Solus wrote on May 18^th, 2013 at 1:47pm:


It's hard to keep up with technology.  Thanks for pointing this out, Solus.  The Paperwhite might be just the thing.  And yes, there is nothing like being socked in, sitting under the tarp by the fire with hot (fortified) cuppa and a good book.

I usually take a book or two and now take a basic Kindle. The charge is good for a couple of weeks (Kerry, the new "paperwhite" claims 8 weeks of battery life) of heavy reading (though on a really cold trip it does not last as well), certainly more than I will read. I admit I find a certain guilty pleasure in being wind or rain bound making a chaise lounge with my pfd, a cup of coffee and some well-crafted bit of prose.

I always bring a book for those "just in case" times.

I always take one or two small books altho I seldom get a chance to read and sometimes in 10-14 days do not even open them up.  The subjects have to do with where I am at, what I am doing, like wildflower guide or some fur trader's journeys along the MN/Ontario border, etc.  I have taken larger books but between the weight and the fact I might never get around to reading, I've given that up.

When my wife and I do our annual 3 week trip we generally take 3 or 4 books between us.  I fish, my wife doesn't so she reads 3 books to my one.  Still, 3 or 4 books can add up weight and bulk-wise so I looked into an e-reader as a possible solution.  The problem for us is that a fully charged e-reader might make it for 5 or 6 days before it needs re-charging.  It's not like you can carry extra batteries so that more or less put the kibosh on e-readers for us.  If it weren't for the charging problem, it would be a great solution.  For shorter trips it might make sense except for shorter trips you'd probably only take one book, so what's the gain?

I took a book on my iPod touch on a canoe trip once, and found that the battery lasted for about five days, but I didn't read a lot.  It was very small, lightweight and made for some pleasant reading.  I might do it again some time.  I like reading books on the iPod, such as on a plane, or in the car.  It is very light to hold, and the night reading setting is easy on the eyes.

We always take a couple of small paperbacks, and exchange them when we are done.  Kent Krueger books are favorites, or something light--grisly murder mysteries are favorites.  Not something we would read at home and nothing serious. 

Always ALWAYS bring reading material - usually a couple of smallish books that support the theme of my retreat (if there is one).  I also bring a book of the hardest crossword puzzles I can find.

I journal everyday.  I bring along a beat-up paperback.  Unless it is an oldie-but-goodie, I use pages I'm finished with as fire-starter.  Generally don't read much, though, unless it's a windbound day.

Jimbo   

I prefer a collection of short stories book rather than a novel. I don't plan on reading much, mostly try and journal everyday. But I have found it nice on wind-bound days.

i checked the never have enough time box - which is mostly true, but if I had more time for leisure, I'd spend it fishing or exploring the lakes, or paddling farther, rather than reading a book.  besides, books are heavy.

I brought a book with me on a climbing trip to Joshua Tree NP this April - I'm always the first one up in the morning, but my climbing partner is the last one to crawl out of his tent - book came in handy waiting an hour or more for him to get his ass in gear.   so I can see where having some reading material on a group trip might come in handy.