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Travels with Charley in Search of America (Anniversary)
Travels with Charley in Search of America (Anniversary) | John Steinbeck
A collectible 50th anniversary deluxe edition featuring an updated introduction by Jay Parini and first edition cover art and illustrated maps of Steinbeck's route by Don Freeman In September 1960, John Steinbeck embarked on a journey across America. He felt that he might have lost touch with the country, with its speech, the smell of its grass and trees, its color and quality of light, the pulse of its people. To reassure himself, he set out on a voyage of rediscovery of the American identity, accompanied by a distinguished French poodle named Charley; and riding in a three-quarter-ton pickup truck named Rocinante. His course took him through almost forty states: northward from Long Island to Maine; through the Midwest to Chicago; onward by way of Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana (with which he fell in love), and Idaho to Seattle, south to San Francisco and his birthplace, Salinas; eastward through the Mojave, New Mexico, Arizona, to the vast hospitality of Texas, to New Orleans and a shocking drama of desegregation; finally, on the last leg, through Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey to New York. Travels with Charley in Search of America is an intimate look at one of America's most beloved writers in the later years of his life--a self-portrait of a man who never wrote an explicit autobiography. Written during a time of upheaval and racial tension in the South--which Steinbeck witnessed firsthand--Travels with Charley is a stunning evocation of America on the eve of a tumultuous decade. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition also features French flaps and deckle-edged paper. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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Eggs
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“Once a journey is designed, equipped, and put in process, a new factor enters and takes over. A trip, a safari, an exploration, is an entity, different from all other journeys. It has personality, temperament, individuality, uniqueness. A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike.” Loved this book 📖

#DaysDevotedTo
#Go4ARide

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

dabbe The chapter with Charley and the bear brings me to my knees in laughter. 🧡🤎💛 1d
Eggs @dabbe 🙌🏻🙌🏻 1d
54 likes2 comments
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Eggs
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“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it. “

“We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.”

#RoadTrip
#ItTakesAllKinds

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 👍🏻 9mo
Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️🥳🙏🏻 9mo
49 likes2 comments
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Amiable
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1. I learned how to drive a car on a manual. My dad took us to a local street, parked on a hill, and then said, “ok, now drive.” 😖 Anyone who has ever driven stick knows that once you have mastered the art of not rolling backwards on an incline, you‘re golden. 😀
2. Had to tag this book. Although it was a van, not a car. That still counts, right?

#Two4Tuesday

HettyG My dad dropped the keys to his old truck with a standard transmission to me at my job bagging groceries and told me to get myself home! 😂 10mo
Crazeedi That's how I taught my girls to drive a standard! Lol 10mo
Amiable @HettyG Needs must, am I right? 😄 I learned on a car that had the stick on the steering column — or as it was known back then, a “three on the tree.” 🤷🏻‍♀️ (edited) 10mo
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Amiable @Crazeedi I taught my boys how to drive first and THEN showed them how to work a stick. My father just went straight for the manual — guess he figured it would save time. 😄 10mo
TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 10mo
BethM @Amiable my dad too- straight for the stick. Lots and lots of tears and yelling 😂 now stick is my preference lol 10mo
Amiable @BethM OMG, that first time was a bitch, wasn‘t it? It‘s been 40 years and I still remember it like it was yesterday. 😄 10mo
35 likes7 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
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Eggs 💗 🛻 🩵 11mo
58 likes1 comment
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dabbe
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#NewYearNewBooks
#HighwayCvr
@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Another fave. There is a road on the cover! 🤩

TheSpineView I mailed that package to you today. USPS said 4 to 5 days. We'll see, it is a long way between my door and yours. 11mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great cover! 11mo
dabbe @TheSpineView You are too kind! Thank you! I can't wait to see the ideas and get journaling! 🤩😍😘 11mo
See All 8 Comments
TheSpineView @dabbe You're welcome. I am already thinking about ways to make it better next year. As you use it, let me know what works and what doesn't 11mo
dabbe @TheSpineView Will do! 🤩 11mo
Eggs Well done 👍🏼 I enjoyed this book❣️ 11mo
dabbe @Eggs Me, too! 🖤💜🖤 11mo
63 likes8 comments
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SanjanaGhosh
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Mehso-so

Travel book while travelling!

