I've floated down from the cloud I was on after attending the Festival of Books last weekend, and now I'm back in the swing of things here at home. We're packing to go for a long weekend to New York/Connecticut, for my niece's bat mitzvah. Yes, swine flu epidemic and all, I'm taking my three kids across the country...don't worry, I've stocked up on hand sanitizer.
Which of course brings me to the question of what to read on the plane. Those of you who know me know flying is not my favorite thing, so usually I bring comfort reads, because anything that makes me more comfortable (including a Xanax) is good.
I think first into the suitcase will be Vanina Marsot's book Foreign Tongue. Since I got it signed by the author. And it sounds charming. And it's about Paris. And did I mention I got it signed by the author?
Next up is Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan. I bought this one at the Festival of Books, too, because there was a discount! (20% off, come on, I had to!) It's my next book group read, and I'm looking forward to it. We have an architect in my book group, so I'm interested to hear what she has to add about Frank Lloyd Wright when we have our discussion.
I just received a reader's copy of Love and Obstacles, by Aleksandar Hemon, from Picador. I don't know much about the book yet but I love the cover.
I also received a copy of Genesis, by Bernard Beckett, from HMH. It's not my usual thing, as it's a thriller set in a post-apocalyptic future, but hey, I'm open to it.
Another one from HMH is Ginnah Howard's novel Night Navigation. I've started this one, and I'm enjoying it so far, but I don't think I'll be bringing it with me. I doubt it's a comforting airplane read. It's about a mother and son relationship while the son is going through a particularly harrowing drug rehab, and I think reading it on the plane might set me on edge. But I do like the writing so far.
Last but not least is David Ebershoff's novel The 19th Wife, which I'm reading before I host Mr. Ebershoff and the book on a TLC book tour on June 17th. I'll update you on the details of that soon. I'm looking forward to starting this one!
My 10-year-old son had to put his two-cents worth into my picture. And he says, "peace out!"
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14 comments:
Lovely to see your son involved in your blogging - lol! That's a great line-up of books. I'm really interested to hear what you think of the 19th Wife, as I've hovered over that one several times but have yet to buy it. I do possess a copy of Loving Frank, though, and am keen to hear your response to that, too! Have a lovely time and don't breathe too deeply!
litlove--Lol--think I should wear one of those little surgical masks? My husband knows just enough about epidemiology to be dangerous (to my peace of mind), so he keeps saying things like, "Don't worry, the virus isn't that dangerous, it hasn't mutated yet." Thanks, honey.
Loving Frank is our book group selection, so I'm really looking forward to reading it, and I'll let you know about The 19th Wife!
Nice stack. Peace out, Kid.
Bybee--Lol, I'll pass that along :)
What a great book selection. Somehow I don't find your husband's "hasn't mutated yet" to be very comforting. Have a nice trip!
Your new stash looks great. I don't care for flying either but reading does help. I visited my daughter in Oregon a few months ago and took "Wicked" which really kept my mind off the flight.
Use that hand sanitizer often! And have fun at the bat mitzvah.
You do realise that your son's gesture could be interpreted quite differently on this side of the Atlantic?
Hi Trace, having read 3 of those, I know you are in for a treat! Have a safe trip!
We read Loving Frank in my book group and it provided one of the best discussions I think we've ever had. I don't think it turned it anyone's favorite book, but it was an interesting and engaging read all the same - good for a flight!
What a very nice stack of books! I'll be looking forward to the review of Foreign Tongue - I'm intrigued by that one! Hope you had a nice weekend and uneventful plane rides.
Stefanie--I agree, my husband is never very comforting! We're back, had a great trip, and so far no fevers...
jaimie--I haven't read Wicked, but I hear it's good--will have to put it on my list!
mike--lol, I did forget the other interpretation of that gesture--if it was my older son, I would suspect him of being subversive and trying to get away with something obscene!
lisa--finished Foreign Tongue, and enjoyed it. It had more sex in it than I expected, though--woohoo, that was distracting on the plane ride!!
verbivore--someone else told me nearly the same thing lately--maybe it was my sister-in-law--Loving Frank wasn't her favorite book but it made for a good book group discussion. I'm looking forward to my next book group meeting for that reason :)
tara--had a great trip, and though the plane rides weren't scary, they were annoying, as we experienced many weather-related delays. I liked Foreign Tongue, and I'll write about it soon...
Loving Frank is a book I've had my eye on. I'll be anxious to hear what you have to say about it. Have a safe trip!
Since the origin of H1N1 is in Mexico City and you're not going anywhere near the border it should be fine. Pack those hand sanitizer in and make sure wash the hands often.
I'm hosting The 19th Wife as well, but on May 20 and I need to get on it. :)
Lisa--back from the trip, and had a great time. Didn't start Loving Frank yet, but will soon, as it's the pick for my next book group meeting--I'll let you know what I think :)
Matt--I wasn't really worried about getting H1N1, but mentioned to my husband that traveling thru JFK, it being a large hub, I might be more exposed than if I were staying home, so of course he teased me mercilessly about my flu paranoia.
But actually a friend of mine went to visit her mom who lives just outside of Acapulco last week, and they took her temperature both in the U.S and in Mexico at customs!
We'll have to compare notes on The 19th Wife--glad we're both hosting :)
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