Reading vacation update

Thanks one and all for participating in the reading vacation quiz. With less than a week to go before we travel, I have made my selections, and I have used A Whole Can Of Plot’s system in combination with an attempt to pick at least one thing that each of you voted on. The only loser in the latter category, I think, is Lanf, because he recommended TOW with caveat (and no, I haven’t read the book in between. Didn’t even know there was a book in between) and because I ultimately chose Clan Apis over Planetes. Sorry, Lanf! I’ll read Planetes for the New Year.

And the winners are :

• In the adult spec fic category: The Female Man
Additionally, there’s a mysterious package that I haven’t opened yet, but which I’m taking with me. Said package strongly resembles what is known in my house as the “happy shape”. (There are two happy shapes, actually, CD shape and book shape). The card (which I did read, thanks so much, Elaine!) strongly suggests possibilities of spec fic and delight. I am rubbing my hands together with anticipation.
• In the short fiction category: the YA McSweeney’s anthology
• In the factual category: Buenos Aires
This is the only book I’m taking no one voted on. Because every once in a while I feel the need to exert autonomy. Also, if it’s going to be useful, I kind of have a deadline on it.
• In the graphic novel category: Clan Apis
• In the YA novel category: Ethan of Athos
I know, I know, not technically YA, but I’m short a book in Earthsea, and Mer says Cart and Cwidder’s only good if you follow through on them to Dalemark, and I haven’t got but the first one. Besides, for expected fun factor alone, I can consider the Bujold YA. Also, we will probably take The Grey King as our read aloud book on the way. And there’s the anthology! So, I’m only sort of cheating the category, I think. Also, there was no way I wasn’t taking the Bujold book with me, since I essentially bought it for this very purpose.
• In the I suppose I really ought to read this (or try to read this) category: Zen in the Art of Writing because my writing needs to be Zenned and koaned. All that striving and desire is leaving me glum and unmeditative.

Again, thanks for your words of advice, jokes, recommendations and book choosing systems. I’ll let you know how reading vacation turned out when I get back. I can’t wait to start reading!