Congratulations! You won an all-expense[s]-paid trip to the location of the last book you read or are currently reading.
Where’s your vacation destination?
For the next 10 days feel free to explore.
Will you venture outside or stay locked in your hotel room? Why?
Looks like I’m staying in a Wild Western.
I’d probably go out and explore, but I’d make sure I had a gun or two underneath my voluminous skirts and perhaps a dagger in my boot.
Sounds fun, Nic!
I’ll be making the rounds of Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, with a side trip to Charlottesville, Virginia… definitely getting out-n-about at each stop… so much happening “back then” that will affect who we become and what we do – as Americans – even today (and not just because of a recent smash Broadway musical about one of the protagonists… ?)
It’ll take me all ten days (and maybe some) if I stay true to the time and make the circuit by coach or horse…
Sounds like a fascinating trip, George!
It’s Winston Groom’s last (and, alas, final), book, _The Patriots_ (Hamilton – duh -, Jefferson, and John Adams)… ?
Winston was from Point Clear, near my home town. Very nice guy.
Would that be Fairhope? My mom lives there, and is a neighbor of a woman who works at an awesome bookstore downtown…
Groom would do signings and sometimes just show up and squeeze his 6’-6” frame through the door…
SUE! What a great question. I am re-reading GRINGOS by Charles Portis which is set at least partially in Merida, Yucatan so…yes, I am out and about every day, most of the day. Have a terrific weekend, Sue and TKZers, wherever you are and whatever you may be doing.
Sounds exotic, Joe! Wishing you an amazing weekend full of adventure!
Fun question, Sue. I’m reading Debbie Burke’s FLIGHT TO FOREVER., so I’ve just busted out of a memory unit. I won’t be staying in that hotel room where they restrain you and give you major tranquilizers. I’ve made my way (with my spouse) to the wide open magnificent views of the Montana mountains and Bob Marshall Wilderness. Since my new hotel room is a fire lookout tower with a 360 degree panoramic view, I’ll be spending lots of time in my room, soaking in the beauty and majesty of the mountains, with the occasional hike and fishing in the mountain streams.
Oh, don’t come looking for me, or I’ll…I won’t tell you what I might do.
Hahaha. Read it. Loved it! Have fun, Steve!
Thanks, Sue!
Aw, Steve, thanks!!!
One caution: watch out for lightning strikes;)
I’m rereading an old book I pulled off my bookshelf. I’ve just come off the Orient-Express from London and am in Venice for a time of photography for a travel magazine, and several new and troubled friendships.
Ooh, sounds like a fun vacation, Lisa!
I’m staying at a quaint Iittle motel in Heaven’s Bay, North Carolina. I’ll be spending plenty of time on the beach, and will definitely check out the amusement pier, Joyland, that’s right nearby. Especially their dark, scary ride called Horror House. Rumor has it that one might be REALLY haunted. Can’t miss that!
I wouldn’t miss the Horror House, either, Gregg. Have fun! Sounds like you should be careful, too. 😉
Narnia. Definitely exploring! A talking beaver will be my guide.
Narnia! Can I climb inside your suitcase? I would love a talking beaver as a guide. 😀
Now there’s a place I’d like to go again. I’ll have to dust off those books and re-read.
I still look for passageways in closets.
🙂 🙂
If only. I’d go through in a heartbeat.
Natchez Trace in 1924. Not leaving my room.
Haha. Sounds like the right call, Terry!
I need to hurry up and find a different book. LOL! The last book I read was one of Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mysteries and they’re all set in turn of the century New York. I have no desire to visit New York at this or any other time so hopefully whomever granted me the all-expenses paid trip will let me pick something else–say a 10 day auto-tour of Montana, Wyoming or one of the other western states. 😎
I asked, Brenda, and your request is approved. Rain check granted. 😀
Thank you! LOL! 😎
Hmm. The Discworld. I guess I’ll be traveling, but I’ll be sure to pack up my sentient, many-footed Luggage for the trip.
Sounds like tons of fun, BJ!
