This afternoon at the café I read a book review which proceeded to tell me way more than I wanted to know about the book prior to reading it. I immediately remembered why I seldom read reviews of books that I want to read. And long ago I’ve learned never to read movie reviews. I rather approach things like this without much prior knowledge, just arming myself with only a vague notion of the story.
The amount you know about something beforehand certainly impacts your experience. But does it enhance or hinder your experience?
Likewise, what about the ways we experience a place, a city such as Buenos Aires?
Obviously the parallels are not the same. But I’m curious as to what type of reading, what type of learning experience, enhances our travels? And what type of reading actually hinders our experience?
August 24th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I just wanted to thank you for having such great resources. I have been in BA for 3 days, staying in San Telmo, and your list have been most helpful.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
A little of topic but if you enjoyed Soul Maountain, I Highly recommend Wild Swans.
August 25th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
@Mike – I’m glad to hear that you’ve found the things to do in Buenos Aires list helpful.
@Griselle: thanks for the recommendation!
August 26th, 2008 at 11:44 am
With a book or a movie, reading a review can “ruin” it.
But reading about a city is not experiencing a city, and I find reading about BsAs doesnt spoil the experience of being there- far from it.
My favorite BsAs primers lately have been Buenos Aires Art Noveau, by Mimi Bohm, and the little pocket sized book The Authentic Bars, Cafes and Restaurants of Buenos Aires, by Gabriela Kogan.
Of course, neither one in any way replicates the actual feelings you get seeing the buildings, or eating the food.
Books like these just give me rough destinations for a day of wandering, which is how you actually learn a city.
August 26th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Hi Ries,
Thanks for your comment. I don’t disagree. Both of those books you mentioned are very good…going far beyond the basic guidebooks.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:55 am
when i read books about a city before i’m there, they don’t stick. i have to actually be in a place before reading about the city makes sense, and then it’s all i want to read.
by the same token, a review is so abstract that it doesn’t ruin the reading experience — it’s hard to be taken in by a review until i’m taken in by a book.
usually, at any rate! 🙂