Or, better, what books I brought back from this trip. Whether the choice was wise, or what I, or anyone else, should or should not bring, is a totally different issue.
1. New copy (of the fourth edition) of Strunk & White, The Elements of Style
Why
Because this classic lives on in spirit but not in substance. The copy I had fell to pieces, and I can't even find those. Bought at the University of Waterloo bookstore.
2. A Dictionary of Catch Phrases from the 16th century to the present day, by Eric Partridge
Why
Because it sounded interesting… The tiny print does make perusing it a bit difficult, but it can supply endless hours of enjoyable browsing for language freaks, and can perhaps settle disputes between language aficionados about the origin and meaning of various phrases. The amount of research that went into that tome is mind-boggling. I didn't know, for example, that "I didn't know that" is a c.p. (catch phrase) originating in 1974, having to do with "a series of radio and TV commercials in which their 'salesman' extolled some of the superior points of the new Ford car…. His prospective customer then said: 'I didn't know that!'…" etc etc.
3.Quick study sheet on technical and business writing, published by Barcharts.
These concise reference sources are actually called Laminated Reference Guides.
Why
Ridiculously cheap, a huge selection of topics, and probably very helpful. see list.
The one I bought includes sections such as: Reports, Proposals, Using Visual Aids, Word Choice & style, Persuasion Techniques, Collaborative Writing, and plenty more.
Bought at the University of Waterloo bookstore.
4. Edwardian England 1901 -15, Society and Politics, by Donald Read. Reader in modern English history, University of Kent. Published by Harrap, London. 2nd hand copy, reject of the University of Waterloo library.
Why
My daughter Shira thought her brother Daniel, who's interested in history, would like it. All I did was say "thanks" and add it to my suitcase.
5. Teacher Man, Frank McCourt
Why
My daughter-in-law Nurit, a McCourt fan, asked for it. She enjoyed his previous books immensely. I shall ask her if it was all she hoped for.
6. How We Know What Isn't So, by Thomas Gilovich (borrowed, not bought)
Why
- Saw it among Shira's textbooks (required reading for a U of W psychology course) and was immediately drawn to it. The subject – "the fallibility of human reason in everyday life", appealed to me. Reading it now, and am amazed and dismayed by the ways in which my reasoning fails me. Hope to be more aware of my illogical assumptions and conclusions in the future. Daniel glanced at it and commented, "Sounds like Tversky & Kahneman"* . Indeed, Gilovich does quote these awesome guys often.
7 + 8. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote, and The Complete Stories of Truman Capote
Why
I recently read an interesting article about Capote, don't remember where and by whom, (possibly the NY Times? Perhaps in connection with the movie Capote, which I enjoyed?) calling him one of the most important American writers of the 20th century. If I've ever read anything by him, (most likely Breakfast at Tiffany's,) I certainly do not remember. So I wanted to read and judge for myself. Raymond Carver has also been called great and important, and I can't stand most of his stories.
9. Survival of the Sickest, by Dr. Sharon Moalem
Why
Because of my colleague Yael Sela-Shapiro's rave review on her blog.
Seems that Nurit – always interested in issues of sickness and health – has already read the book in Hebrew, and thought Moalem's conclusions a bit far-fetched. Will let you know what I think when I get around to reading it.
10. Reborn: Journals and Notebooks, 1947-1963, by Susan Sontag
Why
Because my daughter Daria asked for it. Since it's a fairly recently published book, Amazon.uk does not yet have any review. The NY Times book review is not very reassuring.
11. Writers' Forum (magazine), June 2009 issue. Bought at Heathrow airport Terminal 5, during a 5 hour layover.
Why
Because I'm tired of reading glossies telling me why my [nonexistent] makeup and [casual] clothes are all wrong for me, and how a jar of ridiculously priced cream will make me look 20 years younger. And because I still hope to be a [published] writer and still think that there may be some secrets that I don't know. (There' aren't. The secret is write, write, write, edit edit edit, and submit, submit, submit ad infinitum.)
Add to the above list the 2 books I took with me from home and never touched (except to pack and repack) – see posts from May 26th and May 31st); my husband's six very-thick novels (by C.J. Sansom – historical novel / thriller, Ian Irvine - fantasy) plus the one he brought with from home; figure in the Michelin guide and loads of maps and brochures such as The Parks Canada Mountain Guide; and you'll see how we ended up with 18 books plus miscellaneous printed matter. Very heavy stuff.
Notes:
* Israeli scholars famous for their studies in the field of judgment and decision making, and more.
- Except where otherwise stated, books were ordered online from www.amazon.uk , and most are 2nd hand in good condition. As I've noted in the past, a very good deal if you can have them delivered to the UK and pick them up when you happen to be in the neighborhood.
What book to take on vacation - part II
The short answer?
