The Brilliant Bastard's Summer Reading List 2013!

Looking for something to read during the sunshiney months through June and August?  Well good, because I went ahead and picked a bunch of books that you could read during the Summer.  All of these have my stamp of approval, and with any luck you will actually read something!  (If I'm really lucky you might even read one of these)  This list for what it's worth is in no particular order.

-The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonical- One of the best books I've got to read on how willpower works and why some goals are harder to stick with.  This book covers willpower from many angles and gives you a great understanding of the subject and how you can keep making good choices.  This was a book after reading it I felt armed, I was packing heat, and was going to be able to use the skills and knowledge to get ahead of a lot of people.  Few books have ever left me feeling like I was given an unfair advantage.

-The Defining Decade  by Meg Jay-I would consider this a must-read for any Twentysomething.  It runs around 200 pages but is full of really solid advice and perspective.  This was the book that inspired What's the Ending to your Story? which became one of my most popular posts to date, and that was only the tip of the iceberg for this book.  I am planning to purchase it very soon and re-read all of it.  You owe yourself at least one run through of this book.

-Superman: Red Son by Writer: Mark Millar Artists: Dave Johnson & Kilian Plunkett- The very cool one shot that asks what if Superman landed in Communist Russia?  The setting is way back in the 1950's during the cold war and features quintessential DC characters like Hal Jordan, Batman, and Wonder Woman.  Also fans of Injustice: Gods Among Us would be good to read this and understand the Red Son costume.

-Saga by Writer: Brian K. Vaughn Artist: Fiona Staples- An ongoing series by Brian K. Vaughn of Y the Last Man fame and also apparently did some writing for the show LOST.  This book is absolutely incredible, tells a really simple and human story but is full of intergalactic goodness (and weirdness).   Fiona Staple's art is stunning and incredibly engaging, and I absolutely love how the book blends two narratives together almost seamlessly.  The second trade is due out very soon, and I've already started re-reading the first volume and am falling in love with this series all over again.

-Transmetropolitan by Writer: Warren Ellis, Artist: Darrick Robertson - You can expect me to have this on any reading list I'll ever make.  Transmetropolitan is a 10 part series that takes place in a crazy far-flung future and follows Spider Jerusalem's return to "The City."  The first part can be a bit slow to some readers since it's a series of unrelated stories, but the series quickly ramps up (quite a few people say book 3 is where it takes off) and will sure to be one of your favorite books of all time.

-Badass by Ben Thompson - This book collects and tells the stories of various and awesome badasses throughout history including a revolutionary war soldier who stormed British battlements with a sword...and succeeded.  Highly recommend reading with accompaniment of music with sweet sweet electric guitars.  Ben Thompson runs the website Badassoftheweek.com and is a pretty stand up guy when I met him at Emerald City Comic-Con (dude deserves more respect, book sales, and web page hits in my opinion)

-Darth Bane: Path of Destruction by Drew Karpyshyn - My all time favorite Star Wars book.  This book is 1 in a 3 part series chronicling the rise of Darth Bane.  Darth Bane was the Sith Lord that created "The Rule of Two" and set the plans in motion that would eventually lead to Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine) destroying the Jedi Order.  Absolutely awesome, and of course if you like Path of Destruction I highly recommend the sequals Rule of Two, and Dynasty of Evil.

-Bruce Lee: Artist of Life -  This is one of the coolest books I've ever read.  It is a collection of Bruce Lee's writings about life and his founding of Jeet Kun Do.  Bruce Lee graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in philosophy which is a period in his career that goes largely unnoticed but his philosophical writings are provocative and easy to grasp and cataloged in this book.  I've been an admirer of Bruce Lee for a long time and this was the book that really provided profound respect for the man.

-Lamb: The Gospel according to Biff Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore - Christopher Moore is one of the funniest authors I've ever read, and Lamb is a masterpiece.  The title explains the premise of the book pretty well, but until you sit down and read it, you just won't understand how hilarious this book can be.  If you want something that will have you losing your shit possibly in public places I implore you to read this book.

-A Game of Thrones (And why the hell not, the rest of the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series) by George R. R. Martin - Now you too can start down the path that has lead many to consuming thousands of pages only to be left waiting for more books.  Take that time when the sun's out to read about the coming winter!  If you're a fan of the show you're really doing yourself a disservice by skipping out on the books.  If you've only been hearing about Game of Thrones but haven't given them a shot yet, they're great.  A word of advice, don't get attached to anyone.

There you have it!  The Brilliant Bastard's Summer Reading List for 2013!  Of course, if you've got an awesome book you're reading post it here in the comments and seeing as I am voracious consumer of printed media I will most likely give it a shot.  Also, while you're at it, you should add me on Goodreads!

Quick Update!  Just added this list on Goodread's so you guys can vote on your favorites!  Here's the List