It's the season of travel, a fact underscored by today's lead book review. If you think that means wandering about nonchalantly - a few day trips to the mountains or hopping in the car for a thrown-together road trip - some authors would take issue with your approach.

For them, your travel plans are nothing less than a matter of life and death. And they'll tell you that right in the title.

Consider a few books that have hit the shelves recently. First up, the brick-size 1,000 Places to See Before You Die in the USA and Canada (Workman, $19.95). One thousand places! Just looking at the title is making me so stressed out that I might have a stroke sitting right here in my chair.

On closer inspection, though, I'm not sure these are all really places to die for. For example, in Colorado, author Patricia Schultz suggests that you simply must see Aspen, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the Continental Divide and - drumroll - the Great American Beer Festival.

Let's see, in the USA alone there's the drop-dead beauty of Niagara Falls, the drop-dead beauty of the Grand Canyon - and the drop-dead sight of a bunch of drunks weaving around with glasses of foam in their hands and glazed looks in their eyes? I think not.

I'm guessing you could skip the beer festival and perhaps focus instead on another book that's worried about your immortal traveling soul: Unforgettable Islands to Escape to Before You Die (Firefly, $19.95).

Now here's a book with pages and pages of dream-vacation ideas: blue oceans, palm trees, brilliant orange sunsets. I certainly would hate to take a dirt nap before landing on the soil of these gorgeous islands.

On the other hand, how likely am I to get to Si Phan Don, in Laos, anytime soon?

Ah, well, there's always book option No. 3: Eat This!: 1,001 Things to Eat Before You Diet (Harper, $14.95).

OK, it's not talking about death but just directing you to palate-pleasing spots across the country. Still, if you plan to gorge on foods like Natchitoches meat pie, Southside Market hot link sausage and Memphis-style ribs, let's face it: That plaque will be starting a journey of its own - straight to your arteries.

But enough talk of death. Time to wrap up this topic by bidding bon voyage to those of you heading out.

As for me, given my overflowing bank account, it's safe to say I'm looking forward to my summer jaunt as well.

Can't wait to see you at the beer festival.

ONE LAST THOUGHT ABOUT HARRY POTTER

It occurred to me that while cities such as Denver try to launch vibrant community reading programs such as One Book, One Denver, Harry Potter had them all beat. This was not only a community reading event but a global one, as well. Call it One Book, One World.

Unlike One Book, One Denver, which never seems to generate much talk among strangers about the chosen book, despite its best intentions, Harry was a bonding experience for readers of all types and ages. I didn't go anywhere last week where people weren't talking about J.K. Rowling's final saga - including a Pilates class where the middle-aged students were comparing thoughts about the book between gasps for air while exercising.

Some spoilsports are grumbling about the way Harry dominated the scene for a few short weeks. But I say it sure was fun while it lasted.

PAPER CLIPS

New paperback releases of note:

The Poe Shadow, by Matthew Pearl (Random House, $13.95)

The World Is Flat, by Thomas L. Friedman (Picador, $16)

The Boleyn Inheritance, by Philippa Gregory (Touchstone, $16)