I’m leaving on an 8-day cruise in a couple of weeks, and I need something to bring with me for reading on the beach or by the pool. Ideally, I’d want something that’s available in a paperback version, because I don’t want to be lugging a heavy book everywhere, and also because it’ll be cheaper to buy. I’m scared to bring the wrong book, hate it, and be left with nothing else to read for a whole week, which is a terrible, terrible fate. An added twist: it’s a nerd cruise, so a book that will be an icebreaker to nerdy conversation would be a huge plus.
I’ve been mostly reading nonfiction lately, but I’m not opposed to a novel, if it’s really good. Vampires, “young adult” stuff, and trashy romances need not apply. Most recently, I’ve read The Secret Life of Lobsters (Trevor Corson), Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me (Mindy Kaling), and** Stiff **(Mary Roach) and I’m currently on The Family That Couldn’t Sleep (D.T. Max). I like science fiction, memoirs, and books about the history behind stuff (especially science/medicine related).
I’m on Goodreads (username: Antijen), if anyone wants to see my book lists and make recommendations through there.
If all else fails I’ll bring along my Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, but I’m hoping someone can suggest the perfect book.
I don’t know what the kindle is like but I’ve had issues with my Ipad on hot days in the summer. I couldn’t make it through a lunch time reading in the park without it whining about the heat and shutting itself down.
I’ve been kind of intrigued by the promo’s for the Hunger Game, so even though it’s YA I’m taking that along to read on my flight.
Only one book? :eek: I’d have to bring along a big bag full of books, of various sorts. So this is where having a Kindle (or other similar e-reader) comes in extremely handy. Except that I’d still bring a couple of books along as insurance, in case my Kindle got lost or damaged and I got stuck without anything to read.
See, I was thinking about buying a Kindle for this trip, but I would be too paranoid about having it stolen or damaged. I’ll look into the book suggestions so far, thanks.
This is the cruise I’m going on: JoCo Cruise Crazy II. It’s going to be awesome.
that does sound like fun. cruise lines also have libraries on board so you can try there if you run out.
i did run out of book about 2 hours away from shore and a book store. luckily there was another person on the ferry that ran out of her book. we switched. crisis averted!
The opposite of what you’re suggesting, but when I went on a three-week trip to India I decided that rather than lugging around a bag of books, I’d just walk into a bookshop and get the biggest paperback I could buy and read that the whole time.
Two choices:
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth - the longest commercial novel ever published. An epic story of two families in post-independence India. Endlessly fascinating and entertaining and lots of nerdy history bits.
The Wind-up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami - WTF Japanese fantasy/sci-fi weirdness set between modern Tokyo and WWII Mongolia. I wasn’t sure what it was about, but it was highly thought-provoking and I enjoyed every word of it.
I had already read the former, so chose the latter, and finished it on the plane home. Recommended.
I just finished Empire of the Summer Moon, about Quanah Parker and the Comanche Indians in the mid-19th century. Incredible read and highly recommended.
Ever read any China Mieville? His latest, Embassytown, is a rich, chunky book full of ideas in the best science fiction tradition; it reminds me a lot of Ursula Le Guin, if Le Guin were less hippie and more punk. It’s very good.
I “stalked” you over on GoodReads (and send a friend req) and I think Neal Stephenson would be right up your alley! I saw that Cryptonomicon was already on your to-read list; in my review I stated “This book expects you to be smart, and rewards you accordingly.” I read it while on vacation & it was a great book to just get lost in for a few hours at a time.
I’d also recommend The Diamond Age from Stephenson - after reading this, I couldn’t decide which fictional “book” I wanted more - The Primer or The Guide! (“Don’t Panic!” is always such good advice…)
Either way, be forewarned that Stephenson has trouble ending his novels - he tends towards the “I gotta wrap all these plot points NOW”.
PS - SOOOOOOO jealous of the JoCo cruise! We considered it; but vacation time & $$ ruled it out - maybe if they do it again in 2013?
I really enjoyed John Scalzi’s Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded, which is a collection of essays from his blog. The essays are long enough to explore the subject, but short enough to be quick reads, and I think that Scalzi will appeal to nerds.
And yeah, this is the perfect time to get an e-reader, or even a tablet.
That does look like a fun cruise. Any plans that START with open gaming is all right in my book.