My Itchy Travel Feet | The Baby Boomer's Guide To Travel

Take This Rotten Book Along On Your Next Baby Boomer Trip

by Donna Hull on 2010/01/19

Need a book recommendation for your next baby boomer trip? If you take along A Rotten Person Travels the Caribbean, be sure to read it in private or your travel companions will want to know why you’re laughing so hard.

When Gary Buslik emailed me with a request to review his travel book, I thought, “Oh no, here’s another poorly written book from someone who thinks that they’re a travel writer. I mean, just look at the book title. A week later, I met Gary in person at the Travel Blog Exchange conference in Chicago. It turns out that he is a real travel writer as well as a creative writing teacher at the University of Illinois. And, he’s really funny. How could I turn down his heartfelt pleas, with humorous jokes thrown in for good measure? I’m such a softy.

A bout with pneumonia combined with a hectic blogging schedule kept me from reading Gary’s book last summer. Besides, who wants to read a book written by a rotten person or some man who’s grumpy about traveling in the Caribbean? But I did owe Gary a review. So, I packed the book in my luggage to read during a Vancouver to Singapore cruise last fall. However, the action-packed cruise itinerary left little time for reading, especially when I was busy tweeting and posting on Facebook about my adventures. I finally opened the pages of the book on the JAL return flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles.

Why did I wait until the middle of the night on a trans-Pacific flight to read A Rotten Person Travels the Caribbean? I literally had to place a hand over my mouth to keep from guffawing out loud. The JAL flight attendant gave me a curious look as she softly walked up and down the aisle checking on sleeping passengers.

The book is a compilation of Gary’s travel columns—mostly cynical, slightly off-color, funny stories about a lifetime (OK, maybe only 20 years but Gary makes it seem like a lifetime) of traveling the Caribbean with his wife. But if you look deeper, you’ll see a true knowledge and appreciation for the area. In Papa’s Ghost on page 102, Gary lifts the curtain of humor to reveal a poignant visit to Hemingway’s haunts in Cuba. But mostly, the book is funny right up until the last story, Where Satan Works. I hope Gary writes another book because the world could use more laughs.

Would you like to win a copy of A Rotten Person Travels the Caribbean? Post a comment telling me why and you’ll be entered to win an autographed copy of the book, thanks to Gary Buslik. Please include your email for contact purposes. Contest ends on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 11:00 p.m. Arizona Mountain Standard Time. Winner will be announced as soon as possible. Remember, according to my general contest rules, the winner must be a U.S. resident and respond within 48 hours of receiving the notification email; or I chose another winner.

Disclosure: Gary Buslik provided the copy of A Rotten Person Travels the Caribbean for me to read, but he did not pay me to write this post. I have included an Amazon link to A Rotten Person Travels the Caribbean for your convenience. However My Itchy Travel Feet does receive a small percentage for purchases made at Amazon.com.

UPDATE: January 27, 2010. This contest has expired. As soon as the winner acknowledges receipt of my email, I’ll make the announcement.

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{ 35 comments }

DeeAnn S January 19, 2010 at 8:17 am

I don’t travel nearly as much as I’d like to so this book will be my journey to sights and places I’ve not been to (yet!). Thanks.

Alexandra January 19, 2010 at 8:23 am

I must admit I would not have chosen this book based on its title, but after your post, it looks quite inviting. I could do with a few laughs right now.

marthaandme January 19, 2010 at 1:23 pm

Sounds delightful. Can't wait to read it.

Hurdler4eva January 19, 2010 at 2:02 pm

I just love traveling, so I love reading about other people's experience. Thank you for the giveaway.

bumperdude January 19, 2010 at 3:53 pm

this book would be a great guide for any tropical trip.

Frugal Kiwi January 19, 2010 at 7:10 pm

Sounds like my kind of book. I'll have to keep my eye out for it.

almostslowfood January 19, 2010 at 7:38 pm

What a great concept and nice review!!

ruthpennebaker January 19, 2010 at 8:11 pm

Thanks for the great review, Donna. Now I'm dying to read it.

abfantom January 19, 2010 at 9:01 pm

This sounds like a great book that I'd like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway

holeinthedonut January 19, 2010 at 10:10 pm

Donna, I read Gary's book and I can confirm it is one of the funniest travel books (or any kind of book) I have EVER cracked open. I wholeheartedly recommend it and just found out it is available for Kindle as wel, which I can download via my iPhone Kindle app.

mindy January 20, 2010 at 12:26 am

because it sounds like wonderful light reading thanks

dorothy l January 20, 2010 at 2:05 am

sounds like a book I would enjoy I have been to the Caribbean several times
con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Jess January 20, 2010 at 5:11 am

I haven't taken any vacation time in a few years now and probably won't get to this year either, so reading is about the closest I'll be getting to actual travels.

angie January 20, 2010 at 7:09 am

I love travel books, and this one looks great.

M. Rogers January 20, 2010 at 1:57 pm

I'd like to win because this book sounds extremely interesting to me.

sweetsue January 20, 2010 at 7:08 pm

I would like to win because I never travel and have to read about it to satisfy my craving for the unknown,

dglitter January 20, 2010 at 8:19 pm

I would like to read this because I love travel memoirs. Thanks!

lucyschwartz January 20, 2010 at 11:29 pm

Catchy Title. I may not be traveling that way soon but I like the book title and could spend some time reading.

Colleen S January 21, 2010 at 3:02 am

I would love to win this book becuase he had me laughing at the title!

Melissa_WantToGoTravel January 21, 2010 at 4:29 am

What a fabulous book! Reminds me of a former matter of fact colleague I worked with. A signed copy would be a delightful gift.

Mary M. January 21, 2010 at 5:06 pm

I love travel stories, especially funny ones. Also, my mom would love it, as she's cruised the Carribean several times and loves the area.

jessiev January 21, 2010 at 6:29 pm

i LOVED this book. it was one of the funniest books i've ever written! and you're right – gary is the real deal. great review!

maweisberg January 21, 2010 at 10:28 pm

would like to win this

rebikah January 23, 2010 at 11:09 pm

I love to read and this sounds like another great book

sarah January 25, 2010 at 7:01 pm

this sounds really funny!

princesskaren January 25, 2010 at 7:26 pm

I love to travel the Caribbean and this sounds hilarious. Thanks.

Altusbecky January 25, 2010 at 7:45 pm

I would love to read this…

smc380 January 25, 2010 at 10:10 pm

Sounds like a great book!!

darciekayes January 26, 2010 at 12:10 am

This sounds like a funny tale. I could use some humor.
dmkayes@gmail.com

redfantum January 26, 2010 at 11:24 am

Oh, I would love this. I am of Caribbean descent and would love a humorous take on things.

susansmoaks January 26, 2010 at 6:50 pm

i would like to win this because i really want to read it

Ed Nemmers January 27, 2010 at 12:36 am

I love this book's title and subtitle!

Melanie January 27, 2010 at 3:20 am

I need to book to make me laugh out loud!

garrettsambo January 27, 2010 at 5:24 am

I would like to win. It sounds like a hilarious book. I need to laugh after listening to the President's speech. garrettsambo@aol.com

lilyk January 27, 2010 at 5:45 am

I would like to win a copy of A Rotten Person Travels the Caribbean because it sounds very interesting!

lilyk@mail2world.com

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