an attain one of the coveted vaccines. What was not known, was the effect this largely untested, rushed to market, inoculation was to have on the unsuspecting throngs. Within days, feverish folk throughout the country, convulsed, collapsed and died, only to be re-born. With a taste for brains, blood and bodies, these modern day zombies scoured the lands for their next meal. Overnight the country became a killing ground for the hordes of zombies that ravaged the land. This is the story of Michael Talbot, his family and his friends. This is their story a band of ordinary people just trying to get by in these extra-ordinary times. When disaster strikes, Mike a self-proclaimed survivalist, does his best to ensure the safety and security of those he cares for. Book 1 – Of the Zombie Fall-Out Trilogy, follows our lead character in his self-deprecating, sarcastic best. What he encounters along the way leads him down a long dark road always skirting on the edge of insanity. Can he keep his family safe? Can he discover the secret behind Tommy’s powers? Can he save anyone from the zombie Queen? – A zombie that seems by all accounts to have some sort of hold over the zombies and Mike himself. Encircled in a seemingly safe haven called Little Turtle, Mike and his family together with the remnants of a tattered community while not fighting each other, fight against a relentless, ruthless, unstoppable force. This last bastion of civilization has made its final stand. God help them all.