toedtoes

A couple other threads got me thinking about this, so I thought I'd ask.

As solo travelers, I think most of us spend a decent amount of time reading during our trips. When you're packing, how do you pick what books you take with you? Is it random? Or do you use some sort of logic in your choice?

For me, I try to find a historical novel or non-fiction set in the location I'm visiting. When in Niagara Falls, I read two books about all the people who went over the falls. It helps me build a connection with the town I'm in and often provides some lesser known sightseeing options during my stay.

Then I add a couple lighthearted vampire or mystery romps for good measure.

jbtan

Hi Toedtoes, I select my books randomly. I zoom in on my favorite authors first. For my trip to Beijing next week -- working, not sightseeing -- I'm packing 5 novels (2 for the flights; 6 hours each way) and 3 for the stay. I usually rent paperbacks and for long trips, I grab those on the sales rack for $1 each and pass them to B&B hosts or people that I meet along the way.

Genre-wise, I usually go for mass paperback thrillers and suspense. Being in the publishing industry helps as I usually know what's going to come out and when. I usually skip those covers with the label Booker Prize winner or such. Reason? Like arty films, I just ended up so frustrated by the abstract ending or tough-going storylines. I just want an entertaining read -- and since I read very fast (one novel = 3 hours max), I want to be able to get into the plot and the characters pretty fast (so historical novels are usually no-no), and have a satisfying ending. Way too many acquaintances thought that I'm the high-brow/literature type of reader. Guess I just like to surprise people ;-)

toedtoes

Jbtan - I agree on the fast moving requirement. There are some books that don't travel well because you can't read them for 2-3 hours straight without getting a headache, not good on an airplane.

I stay away from Top 10 because I find them to be overrated (if I hear DaVinci Code one more time I will scream), and I never pick up an "Oprah pick" because I know it's going to be some sappy relationship drama - not my idea of a fun read.

I'm glad to hear you pack so many, I got teased a lot last year when I took 6 books for 3 weeks.

suze

I used to travel w/ 3 to 6 paperback novels depending on length of the trip. Now I just take 1 to get started. If/when I finish that first one, I keep my eyes open for a place to buy another. When on-the-road I find I often prefer reading magazines or local newspapers over books. My attention span just doesn't accomodate any serious reading with so much other stimulation around.

jbtan

Hi Toedtoes -- I haven't read Da Vinci Code yet. It's like a silent rebellion against one title which stayed on the bestseller list... and on... and on like forever! It has been more than 3 years already! Bad news for publishers -- other than those publishing that book, of course. So you definitely won't be the only person screaming about Mr Brown; trust me.

I usually pack at least 6 books for a week-long trip. More books for 2-3 weeks. Sometimes I will grab new releases at airport stores or while visiting. And if I travel with colleagues/friends (usually coming from different parts of the world), we'd do a quick list prior to the trip and just swap books.

Suze -- I read gossip magazines (or those filled with perfume and fashion ads) when I'm on 'real' vacation. Grabbed those gossipy stuff every other day from the supermarkets during my NZ vacation last Nov. I liked those recipes and jumbo crossword puzzles... hmmmm... guys say the same about Playboy magazine and the editorial content, right? ;-)

suze

Especially when I transit thru Heathrow, I definitely grab the trashy tabloids. No one does it better than the Brits!!

toedtoes

Jbtan - good to know I'm not the only one. I just had a problem with the "I've written this as a piece of fiction, but it's all true even if it's all hogwash" attitude. I like my fiction to be fiction and my nonfiction to be based on facts.

I always try to peruse the local newspaper - I even bring them home with me so I can enjoy them later at leisure. I haven't done too much with the tabloids because they make me mad. I've been banned from reading them at work.

haligonian

hi toedtoes - in my case, I stick to non-fiction, for the most part and mostly random as well. I'm usually reading 2-3 books at the same time mainly because of lack of down time with everyday life and such. So when a trip comes along, I'll take those books and finish them all....on the plane, lazing around in my hotel or if weather permits, finding a nice spot outdoors (usually a bench along the Rideau canal )

toedtoes

Haligonian - you'll find me on a bench at the experimental gardens

It looks like I'm the only one so far that doesn't choose randomly... More of my "plannning" obsession I guess.

suze

I think personal travel style refines over time... like checking my suitcase instead of carry-on for the plane ride, I find traveling without so many books to be freeing. I am an avid reader at home, but no longer take that particular obsession on-the-road.

toedtoes

I agree Suze - I think the more you travel, the better you figure out what you really need to take and what just gets in the way for you.

For me, books are necessary for the flights and evenings in the hotel room. They also provide me a bit of down time during the day when needed. I find that finding books ahead of time gets me geared up for that subject matter. I build up a bit of anticipation for the book as well as the vacation.

