A fine reading selection

Okay, the title is misleading. This is more of an eclectic platter of various books.

We're going on a trip up north to Minnesota and I, of course, will be bringing books. Let me explain my selection.

First, Wildwood by Colin Meloy. (I'll probably review this one when we get back)
I am in the process of reading this one, so he had to come, and we are going to the Northern Woods. This book is called Wildwood. The setting is quite perfect. I am loving this book and I really want to see what happens, so that is a must have.

Second, The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien.
As a general rule, when I am traveling, I bring a book that I have already read. When I know that there will be a long wait (I'm thinking layovers when flying to and from France) I bring a long book that I know I will like. It's generally not one that I have read recently, so I'm still interested in it despite knowing what it is. For this trip, there won't be a layover and I can't read in the car, so length wasn't as important as interest. I haven't read The Hobbit in a while, which is why I chose it instead of Harry Potter (there's also the fact that I read the entire Chamber of Secrets in a two hour flight, so it's not the best travel choice for me). In addition, the book is called There and Back Again and is the story of a long journey. I like to imagine that I'm riding my pony besides Thorin's company.

Third, Sherlock Holmes Volume II, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
This is on my list of books to read and it's just a bunch of short stories so I can read one here and there when I don't want to listen to the trolls fighting over how to cook dwarf. Also, Sherlock. I couldn't not bring him.

So there you go, my reading selection for this week: an "in progress" book, a "pre-read" book and a "to read" book. While I'm gone, you guys can amuse yourselves by answering these questions in the comments below!

What books do you like to bring when you travel and why?

Are you going anywhere book-related this year (say, Hobbiton, New Zealand)?

Can you read in the car or are you like me and it gives you an instant headache?