Mr. Citizen Reader and I are newly back from Michigan's Upper Peninsula (da UP, eh?) and a weekend wedding that was lovely. (Three little words that make all the difference at any wedding: good buffet line.) It was a very nice weekend away, primarily because we don't have kids and when we take vacations, which is not often but always appreciated, it really does seem like getting away. (No extra packing, no figuring out activities for the car, no attending children's museums or other kid-friendly events, etc.) Now, I have it on good authority that having kids is very nice, and interesting. But not traveling with them? Priceless.
Of course, coming back, even after a scant two days away, was brutal.
I was planning on being such a well-rounded little reader. I took along several novels, but ended up reading (of course) a memoir titled Hack: How I Stopped Worrying about What To Do with My Life and Started Driving a Yellow Cab. Mr. Citizen Reader packed some nonfiction, but stuck with the one novel he'd packed. Evidently you can't fight city hall.
My question on trip reading is this: Do you feel more like reading about your destination before you go traveling, or when you get back home? I'm a "get back home" reader myself. I had zero interest in the UP and Wisconsin's Door County (where we also stopped), and now I'm jonesing for some good Wisconsin and Michigan history, with an emphasis on Great Lakes shipwrecks. The few times I have traveled, I've always thought I should read about the place before I go (I felt this particularly with Boston and Montreal) but I never get it done. But that's all right. I prefer to try and lose myself in happy trip memories by reading about the places afterward. Anyone else out there have a preference?
I think a little reading before you go somewhere makes the trip more meaningful, but the best reading is the after the trip reading when you have a strong link to the settings. We first went to Africa in 1988 having read only a little. I have been happily reading histories and memoirs from the continent ever since.
Posted by: Rick Roche | 01 July 2008 at 08:20 AM
I agree with Rick. I usually read some general stuff (esp. if the travel guide has good history etc sections) but then hone in on a particular interest when I get back.
Posted by: Sarah | 01 July 2008 at 09:32 AM
OK, so I went on a walking trip in Ireland, and beforehand I bought a used copy of the Rough Guide and put little sticky tabs in the places we were to go and numbered them by days - did I get CRAP. "Look what happens when we have a LIBRARIAN with us . . ." and this was from my "friends", one of whom is a librarian. But I was the only one who knew about St. Francis throwing the groupie into Lake Glendalough because she interrupted his silence and tried to jump his bones. Our tour guide did not appreciate that particular interpretation of Irish history.
Posted by: Sarah | 01 July 2008 at 09:38 AM
Rick,
You're probably right about doing a little generalized reading. But after I'm done planning trips, I just never have the energy to track down the related reading, and then, all of a sudden, it's time to go! I also agree that the strong link/visualization of settings makes the post-vacay reading that much better.
Sarah,
Oh, sure, everyone picks on the librarians, but who else always has the good dirt about saints and their groupies? Librarians always have the good stuff. Way to show up your guide, I bet his/her interpretation of history wasn't nearly as juicy!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 01 July 2008 at 10:04 AM
Like the previous commenters, I tend to do some generalized reading before trips - history, geography, etc. Then, when I am actually in the place, all sorts of new things pique my interest, and I like to follow up on them when I get home. I am in that boat now, as I am following up on some research from my recent trip to Nova Scotia... so much!
Posted by: lolly | 01 July 2008 at 10:07 AM
See, and I read books and then end up wanting to go (and sometimes even going) to the places they describe.
Posted by: laura | 01 July 2008 at 12:52 PM
Like you, I always think I should read about a place before I go, but never do. But I always read about it when I get back (hence my recent interest in Icelandic crime fiction).
Posted by: Becky | 01 July 2008 at 05:38 PM
Getting ready for a trip to Whistler, BC in August. The only thing I'm reading in advance is my travel guide. We bought our tickets then immediatly bought the guide. Oddly, I haven't even thought to look for fiction about the area. Gives me something to do today and call it work.
Posted by: Melanie | 02 July 2008 at 06:32 AM
Lolly,
I like the phrase "generalized reading." That's what I feel I always should be doing BEFORE a trip, and I always end up doing it after. I always think I should take a few notes on vacation, too, of things I want to follow up, because I often forget them when I'm back home. Sad, to have the memory capabilities of a fruit fly. Nova Scotia, huh? I am SO jealous--but I hope you have a great time!
Laura,
You bring up another aspect of travel reading. I find that a lot too, that reading about a place will pique my interest. Unless, of course, it's about Japan. But I'm probably just reading the wrong things about Japan.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 02 July 2008 at 08:26 AM
Becky!
How was Iceland? Anthony Bourdain certainly didn't like it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2CYs7wDEVA), but I wouldn't mind going. I just love the sound of "Reykjavik," for one thing.
Melanie,
Okay, someone's going to Nova Scotia, and someone else is going to British Columbia? I desperately want to go someplace Canadian, soon soon soon. (And: always glad to provide things for people to do at work!! :) Now get on searching for BC fiction!)
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 02 July 2008 at 08:29 AM
I'd love to go to Iceland as well. Nonstop from MSP . . . or have a "layover". It probably was too beautiful and pristine for Mr. Bourdain.
Posted by: | 02 July 2008 at 09:33 AM