Reading While Traveling

Well, I’m back!  After two weeks of traveling up and down and all around Peru via plane, train, car, bus, boat, and even bicylcle taxi I am finally back in the States and back at home.  But two weeks was a long time, and I managed to pick up some knowledge about reading while constantly one the go.  Without further ado, here are my tips and tricks:

This is probably the most difficult part about traveling and wanting to read, but alas, it must be addressed.  First off, when you’re traveling you are by definition moving, so the question becomes…can you read motion (i.e. in the car/train/plane)?  If the answer is yes, then GREAT, that’s a ton of available time you can now dedicate to reading.  If the answer is no, first off I’m so sorry!  But don’t worry, there are lots of other opportunities to read while on your trip, so don’t fret.  The next logistical issue is really about strength.  Your own physical strength.  Can you handle carrying around five books with you at a time?  If you can (and are comfortable) then GREAT, you’re constantly with reading material.  If not, then that’s okay, only bring one or two.  Or, if you are really brave, you can try *gulp* magazines.

So you’re already writing out an itinerary for your trip, why not make one specifically for your reading material? This way you can pick out which books you want to read in which situation, what sort of book shops you’ve read about and which days you’ll visit them, and you can easily average out how many books you’ll need to bring for the duration of your stay.  Not a planner?  More of a fly by the seat of your pants kind of reader?  At least look up to see if there’s a Hudson News near your gate at the airport, or a bookstore close to your hotel.  If all else fails, try reading the newspaper.

The most important part of reading while traveling is, well, reading while traveling.  But I know, I know, it can be difficult.  But nothings impossible!  Say you have a really action packed day, what better way to relax that night than with a book?  Or maybe you’re just spending the afternoon lounging by the pool, bring a book a long to keep yourself entertained.  Or maybe you’re someone who always brings/buys books on trips but never actually reads them?  Make an effort to carry said book with you AS MUCH as possible, it works as good encouragement.  

1.   paperbacks > hardcovers (for travel)
—> even better?  e-readers
2. magazines = very portable
3. audiobooks are the lightest of all
4. books are tough, they can handle some dirt or sand
5. leaving a book for a stranger to find is a fun way to share your reading material with another traveler

And now that it’s the end of the post, you’re all probably wondering… on your trip to Peru, what books did you read Mary?  And the answer is as follows:

The Martian // The Continent // Me Before You 

xoxox