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Robotswithpersonality
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Pickpick

Charley is a delight. Steinbeck is an eloquent witness. He doesn't quite escape being a product of his time, given some of the opinions related about 'real men' (toxic masculinity) and romanticizing early 'explorers and pioneers' (aka colonists), even as he proves quite prescient in concerns raised about growing cities, mass production, nuclear weapons, racism and the subsequent human and environmental costs of each. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? But in observing pockets of his nation and informally interviewing a handful of its people, he offers an honest snapshot of a moment in time. This is by no means a comprehensive account of a cross-country journey or populus poll, but the unevenness of focus between what might be termed more significant observations and conversations and more banal discussions of common travel woes feels genuine to the memoir genre. 1y
Robotswithpersonality 3/? I could quite happily have just read about the adventures Steinbeck got up to observing and conversing with Charley, but I don't think anything so relentlessly charming would truly be a work by Steinbeck. Disclaimer: I have never read anything else from this author. His most notable works seem largely to centre on a historical period I shy away from (Great Depression through WW2) as works from this period often smack of the prescriptive 'for your own good'. 1y
Robotswithpersonality 4/5 I wonder at how much he's taught in schools, that this book so assiduously avoided giving lessons, instead providing one perspective and inviting the reader to make up their own mind. In the interest of experiencing this writing style again, the seemingly effortless balance of flowery descriptions leading to consuming ambience with forthright discussion that has a rustic flair and thoughtful mein, I will be trying this author again, probably one of his short stories or non-fiction selections, in an attempt to echo this experience. 1y
Robotswithpersonality ⚠️Mentions of enslavement of black people, and indigenous genocide that are part of American history, racism, outdated terms 1y
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Robotswithpersonality
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Progress...

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Robotswithpersonality
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What makes this charming passage even more remarkable is exactly how wrong it was proven to be in the next few pages!!

Robotswithpersonality @dabbe You were right! 1y
dabbe @Robotswithpersonality I literally almost wet my pants reading that chapter. Probably one of the funniest I have ever read. 🤣🤣🤣 1y
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Robotswithpersonality
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Good to have variety in one's reading material. 🥴

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Robotswithpersonality
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Also known as 'fucking around and finding out!' 🫎

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Robotswithpersonality
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🙄

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Robotswithpersonality
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"A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ."

So THAT'S where it came from! The phrase has been lodged in my brain for a while, (powerful stuff), but I'm not sure I ever knew the source.

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Robotswithpersonality
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All the seasons, please. 😌🍁🍂❄️

BkClubCare Shout of color! Poetry… 1y
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Robotswithpersonality
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No Planet B.

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Robotswithpersonality
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Called out! 🤦🏼‍♂️

dabbe 🤣🤣🤣 1y
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Robotswithpersonality
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Immediately in love with Charley.

dabbe Wait until the 🐻 chapter. 🤩🤩🤩 1y
Robotswithpersonality @dabbe Ooo, foreshadowing! 😆👏🏻 1y
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dabbe
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#SundayFunday
@OZMA.OF.OZ

Hands down TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY by John Steinbeck. If you read nothing by him, at least read Part 3, Chapter 6, when Charley encounters bears at Yellowstone Park. Probably the funniest chapter I have ever read. 🤣🤣🤣

Leftcoastzen Excellent choice! 1y
dabbe @Leftcoastzen 🤩🤩🤩 1y
BookmarkTavern One of only two of Steinbeck‘s I haven‘t read! I‘ll have to add it to the list. Thanks for posting! (edited) 1y
dabbe @ozma.of.oz 🩵🖤🩵 1y
mandarchy Every time a dog sneezes, I think of Charlie! 1y
53 likes5 comments
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GinaKButler
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Up next: I‘m using this for North America in my Memoir Around The World Challenge and it‘s on my #14books14weeks list. I‘ve seen it on @Amiable favorite book bracket, so I‘m excited to start it!

