Good Reads

How to prepare for a new life?...  Read, read, read.  I will try to keep a list here of books and articles that I have found interesting on the subject of the Caribbean, moving to the islands, sailing, or a combination of them all...



"A Sail of Two Idiots"  

    ISBN: 978-0-07-177984-5
    Renee D. Petrillo

    I got this book as a present for Christmas 2012.  What a fantastic read. A husband and wife in their mid-30's decides that they have had enough, and begin questioning their lives.  Sound familiar?  They decide to "sell it all" and begin an epic adventure living aboard a sailing catamaran as they explore the Caribbean looking for an island that suits them for a long term plan.  One difference between them and me - they didn't see the need to get training and plan things BEFORE they left.  This is a great self-reflecting story of the good, the bad, and the ugly that they encountered in their two adventurous years aboard.





    "Treasure Island"

    ISBN: 978-0-9830843-0-3
    John Amrhein Jr.

    If you are a history buff - this is a book for you.  The author of this book was a guest aboard S/V Antiquity, captained by David Decuir. "Antiquity" was the very first sailing charter that Sharon and I every took.  Captain Dave is known to be a treasure hunter an consomate Caribbean explorer.  He was instrumental in helping Mr. Amrhein collect research for this book, which was already underway at the time of his charter aboard Antiquity.  It was like it was meant to be.  This is not an easy read, but for those who are into pirate lore... beware - this book will steal your time!










    "The Essentials of Living Aboard"
    ISBN: 0-939837-66-8
    Mark Nicholas

    This was the first book I purchased when I started thinking about the reality of living aboard.  I was curious about long term living, costs, climates, etc.  This book is a little dry, and it's geared more towards those that will live stateside in a marina, but it has a lot of good information non the less.









    "All in the Same Boat"
    ISBN: 978-0-07-142791-3
    Tom Neale

    This is another great book that explores the technicalities, financials, and obsticles/considerations of living aboard.  This book also adds a twist in that the author moved his entire family aboard and they cruise throughout the world full time.  I found that he has some very interesting views on the subject with a lot of personal experience to back them up.











    "Incredible Virgin Island Adventure, A True Story"
    George F. Myrick


    This book is one of my new favorites.  My particular copy was sent to me by my friend Victor from California who shares my enthusiasm for the Caribbean.  I met him years ago on a day sailing charter I arranged, and we have kept in touch ever since while comparing vacation stories and new places that we want to explore.  After talking about making a move towards a life aboard, I received this book in the mail from him.  This is the self-penned story of George Myrick - creator of the Soggy Dollar Bar.  His writing is simple, straight forward, but tells his story well and you find yourself not being able to put the book down.  George and his wife started sailing much like Sharon and I, and successfully moved to the Virgin Islands, ran a charter business, built a successful hotel, and then built the Sand Castle Hotel and the Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay.  Now if that doesn't sound like a good story, I'm afraid I have nothing for you here.  And the kicker...  Victor had my copy signed.  Very cool.












    "The Drinking Man's Guide to the BVI"
    Julian Putley

    ...A manual every self respecting island drunkard should live by.  This book highlights just about every watering hole in the British Virgin Islands.  It starts with a simple silhouette map of each island, with numbered "blobs".  Each "blob" corresponds to a bar name in the legend, as well as a page number for the write up.  The author, Julian Putley, has a nice description for each bar, as well as drink recipes and a poetic blurb.  The best part about the book, is that each establishment provides freebies simply by showing the book to the bartender and having them sign it.  I have yet to find a bartender that doesn't immediately recognize this book - well done Mr. Putley.  Well done.

    This book can be used to organize a plan of attack for any good BVI sailing vacation.   








    "Dream Cruises, The Insider's Guide To Private Yacht Charter Vacations"
    ISBN: 978-1583489840
    Kim Kavin

    As far as I am concerned, is the definitive guide to the charter yacht industry.  If you have ever thought about a charter, want to plan a charter, or you are curious about how the industry works and what you can expect - start here.  This book covers everything you could want to know, and provides almost step-by-step instructions of how to charter a yacht and have the most amazing vacation you have ever thought of.

















    "Tales of St. John & The Caribbean"
    Various authors, collected by Gerald Singer
    ISBN: 978-0964122024

    This is an eclectic collection of short stories and lore, as told by Caribbean locals.  It reads quickly, and captures the imagination with tales of characters and adventures of days gone by.  Unlike many of the books on this list, it is not a reference book, but one that gives an entertaining flavor of St. John and it's surrounding areas.


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