I'm the same way. If I want something lyrical I'll put on Bob Dylan. If lyrics are taking a backseat then it's King Gizzard. If I want a bit of both, I find a happy medium like Common's album Like Water for Chocolate.

You should definitely keep reading them. Authority is much more of a slow burn, but it's still an enjoyable novel as the mystery deepens. Acceptance ties certain aspects of the story together, but nothing about Area X is over explained.

I really enjoyed the trilogy as a whole, as do the half dozen or so people I've recommended the series to. Made me a huge Jeff VanderMeer fan. His ability to shift his style and narrative techniques is incredibly impressive. Is the first book the best of the series? Yes, but the other two stand on their own merits quite well if you ask me.

I bartend and I live about a mile from where I work. I walk to and from work almost every day. I always tell people that on the walk to work I get myself in the right mindset for a busy shift, and on the walk home I use the time to decompress. Plus it helps me stay in shape.