In 2007, when I was boning up on all things Camino, I began my preparation by reading everything I could at the bookstore (notice...I didn't say buying. They have these great leather chairs...but I digress)
. Most were either books written by folks that had walked one or more Caminos, or folks with a knack for impressive cut and paste (many call that plagiarizing) and they all had one thing in common...weight. Consequently, I began a search for something light weight, solid topographic elevations and a few pithy remarks on where not to turn, where the good food (oops, Johnnie Walker thinks "good food" is any meat over cooked and covered in thick brown gravy)
can be found, suggestions on albergues (public and private),hostals, etc and the folks that operate them. I also needed something I wouldn't mind losing (although those notes I wrote on cerveza/vino availability did bring with them a sense of nostalgia). I like the CSJ guidebooks, they fit the bill for me and many (CI,CP, Finisterre, etc) are available for download.
There are many guidebooks in foreign languages (anything not English is foreign to me
)
that cover much the same...but here's the rub.
Getting so heavily into planning the whole of your Camino based on the ramblings/prejudices/opinions of others can be counter productive.
"How so?" says Joey
The Forum is easily the largest English language Camino centric site on the Web. The experience and dedication of it's members are spot on technically, openly inclusive and eager to share their experiences...warts and all. But when all is said, if you walk through a village looking for that one special fountain, or are determined to stay at the "not to be missed albergue/hostal" there's a good chance you will suffer from target fixation and miss that one, or more opportunity or experience that maybe a true (meaning important to YOU) "keeper" of walking the Way.