Tell us about your favorite vacation book-buying experience, or a favorite book you bought while on vacation?

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Several years ago I made a trip from Seattle to New England. One of my must see destinations was Amherst, MA, home of Emily Dickinson. Made the tour of her home, went to the cemetery where she is buried and then found a lovely bookstore in the downtown section. There I bought a complete book of her poems plus a little volume by John E. Walsh, This Brief Tragedy, Unraveling the Todd-Dickinson Affair. These books are ones I still treasure, both for their content and for the happy memories of a special trip.

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Our book club always go to PA for a week at the end of August. There is the best used book store just a mile for so from where we stay in Derry. The first time I went I spent $90.00. That way on Wednesday. Then our husbands joined us on Friday morning. Unknown to my husband that I had already been there he says "Honey let me take you to your favorite used book store." I am not dumb and so I replied "Sure, honey let's go." There we spent another $30.00. And then we went to Latrobe and visited Barnes and Noble. I was a happy camper, er, vacationer that week. I am still trying to find place for all the books I bought. LOL.

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We were in Port Townsend, Washington. I was browsing a used bookstore there and came across one of my first Charles de Lint titles, Svaha. I had previously read one of CdL's "urban fantasies" and this book was something 
entirely different. It made an enthralling summer read, and a great addition to my library.

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My most recent favorite book bought on vacation is Farm Fatale by Wendy Holden. Very funny and well written.

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I always go to a used book store in Heyward, WI......can't even tell you the name of it, but it's always there........friendly owners always ready to help, suggest, and laugh. I also stop at the library in Cable, WI. They usually have a book cart of used books for sale. It's always nice to look at what they have on their shelves and make notes for books I want to check out from my library when I return home. 

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went into a used bookstore on Cape Cod (Ocean of Books By The Sea in Wellfleet) and found several baseball books, my favorite kind. The old man at the counter had read several of them, and we talked about them. It was very nice to have a conversation with this person, and learn a little more about what I had gotten.

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Hi! I was on Catalina and starting to read the meaning of life by the Dali Lama and his book of Wisdom. I take it to work and read it when I need some inspiration to do better.

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I was vacationing with a friend on Lake Michigan and needed something to read. We went into a little local bookshop, and I stumbled upon a book called Two Old Women. It's a short but powerful read that takes place in Alaska about two old women who have been abandoned by their tribe to fend for themselves in the midst of a severe winter famine. These two women are unforgettable!

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This summer I took my mother and aunt to a family reunion in the panhandle of Texas. On the way back to central Texas we stopped at an old railroad depot, now restaurant, in Quanah, Texas. There I bought The Last Comanche Chief, the story of Quanah Parker, the son of a Comanche Indian and a white captive.

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I am here in Naples Florida, on a week's vacation. While in Barnes & Noble two nights ago I bought Alice Sebold's novel THE LOVELY BONES. I haven't been able to put it down since buying it. I recommend this book to air travelers, beach goers, and all thoughtful readers wherever they may be. Sebold has, in this her first novel, raised life questions and provided answers that remind the reader, at least this reader, of the beauty and joy of connections between people, regardless of life's circumstances. Sebold reminds us again, that we do walk through the "valleys of death" and come out to the light of the other side. This is the best book that I've read in years. It truly is a "must read."

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Last year (2001) I spent from September to January traveling Europe. Of course being in many different foreign countries it was impossible to buy any books that I could read. (I only know English.) During my Thanksgiving Holiday I went to London, England. Since they speak English (of a sort), I had to check out the book shops. While there I saw the newest book for one of the fantasy series I read. Terry Goodkind's "Sword of Truth" series. I had been waiting for this book to come out in paperback, which I prefer for actual reading (then I get the hardback to look pretty on my shelves). It was one of the best of the series so far. It was a great book to have when traveling on the planes and trains for the remainder of my journeys.

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Every summer my husband and I go to Boothbay Harbor, Maine for a few days. While there, one of my favorite places to visit is the library located on the town green. They sell old books (donations) and I have found some wonderful treasures for as little as ten cents. Last summer I brought home a copy of Moonraker's Bride by Madeleine Brent, and this summer I picked up Calico Palace by Gwen Bristow (both OOP). Can't wait until next summer to see what I'll discover there! 

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I have two great experiences that occurred within the last year. The first was in Door County, Wisconsin. I always have to check out all the book stores. I check out local directories, etc. Well, I was not looking for a book store one rainy afternoon --- I was looking for a craft store. I got directions mixed up and stumbled upon a delightful store off the 'beaten path.' It was a lake cabin/home that had been changed into a book store. The decorating was quaint, the lighting warm and cozy, and the book seller delightful to visit with. I found several Norwegian books --- one of short stories by women authors and one of fables. I am of Norwegian heritage and look for books about Norway, it's culture, and fiction. I also found two Joyce Carol Oates books to add to my collection --- I am a big fan. Even if I hadn't bought any books which rarely happens when I enter a store. My time in the store was wonderful. The bookshelves had artifacts and the walls had pictures and paintings and the reading nooks were so comfy that just spending time in that environment was great.

