The call of Dave Gorman and Chinese underpants.
I have been a little slack on the reading front this year, but I did manage to get through a handful of travel books, including yarns about right-wing apocalyptic Christians, the origin of the word butthead, the exciting game of Kubb and Chinese underpants. Here's my list of travel books for 2011:
The Call of the Weird: Travels in American Subcultures – Louis Theroux
I enjoyed Louis Theroux's TV show 'Weird Weekends' from a few years back and this book is the follow up. Theroux (who is the son Paul Theroux, one of my favourite travel writers) embarks on a six-month roadtrip across the United States, tracking down and providing updates on some of the more interesting subjects from his show. There's all sorts of wacky folk and you could read this book having never seen a Louie show and still be entertained, moved and in some places saddened.
Awkward Situations for Men – Danny Wallace
This book was in the 'travel' section of the bookshop, but it's not really a travel book. I do like Mr Wallace and his other books, but this book is more of a collection of anecdotes about his everyday life. They are all individually very funny, but it means that the book lacks the cohesive story that all of his other books have had. The quality of his writing still shine through, however, and it is a very amusing and enjoyable read.
Made in America – Bill Bryson
This is one of Bill Bryson's earlier books, which again isn't quite a travel book but is found in the travel section.This book, which is the based around the history of the English language in America, is part language analysis, part U.S. history lesson and is filled with anecdotes and fun facts that make it a page-turner.
Where underpants come from – Joe Bennett
Joe Bennett, an ex-pat Pom living in NZ, follows what it took to create, ship and sell a pair of men's underwear. His quest starts from a supermarket in New Zealand on to container ships coming from China. He travels to China and explores the factories and workers involved in creating all thsoe cheap underdaks. Very funny and interesting.
Between Terror and Tourism – Michael Mewshaw
The author sets out on an overland journey from Alexandria, Egypt to Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco and mostly travels with a driver/fixer in each country. Not real adventurous travel stuff – even though he was in potentially adventurous countries - but the writing is very good. Sadly though, not a lot happens – there are lots of long car rides, fading cities, troubles with travel arrangements and some ruins.
Dave Gorman vs The Rest of the World – Dave Gorman
I'm a big fan of Dave Gorman's books, and although I thoroughly enjoyed this one it's not as good as his previous titles. In this book he plays lots of games. Gorman tweeted his twittees asking if anyone fancied a game of something and he ends up playing all sorts from skittles to extreme frisbee to monopoly and Kubb. The book doesn't have the bizarre twists of his previous books, but that boy sure can write a funny yarn.
So, have you read any good travel books this year?