This is fantastic, Sue!
Everone’s answers so far are really funny.
If I go by the last book I read (last night, as I was falling asleep), then I’m in trouble because it was my WIP. There’s a nasty battle happening on the docks of Port Blessing and I have a bad feeling the city is going to fall into the hands of the invaders.
Not what I’d call a great place to vacation. Zero stars. Won’t venture out!
The published work I had in my hands before that was an in-depth discussion on the Amazigh tribes of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. Now that would be an excellent destination to which I would very much like to return!
Ten stars: the people are so welcoming and the food is excellent! My “hotel room” is a felted goathair tent, I have an unparalleled view of the stars at night, and the music is delightful. Oh, and it’s almost date season here! The trees in the valleys are groaning with them. Don’t look for my return anytime soon!
Thanks, Cyn! I wouldn’t travel to my story worlds, either. Too dangerous. LOL
Morocco’s Atlas Mountains sound amazing, though! Can I come?
Sure, Sue! The more the merrier!
Colchester, England. I would enjoy the beautiful countryside, maybe take a side trip to Venice like the characters in A Dark Adapted Eye, an older title by Barbara Vine (Ruth Ware). Very genteel and with a body count – my favorite kind of mystery. So I would explore but make sure to check the closets and lock the doors before I went to sleep at night!
Haha. The countryside sounds beautiful, but be careful you’re not added to the body count, Margaret!
Noooooo! Back of the Bayou swamp! Why stay in? Because, alligators..
You had me at Bayou, Laura. I wouldn’t venture outside, either!
Happy Friday, Sue!
As it so happens, the location of the previous book I read, “Murder in an English Cottage,” is also the location of the current novel I’ve reading, “Death in a Stately Home.” Both novels are set in the fictional and quaint English village of Nether Woodsmoor, and are part of the delightful “Murder on Location” cozy mystery series by Sara Rosett. We can assume I’d go to Derbyshire, where Rosett did her own location scouting for the series 🙂
I’d absolutely venture outside. The U.K. has lifted all pandemic restrictions, but I’d do “carry away” (take out) for meals and mask up when in crowded areas. I’m fully vaccinated, but I’m a safety first person 🙂 I’d do my best to have a great time. Lots of opportunities for “rambling” (hiking) there, plus taking in the scenery and pleasant village life.
Happy Friday, Dale! Your vacation sounds delightful. Don’t forget to have a cuppa tea!
Great fun, Sue!
I recently finished The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. It’s a wonderful read, but I think I’ll put off a trip to India until after the pandemic.
On the other hand, I’m currently reading another one of John D. McDonald’s books, The Lonely Silver Rain, so I’ll opt for Fort Lauderdale. I’d like to get a look at the Busted Flush.
Not sure what the Busted Flush is, but it sounds like some sort of waterway. Have fun, Kay!
The Busted Flush is Travis McGee’s houseboat. He won it in a card game, thus the name. McDonald goes to great lengths to describe it in the books.
And maybe get an Uber ride from airport in Miss Agnes…?
Now that would be worth the trip in itself!
Looks like I’m going to Dune. Shoot. Hate spicy food. Not sure how I’ll get a pill for those sand worms. I’ll be staying indoors.
Hahaha. I’d probably stay inside, too, Ben. Be careful!
What? You don’t want to meet those fun-loving rascals of House Harkonnen?
They’d put me to work.
Hahaha, I’m reading a nonfiction book called A World Without Email by Cal Newport. I guess if I’m vacationing there, I’m inside a cubical office. I’m definitely venturing outside for some sightseeing!
A World Without Email sounds nice right about now, Priscilla. But I would venture outside, too, with all the added time I’d gain without an overflowing inbox. Have fun!
Oh dear . . . I’m currently reading our own JSB’s Romeo’s Way, making my way through the entire series. (And loving it, I might add!)