None.
Here I am, in Salmon Arm, BC, and my Greene and Darwin are so far just objects making my suitcase that much heavier to drag in and out of the car trunk, up and down motel stairs...
Not that I haven't been doing any reading.
I've read maps, signposts, information signs, menus, weather reports, bear sighting reports and avalanche warnings, for example. All awfully interesting. And a bit scary :-)
Well, the trip has just begun, I am sure there will be some down time when I can settle down with one of my books. Thought British Airlines does not make it easy -- their selection of movies and music is amazing; did some catching up in that area.
Au revoir -- gotta go!
None.
Here I am, in Salmon Arm, BC, and my Greene and Darwin are so far just objects making my suitcase that much heavier to drag in and out of the car trunk, up and down motel stairs...
Not that I haven't been doing any reading.
I've read maps, signposts, information signs, menus, weather reports, bear sighting reports and avalanche warnings, for example. All awfully interesting. And a bit scary :-)
Well, the trip has just begun, I am sure there will be some down time when I can settle down with one of my books. Thought British Airlines does not make it easy -- their selection of movies and music is amazing; did some catching up in that area.
Au revoir -- gotta go!
In by Nina Rimon Davis
Oz – Gogol – Greene – Darwin
One of the most important things to be packed before a trip is a book, of course. The difficult question is which one. It can't be too heavy – your carry-on weighs a ton already.
It can't be too engrossing – you don't want to be so absorbed in the hero's shenanigans that you miss out on the view. My son once pointed out that judging from my trip journal, I spent most of a certain trip abroad totally involved in the adventures of Frodo and Sam and sighing over Strider rather than over the wonders of a new land.
The natural thing to do is probably to take the book you're in the middle of reading. Which is not a good idea if the book is 593 pages long and weighs 708 grams (including my bookmark and the weight of the lead – sorry, graphite – of my pencil markings in the margins.) Which is why the book in question, A Tale of Love and Darkness, by Amos Oz, was not taken on any of my recent trips. Took me a long time to finish that book, and not for lack of interest –I loved it. For one thing, I discovered that Oz has a sense of humor – something that had never struck me before in earlier novels. Also, it brought back childhood memories, captured to perfection. For example, the Special Event of going to the pharmacy in the center of town in order to make a phone call.
When I at last finished A Tale of, I was sorry it ended and immediately picked up Oz's nonfiction, The Story Begins. I leafed through and chose the chapter describing the opening paragraphs of Gogol's The Nose. It was so intriguing, that I dropped the slim volume and picked up Gogol's Petersburg Tales (see my posts of November 29, 2008 and December 25, 2008). What a treat! Unlike my reaction to The Overcoat, The Nose was quite funny, in a lunatic sort of way.
But I digress. Oz and Gogol were both ruled out as travel companions.
Another book on my shelf is Ian McEwan's Atonement weighing in at 480 pages and 253 grams. I stopped at page 130. At the risk of sounding superficial, un-literary, unrefined and unappreciative, I'll say that I found the novel hard going. Each description in itself is a gem of insight: hits the nail on the head, touches a nerve, zeroes in on the essentials that make people tick, or work. But strung together as they are, interspersed between the "lowly" plot-propelling chapters, they slow down the story excruciatingly, while I believe in E.M. Forster's wistful "Oh dear, yes, the novel tells a story." I want a story to unfold smoothly, whereas this story (and I know it's a good one – I've seen the movie) lurches painfully – one step forward, two steps back, one in place.
Which leaves me with two books. Seeing as I'm leaving early tomorrow morning, I had better make up my mind.
I'm opting for Charles Darwin and Graham Greene.
Greene has for years been one of my favorite writers. In case I haven't mentioned it (and "Search Blog" says I haven't), I was reading A Burnt-Out Case, (208 p., 122 gr. including the Scotch tape holding it together) and stopped – can you believe it – on page 189! I could see how Querry, the well-meaning protagonist, was getting himself into a pickle, and I just couldn't stand it. As if, if I didn't read on, everything would be alright, and the story would have a happy end. So, no Burnt-Out Case, I'm not going to schlep 122 gr. for the sake of 19 heart-rending pages. If you know from your own acquaintance with the novel, that I can safely read on without crying my eyes out, do let me know, and perhaps I'll finish it tonight after packing and before calling for a taxi.
Instead of Burnt, I shall take my chances with The Honorary Consul-- 268 p., 151 gr., no Scotch tape – better condition, won't fall apart in transit. And yes, I know I'm taking a chance with regard to the fate awaiting the protagonist. I can tell from the cover: a Michael Caine type chappie, blindfolded, and two machine-gun toting revolutionaries behind him.
