Poll: Pick My In-Flight Reading

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Poll: Pick My In-Flight Reading

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Feb. 14th, 2016 at 4:31 PM

At the end of the month, I have to take a two-day business trip: flying in early one morning, flying out the next day. This entails a total of about 8 hours air travel, plus plenty of sitting around in airports and on public transit. Since it's such a short trip, I'll want to pack very light, but I also want to have something to read on the plane. How should I reconcile these warring impulses?

Poll #2036847

Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All. Participants: 14

What should I bring to read on the plane?

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One of the giant books I'm already reading. It might be heavy, but at least I won't run out!

6(24.0%)

TWO giant books, just in case!

3(12.0%)

A bunch of these crumbling Christies I have; they're light and in such bad condition I can just abandon them when I'm done

9(36.0%)

Just bring a blank notebook, and write your own magical adventure!! (it will probably be lists of things to do when I get home)

5(20.0%)

Bring nothing, and throw myself on the mercy of the airport bookstore

0(0.0%)

Something compact that I already know I like

2(8.0%)

BOOKS ARE FOR THE WEAK; immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the airport instead

0(0.0%)

Something else (please elaborate in a comment)

0(0.0%)

( 16 comments — Leave a comment )

osprey_archer

Feb. 14th, 2016 10:38 pm (UTC)

I vote for the crumbling Christies. Abandoning them when you're done will free up space in your bag should you happen to find any new books to buy on your trip. :)

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evelyn_b

Feb. 14th, 2016 11:48 pm (UTC)

This is a compelling argument for the crumbling Christies! There will be bookstores (more than one, even!) and I hope to have enough time to go to one or two.

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osprey_archer

Feb. 15th, 2016 12:15 am (UTC)

Ooooh, bookstores! No trip is complete without at least one visit to a bookstore.

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gillo

Feb. 14th, 2016 11:11 pm (UTC)

A Kindle app may be the way forward.

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evelyn_b

Feb. 14th, 2016 11:51 pm (UTC)

You'd think! But I didn't put it on the list because it's actually less likely than bringing no books at all. I like the idea of the Kindle in theory, but I've tried it in several versions and it just doesn't work for me.

(Well, and knowing my own clumsiness, I'd probably just accidentally drop it in front of a luggage trolley on Day One. Paper books are durable).

Edited at 2016-02-14 11:53 pm (UTC)

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gillo

Feb. 15th, 2016 12:04 am (UTC)

That's why I was thinking Kindle app on your phone, plus free/dirt cheap books (Gutenberg has loads.) A decent backup if you run out of paper books.

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evelyn_b

Feb. 15th, 2016 12:07 am (UTC)

Oh, I see! I don't have the kind of phone you can read things on.

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a_phoenixdragon

Feb. 15th, 2016 01:42 am (UTC)

I always make sure I'm covered. Because boredom. People don't like me when I'm bored, lol!!

*HUGS*

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evelyn_b

Feb. 16th, 2016 12:32 am (UTC)

:) I do all right with boredom, but will definitely feel guilty for "wasting" prime reading time if I don't have some books with me.

Edited at 2016-02-16 12:32 am (UTC)

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sue_bursztynski

Feb. 15th, 2016 04:45 am (UTC)

I bought my iPad in the first place because I can write AND take hundreds of books with me.But if you don't have an electronic device that becomes difficult. Take one book and a light notebook and pen to write your own fiction if the novel runs out. Don't lug two giant books - come on, it's two days and if worse comes to worst, you can always buy a book on the other end. It's amazing what I've found in airport bookshops.

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evelyn_b

Feb. 16th, 2016 12:45 am (UTC)

We'll see! The crumbling Christies are winning the day in the poll at least, and I like the idea of shedding books as I go and bringing new ones back.

But there's always a tug in the other direction. I know I'll regret it at least a little bit if I don't have Proust with me, and also that I'll regret it about exactly as much if I do. :)

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bearshorty

Feb. 15th, 2016 11:26 am (UTC)

I can't vote in on a phone app, so commenting here instead. I vote for old Christies. That way you are not lugging and you can lighten your load after finishing them. And they would be fun books to pass the time with.

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evelyn_b

Feb. 16th, 2016 12:47 am (UTC)

Old Christies are probably going to take the field. They are all books I haven't read before, some with poor reputations (They Came to Baghdad is supposed to be bad, if I remember correctly) and they are very light and small.

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liadtbunny

Feb. 15th, 2016 03:51 pm (UTC)

I voted Christies, although I would pack a notebook and pen too, just in case inspiration strikes.

Personally, I don't get on with reading for a long time on a tablet/phone screen and reading for several hours straight would kill my eyes! I like my kobo touch which is a "grey screen" reader. Also it has greyscale internet and rubbish games on it. I would take a couple of light books too in case it broke down as I don't trust technology.

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evelyn_b

Feb. 16th, 2016 01:01 am (UTC)

Notebook and pen should probably go without saying, as I always need to write things down (even if it's just the address of wherever I'm staying). And a pencil, in case the pen leaks all over my fingers with the change in air pressure! But I usually forget to bring a pencil.

I'm glad you have a reader that works for your eyes! Eye strain can be a big problem for me, too, and greyscale sounds soothing.

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wordsofastory

Feb. 16th, 2016 08:00 pm (UTC)

Haha, I was also going to suggest an ereader, but I see that won't work for you! they've been a lifesaver for me; I do a lot of long travelin, several months at a time, and there's no way to fit enough books for that into my luggage. But one little ereader and I can have hundreds and hundreds of books in something that's hardly bigger than a deck of cards! But I don't mean to preach to someone who's not convinced. Disposable books are also a great suggestion!

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( 16 comments — Leave a comment )

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