Good Book
07-19-09, 05:52 PM
#2
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Something light (figuratively and literally), which suggests a paperback. It's hard to read anything heavy after a long, tiring day. A murder mystery might be nice, if that's your style. There are a few such mysteries that include cycling (e.g., by Greg Moody). Or you could try the old favorite among bike tourists, Miles from Nowhere by the late Barbara Savage, although it weighs the better part of a pound. It's good if the book is disposable so you can tear out the pages as you read them. If the tour is long, you can take a small book and buy others along the way.
07-19-09, 06:28 PM
#3
Sore saddle cyclist
"Fool" by Christopher Moore. It is VERY funny and will keep you entertained. He has written many other fun books, so any thing by Moore would do the trick.
07-19-09, 06:31 PM
#4
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Almuric. By Robert E. Howard.
07-20-09, 08:17 AM
#5
It's true, man.
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Something that relates to the area(s) you're traveling. Doesn't have to be non-fiction, either - a novel set in the area is great for stimulating interest and making you keep your eyes open.
07-20-09, 08:27 AM
#7
totally louche
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something light or in your interests. I like historical travelogues.
I recommend a lesser known Jack Kerouac book, "Lonesome traveller" or Bassho's "Long walk to the interior" - widely regarded as the first written travelogue. and quite good too.
I recommend a lesser known Jack Kerouac book, "Lonesome traveller" or Bassho's "Long walk to the interior" - widely regarded as the first written travelogue. and quite good too.
07-20-09, 09:55 AM
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Since your a Michigander (and if you like detective/mystery stuff) you might try Steve Hamilton's series which is set in the U.P. I think the first book is called "A Cold Night in Paradise" or something like that. Good light reading if your into that sort of thing. Would be especially appropriate if your tour happens to be "up north".
07-21-09, 02:38 PM
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I don't think I would want to read a murder mystery about cycling while cycling, it would creep me out while trying to sleep in a tent.
Chris
Chris
07-21-09, 02:51 PM
#10
eternalvoyage
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https://www.amazon.com/First-Last-Fre.../dp/0060648317
***
There are some good reviews at amazon; but it might be more rewarding to meet the book with a fresh mind, uncolored and uncluttered by other people's interpretations, expectations and experiences.
...or by your own, for that matter
Last edited by Niles H.; 07-21-09 at 03:00 PM.
07-21-09, 06:27 PM
#12
Professional Fuss-Budget
Get an e-book reader. 10-12 ounces, e-Ink screens work great, long battery life, tons of free books in the public domain, and you can carry a whole library everywhere you go....
07-21-09, 06:57 PM
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07-21-09, 07:55 PM
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Waste not, want not.Actually, we should be trading our paperbacks in at libraries for new ones. Gonna do that on the next tour. If I can find a library open.
Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon. Interesting enough, but not so much you can't put it down.
07-21-09, 08:48 PM
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What category or categories do you like? For action/adventure, I like Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt books; I also like James Rollins and Matt Reilly in that category. For humor/mystery, some of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series would be my choice. More serious mysteries? Stephen J. Cannell's Shane Scully books are pretty good.
- Bob
- Bob
07-21-09, 09:25 PM
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My top five fiction.
1. Pillars of the Earth-Ken Follett (all his are good but this is his best)
2. A Man in Full-Tom Wolfe (Bonfire of the Vanities close second)
3. Shogun-James Clavell
4. Cold Mountain-Charles Frazier
5. Dune-Frank Herbert (this series now contains about 12 novels, prequels, sequels can keep you occupied all winter
didn't make the top five but Dirk Pitt is the MAN!
1. Pillars of the Earth-Ken Follett (all his are good but this is his best)
2. A Man in Full-Tom Wolfe (Bonfire of the Vanities close second)
3. Shogun-James Clavell
4. Cold Mountain-Charles Frazier
5. Dune-Frank Herbert (this series now contains about 12 novels, prequels, sequels can keep you occupied all winter
didn't make the top five but Dirk Pitt is the MAN!
07-22-09, 07:15 PM
#18
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Was on tour and met an English teacher from New York City.
Said he was totally burned out from teaching in some crummy
school, decided he had enough and quit. He now had all the time in
the world to enjoy his passions of reading books and cycling. I could
see the books lining his panniers. Unfortunately his first passion was
interfering with his second; apparently there are many classics to be
found on the side of the road, usually near steep hills ...
Said he was totally burned out from teaching in some crummy
school, decided he had enough and quit. He now had all the time in
the world to enjoy his passions of reading books and cycling. I could
see the books lining his panniers. Unfortunately his first passion was
interfering with his second; apparently there are many classics to be
found on the side of the road, usually near steep hills ...
07-22-09, 08:35 PM
#19
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If you're doing a x-country trip, this book would be a great choice. It's called State by State and contains an essay from each of the 50 states and Washington, DC. Some are comedic, some serious, but all are really well written. I just got done reading it and loved it. It's not a small book, but it's not an encyclopedia, so you could feasibly take it on tour.
Even if you're not touring, I'd recommend this one to anyone. Seems like a book that the touring type would enjoy.
Even if you're not touring, I'd recommend this one to anyone. Seems like a book that the touring type would enjoy.
07-22-09, 08:39 PM
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Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage! It's about a woman and her husband who toured the WORLD back in the 70's. Very inspiring.
Or, American Gods by Neil Gaiman. It's a big book, but a WONDERFUL read, and if you ration it, it'll last you 2 weeks or a little more.
I recommend these books to everyone, they're fantastic.
Or, American Gods by Neil Gaiman. It's a big book, but a WONDERFUL read, and if you ration it, it'll last you 2 weeks or a little more.
I recommend these books to everyone, they're fantastic.
07-22-09, 08:47 PM
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Something light (figuratively and literally), which suggests a paperback. It's hard to read anything heavy after a long, tiring day. A murder mystery might be nice, if that's your style. There are a few such mysteries that include cycling (e.g., by Greg Moody). Or you could try the old favorite among bike tourists, Miles from Nowhere by the late Barbara Savage, although it weighs the better part of a pound. It's good if the book is disposable so you can tear out the pages as you read them. If the tour is long, you can take a small book and buy others along the way.
07-23-09, 07:08 AM
#22
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Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg. For something offbeat and amusing, anything by Florence King - With Charity for None is one of my favorites. Something more serious, anything by Thomas Sowell or William F. Buckley Jr's non-fiction.
07-23-09, 10:45 AM
#25
Senior Member
I take my iPod Shuffle loaded with 7 or 8 audio books. It is much lighter than even the lightest paperback even including the charger. Also you can read in the dark.
As far as book choices... I really don't like travelogues when I am traveling, but it is kind of nice if there are references to places on the tour. Really though I would say read the type of books you enjoy when not on tour.
As far as book choices... I really don't like travelogues when I am traveling, but it is kind of nice if there are references to places on the tour. Really though I would say read the type of books you enjoy when not on tour.