Wednesday, May 31, 2006


Roz in Arizona came up with today's question, but give me a sec before I put it out there. Summer's here, schools almost out, and prime vacation time's around the corner.

Often for me, one of the more important parts of a vacation is choosing the right book to read during my precious time off. Maybe I'm crazy, but so many factors come into play. Is this family time or time alone (yeah, right!) with my husband? Am I visiting with relatives or friends? Will I have time to veg at a beach or is sight-seeing the primary objective? Different books for different vacations.

So tell us, what kind of books do you take on vacation, and why do you choose them?

8 comments:

Helen Brenna said...

I've only ever read 2 biographies and that was while researcher for some NASCAR books I want to write. I was suprised I liked them. Will have to consider reading others.

I usually read purely for pleasure when I'm on vaca. I think I'd implode if I didn't get away every once in a while.

AJW said...

It all depends on my mood rather than where I am going on vaca. Right now I am happily detoxing from classes so I am reading only for pleasure. The books have been fast reads that I can devour in a day or two. Once I have had my fill of quick, no-need-to-think-just-enjoy books I have a huge to-be-read pile to attack. My reading tastes are all over the board. I usually have a few books (usually different genres) started at once. I do manage to read books by Midwest Fiction Writers authors first!

Helen Brenna said...

That's so true, Amyjo. Mood is what it's all about, vacation or not. And I envy you're ability to have more than one book going at once. The best I've been able to do is a two books at the same time, say a parenting book at the same time as an enjoyment book.

If you have different books going at the same time, do you read them at different times of day, or what?

anne frasier said...

i've been trying to read the kite runner. absolutely couldn't get into it. everybody said you have to stick it out. here's my take:
i think this is a classic example of a first book. things finally clicked for me around 100 to 130 pages. you can actually see his writing improve as the book progresses. i'll bet anything he wrote those first 100 pages, then maybe even put it aside for a year or two or even more. probably rewrote and rewrote them, but hadn't found his voice at that point. but by the second half he's loosened up and is finally comfortable with himself.

Michele Hauf said...

Vacation? What's that?

Michele

Kathleen Eagle said...

I generally take magazines with me on trips. If I'm flying, I know there won't be any magazines available on the plane anymore, and that's what I like to read on the plane--something I can browse through. If I'm going to a writers' conference, I know I'll get books there, and if I read them while I'm there, usually it'll be a series romance or a novella collection--something short. While I'm on a trip I look for nonfiction in shops and museums. I love to find out more about a place while I'm there, so I'll bring that stuff back to the hotel and devour it before I go to bed--history, books about the flora and fauna, I just soak it all up.

Unknown said...

I read all over the place all the time. (Like a mini-vacation, but I get to call it professional development, or even research!!) So going on vacation, I choose something I know will be a sure-fire page turner. I never thought I'd get that much into vampires, but two of my favorite authors/series involve them. Charlaine Harris and her Sookie STackhouse books and now JR Ward and the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Be careful taking the latter to the beach. . . wouldn't want to spontaneously combust! but what impresses me about Ward's books so far (only two out as of now) is the reality of things blended so cannily with the paranormal stuff. Truly moving in places. But then I'll turn to a political thriller or even a book on heroes and myths. . . more research. And Yeah, Kathy, I love reading magazines on vacation, just because I don't get to read them much otherwise!

liv said...

Hi,
It is great to read books in free time to give mind some relaxation from fast lifestyle.I think by reading proper books one get some nice ideas to give better shape to life.

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