The Sofa Surfing Handbook: A Guide for Modern Nomads

Published by Manic D Press, whose other titles include The Underground Guide to San Francisco and Signs of Life: Channel-Surfing Through '90s Culture, this book features chapters written by different authors from Manic D Press's stable. Chapters range from the extremely practical "Sofa Surfing with HIV" by Justin Chin to the more philosophical "Slack Attack"--a reflection on the sofa-surfing lifestyle by Wammo (yes, that's his name). The writers, though not exactly household names, know their stuff. They'll tell you what to pack, how to ingratiate yourself with your host (make sure your feet don't stink, for example), and how to live in your car if you have to.

This slim volume brims with helpful advice for the "modern gypsy," but its lively, opinionated voice will keep even more traditional travelers entertained. --Rebecca Agiewich