Three weeks from tomorrow I will be on my way to beautiful San Francisco. I'm sorry to be talking about it so much, but it's been so long since I've been on a proper vacation I can't help but be consumed by thoughts of a new place, new scenery and better weather (something that shouldn't be scoffed at!). I've been adding to a list of books I might take with me since I first booked my flight.
Now I know that I'm going somewhere that has so many wonderful attractions that it's not likely that I'm going to have lots of kick back with a book and relax time, so I won't be taking all these books with me of course. But this is sort of my own personal short list of vacation read contenders. I still only plan on taking three books with me (I'll have two long flights--four if you count connecting flights--plus a week there).
I expect this pile will continue to morph, but from the original list I've pared things down considerably. Let's see, to begin with, I had Penelope Lively (Moon Tiger), Michael Ondaatje (The Cat's Table), Dorothy Sayers (finish The Nine Tailors), Andrew Miller (Pure), P.G. Wodehouse, Ruth Rendell, Andrew Taylor (Anatomy of Ghosts), Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen (finish Emma), Laurie King . . .
These decisions are really difficult. Of course if I don't choose wisely that will just give me an excuse to buy some books while I'm there, right? But as of today, the pile you see above contains the books that suit my mood at the moment.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, The Chevalier -- I really want to get back to reading the Morland Chronicles and a longish plane ride might be the perfect time to get back into this book which has been sitting by my bed for months.
Mary Stewart, This Rough Magic -- Mary Stewart is just dependably good. A good novel of romantic suspense sounds suitably absorbing for sitting in airports.
Barbara Ewing, Rosetta -- Reading Elizabeth Chadwick has whetted my appetite for historical fiction. This is set in 18th century London, Paris and Egypt.
Sophie Hannah, Little Face -- I've somehow managed to not read anything by Sophie Hannah yet, but I have heard many good things about her books. Another case of good suspense and perfect travel reading. I think this is her first book.
Natsuo Kirino, Grotesque -- I read her book, Out, several years ago and was quite impressed as well as very creeped out. I've wanted to read more of her work. At the moment she is almost a shoe-in, and I expect she'll end up in my backpack!
William Boyd, Any Human Heart -- I seem to be collecting Boyd's work, but I have yet to read any of it. This sounds really good and has the added bonus of being written in diary format.
Now to just whittle these down to three. Unless I cave in and bring four. I mean I won't have access to a computer so I'll need to spend those "hotel" hours doing something, right? Now of course I could take three books that I am/or will be currently reading, but it seems a proper vacation calls for new books (that's my story anyway, and I'm sticking to it).
Once August formally arrives the day after tomorrow, the real count down begins. Lots of planning to do still, but I think I've got reading material covered!