Back From Puerto Vallarta
What I read on vacation
By KipParent on 05-05-2008
What, you may ask, was "fortunate" about an emergency root canal? First, that my dentist could see me with no notice on Saturday and that he was able to get me into the endodontist Saturday afternoon. Second, that my tooth could be saved by a root canal and didn't have to be pulled. Third, that my tooth didn't crack while I was in Mexico - I probably would have ended up having to have it pulled, there's no way I could have lasted out the week without doing something about it.
We ended up having a great time. Played a little golf, and read 3 books. Now, for the hardcore Rational, 3 books in a week probably seems a little tame. But I was doing other stuff too, so 3 books (all I took) was just right. The 3 books I took: 1776, by David McCullough; Shockwave, by Clive Cussler; and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.
All 3 of my Artisan sons had read Ender's Game in middle school and loved it. In fact there is a whole series of books that followed, and they have read them all. For some reason that I can't think of, I had never read it till this vacation. It is one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. I am going to go to the library and borrow Ender's Shadow, recommended to me by the son I borrowed Ender's Game from.
I also enjoyed 1776, from which I learned more about the early part of the American Revolutionary war and George Washington than I ever learned in school. Since we have been using Washington as an example of a Guardian Supervisor, it was very interesting to read about his first year in command of the Continental Army, really only a collection of militias, and the trials, tribulations, self doubt and indecision he often faced. Had he not possessed the level of commitment that perhaps only a strong Guardian might hold, the British would prpbably have prevailed at that point in history.
As for Shockwave, this is the 4th or 5th Clive Cussler novel I have read, and I think he is very formulaic. So I probably won't bother with any more. It's really too bad, I think, when an author who has good ability figures out he doesn't have to work very hard to keep selling lots of books. I got to feeling the same way about John Grisham's lawyer novels, and Robert Ludlum's thrillers. (Although Grisham changed tacks with A Painted House, which I enjoyed).
So, I'm interested. What do you read on vacation? Or do you take books along?
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Posted by Pat on May 6, 2008
I always not only take a book, but end up buying books there. I'm getting so tired of lugging them around that I am thinking of looking into ebooks. IN fact, I wish we'd have the setup Julian May described in her Intervention series, where you got a "book plaque" and went to the bookstore to look at the hard copies on display, then download the book you wanted onto the plaque. Oh, yes - the bookstores in her future world did have hard copies for the browsers to look at - IIRC they could also do Print On Demand right there in the store. Yummy! |
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Posted by Malleeman on May 6, 2008
Sorry to hear about the tooth, but thankfully the ice skate blade wasn't needed in Mexico and you had an enjoyable time ;-) I tend to read books on history (especially World War I and II aviation), but the occasional thriller/suspense novel, or some magazines such as New Scientist, and various shares, property, and investments mags. But on most vacations, I am too busy exploring the sights and surrounds, and taking lots of photos :-) |
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Posted by Keillan on May 6, 2008
I'm glad that you enjoyed Ender's Game. Orson Scott Card is one of my favourite authors, and the other books that follow are quite good as well, especially Speaker for the Dead. I've been pondering the temperaments of the various characters in the book. Perhaps a discussion of them might be useful. And welcome back! |
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Posted by gemini612 on May 8, 2008
Oooooo...I had a root canal before. It didn't hurt as bad as thought it would during the procedure, but afterwards it began to hurt like a "muh-la-fuha" :) |
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Posted by KipParent on May 8, 2008
Knock on wood - I had the full deal root canal today. The emergency work was all undone, they completely cleaned out the inside of the tooth, and filled it up with sterile goop. 2 hours in the chair with my mouth open, but I am a huge fan of lots of novocaine! I'll see how it feels tomorow, but tonight feels pretty good! |
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Posted by mkb32 on May 8, 2008
Kip, I think your Idealist wife has rubbed off on you. I LOVED "1776". kellian, I have been pondering temperaments of various characters a lot lately as well. I think a starting a discussion like that would be great fun! Jack, can I go to Paris, too? I promise to ask, "are we there yet?" only 7 times...per day. gemini612 ---> that's funny, sick, but funny.(BIG smile) |
My wife and I are about to go to Paris. The books we'll read on the plane are Blink (by author of Tipping Point) and The Girl With No Shadow (sequel to Chocolat). In Paris, I hope to find the portraitist who did my 23-year-old self in 1968 (yeah right!) and get drawn again, walk a hundred alleys and boulevards, and explore all that's wonderful about the City of Light. How different will that place be after 40 years?