One day, too long ago to remember (I believe it was late March), I received an email from one Ken Levine. He had just published a book on his travels and asked if I, in my role as the UpTake Vacations Editor, would be interested in reviewing his book. I said yes, because I’m a sucker that can’t say no. True story.

Actually, I’m a sucker that doesn’t have a single moment of time to take on any additional responsibilities, so my promise to Ken Levine went unfulfilled. Until now.

Yes, Ken Levine, today is the day. I am going to review your book. Try to contain your enthusiasm.

And to you, the internet reader, here is why I’m featuring the review of Mr. Levine’s book on UpTake:

A) I said I would.
B) I live in Seattle (Mr. Levine calls some of the Mariners’ games).
C) I’m moving to L.A. this summer to pursue my passion of screenwriting. Mr. Levine is an Emmy winning writer/director/producer of such TV hits as M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frasier and Wings, to name a few. This is an opportunity for kissing ass that cannot be overlooked.
D) I get paid per post.
E) The book is about travel, and this is a travel site.

So you, the reader, may be asking yourself, “Self, what has two thumbs and doesn’t give a flying crap about Whit Honea’s take on travel books?”

If I were allowed to answer I would say “most primates,” but I’m not allowed to answer because I work here.

Rules are stupid.

The thing is, you should care about my review of a travel book because, as I mentioned before, I am the editor of a travel site. This means that I am smarter than everyone that reads this blog, present company excluded. Also, I have a soft spot for Ken Levine. Nobody should have to sit through that many innings of Mariner baseball.

Let’s talk about the book:  Read More »

Books and art, what's not to love?

They say you learn something every single day. I generally take a few off here and there, but I get the point. We don’t know everything (especially those that think they do).

Today I learned that there is an Eric Carle Museum (hence the title of this post), and this excites me to no end. You may recall my brief encounter with Eric Carle in Los Angeles.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is in Amherst, MA, and it looks fantastic. The museum, as you probably guessed, features art from Carle and other popular (and not so popular) picture books. It’s a book lover’s dream. Also, art lovers.

The museum has a number of events and rotating exhibits. Please check their website for more information, including hours and directions.

For more family-friendly travel photos visit DeliciousBaby’s Photo Fridays.

Photo by pink.polka via Flickr

Thames River Bank

Sometimes when I read a well-written story or book or essay that includes vivid descriptions of its scenery, I am struck by the urge to visit that place, to see with my own eyes and experience with my own senses the same things that author has painted into my imagination with his words.  (This is not as true for characters and stories, as my reading experiences were forever spoiled by the Harry Potter and Twilight movies.)

There are many literary-based travel tours and adventures to be had, but my latest urge was inspired by the 1889 short book “Three Men In a Boat, Not To Mention the Dog” by Jerome K. Jerome.  This was my book club’s latest selection, a choice arrived upon because the previous three subjects of our monthly discussion were super huge downers involving catastrophic deaths of children.  Read More »

The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer

Twilight fans, get ready to get your squee on!!!

The next movie in the saga, New Moon, hits theaters this Friday. In anticipation of this august occasion, the town of Surprise, Arizona, is preparing a pre-movie party sure to whip all Twilight fans – adolescent and not-so-adolescent – into a frenzy of Team Edward and Team Jacob hysteria the likes of which the world may never fully recover.

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