The second experience took place in Duluth, MN on a retreat with my Classics Book Club. We stayed in a condo on the North Shore near Two Harbors. The weekend was magical. We went too a book store that was a mansion converted into 4 floors of books. Each room and each level held wonders. There was a store dog who greeted us and then laid down and let us go about our business. I bought a volume of Bulfinch's Mythology that is somewhat worn, but the binding is in great shape-it has character and I love wondering about who used to own it. I found two fiction books by Norwegian authors-a beautiful hardbound edition of Giants in the Earth which was required reading my Freshman year in college and I have loved it ever since. I have several editions of that book and it is always fun to find another. The other book was by Sigrid Unset whom I love.

I guess I go for atmosphere and unique settings and books with character --- interesting to hold, smell, look at. The book chains are too sterile and populist --- those book stores in unique settings are treasures.

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I was on vacation in New York City. I met up with a Bookacinno chatter who had been part of our morning chat for a long time. What a sweetheart, she took me to The Strand and also to the Housing Project Book Store among others in NYC! Found a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird to reread just in time for the TKAM chat. But the experience at The Strand ... there is no place like it! And then to top it off lunch at Katz's deli....what a glorious day.

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I was in Martha's Vineyard, MA. It was a rainy day so I decided to go to the wonderful bookstore on the island, Bunch of Grapes. It was filled with people browsing, chatting, reading. Strangers chatted with each other about books and recommended ones that they'd read. It was such a cozy and friendly way to spend what could have been a boring, depressing rainy non-beach day.

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This summer one of the many books I have read was "Trading Roses" by Lisa Wingate. It was fufilling and interesting to read. I read tons of romance novels, as I am a Mira subscriber. At least 4 a month. Can't tell what's my favorite there, but Carla Neggers is a favorite author. Thanks for letting me share.

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I once went on a driving vacation from St. Louis, MO to Atkinson, KS for the sole purpose of visiting the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. Her grandparents home (where she spent a good portion of her early childhood) has been preserved as a historical museum. Atkinson is a smallish town and I was pleasantly surprised to discover a book store that specialized in books by and about Amelia Earhart. I spent more money on books than I did for the hotel and traveling expenses of the trip. It was superb to find so many wonderful books on my heroine.

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The best book I ever bought on the way to a vacation was Too Many Cooks by Rex Stout. I was 12 years old, and it was the first mystery novel I had ever read.

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I bought The Red Tent while waiting for a plane. Loved it.

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My favorite book buying experience on vacations is to find a USED bookstore in the town where I am...and find what treasures they may have in store for me! Those out-of-print books, etc. It's like a treasure hunt!

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While in New Hope, Pennsylvania I stopped in a charming bookstore: Farley's which is an independent store, not one of the mega chains (sorry B & N). There I encountered the book by Van Reid called Cordelia Underwood. It turned out to be a quirky mystery with unforgettable characters. I have since bought the next two in the series. By the way, it is a New York Times notable book. 

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While visiting family in Birmingham, AL in late May early June, I purchased Married But Still Looking by Travis Hunter. I read this book in two days and really enjoyed it. So much so that when my niece called me and told me their was a book signing and reception for him on the 28th of July. I've decided to go back to Birmingham to attend it. This was my first read by Travis, I've ordered his first book Hearts of Men and waiting for his third book. Travis has become one of my favorite male authors.

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While I was on vacation I pulled a tendon in my calf, hurt my leg pretty badly. I was in great pain, so I made a visit to the emergency room, where they took x-rays and gave me a lovely pain pill which help a lot. Next day was my monthly book group meeting. After we'd done some snacking and sipped champagne (well, I had a few, I guess) we chose Franzen's The Corrections as our next book. Our hostess had a paperback advanced copy of the book and sold it to me for $10, good deal! One week later I visited my favorite book store in San Francisco and told my friend I needed the book. She found it in the store, and I admit I dismayed when I saw a hardcover book with the Oprah seal emblazoned on the cover. I went to the register and said to the clerk, "Isn't this in paperback? I'm just sure I held this book, in paperback, in my hand, just last Sunday!" I'd completely forgotten I already owned the book! The salesclerk assured me, after looking it up on her computer, that the book would not be out in paperback until September. I paid the $26.00, but when I came home I called my best friend and told her the story. "I could have sworn I saw that book in paperback at book group," I said. "You did!" she answered, "You bought it, you goof!"

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I brought "She's Come Undone" on vacation with me and it was the perfect book. I couldn't put it down, found it thought provoking and entertaining at the same time. Delores Price is a character you will never forget and she will change your life forever. I highly recommend this book.