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Ask HN: What should I save for offline reading during 5 weeks without Internet?

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Re: Ask HN: What should I save for offline reading during 5 weeks without Internet?

#51

Post by ChrisCinelli »

Read something that will be still relevant in 10 years.

Peter Thiel's CS183: Startup notes essays: http://meetingdelleidee.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/cs183-st...

And Paul Graham's Essays https://github.com/wcember/pg_complete_essays/blob/master/Pa...

I am not sure how fast you read and how fast your think but those should do it. If you have extra time, open a doc and for each essay, answer these questions: (1) What is relevant here for me that will help in 10 years from now? (2) What is relevant here for me that can help me right now? (3) What are 3 things that I can do right now to put what I read into practice.

Re: Ask HN: What should I save for offline reading during 5 weeks without Internet?

#53

Post by reuwsaat »

refrigerator wrote: post #14
oftenwrong wrote: post #4

I recommend not bringing anything. Avoid the digital world as much as possible. Dedicate your attention to the analog world around you instead.

I wholeheartedly agree. The problem is that I won't be able to go out exploring after dark unless I'm with someone (which won't be every day) for safety reasons so I'll definitely have a few hours stuck in my room every day.

Pick something up locally. Don't bring "home" with you.

Re: Ask HN: What should I save for offline reading during 5 weeks without Internet?

#55

Post by Broken_Hippo »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #50
PeterisP wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel the exact opposite about physical books nowadays - they are nice to read, but they're practical only at home. When traveling, the bulk and weight matters a lot, and books are too heavy to lug around. Take a Kindle or something like that - it's smaller and lighter than any book; the full sized books can wait for you back in your home.

Unless you have an e-ink device like a Kindle it's much better to bring a physical book. When on holiday a lot of people seem to read outside and if you use something like an iPad for reading ebooks it'll be a nightmare. Not all physical books are huge. I've got two Hemingway novels sitting next to me which would last a few weeks if you were reading a few hours per day and they are compact (about 6" by 4") and very l…

Agreed completely. I like smallish-sized paperbacks. They are light, easily carried, readable without power and in many lighting conditions, and I tend not to care so much if they get stolen. Even when I consider weight, the trip length, and things like that, I still would want a couple of physical books.

Re: Ask HN: What should I save for offline reading during 5 weeks without Internet?

#56

Post by PeterisP »

Broken_Hippo wrote: post #55
k-mcgrady wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unless you have an e-ink device like a Kindle it's much better to bring a physical book. When on holiday a lot of people seem to read outside and if you use something like an iPad for reading ebooks it'll be a nightmare. Not all physical books are huge. I've got two Hemingway novels sitting next to me which would last a few weeks if you were reading a few hours per day and they are compact (about 6" by 4") and very l…

Agreed completely. I like smallish-sized paperbacks. They are light, easily carried, readable without power and in many lighting conditions, and I tend not to care so much if they get stolen. Even when I consider weight, the trip length, and things like that, I still would want a couple of physical books.

Well, but (as the parent poster says) you don't compare tablets with books as they would be completely wrong for this purpose.

An e-ink reader is as compact as a smallish paperback and of the same weight (it's a bit more dense but much thinner), can be used in outdoors light, doesn't need power during the trip (my ages-old kindle goes for weeks w/o recharging) and not expensive.

A book may be preferrable to a reader, but as soon as you go into multiple books, then it's a different story - as the weight of the books grows significantly and makes them a burdern. Okay, books are cheaper - but if theft is a concern, then a 69$ reader is not my priority, my wallet or phone would be more valuable to any thief.

Re: Ask HN: What should I save for offline reading during 5 weeks without Internet?

#57

Post by b_emery »

While traveling through Africa I read A Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela. Reading about the history while being there makes it all very real. I also just read A Primate's Memoir by Robert Sapolsky, which has some of the wildest travel stories about Africa you could ever imagine. A must read if only to prepare you for what you are about to experience. Those two could keep you busy for a few weeks.
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