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\nIf I am going to a science fiction or comic book convention, I never read any sort of fantastical works. By the time my day at a con is finished, the last thing I want is yet more fantastic. No science fiction, no fantasy, no horror, and no comics. For those occasions, I crave westerns, crime and\/or some contemporary fiction.<\/p>\n
When attending a non-genre book show, science fiction and westerns are the best. Preferably nothing that has to do with contemporary issues.<\/p>\n
Vacations have their own set of rules as well. Generally, location plays into it. When we go to West Texas to visit my mother-in-law, westerns are completely out. I’ll get enough of that reality on the drive up and the time we spend in Amarillo. Something urban and gritty–ideally a Hard Case Crime-style story or perhaps the East Coast stylings of Philip Roth– fills the bill.<\/p>\n
For the bi-annual sojourns to Tulsa, almost anything goes. Tulsa gives off a different vibe with its odd combination of middle America, the South, and the West. Thankfully, I am always promised a trip to Gardner’s<\/a>, so no matter what I bring, I can always get more.<\/p>\n Brandy and I took a trip to New York City last year. That was all about the westerns. Something to get me away from the city and slow the mind down at night.<\/p>\n \nSeveral rules apply to any trip.<\/p>\n *Mass markets are preferable to trades or hardcovers.<\/span> You can pack more choices and they weigh less.<\/p>\n *Never read horror while traveling.<\/span> Last thing you need is something that makes you uptight and\/or paranoid. And if the horror doesn’t achieve that, why are you are reading it anyway?<\/p>\n *No comics.<\/span> They are clunky to carry and are read far too quickly.<\/p>\n *Stay away for anything that requires your complete attention.<\/span> You won’t have it to give. Reading on trips is meant for relaxation. Leave the Umberto Eco at home.<\/ul>\n Sometimes, it works out perfectly such as with my recent trip to Pittsburgh<\/a>. Since it was quick (left Austin at 4 PM on Wed and returned on Thurs at 10 PM) and the focus was on robot toys, I decided on a western (Hanging Judge<\/span><\/a> by Elmer Kelton) and a crime novel (Grifter’s Game<\/span><\/a> by Lawrence Block). I devoured most of the Kelton on the trip up and finished it in the hotel room that night. I read the Block during the return trip. Neither are heavy thinkers but generally well-written, entertaining reads.<\/p>\n I actually buy used books to keep around my house for future journeys. Lots of mass market paperbacks awaiting my next trip!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I imagine when preparing for a trip, most people concern themselves primarily with clothing, money… that sort of thing. Not me, the foremost thing on my mind is what reading material should I bring. Sure, I bring the essentials.. change … Continue reading \n*Always bring at least two books.<\/span> Not only might you finish the first before you get home, but what happens if you don’t like your initial selection? Then you’re stuck having to pick up something on the fly. This leads to overspending and often bad choices.<\/p>\n
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