#bookspinbingo
@TheHeartlandBookFairy (6 of 14)

Amiable It really struck a nerve with me —so glad #AuthorAMonth nudged me to finally read it! 1y
Amiable And also? Is there an official “memoir around the world” challenge going on, or did you come up with that yourself? I love that idea so much! 1y
Bookwormjillk Great challenge! 1y
See All 20 Comments
GinaKButler @Amiable Kelly @Kelly326 and I made up the challenge last year. I only finished 6 prompts in 2022, so I‘m doing the other 6 this year. 😊 1y
GinaKButler @Amiable I‘m excited to read this one. I have enjoyed this challenge so far! 1y
Amiable @GinaKButler I‘d love to hear which memoirs you guys have already read! 1y
GinaKButler @Amiable for Australia/New Zealand 1y
GinaKButler @Amiable I had this for Southern Asia, but it‘s really Northern Asia. 😂 1y
GinaKButler @Amiable for Across Multiple Continents 1y
GinaKButler @Amiable I have North America, Africa, and The Islands to go. 😊 1y
Amiable Oh, wow -- these are awesome! I'm going to have to create my own challenge like this! Thank you! 1y
Amiable Did you finish this one? What did you think? 1y
GinaKButler @Amiable I did! I really loved it! 1y
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megnews
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psalva
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Pickpick

I don‘t have much to say about this short work. I admired many of Steinbeck‘s perspectives, and I was impressed with some of his insights that seem apt in relation to the historic events since his trip. However, I think high school me would have been more impressed with his writing and found his perspectives new and novel. At time of writing, I felt this was an average, though interesting, travelogue. A lower pick for me. ⬇️

psalva Side note: I really dislike machismo in books and there was a bit of that which got on my nerves. It‘s softer than most machismo of the era but it was enough to irk me. 1y
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LeafingThroughLife
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Pickpick

This was a great story of Steinbeck‘s road trip around America. While it dances on the line between fiction and non-fiction, it succeeds beautifully in capturing both the essence of wanderlust and a telling snapshot in time of the US. At times I wished I had read this in print so that I could highlight some of its many memorable passages, but then I would have missed this excellent feat of narration by Gary Sinise. #AuthoraMonth

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Amiable
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My March pick for my Nonfiction reading bracket was a no-brainer, despite some fierce competition. I loved this book and will definitely re-read it in the future. Thanks to #AuthorAMonth for pushing it off my TBR and into a favorite.

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DivineDiana
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Pickpick

At 58,#JohnSteinbeck decides to travel across America in a makeshift custom trailer,named Rocinante,to rediscover the America he has been writing about for many years. His companion is his standard poodle,Charley.I loved the relationship with his dog,but I did not love the parts about hunting and traveling with his guns. The most powerful chapters were at the end when he discusses the racism in the South. The time is 1960‘s,but it could be today.

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Librarybelle Great review! 2y
Cinfhen Excellent review!!! I loved his writing and found his passion for the Red Woods beautiful 😍 2y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen I loved that part too. I do want to see them for myself. 🌲❤️😘 (edited) 2y
Cinfhen Me too!!!!! #BucketList 2y
61 likes8 comments
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DrexEdit
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Pickpick

This is the Steinbeck book I read for March's #AuthorAMonth thanks to a very kind gift from @Soubhiville. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. Steinbeck doesn't write about what he finds in America so much as his own story about traveling around America. Overall his POV, as one might expect, is a bit dated. It wasn't bad enough to interfere with the enjoyment of the story. It's a nice, light travelogue. It's a “why not?“ pick for me.

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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

This was a re-read for me, and I‘m happy to say it held up. It‘s astounding to me how many of the same issues are still as relevant now as they were when Steinbeck and Charley traveled in 1960. #AuthorAMonth

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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

I haven't read Steinbeck since high school so went with this nonfiction pick and really enjoyed it! #authoramonth @Soubhiville

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TheAromaofBooks
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Pickpick

I have this thing where I enjoy Steinbeck's writing more than I enjoy his stories, so I thought I would give this one a try, his account of driving a little camper trailer around the country ~1960. First off, this book will definitely make you want to get a little camper trailer and drive it around the country - how fun does that sound??

