Advice for Becoming a Professional Bookish Traveler

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Hello, everyone!

It’s been a while since my last post- I’ve been busy! However, I have a super fun one planned for today! If you love books, traveling, and excitement, then keep reading for some of my favorite tips on becoming a professional bookish traveler.

1. If you are traveling via plane, make sure you throw a few books into your carry-on; don’t only take a suitcase! Whether the carry-on is a backpack, tote, or purse, ensure it’s large enough to carry a few books, but not too large be unaccepted onto the flight. If you’re taking hardcover books, remove the dust covers before packing so they don’t become bent. If you’re like me, I like my books to be crisp and well-kept. And if you are going by car and not driving-and you don’t get carsick-keep your book bag within arm’s reach. If you need a cute, fun, bookish tote, here is a link for one of my favorite bags that has traveled many places with me!

2. When I was on my way home from a trip to Costa Rica (Dream trip!) I got randomly selected for a TSA search- I got picked out of everyone else on that flight. I won, I guess. When they opened up my suitcase, they ruffled through every item in my bag, including the three books I had carefully wrapped in a pair of soft shorts and surrounded to be snug enough that they wouldn’t shift and get bent during the flight. You’d think that pulling them out would be enough, but no. They had to flip through every single page of my books and I was silently cringing the entire time. But here’s the tip: when you pack books, wrap them in a piece of fabric. Whether it’s a small blanket or even a shirt- it keeps them safe and snug during the travel time! Thankfully, the TSA woman very carefully rewrapped them afterwards. I know all of you bookworms will be just as appreciative as I am of that!

3. Guess how many books I read on a ten-day trip?? Sixteen. And I had only packed four books. The other twelve were ebooks! Even if you don’t think you are going to be reading much on your vacation, make sure you have either a kindle or a tablet/phone with book apps downloaded. My favorite apps are Libby and Hoopla- they have a wide variety of both ebooks and audiobooks! And of course there is always Audible!

4. Please do not forget a book light. This will prove to be so useful, and you will absolutely not regret it. Whether it’s evening and you want to snuggle cozily in a lawn chair with a book outside, or it’s the middle of the night and you simply can’t sleep, you will be grateful you brought a book light!

I am including an affiliate link to my favorite reading light I have ever owned. It’s easily rechargeable, has adjustable brightness, and even has different light colors! I find it more functional than the ones with the long, bendy necks that sometimes aren’t sturdy enough. And this one is small enough that it can be thrown into a purse or pocket!

5. Lastly- the most important one! Make sure you have room in your luggage to prepare to return with more books than you left with! On a trip to Washington I made sure to visit several bookstores, and thankfully I had packed lightly in order to save space for books that I knew I’d be buying. Such is the life of a bookworm.

Apply all these tips, and you will become a professional bookish traveler!

Safe travels!