Summer Vacation Reading Smackdown

We are heading off on vacation soon. Since we are cheap Floridians, it will be at the beach once more. Our kids are still young enough to think this is cool and special. Plus, we like to stay put for the week. I cannot wait til the kids are older and ready to do more exploration... then mountains here we come.

One of the best things about the beach relaxation event is the summer read. While some like to try their hand at some heavy tome, or impress their family and other beachcombers of their theological and intellectual superiority, I go in another direction. Since I am not a big fan of present day novels and don't want to use the beach to try to dig through Philip Roth or 600 pages of Michael Chabon/ David Foster Wallace, I try to find something light enough for summer and interruptions and compelling enough to keep me engrossed and away from the telly.

I briefly considered Malcom Gladwell's Outliers, but I have an interest in the ministry/ pastoral implications of his hypothesis... so it is out. I also considered How to Win a Cosmic War by Resa Aslan. His first book, No god But God is a brilliant introduction to Islam. But, seriously, do I need to read a book on religion and defense policy on vacation? The other two considerations were David Plotz's The Good Book, in which this wonderful Slate Magazine writer basically blogs the Bible, from a secular Jewish perspective and The Lost City of Z, recommended by Plotz a few months ago on his podcast.

Alas, my decision was made by the 40% off coupon at Barnes and Nobles for The Lost City of Z, as part of a Father's Day sale. Plotz has lost out 2 straight time due to coupons for other books. maybe next time.

So, what makes The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon by David Gann so compelling? Well, besides the subtitle? The author digs into the history of the many searches for El Dorado in the Amazon, including a famous early 20th Century mission in which a world famous explorer disappears. The author, a writer for The New Yorker even goes looking for the city himself. Yeah, I know Brad Pitt bought the rights to the book and wants to star as the author, a regular shlubby Joe, but still, this could be fun. It has to be more interesting than Indiana Jones' search for the city last summer and it has a feel like a Jon Krakauer book.

personal update

We are heading to the beach for a few days beginning on Tuesday. It should be a fun time and it is a much needed respite. Since Kristi was pregnant during the summer, we did not vacation. So, we are needing time away.

I will be attempting to keep up with my fantasy football commitments*, but work is off the table. We will play with kids (and hopefully friends) and do very little. I am hoping to read The Year of Living Biblically during the week. It looks like a blast. I am also hoping to finish Brian McLaren's latest, Everything Must Change (started it 2 months ago- oops), which is his most important book (in many ways) and should be seen as the logical conclusion of a new way to do Christianity.

We will also try to keep up the latest additions to our media diet (we decided we could add 1 or 2 shows this year, since we only watch Thursday night comedies). We are loving Chuck and Pushing Daisies (actually, I am loving PD, while Kristi is putting up with it).

However, before leaving for Anna Maria Island (one of Florida's few remaining hidden gems) tomorrow, I will be flying to DC** for an interview with a great organization I hope to work for. I have been talking to this organization about a specific job for over a year and it is finally getting serious. Keep it in your prayers (if you do that sort of thing).

*after starting the season 0-2, I have rebounded with a tie and 3 straight wins- including a shellacking of the previous undefeated powerhouse. Go Mosquito Larvae!

** I will leave Tampa at 7AM, be interviewed at 10AM and catch a return flight at 1:45, hopefully landing in Tampa at 4:10 to leave for vacation a few minutes later.

music to vacation by

While much of the time we were on vacation the soundtrack we listened to was that of Mother Nature or family discussion, music was still a integral part of our trip to Sanibel. While at the beach, walking in nature or kayaking, music was not played, most of my/our time in the car or while I was rollerblading around the island (I cannot go for miles unless I am distracted).

Here is a sampling of what was played (many of these albums were not played in their entirety though). I will give comment for some of the music.

Arcade Fire Neon Bible
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Baby 81
Bonnie "Prince" Billy Greatest Palace Music (while composing small group email as dad watched The Unit)
The American Life podcast- #329 Nice work if you can get it (for trip to Sanibel)
DJ Shadow The Ultimate Collection (used while rollerblading)
Elvis Perkins Ash Wednesday (I come back to this often while in the car with family)
The Flaming Lips At War with the Mystics (a kid fave)
the Format EP
Franz Ferdinand You Could Have it So Much Better (good driving music)
The Gorillaz Feel Good, Inc (another kid fave)
Grinderman Grinderman (when very alone, either blading or driving)
Jane's Addiction Ritual de lo Habitual
The Killers Sam's Town (I knew Kristi would be okay with this early on the journey)
LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver (great for exercise)
Leonard Cohen Greatest Hits (good for composing emails and websurfing while dad is watching television loudly)
Lily Allen Alright Still
Love and Rockets Express
Low Drums and Guns
M.I.A. Arular
mewithoutyou Catch Us for the Foxes (not bad for exercise)
Neutral Milk Hotel In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Regina Spektor Begin to Hope (a family favorite)
The Replacements Pleased to Meet Me
Rilo Kelly The Execution of All Things
Thompson Twins Greatest Hits
Sunset Rubdown Shut Up I am Dreaming
Spiritualized Amazing Grace
Slate's Political Gabfest Podcast
Johnny Cash American V, At Folsom Prison, and Unearthed V (for the return trip driving with dad instead of wife and kids)
Pierce Pettis Chase the Buffalo, Tinseltown, and While the Serpent Lies Sleeping

As you can see, I went far back to old classics instead of only listening to the latest music. while on vacation it is nice to return to the familiar. Of course, the pressure was on finding the right 30gbs of music for the trip, knowing I could not add and subtract from the iPod while away from my extra drive.

a few pics from Sanibel

at the beach and Schnapper's