I overall did enjoy this one, although more in the beginning than towards the end. I liked the scenes where ⬇

TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) he actually talked with people, but parts where he just described not so much (long sections talking about CA & TX without really saying anything, I thought). I genuinely appreciated that he never sounded like he thought he was better than any of the people he met, from truckers to hitchhikers to migrant workers, people he agreed with and people he didn't, it felt like he gave everyone a fair chance to say their piece. This is one of ⬇ 2y
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) those too short/also too long books for me - I wanted more details about some things and less about others lol Overall, though, a read I've enjoyed meandering through this month - I'm not sure if I would have liked it as well if I had just sat down and read it straight through, but 10-15 pgs a day has been really enjoyable.

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
#MtTBR
#Pantone2023 - Greyed Jade @Clwojick
#ReadySetRead - Chosen for the Cover
2y
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Suet624 Love this review. 2y
Librarybelle Great review! 2y
Clwojick Great job! Love the cover. 2y
dabbe You said what I have been trying to say. I love his style of writing but not always the plot. He sounds to me like an old Western rancher, telling tales of the farm country in Salinas. What did you think about Charley and the bears? 🤣 2y
TheAromaofBooks @dabbe - That story cracked me up! Mild-mannered Charley really lost it with those bears! 😂 2y
Soubhiville I‘d love to take an extended road trip like this. 🚌 2y
MemoirsForMe Love this book and your review! Can you believe the camper truck he drove is on display at the John Steinbeck Center in northern CA? 🚚 Gotta plan a road-trip to see that! 2y
TheAromaofBooks @UwannaPublishme - Oh, how fun!!! If you ever go, you'll have to take a picture of it for me 😂 2y
Lizpixie 🙌🎉😘 2y
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Kangaj1
Pickpick

I have loved almost every Steinbeck I have read. This was fun, though some of his thoughts would be frowned upon nowadays. I loved his description of Wisconsin, where I live. The audio was read by Gary Sinese.
Thrilled that this was my #bookspin for #AuthorAMonth
@Soubhiville @TheAromaofBooks

JenReadsAlot I started this one today! Looking forward to the WI description now. 2y
Kangaj1 It's in Part 3 I think! I read it out loud to my husband this morning! 2y
Christine Oh man, now I have to read this one! I usually read Steinbeck for his take on my current state (CA), not my childhood one (WI)! 2y
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Kangaj1 WI only got a few paragraphs, but they are spot on. He does spend more time on CA I think. 2y
gossamerchild I remember really enjoying this when I read it a while ago. 2y
TheAromaofBooks I've been reading this one this month and really enjoying it. 2y
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DivineDiana
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Starting my #authoramonth book.

dabbe Can't wait to read what you think about it. ❣️ 2y
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

#AAM EXCELLENT audio narration by the talented Gary Sinise❤️‍🔥Steinbeck‘s writing is so vivid and descriptive - and his love for California really shone through these pages. He made want to get in my car and cruise the roads and lanes that snake across the USA. This was a meditative read especially knowing how a few years later the country was to undergo big changes. So grateful to @Soubhiville for choosing this iconic author.

JamieArc I really enjoyed this one too. Whenever I hear people say they don‘t like Steinbeck, I want to urge them to try this one first. 2y
Soubhiville I didn‘t choose him, you all did (if you voted 😉). I enjoyed my book by him though and hope I have time to read another this month. Glad you liked this. I‘m always a fan of a book with a dog! 🐩 2y
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Cinfhen I‘m planning on reading Grapes of Wrath this month too @JamieArc but I might squeeze in another NF by Steinbeck that someone recommended but of course I can‘t remember who 2y
Cinfhen I actually did NOT vote for Steinbeck so thanks to the folks who did 😂 @Soubhiville 2y
KathyWheeler I really liked Travels with Charley. I had first read it in 7th grade and liked but reread it with a much greater appreciation last year. 2y
Cinfhen Agreed, reading Steinbeck at 50 is much different than reading Steinbeck at 15!!! @KathyWheeler 2y
KathyWheeler @Cinfhen It really is different reading it when you‘re 12 than when you‘re 65! 2y
Cinfhen Im amazed you can recall anything about it 😂😂😘 i can‘t remember what I had for lunch on Friday @KathyWheeler (edited) 2y
SamAnne I love is travelogue on Baja. I must read this. (edited) 2y
Cinfhen What‘s the travelogue on Baja called @SamAnne - I‘d like to read it too! 2y
SamAnne @Cinfhen The Log from the Sea of Cortez. I took it along on a trip to Baja and it was a beautiful read. It was the January after Trump‘s election and I was feeling so fearful for the country. He and his best friend Ed were launching from Monterey CA when the U.S. was entering WWII and it just felt so timely. (edited) 2y
Cinfhen Oh, haha 😆 I didn‘t read the comment clearly @SamAnne im looking forward to Sea of Cortez 😄 2y
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Amiable
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Pickpick

