Speaking Volumes

So what does the best read traveler read on a trip to Panama?

As might be expected The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal 1870-1914 by David McCullough was the book of choice of at least three of my fellow travelers on my recent trip to Panama. Part of the excursion was to be an intimate transit by 24 passenger catamaran through all 3 sets of locks. Though we would get a first hand account of the history of the canal by visiting The Miraflores Visitor Center, the ship director's excellent presentations about the canal and the overall general knowledge of our tour guide over the several days of our journey, nothing can quite equal the scope of McCullough's tome. At 698 pages it's a hefty book, so much so, one reader only brought the pages she hadn't read. Feigning horror at her destruction of the book, she assured me it could be repaired on her return home. In reality I thought it quite clever of her to reduce the weight of her suitcase this way.
 

Having finished the only book I brought on the trip, I went in search of another by visiting the beautiful historic library at The Gamboa Resort Hotel. Located on the second floor at the end of a spiral staircase, this room was not the usual thrown together stack of shelves that comprise most hotel libraries. Large expanses of wall shelves, a staircase leading to the loft, a library ladder, tables to host table-top books, excellent subdued lighting and natural light from  arge windows looking into the atrium and grounds made this a very welcoming place. I think I was the only one from my group who actually spent some time here, browsing the collection of books on Panama birds, fauna, animals and history in both English and Spanish. I found three good books left by other travelers to take with me. Two I had already read, but knew someone else in my group would be in need of a good book. Within minutes of leaving the library, I encountered one of my group who caught the title of one book, Still Alice by Lisa Genova.. She told me that it had been highly recommended by a friend and that she intended to read it soon. One book down and one to go. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson soon found a new home and I settled down to read my pick, How to Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward. It was the cover that captured me.

Also spotted being read on our leisurely three day journey aboard The Discovery were these books:

Moscow Rules Daniel Silva
Loving Frank Nancy Horan
T is for Trespass Sue Grafton
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Mary Ann Shaffer
No Time For Goodbye Linwood Barclay
Floating in My Mother's Palm Ursula Hegi
Confessions of a Shopaholic Sophie Kinsella

I'm certain there were others, tucked into carryons, and taken out in the privacy of rooms each night. What's a vacation without a good book to read!