With a week to go until I hit the highways, I've started to consider my book list. Here's what's coming to mind so far:
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer--required summer reading for school, but it looks like it might be pretty good anyway.
The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian--a book I picked for my book club. Early feedback is that it is terrible. Thanks, anyway, Jenny Hatton.
The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey--I loved reading this last summer. When I think of the Four Corners states, I now think of Edward Abbey's take on them. Although I'm pretty sure I've dismissed the idea, I was considering visiting the Glen Canyon Dam just because of this book. This is, I think, the one book that my friend Jon Poto has ever recommended to anybody.
The Fool's Progress: An Honest Novel by Edward Abbey--I don't own this yet, but it looks like a good road trip book if ever there was one.
Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather--Classic picture of the desert Southwest that I think I enjoyed for more than just its descriptions. Perhaps I should also take the middle portion of Cather's The Professor's House, the only section I recommend to anybody. One or both of these novels were recommended by Liz Perry years ago.
Blue Highways by William Least Heat-Moon--I really liked large parts of this book, and it might be worthwhile to review what he had to say about places I'll be seeing. I also might pick up his newest book, Roads to Quoz: An American Mosey, if it's in paperback.
Rand McNally 2011 Road Atlas--an obvious pick for those who eschew the infernal dashboard GPS. There aren't many reads more worthwhile than a book of maps, I think.
That's all I've got in my head right now. I am, of course, open to suggestions if you've got any. I'm especially looking for some non-fiction on water and development in the Southwest. Three readers on Amazon.com seem to like Visions in the Desert: Carl Hayden and Hydropolitics in the American Southwest, but it looks pretty dry. (Guffaw! Tres bon mot!)
How come no one comments on your blog posts, Carbon?
ReplyDeleteI think I'm writing to myself, for the most part. I don't think anybody reads the tripe I compose.
ReplyDeleteHi corbett I'm using my new droid voice recognition system Let's see how well it works I really like your last blog post Particularly the use of the word the fall it means the fall win 8 g g a f f hold on a minute g u f f a w this voice recognition thing is awesome !
ReplyDeleteYou'll enjoy the Wyoming through Utah drive. It's a pretty drive with such contrasting colors and scenes. The red rocks of Utah to the bluish hills in Wyoming.
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