LA? Seriously? With all due respect to Mr. Bell, LA would be about the last place I’d choose in which to vacation. Lived in Santa Ana, Tustin, La Mirada, and Riverside from 1972-1980 before trekking back home to the PNW, just in time for Mt. St. Helens to belch.
Even so, I was glad to be back home, where there’s more dirt than concrete. 🙂
I prefer dirt to concrete, too, Deb. Even so, I’d love to visit LA some day. 😀
You’ll be needing a native guide . . .
I choose Mr. & Mrs. B!
Wow! 5th century Britain. Rereading ‘The Coming of the King’ by Nikolai Tolstoy.
Ooh, sounds like a fascinating vacation, Steven!
Chicago. Only it’s 1929 and I just checked into the downtown Pendry Hotel in the Carbide and Carbon Building. Slipping into the trench coat and fedora, now me and the Tommygun gotta go checkin’ out speakeasies. Gangstas and femme fatales beware! Old Garry’s back in town.
Haha. Reading the ol’ WIP, eh? Sounds like a fun vacation, Garry! Maybe Rita can be a flapper. 😉
The good news is it’s on an island off the Georgia coast near Jekyll’s Island. The bad news is it’s been deserted by the owners for a hundred years because it’s haunted by a bunch of evil rich guys whose hobby was to chase servant girls and murder them. So, “The Most Dangerous Game” mixed with THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES with a bit of mythic Wild Hunt thrown in. If it’s all the same to the moderator, I think I’ll rent a condo at Holden Beach, NC, or stay home.
Splurge for the condo, Marilynn! 😀
I’m reading Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts which means I’m living post-plague with an ancient sorcerer/teacher in the woods (but I am magickal, so there is that) while being prepared to save humanity.
Where I’d rather be is in a humble little beach house back home in an isolated spot on the Gulf of Mexico that just came on the market for 3 million (it’s 2 bedroom 1 bath). It was built by a World War I veteran who knew his terrain because the countless hurricanes that have plowed though haven’t touched it. If someone buys it and turns it into hideous condos I will hunt them down and obliterate them.
I like to think it’s waiting for me to come home.
The Gulf of Mexico sounds delightful, Cynthia! You could use your magical powers to transport you there. 😉
I’ll give you the major locations and let you figure out the book. Shouldn’t be hard, if you read it:
New York, Las Vegas and Amsterdam. Lots of places to go in all three cities. I’ve visited all three cities, of course. I’d go to the Rijksmuseum again, and put a roll of quarters thru a slot. NYPL, too.
I don’t think I’ve read the book, J, but it sounds like a terrific vacation. 😀
Since I mentioned The Thornbirds here a while back, I decided to read it again. I’m on a sheep station in Australia, and I would be going every day to experience the place. Taking hundreds of pictures and jotting copious amounts of notes, I believe I could take advantage of the wonderful opportunity.
Oh, I would love to try sheep-shearing, Becky. Sounds like a fun vacation!
On one of the windswept Shetland Islands, stumbling over dead bodies. I suspect I’ll venture out as fast as possible when the killer kicks down the door. Can I count running across the moors and through the woods as my exercise for the day?
Absolutely, Suzanne! Hahaha. Be careful out there!
It would be Yokohama Japan as I am reading Ian Flemming’s “You Only Live Twice”.
Definitely going out as it is 1960’s Japan, so a different place and time. Although the descriptions mention a perpetual layer of dust everywhere due to the constant post war building.
Oddly, I’d be pretty much where I am now, near Brighton in West Sussex, only 70 years ago. And I’d love to see what the place looked like back in the day.
Last week, I was in Prague (“Melmoth”). I’m staying in my hotel room. It’s way too scary out there!
This week, I’m hanging out in early 1970s Baltimore with fourteen-year-old “Mary Jane.” What a hoot!
Fun topic! I wish I’d seen this yesterday. I’ll be spending my vacation on a far flung space station as I’m currently reading Exit Strategy by Martha Wells. This is part of the Murderbot Diaries series. Murderbot: a rogue security unit (robot) with a penchant for watching media and dealing with troublesome humans. Funny.