I loved this #AuthorAMonth and #Nonfiction2023 book! It‘s a travelogue of Steinbeck‘s trip across America in 1960 with his dog, Charley. In it he muses about the country‘s shortcomings. He hoped to report that he had found the “truth” about America—but finally understood that no single “truth” can ever be found: that “this mightiest of nations turns out to be the macrocosm of microcosm me.” This book is poignant and lovely and amazingly current.

GinaKButler This is on my TBR for this year! 2y
kspenmoll Great review- feel like I should reread! Read it ling ago 2y
See All 11 Comments
Amiable @kspenmoll @ginakbutler I‘ve read and loved “Grapes of Wrath” and “East of Eden,” but never got around to this one. I‘m actually glad—I‘m not sure I would have appreciated it as much when I was younger. 2y
dabbe I loved this book, too! Whenever I need to laugh, I sometimes go back to the Yellowstone Park episode with Charley. It ALWAYS makes me snort out loud! ❣️🤣❣️ 2y
Amiable @dabbe Do you mean Charley the wanna-be bear slayer? 😀 2y
dabbe @Amiable Yes! I almost wet my pants when I first read that chapter. I did spit out what I was drinking. 🤣🤣🤣 2y
Amiable @dabbe 😄 The last part about the strident racism in the South was sobering, though. I felt sick reading his description of the mothers screaming obscenities at the young Black girl going into her school. 😕 2y
dabbe @Amiable Too true. That part was harsh. 😓 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sounds great! 2y
MemoirsForMe Great review! This is one of my favorite JS books. 2y
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Amiable
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Reading this Steinbeck account for #authoramonth and came across this #weirdword. I‘m loving it! What say you, @CBee ?

CBee I love it! Definitely weird 😊 I might use this word the next time I‘m feeling grumpy 😂😂 2y
Amiable @CBee I‘m thinking I can use this to call out for a sick day: “I can‘t come into work—I‘ve got a bad case of the mullygrubs.” My boss will be like, I don‘t know what THAT is, but it sounds horrible so take all the time you need! 😄 (edited) 2y
Soubhiville Oooo, good word! 2y
See All 9 Comments
CBee @Amiable 😂😂😂😂 I really kind of hope you try that 🤭🤭 2y
Amiable @CBee I have a friend who actually got a sick day when she called in and said she had a case of “anal glaucoma” (i.e. she “couldn‘t see her ass coming into work.”) 😄 I can‘t get away with that, though—I work at a hospital and it‘s tough to pass off a fake disease! 😀 2y
CBee @Amiable I think I‘d like your friend 😂😂😂 2y
Prairiegirl_reading @Amiable one of my responsibilities at work is to take sick calls and believe me if I hear the word anal it really doesn‘t matter what comes after it. I‘m good, you‘re sick. 🤣🤣 2y
Amiable @Prairiegirl_reading Ha ha, right? 😄😄 2y
Amiable @CBee Yeah, she‘s “wicked pissa,” as we say around these parts. 😀 2y
46 likes9 comments
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Both of these have been lingering on my TBR shelf for a few years now. Excited to read them both.

