At the check-in my large suitcase was 10 pounds over the limit, and wouldn't pass inspection if I didn't reduce it pronto. R and I unzipped it, and I started transferring the books to my carry on tote. With only 8 books removed, we reweighed the case and found it to be exactly 10 lbs lighter!
I did buy a lot of hardbound copies, so the wisdom of all this? Go for paperbacks!
My book list from the holidays:
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid. I saw the book listed on the Booker Prize shortlist and after reading a preview knew I had to have it. Jessica Zafra also posted a snippet from the book on her blog, a section that mentions a Filipino cab driver.
Three bags full by Leonie Swann. A sheep detective story. How cute! A flock of sheep work together to find out who killed their shepherd.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Several of the teachers at school have mentioned how much they love this book and I started reading it while waiting through the rains. Had to bring back a copy.
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. A young girl matures in Iran during the revolutionary age, this is a graphic novel or series of comic strips. It was turned into a award winning film, and is under consideration for best foreign film at the Oscars.
The Tenth Muse by Judith Jones. I read a lot of food blogs, and some of my favorites have lauded Ms. Jones' memoirs and her influence on food writing. She helped Julia Child through the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. But I just want to read her own words.
The United States of Arugula by David Kamp. Another recommendation by the blogosphere, I'm looking forward to another sociological treatise on food revolution (I didn't get a copy of the new Michael Pollan book, but will reserve a copy at Fully Booked soon).
Complications by Atul Gawande. A surgeon's notes on an imperfect science. Started reading it and am enjoying the perspective of what a resident's life is really like. May make you never want to let an intern examine you for tests again.
Alice, Let's Eat by Calvin Trillin. One of my life wishes is to attend one of his food trips in New York, so this is the next best thing.
A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby. 4 people attempt to throw themselves off a building in London, and find companionship in their misery. I only have ten pages left and for all other Hornby fans, it's a must read.
Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant edited by Jenni Ferrari-Adler. Admittedly, I vacuumed this book up, and am now armed with new ideas on how eat solo. This is going to be stationed near my microwave.
And not to be forgotten, I brought The Nudist on the Late Shift by Po Bronson with me on the trip and ultimately got side-tracked, oops. An "expose" of the people working in Silicon Valley during the 90's internet boom. One of his best sellers before he found his voice in What shall I do with my life?
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5 comments:
They all sound interesting! So you had to carry 10 pounds of books in your tote? Your poor shoulder! Lucky they didn't weigh your carry-on. I heard some airlines do that now, so the old trick of loading the heavy stuff in the carry-on won't work anymore.
Like all good book lists, eclectic and obscure! Atul Gawande writes quite a bit for the New Yorker and is very good, I am sure that one will be worth reading. I'll be looking out for several of the others at Fully Booked. Glad you had a good trip and thanks for the tip on the Santa Barbara B&B.
I asked an aunt who was coming home to buy a medical book for me in the US. She must love me a lot. She handcarried all 10 kg of it too. Reading your post reminded me of her.
Katrina, if they start weighing my handcarries, i'm in deep doodoo
Torn, hopefully not too obscure, but if you want to borrow any, just let me know.
Emdy, i would be hard pressed to hand carry just one book for a loved one, but your aunt must really love you (or maybe she's going to demand you take care of her for life - assuming you are in the medical field - pa-guilt trip yan!)
Looks like a great list there. Thanks, I'm gonna take note of these books! You sound like me, I had half a balikbayan box of books (used from Amazon) waiting for me in SF before I even got there! :)
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