How to Read More While You Travel
Turns out, it can be really difficult to read when you travel! And not even just traveling, but any kind of busy lifestyle. However… I think I’ve finally cracked the code on how to read more on the go – I’ve read over 15 books just in the past two months, including during a long trip to NYC. I’m not a speed reader, in fact I’m kind of a slow reader (I like to savor it!).
But reading more on the go is not just a phase for me.
Reading is important: it’s a hobby, a form of self-care, and makes us more educated and open-minded people. If I can’t be traveling, then country-, time-, and culture-hopping through reading is the next best thing. So today I want to share a bit about my own story with learning how to read on the go, and some of my top tips.
How I learned to read on the go
I was on reading overload after my English degree and during my Masters. Not to mention I moved abroad (only a few books of poetry and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban traveled across the Atlantic with me), and started traveling whenever I could. I got to a point where I couldn’t even remember the last book I read for fun. When I started longterm traveling after my Masters, I knew I wanted to get back into reading for fun.
But it wasn’t that easy. My tiny duffel bag was always half-full of books (pretty sure I got a permanent back ache dragging it across Europe!). If I took three books with me on a trip, I would inevitably finish them and then be bookless and continue to lug them about. But recently, I think I’ve cracked the code, and I want to share some of my top tips!
7 Tips for how to read more while you’re traveling
1. Buy a Kindle, it’s 100% worth the investment
This is my top tip for a reason. I was firmly in the anti-kindle camp for a long time, and still think I wouldn’t ever use kindle as it was in its original format. However the new Paperwhite Kindles are a game changer! They’re lightweight, small (fit in my coat pocket), but not too small. There are no other apps to distract, and the screen lighting technology means it doesn’t affect my sleep. The newest version is even waterproof!
I couldn’t recommend the Paperwhite Kindle more – I literally use mine every day. I was definitely dubious to start with but now I’m in love!
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2. While you’re at it, buy a pretty Kindle cover
I’m obsessed with my watercolor map kindle cover from Etsy. First of all, it’s travel-themed, and of course I love perusing Etsy. It’s so much prettier than any of the covers from Amazon. It was also very affordable!
Investing in my Kindle with a cover not only keeps it safer, but it also makes me want to read from it that much more.
Here are some other pretty Kindle covers on my wish list:
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3. Make a Goodreads account
I used to think of Goodreads as just another social media account I didn’t need clogging up my life. But I have to say that since getting a Goodreads account (which I’ve linked to my Kindle, so I can access it from there), I only wish I’d done it sooner! I think Goodreads is mostly useful for the “want to read” shelf feature. It’s also fun to track what books you’ve read, though.
The big secret to reading more on the go is always having a book you’ll love lined up for when you finish your current book. Anyone else familiar with that long lull after you finish a good book, and nothing else seems to live up? Well, now I just consult my Goodreads “want to read” shelf and I always have my next book ready.
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4. Join a library for free Kindle books
I delayed getting a Kindle for a long time because I didn’t want to spend unnecesary money to buy ebooks just so I could use my Kindle. Little did I know that you can actually get thousands of books for FREE through your local library’s digital collection!
You can rent a book and download through Hoopla or Overdrive, and keep it for at least 14 days! I highly recommend heading to your local library to make an account, if you aren’t a member already.
5. Try out Audiobooks during solo travel
When I was in Amsterdam, I downloaded the free trial of Audible and got the Diary of Anne Frank audiobook. Since I was solo traveling, I listened to the book as I wandered around the city, taking it all in, and managed to finish the book on my final day before my tour of the Anne Frank House. (And yeah, sobbed on the street #audiobooksideeffects).
It was such a memorable experience, and a great addition to solo traveling. Personally, I’m not an Audiobook all-the-time kind of person, but I think they can be really helpful and unique during travel.
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6. Always take a book with you
Simple and sweet: never leave the house without a book! When I was in NYC, I read my Kindle on the subway – it made the time pass that much faster, and I didn’t have to bother with spotty internet and data on my phone as the subway whizzed underground.
Take your book or Kindle to the gym, to the doctors, take it everywhere.
7. Join an online book club
Book clubs are a great way to motivate you to read, be critical of what you’re reading, and expand your horizons. However when you’re traveling or living a super busy lifestyle, finding and staying in a book club is challenging!
That’s why online book clubs are great. I recently joined the Beyond Words Bloggers book club, which holds discussions on Facebook and through a blog linkup, and would definitely recommend it! I really enjoy their book recommendations (although I think I’ll still be on the library wait list for the February book for a few more weeks…grr).
Ready to read more?
