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"While you're there" reading

  • Jul. 29th, 2005 at 10:19 AM
books
Plans are going well for the trip, but I do need a little help.

I love reading books set in the places I'm visiting. I'm also looking for new things to read. Granted, I'll likely not get through many pages, but I don't feel comfortable without a book in my tote bag.

I know I'll be visiting:

London
Bath
Oxford

Here are some ideas for what I might bring:

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
The Skystone by Jack Whyte
Evelina by Frances Burney

Of course, I could also bring a Kate Ross book to re-read, or pull one of my unread Georgette Heyers from the shelf, but I'd also like to know if anyone has any suggestions. This link will take you to a list of books I've recently read, but feel free to recommend without reference to it. I'm game to have a look at something new.

I'm off to bury myself in Tigana, as a) it's hardly "while you're there" reading and b) it's far too heavy to cart around on a plane/train/etc..

Cate
  • Mood: giddy giddy

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( 11 comments — Leave a comment )
[info]widgetfox wrote:
Jul. 29th, 2005 04:29 pm (UTC)
I know exactly the book that you need to read, although I don't know how easy it is to find. It's '84 Charing Cross Road' and the sequel, 'The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street', both by Helene Hanff. The second is particularly relevant, and they're both lovely books.
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[info]rosemaryinwheat wrote:
Jul. 31st, 2005 11:18 am (UTC)
I love <i>84 Charing Cross Road</i>. My father doesn't always buy appropriate gifts, but one Christmas he gave me both those books. For some reason, though devoured the first, I never did read <i>The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street</i>.

Also, their not very heavy, which is an advantage.

Thanks,
Cate
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[info]rosemaryinwheat wrote:
Jul. 31st, 2005 11:19 am (UTC)
Oops.

"They're", not "their". Bad Cate!
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[info]parelle wrote:
Jul. 29th, 2005 05:16 pm (UTC)
Three Men in a Boat is very much British humor (I absolutely love the introduction on diseases) - and, of course is one of the inspriations of...
For Oxford, To Say Nothing of the Dog is a bit of a romp - a mix of things British. There's several references to Victorian England, Three Men in a Boat, Dorothy Sayers, the Blitz... loads of good stuff.
I didn't read this short story until after my trip to London this Spring, but do I wish I had to gone to St. Pauls - again by Connie Willis
I know that you're not a Holmes fan, but there is the Sherlock Holmes Pub which at least has dencent food. (don't go to the museum, it's expensive!)


Links:
http://www.forgottenfutures.com/game/boat/boat.htm
http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/firewatch.htm
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[info]fellmama wrote:
Jul. 29th, 2005 05:33 pm (UTC)
I think we were posting our comments at the same time! Maybe this time she'll read the book :)
Also, you're a Scarlet Pimpernel fan, Catherine? If so, you might like The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. It was mediocre at best (IMHO) but it did keep me entertained on an airplane.
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[info]parelle wrote:
Jul. 29th, 2005 05:48 pm (UTC)
Hopefully :)
Oh of all things to mention - I just watched the first episode of the new BBC Scarlet Pimpernel. Book murder, I have to say, to my surprise, but enjoyable in its way.
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[info]rosemaryinwheat wrote:
Jul. 31st, 2005 11:27 am (UTC)
I went to the Holmes museum last time I was in London. I wanted a Sherlockian souvenir for my best friend. You're right, it's very expensive for what you get. I might try the pub, though. We have a small chain of pubs in my town called Sherlock Holmes. It would be interesting to see if they compare.

I think To Say Nothing of the Dog might have to win out, considering it has more than one vote. Also, there's the coincedence that I signed it out of the library the last time I was there.

Best,
Cate
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[info]fellmama wrote:
Jul. 29th, 2005 05:29 pm (UTC)
I read Evelina in June, and I must say I wasn't impressed. Take Austen instead.
And speaking of Austen, have you read any of the Jane Austen murder mysteries by Stephanie Barron? They're extremely silly, but very enjoyable. Jane and the Wandering Eye is set in Bath.
And of course, there's always rereading a Mary Russell--The Beekeeper's Apprentice for this trip, I think.
Oh, of course! You should read To Say Nothing of the Dog! It's a perfect vacation book, and I think you'd love it.
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[info]rosemaryinwheat wrote:
Jul. 31st, 2005 11:33 am (UTC)
Evelina is actually part of the reason I'm such a Regency fan. It's what really got me interested in eighteenth and nineteeth century fiction, thanks to a great professor at university. Before that, I liked Jane Austen, but in rather an isolated way. Now, I can appreciate just how much she changed the face of fiction.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think To Say Nothing of the Dog might come along since so many of my friends like it.

I did read The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. I didn't like much, to be honest. I prefer The Pimpernel Plot by Simon Hawke. Time-travellers manage to kill Percy in the prologue and have to set history right. It's out of print, but copies are out there.

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[info]17catherines wrote:
Jul. 30th, 2005 01:07 am (UTC)
If you haven't been to York and you can get there, do please go. It is the most gorgeous city, and I want to live there.

Though it is more fun for medievalists and roman/viking fans than regency scholars. I love it.

love

Catherine
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[info]rosemaryinwheat wrote:
Jul. 31st, 2005 11:37 am (UTC)
I don't know that I'll make it to York this time around, but I hardly think this will be my last trip to England and I'll definitely put a couple days in York down on the list of things to see on one trip or another.

Thanks for the advice.

Best,
Cate
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