Readings

I picked up The Best American Travel Writing 2004 on my way home from work yesterday. Normally I wouldn't even consider such a book, it being too unfocused with short pieces that are published in magazines and on the net. It was just that there's not a lot in the way of exciting travel books out there right now, at least not at the local borders. If you're into Italy (see post on Tuscan stuff), then you're set but if you want a good book about Patagonia, the list is short and I've covered the majority of it (or in the case of the local Borders, all of it). I've read three stories now and I have to say they are really really good. The main reason I got the book is because the table of contents lists a story by Tim Cahill, who is relatively funny, and certainly a better writer than his buddy Robert Young Pelton who is awful! More importantly the story is about a trip to Patagonia. Of course, that was the first one I read. It was great. Immediately after that I read The Screenwriter's Vacation by Richie Chevat. I thought it was hilarious. You can read it online too. Some other stuff at the McSweeneys.net site is good too so I'm adding it my list of links.