LUCY BURDETTE: This is a Traveling with Books question. John and I are going on a big trip in March involving a very long plane flight, long layovers, etc. I used to travel with a stack of books because I absolutely have to have something to read while I’m on the road. Plus obviously, vacation offers more time to read, depending on the type of vacation you’ve chosen. (This vacation will involve a lot of trudging, so we’ll see how much reading gets done.)
In the past, if I was going somewhere for a week-ish, I would pack 6 to 8 books so I wouldn’t run out. John was always horrified at the extra weight. Then e-books became popular, we acquired a Kindle, and I was persuaded to leave the hardcopies behind. Imagine my horror and despair when the brand new Kindle malfunctioned early in the trip so a quarter of each screen was absolutely unreadable. Even though we were in Hungary, we managed to find one bookstore that carried some English language books, but nothing I was dying to read. So I borrowed books from the other travelers on the trip as they finished what they’d brought--dependent on their book choices and reading speed. It was a nightmare!
Now I try to combine the techniques – pick out a couple of paperbacks that are thick and and not too serious and utterly appealing so as to distract from the worst aspects of traveling, and hope the Kindle app on my iPad continues to function as well.
Questions of the day: Can you recommend a paperback book or two that meet my travel criteria: thick and compelling? (The photo is of some of the books I own that could possibly make the travel team. Do any of those strike your fancy?) How do you handle traveling and reading?
Questions of the day: Can you recommend a paperback book or two that meet my travel criteria: thick and compelling? (The photo is of some of the books I own that could possibly make the travel team. Do any of those strike your fancy?) How do you handle traveling and reading?
How about Nicci French's "The Last Days of Kira Mullan" or Lis Jewell's "None of This is True" . . . .
ReplyDeleteIf you haven’t read Remarkably Bright Creatures, take that in paperback. I also liked We Don’t Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry. Complete 180 degree difference between the two books, but they are both immersive stories. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteEven after getting a Kindle, Irwin would not try to limit my taking 5 paperbacks with us when traveling. He reads a lot of the same mysteries, so they are for both of us, but I also make sure that the Kindle is loaded with books we haven't read yet. I also read romances. Recently, I read FREDERICA by Georgette Heyer. It's as close to Jane Austen as any author I have ever read. I pack one or two books in each suitcase, one or two in my carryon and my Kindle in my purse.
ReplyDeleteBruce Coffin's new series is terrific and Annette Dashofy's Detective Honeywell series is one of my favorites. Those books are available in paperback, but not lengthy. James Benn's series is also available in paperback, but again the stories aren't lengthy.
Still, it sounds like you have a great trip planned. Be fearless! Carry books!
Having to rely on other people's book choices on a trip sounds like a nightmare. I always bring a paper book in addition to my Kindle, but I'm coming up short on what to recommend for you, though.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you headed? Long flights sounds like Asia or New Zealand.
No specific titles. And my traveling days are ancient history. If you are a re-reader, Lucy, I’d suggest taking books you have already read, travel with “friends”. Then if the kindle fails or the paperback gets left in a cafe or hotel room, you know how they would continue the conversation. Bon Voyage! Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI make sure I have plenty of books downloaded on my kindle.
ReplyDeleteDeb, that sounds like a nightmare! I do travel with only my Kindle these days, and the thought of it failing had never occured to me. But here are a few titles I loved that I think would fit your criteria, and Amazon indicates there's a paperback edition: The Wedding People by Alison Espach; Don't Forget to Write by Sarah Goodman; When We Let Go by Rochelle B. Weinstein. Pretty much any of Lucy Foley's books.
ReplyDeleteThe Wedding People was great, and I was on a panel with the author last spring!
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