#bookspin #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks I've started Travels With Charley and am really enjoying it so far. 2y
54 likes1 comment
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DrexEdit
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WOW! WOW! WOW! Thanks @Soubhiville for the wonderful prize PACKAGE of books for participating in the #AuthorAMonth challenge in 2022. This was WAY more than I was expecting and all perfect books I would have chosen for the 2023 challenge. Such beautiful editions too! I'm looking forward to reading all of these! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! 😊 💖

Soubhiville You‘re welcome! I hope you‘ll enjoy them. 🙂📚 2y
40 likes1 comment
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dabbe
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Pickpick

I'd never read a nonfiction Steinbeck until now. Loved it––but it definitely was fictional and hyperbolic in places. Charley's reaction to the bears of Yellowstone Park is snort-out-loud funniness.

Favorite Quote: “We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip, a trip takes us.“

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wildwoodreads
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Happy Labor Day! What are you reading today?

I like to find some short reads that I can finish during a long weekend, so I shared a few of my favorites over on the blog. But today I‘ve been hooked on watching Riverdale, so I probably won‘t get a lot of reading done. I swear that show is addictive.

Blog post: https://wildwoodreads.com/2022/09/02/short-books-for-a-long-weekend/

perfectsinner I'm finishing up Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes. I'm looking forward to getting it finished-- it wasn't exactly what I had thought it would be. Up next is another book of hers, that I hope I'll like better, A Thousand Ships. 2y
52 likes1 comment
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Amandajoy
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Hanging out with my reading buddy this evening.

Leftcoastzen Awww!🐶 2y
53 likes1 comment
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Oryx
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Pickpick

And I officially love this book. Dog? Travel? Americana? Steinbeck? Yes please to all. I loved Charley and have just finished googling pictures of him. And the book, as well as being fantastic writing (of course), is surprisingly relevant now, both in some very prescient statements and in some things that sadly haven't changed enough since the 60s. It's one I'll read again.

Bookwormjillk I thought the same. And I would also recommend 2y
Oryx @Bookwormjillk thank you! I've now stacked that one and will look out for it. I hadn't heard of it. 2y
Leftcoastzen 🐾🐾❤️ 2y
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CoffeeNBooks I love John Steinbeck, and I loved this book! 2y
mandarchy I read this book 20 years ago and still remember the gesture Charlie made when he agreed: that little sneeze of approval. 🐩 2y
Oryx @mandarchy Yes, the 'Fft' noise 😁 2y
mandarchy @Oryx YES! that's the one. I think it's a universal truth. Dogs are gods/philosophers and we don't deserve them. That's Fft is the truth. 2y
71 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Oryx
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Purchased my second ever Folio today from a fabulous second hand book shop.

TrishB Cool 👍🏻 2y
Leftcoastzen So nice! Love this book! 2y
rabbitprincess Beautiful edition! 2y
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jlhammar What a find! Gorgeous. 2y
LeahBergen Travels with Daisy! 😄 2y
mrp27 Ohhh great cover! 2y
Oryx @Leftcoastzen I loved it too 😁 2y
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rather_be_reading
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Book 9

LitStephanie I am sure that is a lovely book, but that dog really looks like a stuffed animal. 3y
Schwifty I remember adoring this book for the small slice of first hand Americana captured by one of the best observers you could ask for. 3y
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Copycat

“After all, why should you trust me? A question is a trap and an answer is your foot in it.”

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Tunesmithnw

Read this as a teenager. Hooked me for life on Steinbeck,

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Sumi
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Thought this might make an interesting book pairing. The second book is Elijah Pierce‘s America.

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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

I reread this favorite on a road trip through Idaho. It was a complete delight to read about the heartland of America while exploring it. His descriptions of wanderlust struck me deeply. I'm grateful I chose to read it while already on the road or I would have been itching to leave. I was disturbed by his experience in the south where he‘s confronted with a sickening amount of racism.

“A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ.”

Come-read-with-me Beautiful picture and a great quote! 4y
AvidReader25 @Come-read-with-me Thanks! It was gorgeous to see it in person last week! 4y
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Leftcoastzen
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Pickpick

My #doublespin was a jewel.I have read Steinbeck before, but not this one.Published in 1962 , John & his dog Charley outfit a camper & tour the US.His conversational style is great ,leading him to meet interesting people wherever he goes.He bemoaned the coming of the interstate & TV for making Americans more generic, how would he feel now? Still the journey is always its own reward.What a treat!

