Book Menage: Travel Edition.

First off, let me apologize for the sporadic posting this week. What with one thing and another, it's just been one of those weeks. Nothing's wrong, I'm just, for lack of a better word, dull. I'm not very exciting on the best of days, so be assured when I say dull I mean DULL. But then I thought, what better way to get un-dull than to set a new Book Menage* rolling?

After we discussed a new Menage last time, many of the comments (and thank you for those) seemed to be in favor of a Travel theme, which I thought was a great idea, since I don't read a ton of travel on my own, but I often do like what I read. So here's where I need your help once more. I think our books will be:

1. Tony Horwitz's Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before; and either

2. Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country (which is kind of related to the above, as Cook explored Australia and this book is about Australia); or

2. Bill Bryson's I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After Twenty Years Away (which I'm only listing because I kind of want to read it).

So! If you'll kindly vote in the comments for your choice between the Bryson books (voting will be open between now and Monday), I'll announce the winners next Monday, get in touch with the reader from the last Menage who has won personal copies of the two books, and we'll be on our way!

I'm eager to start, but will about four weeks be enough? Then we could start the Monday after Easter, April 5th (although if you feel strongly about it, mention that in the comments too and we could always go with Monday April 12th instead). I can't wait!

*If anyone out there is new to Citizen Reader, our Book Menages are where we read two books and then discuss them over the course of a week in our comments. (Two books + 1 reader = a very kinky and very right book discussion.)

Comments

[Tripp]

I lean towards I'm a stranger here myself as I have always wanted to read it. I have a copy of Blue Latitudes around here somewhere.

[Ruthiella]

I lean towards the "In a Sunburned Country" since it fits geographically.

[Eva]

I just read Blue Latitudes late last year. :) I haven't read any of Bryson's travel stuff, though, so I'll read one of those and join the discussion anyway! lol

Having read Blue Latitudes, I think I'm more interested in Bryson's Australia book. So my vote is In a Sunburned Country.

[sherry]

I lean toward In a Sunburned Country. May inspire a trip to Australia especially if it contains tips on how to finance such a trip.

[Melanie]

I've read both the Bryson books in the past and have access to both here at the library. So I'll go with your choice. I did just read Travels with Charley by Steinbeck and think it would be a good discussion book. I'd like to try Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon and sort of a companion to the Steinbeck.

[Citizen Reader]

To everyone who has voted so far: Thanks! And don't forget to let friends know if they want to join our discussion, everyone's entered to win the two books of the next discussion for free!

Sherry,
Ah, if only more travel books included info on how to finance said trips. That's the part I usually struggle with too.

Melanie,
No worries. We'll do another Travel Menage someday, where we'll have to do a more "classic" title or two. I read Steinbeck's book about a million years ago and liked it, ditto with "Blue Highways"--so if you try that one I hope you like it too!

[Lu]

I'm putting in a strong vote for the second Bryson, the premise for it is great! This will be my first menage and I am ridiculously excited.

[Laura]

I'm fine with either Bryson. I also just read a few weeks ago Sex Lives of Cannibals, which is a memoir about a young couple who move to a South Pacific atoll. It is hilarious and thought provoking. Good stuff.

[Rachael]

I'm abstaining from voting because I love both books, but have a bizarre fantasy about marrying some random Aussie and moving to a sheep farm* in the outback and keeping pet kangaroos.

Yeah, I would sooooooo be divorced in 5 minutes.

*Properly known down under as a sheep station.

[Rachael]

Also, wooo hooo, book menage!!!!

[Sarah]

Tony Horwitz also did a book about N. America - A VOYAGE LONG AND STRANGE - but you probably know that . . .

[Yvonne]

Ooh, In a Sunburned Country please. My library doesn't have the other Bryson at hand.

[Citizen Reader]

Lu,
I'm always ridiculously excited for our Book Menages. We'll be so glad to have you!

Laura,
LOVED The Sex Lives of Cannibals. Haven't been as crazy about subsequent J. Maarten Troost titles (Getting Stoned with Savages and one about China, the title of which I can't recall right now), but he's still very readable.

Rachael,
Just make sure you get the sheep station in the divorce. :)

Sarah,
I did know that--and am interested in this menage because I am not typically a Horwitz fan, although "Confederates in the Attic" was quite interesting. I never did get around to "A Voyage Long and Strange," though--have you?

Yvonne,
Thanks for the vote! So sorry your library doesn't have the other Bryson--I gather it was a pretty popular title at one time.

[Tripp]

I liked A Voyage Long and Strange, but kept wanting it to be as engaging as Confederates, but it never really got there.

Rachael, I have a friend (from VA) who married an Aussie and now they manage a marina in the NE town of Broome. So it can happen!

[Jessica]

Squeee! I'm ready and I'll read whatever everyone else picks.

[Venta]

I'm game for either bryson title. I'm just excited that i have TIME to participate in a menage!!!

[Citizen Reader]

Tripp,
I had that same problem with "A Voyage Long and Strange."

Jessica,
I LOVE the enthusiasm. Squee indeed!

Venta,
And we'll be so glad to have you. I hope Travel is a genre you're okay with; I know you probably would have preferred the True Crime one. :)