10 Travel Literature Resolutions for 2010

Yes, I’m still taking a break.  I just dropped by to assure you that there is nothing hidden in my underwear… (NOTE 5/15/2010: You may have lost the context of that reference. It is to a would-be bomber who allegedly had explosives in his underwear as he boarded a plane.)

Since part of the bloggers’ pledge requires doing lists of travel resolutions toward the beginning of the New Year, I’ll fill in with a travel literature list for A Traveler’s Library, and some links to what others are saying about Resolutions for Travelers. Even though time is flying so fast, that I could have sworn we were about to celebrate 2001, I have rearranged the numbers, and bravely plunge into 2010.

A Proclamation

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED:

1. To stretch my mind–read novels, and other books set in places that I have not already put on my wish list of destinations. Like, you know… Bulgaria?

2. To never, never, never complain about or to the people whose job it is to make travel safe. Thank you TSA workers.

3. To share my personal travel experiences at least once a week.

4. To take more careful notes and talk to more people when I travel.

5. To provide four value-filled posts per week.

6. To be selective in the books and movies presented. If a book that is sent to me by a publisher does NOT inspire travel or inform the traveler about a particular place or people, we will NOT talk about it here.

7. To present more interviews with authors of travel literature and travel that inspires travel. Let them do the talking for a change.

8. To find out what you are thinking by asking you in a poll. (Coming in January.)

9. To construct an e-newsletter that will bring extra information to subscribers.

10. To be flexible–in travel planning, in reading, in blogging, in life.

Proclamations

Here are some other resolution lists I liked:

Travel and Leisure’s list, serious, if not stern.

Venere, the European hotel finder, has five modest suggestions.  I particularly liked, “Suppport the local economy” anywhere in the world. Eat at Mom & Pop places or at a farmer’s market. Buy from area craftsmen.

The Traveler’s Notebook, writing at Matador, suggests reading books and watching movies about travel as one of their 12 resolutions. Right on!

And, finally, The London Times Online never lets me down. Not only do they propose six principles to follow in travel, but also suggest specific places to go to fulfill the resolutions. (Just wish I could get to Morocco as cheaply as the Brits can.)

Although I vaguely recall something being mentioned about a visit with Dorothy Parker, I’m afraid she’s been celebrating early and has a hangover. She begs to delay her appearance until January 18, Martin Luther King Day. (Therein lies a tale.) At that time we will discuss a fine travel book about Dorothy Parker and her New York City.

Your turn–Besides resolving not to miss a single installment of A Traveler’s Library? Subscribe to A Travelers’ Library by Email by clicking on the blue type. And besides that, what are your resolutions to make your travel reading year bigger and better than ever?

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Tags: 2010, Alexander Woolcott, Bloggers, Dorothy Parker, London Times, New Year Resolutions, travel boooks, travel literature, travel movies