AvidReader25 This is my favorite Steinbeck! I‘m so glad you loved it. 4y
Tamra Oh my, imagine his feelings about the internet! The Pearl is in my top 10 of books. 😁 I need to check this one out. (edited) 4y
Leftcoastzen @AvidReader25 I can see why , it‘s wonderful. 4y
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Leftcoastzen @Tamra I read The Pearl a long time ago , probably will read it again. 4y
The_Penniless_Author Read this years ago in high school and really loved it. Glad you liked it too! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 4y
PaperbackPirate I‘ve been meaning to read this for so long! Thank you for the push! 💙 4y
Leftcoastzen @PaperbackPirate I think you will enjoy it ! 4y
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wildwoodreads
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Are you a re-reader? I‘m not normally, but these are calling my name. I read them in high school, but I‘d love to read them again as an adult. What are your favorite re-reads?

https://readinginthewildwood.com/2021/02/10/books-id-like-to-re-read/

Scochrane26 I re-read A Walk in the Woods & The Little Prince often. I like to re-read but don‘t very often because of the length of my TBR. 4y
KathyWheeler I‘ve reread a lot of Stephen King and just recently reread Travels With Charley. I read A Christmas Carol every year, and I‘ve read A Gift From the Sea several times. So, yes. If I like a book well enough, I will reread it. 4y
RavenclawOwlCat I am basic lol my favorite re-reads are the Potter series! 4y
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IamIamIam I reserve rereads for really special stuff. I'll read The Talisman any day, Charlotte's Web, The Secret Garden, Straight Man, the Bell Jar (obvs) and 4y
Bookwormjillk I reread quite a bit. I find I get different things each time. 4y
CuriousG The Sparrow, and Children of God (by Mary Doria Russell), East of Eden (John Steinbeck), amd A Prayer For Owen Meany (John Irving) 4y
CuriousG Oh and so many Toni Morrison novels - I could read them each a thousand times! 4y
wanderinglynn I reread all the time. Rereads are my saving grace when I‘m in a reading slump. I also enjoy rereads because I find I get something new or different out of the story. 4y
Ladygodiva7 Not a re-reader but I did re-read Island of the Blue Dolphins, Tuck Everlasting and Huck Finn since I read those in 3rd-5th grade... I have too many unread books to read!!! 4y
The.Great.Catsby I did the same thing as I wasn't a big reader in high school. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie was my favorite re-read. Otherwise, once I read a book, I'm pretty much done with it 4y
LazyOwl I'm a re-reader, although I haven't re-read some of my favs for a while. I have re-read a lot of Jennifer Fallon and David Eddings books, and I've also ready the Harry Potter books a few times.

I re-read books more years ago when I didn't have as much $ to buy books.
4y
idealityandme I dont usually EVER reread. However...there are some exceptions. 1. I forgot the overall storyline and characters but knew I liked it once. (Wildwood Dancing) 2. I remember vaguely most of the storyline and characters and know that I realllly enjoyed it. (Ella Enchanted) 3. It is a masterpiece to me. (Harry Potter, Anne of Green Gables, Pride & Prejudice, Little Women....etc.) 4y
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review
KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

I last read this book in 7th grade and remember loving it. I still love it. Possibly because of Steinbeck‘s gentle humor and smart observations about the parts of the country he‘s traveling in. He took this trip before Kennedy‘s election so he was in the South during a tumultuous time where he didn‘t feel welcome, possibly because, as he said, people don‘t like outsiders observing them when they know they are doing something wrong.

KathyWheeler Just an FYI, racial slurs are used in this book several times. Not by Steinbeck; he‘s reporting things that people said to him. 4y
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KathyWheeler
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It‘s grey and rainy outside, so I‘m curled up inside reading Travels With Charley. I read it back in the 7th grade but that was years and years ago. For the last couple of years I‘ve been reading Steinbeck. 2019 was the year of East of Eden and The Pearl; 2020 was The Grapes of Wrath. I thought I‘d pick up something vaguely familiar this year.

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TheSpineView
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MaGoose It's been ages since I read Travels with Charley. I'll have to read it again. 4y
Elizabeth2 I loved Travels with Charley! 4y
EadieB Great quote and great book! 4y
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