Which brings us to the book I am currently reading: The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin. I thought I should read it before The Origin of Species. You know – as background. It is heavyish and thickish – 480 pages, 324 gr. I'm currently on page 50. The margins are littered with my question marks – petioles? mytilus? ampullariae? infusoria? confervae? I don't even know what pelagic animals are, and I'll have you know that "Scoresby remarks that green water abounding with pelagic animals is invariably found in a certain part of the Arctic Sea." (p. 20) But in the margins are also exclamation marks, smileys and "ha!", indicating, of course, that I was amused. True, I do get a bit glassy-eyes when various beetles are described. But on the other hand there are plenty of adventures and astute, insightful observations about foreign cultures, social mores, Life, the Universe and Everything.
* * *
It can't be too engrossing – you don't want to be so absorbed in the hero's shenanigans that you miss out on the view. My son once pointed out that judging from my trip journal, I spent most of a certain trip abroad totally involved in the adventures of Frodo and Sam and sighing over Strider rather than over the wonders of a new land.
The natural thing to do is probably to take the book you're in the middle of reading. Which is not a good idea if the book is 593 pages long and weighs 708 grams (including my bookmark and the weight of the lead – sorry, graphite – of my pencil markings in the margins.) Which is why the book in question, A Tale of Love and Darkness, by Amos Oz, was not taken on any of my recent trips. Took me a long time to finish that book, and not for lack of interest –I loved it. For one thing, I discovered that Oz has a sense of humor – something that had never struck me before in earlier novels. Also, it brought back childhood memories, captured to perfection. For example, the Special Event of going to the pharmacy in the center of town in order to make a phone call.
When I at last finished A Tale of, I was sorry it ended and immediately picked up Oz's nonfiction, The Story Begins. I leafed through and chose the chapter describing the opening paragraphs of Gogol's The Nose. It was so intriguing, that I dropped the slim volume and picked up Gogol's Petersburg Tales (see my posts of November 29, 2008 and December 25, 2008). What a treat! Unlike my reaction to The Overcoat, The Nose was quite funny, in a lunatic sort of way.
But I digress. Oz and Gogol were both ruled out as travel companions.
Another book on my shelf is Ian McEwan's Atonement weighing in at 480 pages and 253 grams. I stopped at page 130. At the risk of sounding superficial, un-literary, unrefined and unappreciative, I'll say that I found the novel hard going. Each description in itself is a gem of insight: hits the nail on the head, touches a nerve, zeroes in on the essentials that make people tick, or work. But strung together as they are, interspersed between the "lowly" plot-propelling chapters, they slow down the story excruciatingly, while I believe in E.M. Forster's wistful "Oh dear, yes, the novel tells a story." I want a story to unfold smoothly, whereas this story (and I know it's a good one – I've seen the movie) lurches painfully – one step forward, two steps back, one in place.
Which leaves me with two books. Seeing as I'm leaving early tomorrow morning, I had better make up my mind.
I'm opting for Charles Darwin and Graham Greene.
Greene has for years been one of my favorite writers. In case I haven't mentioned it (and "Search Blog" says I haven't), I was reading A Burnt-Out Case, (208 p., 122 gr. including the Scotch tape holding it together) and stopped – can you believe it – on page 189! I could see how Querry, the well-meaning protagonist, was getting himself into a pickle, and I just couldn't stand it. As if, if I didn't read on, everything would be alright, and the story would have a happy end. So, no Burnt-Out Case, I'm not going to schlep 122 gr. for the sake of 19 heart-rending pages. If you know from your own acquaintance with the novel, that I can safely read on without crying my eyes out, do let me know, and perhaps I'll finish it tonight after packing and before calling for a taxi.
Instead of Burnt, I shall take my chances with The Honorary Consul-- 268 p., 151 gr., no Scotch tape – better condition, won't fall apart in transit. And yes, I know I'm taking a chance with regard to the fate awaiting the protagonist. I can tell from the cover: a Michael Caine type chappie, blindfolded, and two machine-gun toting revolutionaries behind him.
Which brings us to the book I am currently reading: The Voyage of the Beagle, by Charles Darwin. I thought I should read it before The Origin of Species. You know – as background. It is heavyish and thickish – 480 pages, 324 gr. I'm currently on page 50. The margins are littered with my question marks – petioles? mytilus? ampullariae? infusoria? confervae? I don't even know what pelagic animals are, and I'll have you know that "Scoresby remarks that green water abounding with pelagic animals is invariably found in a certain part of the Arctic Sea." (p. 20) But in the margins are also exclamation marks, smileys and "ha!", indicating, of course, that I was amused. True, I do get a bit glassy-eyes when various beetles are described. But on the other hand there are plenty of adventures and astute, insightful observations about foreign cultures, social mores, Life, the Universe and Everything.
* * *
In by Nina Rimon Davis
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