#502 Reading on the MV Explorer

Today is our second April 12 on the MV Explorer and the post for this bonus day is about reading.

With bonus time, I like to read.  There are lots of ways (libraries, book shops, web sites) to get just the right book into your hands no matter where you are.  Here is a list of some recent reading:

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
HOW: Purchased this paperback at Charlottesville’s Barnes & Noble before setting sail.
WHY: To prepare to lead a shipboard discussion group.
Greg Mortenson tells the story of his attempts to build schools for girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Gone Tomorrow by P F Kluge
HOW: Borrowed this novel from UVA library before setting sail.
WHY: To prepare for sailing with the author.
George Canaris, a novelist, has been teaching at a small Ohio college for 30 years while everyone waits for his next great novel.

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
HOW: Purchased from Amazon and downloaded to my Kindle.
WHY: To set the mood while sailing up the great River Amazon.
Backed by tons of archival research, this book documents Roosevelt’s attempt to explore Brazil’s River of Doubt from its source.

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
HOW: Downloaded this free book to my Kindle.
WHY: To read a seafaring tale while at sea.
The full title of this boys’ adventure story is Kidnapped: Being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751: How he was Kidnapped and Cast away; his Sufferings in a Desert Isle; his Journey in the Wild Highlands; his acquaintance with Alan Breck Stewart and other notorious Highland Jacobites; with all that he Suffered at the hands of his Uncle, Ebenezer Balfour of Shaws, falsely so-called: Written by Himself and now set forth by Robert Louis Stevenson. The title says it all.

Jane Austen’s Sailor Brothers by J. H. Hubback
HOW: Downloaded this free book to my Kindle.
WHY: To learn something about Jane and connect it to this voyage.
The inclusion of sailors in Jane’s novels Mansfield Park and Persuasion came from the inspiration of her two brothers Charles and Frank who served many years in the Navy.

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin
HOW: Purchased this novel at a Cape Town book shop.
WHY: To read an African story while in Africa.
Angel Tungaraza is a specialty cake baker from Tanzania with many skills besides baking. She reminds me of Mma Precious Ramotswe. I await Parkin’s 2nd novel.

The African Queen by C.S. Forester
HOW: Borrowed this adventure story from the shipboard library.
WHY: To read an African story while in Africa.
Just like in the Katharine Hepburn movie, Rose and Charlie Allnutt fall in love as they travel down the Ulanga River in German Central Africa on The African Queen headed toward Lake Wittelsbach and their goal to torpedo the Louisa.

A Passage to India by E. M. Forster
HOW: Borrowed this novel from the shipboard library.
WHY: To read an Indian novel while in India.
Despite all odds, a British teacher and an Indian doctor become friends in British-occupied Chandrapore. And despite a false accusation and numerous misunderstandings, the two remain friends though arguing their politics to the end.

Bala Takes the Plunge by Melvin Durai
HOW: Purchased this paperback at Higginbotham’s book shop in Chennai.
WHY: To read an Indian novel while in India.
In this short, funny, Indian novel, Bala dreams of making Tamil films and directing his favorite Bollywood actor -- a dream that leads him, naturally, to study engineering in college and move to the US.

Piggies on the Railway by Smita Jain
HOW: Purchased this paperback at Higginbotham’s book shop in Chennai.
WHY: To read an Indian novel while in India.
Set in Bombay, this murder mystery is a fun read with lots of references to India places and Bollywood actors.

The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party by Alexander McCall Smith
HOW: Purchased at the Kinokuniya book shop in Singapore (maybe the greatest book store in the world).
WHY: I can't pass up the opportunity to find out what's happening with Mma Ramotswe - especially since it is not yet even available at home.  
Mma Ramotswe solves some mysteries and participates in the happy wedding of her assistant Mma Grace Makutsi.

Lonely Planet Taiwan.
HOW: Purchased this travel guide from Amazon and downloaded to my Kindle.
WHY: As a result of our in-transit decision to visit Taiwan instead of Japan, we need quick access to Taiwan travel info.
There is much more to Taiwan than visiting the world's second tallest building.

The Luck of the Bodkins by P G Wodehouse
HOW: Purchased this paperback at Higginbotham’s book shop in Chennai.
WHY: To enjoy the comic genius of Wodehouse writing about a cruise ship crossing the ocean while crossing the ocean.
“This is Wodehouse afloat – a voyage of pure delight.” - from the book cover.

Yours in connecting travel with reading,  
Mary