Road Reading

What kind of books do you like to read while traveling? I have friends who carry a number of books representing different genres - something light, something business or economic, something classic. Others like the (guilty) pleasure of a fast-paced mystery or thriller. Then there are those who read largely for personal inspiration or to get a handle on the challenges at work. 

An author from one of those categories, Michael Crichton, passed away today. Many of his books dealt with business themes, including Disclosure (sexual discrimination in the office reversed), Rising Sun (the menace of world-wide Japanese economic dominance - remember that!?), State of Fear (questioning the threat of global warming). But basically, his formula was a little bit of science or knowledge, and an ample sprinkling of suspense when things go wrong. RIP. 

Meanwhile, the king of guilty pleasures, Stephen King, has released his latest collection of short fiction, some of those stories (inspired by his mixed feelings for exercise machines) actually written in hotel rooms while traveling. Think of that the next time you zone out on CNN.