Happy Trails to You

"Fasten your seat belt; it's going to be a bumpy night."

Margo Channing (Bette Davis) "All About Eve"

I don't like to fly.

Why not, you may ask.

It's the total loss of control; it's the announcement of a cruising altitude of (gulp) 30,000 feet; turbulence; tiny bathrooms; ice that always tastes stale; the kid who kicks the back of my seat; it's the air mask demonstration; and again, turbulence.

It's the dreaded middle seat.

Yes, I know that statistically I am in more danger in a car. (However, I read that if we flew as often as we drive, the stats would certainly be different. These are things I try to NOT think about while driving to the airport)

And, grudgingly, I admit I enjoy arriving in Florida or New York a few hours after leaving my driveway. It is a thrill to see a familiar, much-loved face smiling at me, waiting for me.

But during the flight, I usually bury myself in a book and don't look up until the plane touches down. I look for suspense authors who will keep my mind occupied during the flight. It is no surprise that these authors always seem to be front and center at any airport bookstore. I take that as a sign that I am not alone with my white knuckles, fluttering heart and bouts of boredom.

These authors are good travel companions:

Harlan Coben - I haven't read any of his Myron Bolitar series, preferring to read thrilling novels such as Tell No One or No Second Chance.

Tess Gerritsen - Her books are suspenseful and at times, creepy. Try Bloodstream, Life Support or the Rizzoli & Isles series.

Nelson DeMille - A prolific writer, it is difficult to choose a few of his many titles. If DeMille is new to you, I recommend Charm School, which transports readers back to the Cold War, complete with a KGB conspiracy; and Word of Honor, an examination of the subsequent lives of men accused of committing an atrocity in Vietnam.

Michael Crichton - The king of the suspense novel. The late author's influence is still felt in books and on television. On flights, bring along Congo, Andromeda Strain or Sphere.

Stephen King - Okay, maybe you don't want to add to the tension while flying, but the longtime author of thrillers promises keeping your mind occupied with his classics - Carrie, Green Mile or Misery.

Buckle up!

Independents' Day

in.de.pend.ent. adj. Free from influence, guidance or control of others; self-reliant.


Movies may come to mind when you hear John Sayles' name. But books? Back in the 1970s, the future independent film director was writing short stories and novels. Check out his collection of short stories, "Anarchists' Convention." Not surprisingly, his films, including "Secret of Roan Inish", "Eight Men Out" and "Matewan" are all character-driven stories. Not a car chase or a green screen special effect to be seen.


An idea for a book had been kicking around in Sayles' mind and when a strike hit the entertainment industry a few years ago, he took that time off to return to writing and completed "A Moment in the Sun." A massive 968 pages, the book is a sweeping look at the world in the late 1800s. Fictional characters mingle with actual historic figures such as Mark Twain and Joseph Pulitzer.

Sayles discovered that selling a highly independent (and long) book had the same troubles as selling a highly independent film. Does the book industry believe that Americans, in general, no longer have the patience or attention span for a long and serious book? Enter McSweeney's publishing house which was founded by Dave Eggers, an author himself. At last, the book saw the light of day and was published this past summer.

When it was time for Sayles to tour for "A Moment in the Sun" he chose independent book stores from coast-to-coast. He and his partner, Maggie, set off to drive across America in a rented Prius and shared their adventures in a blog:


http://johnsaylesbaryo.blogspot.com


Visiting an independent bookstore is a good way to get to know a city. Make some time to kick back in a leather chair, have a cup of coffee or glass of wine, and thumb through a few books at any of these fine establishments. Buy a book, too!


*Tattered Cover - Denver (three locations). The 16th Street at Wynkoop location has wooden floors, scarred leather furniture and almost endless rooms. In other words, a perfect bookstore.

*Strand - New York City. The ad said 18 miles of books. I thought it was hyperbole until I stepped inside. Now I think they may have underestimated the mileage!

*City Lights - San Francisco. It felt like walking into a shrine. And the shop is a shrine of sorts, dedicated to books and ideas. (above photo - City Lights)

*Prairie Lights - Iowa City, IA. The shining star of Iowa City, which is also a UNESCO City of Literature. IC is the home to the famed University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. (Trivia question: can you name any of the other UNESCO Cities of Literature? See answer below)

*Powell's - Portland, OR. A really good travel agent will suggest trying a bottle of wine from one of Oregon's excellent wineries (I suggest Chehalem), and a walk through Powell's.


While roaming around bookstores, look for these books by John Sayles:


A Moment in the Sun
Anarchists' Convention (short stories)
Union Dues
Pride of the Bimbos
Thinking in Pictures
Los Gusanos
Dillinger in Hollywood (short stories)


The reading community of Nashville has a new patron saint. Author Ann Patchett (State of Wonder, Bel Canto) was so upset that her city would be left without an indy bookstore that she is now the co-owner of Parnassus, which opened in November 2011. Thank you, Ann!!





>>UNESCO's Cities of Literature: Dublin, Ireland; Edinburgh, Scotland; Melbourne, Australia; Reykjavik, Iceland and Iowa City, USA<<