“The world is a book, and those who do not travel leave only a page.” – Saint Augustine. Vacations are supposed to be fun, easy escapes. Because of that, many of us take a break from reading on these trips. However, I have found that books can greatly enhance the experience I receive from a trip. Here are some tips for finding the right book, time, and benefits for reading on vacation. It will make your time spent out in the sun so much more relaxing and enjoyable.
Make It Fun
The last thing that I want you to do is force yourself to read some giant, dusty tome while your family tries to jump on every roller coaster at Disney Land. This is supposed to add to your trip, therefore you want to make it something you enjoy. Making the right choice in a book is very important to keeping your vacation upbeat and enjoyable. You probably want to choose a book on topics that you are interested in. You also do not want it to be something especially advanced for you to read or difficult.
As a child, one of my favorite choices for the car was the beloved Harry Potter series. Now, I still maintain that love of fiction on trips but I have branched out some. I recently went on a road trip and decided to take a book about a lawyer who has been fighting for social justice throughout his career. It was incredibly interesting to me and managed to spark some fascinating conversations with me and my mom. The book helped me to connect to others while also keeping me entertained and shortening my car ride.
Some great choices for your trip might be:
- Surprised By Oxford by Carolyn Weber
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Colins
- My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
- Any Agatha Christie mysteries
- The Harry Potter series
- Where Are the Children? by Mary Higgins Clark
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Stay In the Moment
I am not giving a way out of spending time with your family. It is important to not let reading distract you from enjoying the activities, people, and destination of your vacation. There are a few crucial places to avoid letting reading distract you. If you fully dedicate your family meal times and outings to being in the moment, you will be truly valuing your vacation experience. In addition, ensure that you are leaving ample opportunity for bonding activities like games and conversations.
Instead of letting your book distract you from your family, use it at times when you are alone or need to relax. In the car or on the plane, where you may be sitting there bored or scrolling on your phone, instead pick up a book. Before bed, read a few chapters to relax your mind and make your night enjoyable. On a slow afternoon, kick back and enjoy some reading time. Do not let it take away from your quality time with others!
It can be a great way to encourage quality time with others. It can give you an array of interesting topics to discuss. Start conversations at meals or in the car and you will be surprised with the response you get. You will have discussions and debates about anything from a love triangle to a social justice predicament. If your family is up for the challenge, you can even try reading the same book together. It will be sure to spark some lively talks and can be a great shared memory.
The Bonus Brought by Vacation Reading
Books work in mysterious ways with our imagination and emotions. It removes us from this world and carries us into another. It causes us to feel as though we have experienced things that we never could in real life. It causes us to play with choices and emotions that change us. If you are looking for a diversion or inspiring message, a book is where you find it.
Most of us wish we had more time for reading. It gets pushed behind work and school, family life, and other activities we balance. A vacation is the perfect time when we have an extra minute or two to engage in a book. It gives us a much more diverse mental vacation than we can typically afford physically. It is a great way to keep you entertained and engaged during the slow parts of a trip without the temptation to bring our work with us.
Reading is also proven to be very relaxing. I know that I enjoy a chapter or two before bed to slow down my mind. For many, getting a chance to sit and consume a story in such a manner gives them rest and a break from the worries and hardships we normally have to deal with. Reading is an excellent addition to any vacation and completes the experience far more fully than extra social media time.
As long as one chooses the right book, time, and mindset, reading is the perfect topping to any vacation, no matter how extravagant. For me, it is a must-have. I cannot imagine going without a friendly book on any trip. It gives me comfort and peace to turn to my reading at the slow part of a trip. It keeps boredom or homesickness at bay and gives me something to enjoy at any point. Try bringing along a trusty, bookish companion on your vacation and your experience will be heavily enriched.