Now, if you told me I could take only two of the following:

music
books
photography

Then I'd dump the books within a heartbeat. Limiting me to one of them would probably stop me from going...

suze

Funny, I don't take music along either. And my photography equipment is one disposable camera. I'd still be a happy camper traveling with none of those three things you need to have along.

Again I'm guessing it may be partly a matter of age? I find I need less "comforts of home" to be... well comfortable with each trip I take.

toedtoes

I guess everyone has their must haves.

I find that music is very helpful for the 4-8 hour drives I make alone during a vacation. I can't stand radio talk and commercials, and my musical taste is pretty uncommon, so carrying along an iPod is a perfect solution and it takes minimal room (and I get all my music rather than a couple CDs).

With photography, I am a serious hobbyist and part of my vacations are specifically for the photo ops. Using a disposable, or even compact, camera just doesn't meet my needs for serious photography. I used a 2mp camera during my last trip to Niagara Falls, and I look at the photos and think of what I COULD HAVE done had I taken my dSLR - I'm planning a second trip to make up for that. I also find that the photos are my way of remembering my trip and I want them to be the best possible.

Of course, I limit other items in order to fit the camera equipment. My clothing and toiletries are limited to the very basics (although I like to take 3 pairs of shoes - sandals, walking and comfortable heels). And my music consists of one very small ipod and headset.

JBHapgood

Toed, my travel is mostly about photography too. I think one of the very few advantages I've found about solo travel is that I can pursue my photography without worrying about whether a non-photographer travel companion is getting bored while I wait for the sun to come out from behind a cloud or fine-tune a composition. That advantage disappears as soon as the sun goes down, but I suppose I have to look for whatever advantage there is.

As for reading, I use travel as an opportunity to read some paperback science fiction that otherwise would not be a priority. I also carry an iPod for long waits at the airport or as an alternative to television at night. For the latter, a little shortwave radio also helps.

Suze, have you ever had a lost or delayed checked bag? I have. Several times. It's no fun at all, especially if the airline has centralized the lost baggage system for efficiency, meaning that they'll call me the next day between 8 and 5-- and if I'm not there when they call, I can call the 800 number, sit on hold for an hour, and start the process all over again. After my last experience with that, I became a selfish bin hog. The new "security" restrictions onliquids and toiletries makes it difficult to determine whether it would be better to start checking bags again-- or to spend a few hours exploring shops at the destination to buy a fresh stock of what is now verboten. I wonder how many travelers actually believe that the ban on toothpaste and water actually makes anyone safer.

toedtoes

JBHapgood, knock on wood, I've never had my luggage lost.

I always check my clothing, toiletries, etc. They're easy enough to replace. Although, per my Grandmother's advice, I do carry-on spare undies and something in which to sleep.

I agree about having the time to pursue my photography. Last year, I had my camera break mid-trip and I spent the next several hours searching for a shop to purchase a replacement. I went from a prosumer to a dSLR, so I rescheduled the next day to practice with the new camera rather than sightseeing - I don't think a companion would have been that understanding.

suze

JBHapgood- Only one time i had a suitcase delayed and fortunately that was on the trip home.

believe it or not I am fairly serious about photography but use snapshots that I scan to digital and work on that way after a trip. i have some beautiful work from Venice done originally on a disposable panoramic camera then photoshop'd and enlarged hanging in my home.

suze

You all reminded me of another good tip I have recently adopted. I save up the short stories/fiction from the New Yorker (tear them out so they are just the pages not the entire magazine). There are some excellent authors featured. You can pack hours worth of great reading into a sandwich size ziplock bag, and toss the stories as you finish them.

toedtoes

Suze - your magazine idea is a great one! Especially for folks who don't enjoy reading that much. They'll have just enough to get them through some downtime without having to make time to finish a full book.

I've done the disposable camera (waterproof) before, but I don't like losing control over focus and exposure. There are some things you just can't correct in Photoshop - although shooting RAW gives me a lot more leeway over exposure.

suze

someone recently mentioned here on Fodor's that they travel with a new issue of Vanity Fair magazine, but rip out all the advertisements... which makes it a shole lot thinner to carry -lol!

Carrybean

By accident, I discovered that the last woman hanged in London in 1955 (Ruth Ellis) lived a few doors down from the flat I always rent. I then got hooked on her story & read a few books about the case. Other than that, I always take the latest Vanity Fair to read, especially Dominick Dunne. My favorite trashy newspaper is the London Daily Mail. Totally hooked on that.

Otherwise it's light British chick lit. My brain is taxed all year. I can't go too heavy when I'm on vacation.