RE: New " reading" thread or forum??????

sandykayak · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

As I scanned the outdoor shelves at Barnes & Noble, wishing for more books that I can t afford, I thought that it would be nice if we had a reading list of books or articles pertaining to camping and other outdoor activities.

We could post our suggestions (providing as much info as possible: title/author/cost/ISBN#/publisher) and then perhaps someone with the knowhow (me no know how!) could collate them in a database of sorts, filed under categories.

I adore travel narratives...my dog is called Charley after Steinbeck s famous Travels with Charley.

An extension of this could be if someone has finished a book and doesn t want to keep it, instead of taking it to the used bookstore, they might be willing to sell it here.

OR....if it s not a terribly precious book, they might be willing to lend it to someone for the price of return postage. I used to email a friend video tapes and (at that time it was about $1.29 at the book rate).

Comments?

gsm x2 · May 22, 2003, 02:35 PM

sandykayak

QuoteI adore travel narratives...my dog is called Charley after Steinbeck s famous Travels with Charley.

" Famous" --that s an appropriate description of " Travels with Charley." Because otherwise that book is one of Steinbeck s poorest works---and completely useless as a travel narrative. He packed up his specially manufactured pickup truck and camper with more items that one man and a dog should own. He then traveled the country insulated from almost everyone except for a few few new-found drinking companions. He was satisfied to sit in the caf,s and listen to " the locals" talk and say he was getting " the flavor" of the communities.

If you want to read a great travel narrative---the one Steinbeck probably had in mind when he set out on his journey---read Blue Highways:A Journey Into America
by William Least Heat-Moon, available in paperback at the big bookstores.

Least Heat-Moon packs up a few items at about $240.00 in his van and travels around America on the back roads (the blue lines on the maps then) and interacts with a cast of characters and brings them to life for you. Seven years and seven rewrites before it was published; it s a true delight. And I ll bet anything that you ll howl when he paints the picture of why suspenders and cajun women are not a good combination.

gsm x2

jstaddwtr · May 22, 2003, 09:54 PM

sandykayakWe think it is a great idea! We were always taught that the best way to make friends was to share books, conversation and food....not necessarily in that order.[

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As you can readily see, everyone has an opinion to share about books! And that s good![

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JemJen24 · May 22, 2003, 10:57 PM

sandykayakMy favorite camping books thus far are....

Camping with the Corps of Engineers by S.L. Hinkle
Colemans National Forest Campground & Recreation Directory
Camper s Guide to Texas Parks, Lakes, and Forests by Mickey Little
Official Guide to Texas State Parks by Laurence Parent

Coincidentally, I believe Michey Little has written numerous books on just about every state and camping in that state.

I also own " Doing Texas with your Pooch" which comes in handy at times.

Jennifer

Wayfarer · May 22, 2003, 11:52 PM

sandykayakThis reply is not so much about camping books, but books in general. Several years ago I found myself in a situation where I did a lot of reading. At first I went to the bookstores and paid way too much for hard covers. Then I started getting hard covers and paperbacks in Walmart, but this was less expensive but still too much for me. Next I heard about the used book stores where you pay 50% of retail and then trade them back to them for 25% of retail. This was better as I would pick up paperbacks at garage sales for 25 cents and " sell" to the used book store who put them on my account for 25% of retail. Finally, I discovered the City Library. They have anything I want to read, free, and if they don t have it they will either order it (i.e., buy it) or get it for me on loan from another library in the state. They do all of this free. It takes awhile when they have to order it, and if it is a new book by a popular author you may have to get on the waiting list, but since I now read anywhere from 100 to 150 books a year it is worth it. I read novels of all kinds, history, science, politics, etc., etc. Now, my eyesight has failed to the point that I seldom read anything not in large print, but they will also order those for me when possible. Some of the larger " small" print I can still manage, just takes a bit longer to get to the bottom of the page. Thought I d pass this on for those of you who read and may have to pinch pennies just a bit.

So, now you know that you can most likely get those travel books, camping books, etc., at your local library, as I have, and if they don t have the latest edition they will usually get it for you within a week or so.

Of course, there are a lot of folks such as my DD and her DH who want what they want right now and damn the cost, balance of the check book or credit card (which are usually overdrawn and maxed out, in that order,) and who wouldn t be caught dead in a library with old toots like me hanging around.

Thought you might like to know.

wiininkwe · May 23, 2003, 12:23 PM

sandykayakNow, I know I ve said this before, but I guess it s worth repeating. I most often get my summertime reading stock from either the garage sales, or the thrift stores, like Goodwill. I can fill a big bag with books for just a few dollars, leave them right in the camper, and everytime we go, I have a new (and believe it or not, some people do donate brand new books to the thrift stores) book to read. When I am done with them, I give them to my DDil, she reads them and hands them to her sister who then donates them to Goodwill. (oh, and to keep us from buying them back again, which has happened a few times, we all initial the books)
T
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sandykayak · May 23, 2003, 06:08 PM

sandykayakgoodie....lots of " bites" on this topic.

I do have Blue Highways (gotta check amazon to see if his " new" book is around at a cheaper price!). But I did like T with Charley and it was such a thrill to visit the steinbeck museum last year and see the actual Rocinante (help! is that right? if i do a google search now, I ll lose this!).

Paul Theroux is another favorite travel author.

i keep writing down names of books that i want to get from the library but seem to lose them...However, i saw that our library system has recently started a system to request books online. I m afraid I m also an instant gratification person.

while on a book penny-pinching kick I requested Tuesday s With Morrie and I liked it so much that I went ahead and ordered it!!!

BILL BRYSON s books are a hoot - especially A Walk in the Woods about his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail.

Paul Theroux is another favorite author.

I find that I do like to own and re-read my travel narrative books.

I justified the purchase of something that caught my eye in B&N by thinking, " Well, it s the cost of lunch and I ll get several hours of enjoyment out of it!"

" Driving Mr. Albert: A trip across America with Enstein s brain by Michael Paterniti (what a name!) Original price was $18.95 and the sale prices was $4.98.

It s under Fiction but it says " the last great postmodern fin de millenium road trip, a cosmic whodunit and an everlastingly unforgettable pilgrimage." ..." Part travelogue, part memoir, and part meditation."

" Albert Einstein s brain floats in formaldehyde in a Tupperware bowl in a gray duffel bag in the trunk of a Buick Skylark barreling across America."

I ll make a tuna fish salad (to justify the cost) and start reading it in the employee s lounge.

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