There ya go! I hope these tips are helpful – since getting my Kindle, I have really reinvigorated my love for reading. The cute case is just a cherry on top, and makes it all feel more personal. I hope I’ve inspired at least one person to read a book this month – and if I haven’t… tell me what’s stopping you! I’d also love to know all the other avid readers’ tips.
Sarah xx
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Thank you for plugging our book club! I love it becuase you can join from anywhere. One of my friends, who was in my Hawaii book club with me, just moved to the mainland. So through our online book club we can stay in book club together! I am with you on taking a book everywhere you go. You never know when you will have some spare moments to read, so I always just bring a book or my kindle everywhere, even on vacation. I asked for a Kindle for Christmas and I really love it. It’s so easy to bring on trips and planes! I think that I will read even more with the kindle. Great post!
Ahhh of course!! I finally got Codename Verity from the library a couple days ago (I was on hold forever!) and am trying to finish it…probably not in time for Friday, but still. Yeah it was the same for me, I got my Kindle for Christmas and now I love it. I read so much more.
Great tips!! I’m still kind of in the anti-kindle club, which is silly because I live in a country where I can’t get many books in English, yet I still don’t have a kindle. I just love love love holding a book.
When I go to England, I full my suitcase with books and then swap them with friends. Maybe one day, I’ll get a Kindle!
Also, Goodreads is so great, I really love it and log so many books on there in my ‘to read’ section 🙂 Added you!
Ahhhh Marcella, this is your sign! Get out of the anti-kindle club! It’s not a fun place to be! Lol. No but I understand, I felt that way for soooo long. I still read hardcover books and I will forever. But my kindle just fills those other spaces in my life where I couldn’t access a book. It makes books more accessible for me. And thanks for adding me on Goodreads!!!
These are great tips! I have enjoyed reading since I was a kid. Nowadays, I do not read as much as I would like. And, when I say read, I am referring to books that discuss deep topics or new ideas (I am not a fan of fiction). I do read the news, magazines and tons of blog posts. But, I will like to go back to reading books. #WanderfulWednesday
Same! Lifelong bookworm here lol. I hope you get a chance to read a book soon – blogs and news (as much as I love em, obviously) just aren’t the same! You don’t get a chance to really relax, focus, and “turn off” because you’re still connected, and can multitask. Books take your full attention and there’s no multiple tabs open, which makes them so special!
Great tips! Oe year I managed to read some 25+ books because I was always on the bus, but then we got a car and I barely read 2-3 books a year now! Although I have been wanting to read more Jane Austen/Shakespeare books to gear up for England! I’m not a Kindle fan even though I know it would save space and weight when traveling, and on my bookshelves. I just love the feeling of holding a book in my hands! #WanderfulWednesday
I think the Kindle is absolutely the secret to reading more on the go…. I just need to forgive myself for losing my kindles, LOL. I don’t know what my hang up is… it’s really stupid if I think about it… I haven’t figured out how to use my goodreads account. I have one, I just need to figure it out, lol.
It definitely is, there’s a reason it’s #1 in this post lol. Girl, get yourself a new kindle and make a pact that you won’t lose it! Write reminders on your phone to check you still have you kindle after you get off airplanes!!! You can do it!
Ok I have a book I’ve been reading for properly ages and I just need to finish it. It’s really good, but very slow going and I just need to power through! I totally agree with the ereader love. I have a Nook which I think is not even supported by anyone anymore, let alone manufactured, but it’s ideal for what I need. I think after my tricky book is done I’ll switch to an ebook 🙂
Ohhh I have one like that too … I started it in OCTOBER lol.
I swear by my paperwhite Kindle too – except that having discovered Overdrive recently, I’m now using mostly that app on my phone! If only I could combine them…
They are amaaaaazing!! Mine is like my baby haha. Hence the cover from Etsy, which I am obsessed with.
Hehe love it!
I really struggle with reading and being self-employed doesn’t help. I always feel like I should be working so I never end up actually sitting down to read something that’s not blog-related – it’s awful! I like to listen to podcasts when I’m traveling though and should really try audiobooks as well!
Yeah I get that – now that I’m trying to get some freelance work I feel similarly. Like every spare moment is an opportunity to work! I love my kindle though because it’s so easy to take and read when I’m waiting in lines or things when I couldn’t reasonably work. And I’ve made it a routine to read before bed – there’s def ways to fit it in!
Great tips! I’ve recently joined a book club and I love getting books on my tablet! I used to be against them haha but it’s so useful for travelling! I also try to always go to bed at least 20-30 minutes before I want to so I can take time to read and relax before sleeping.
Thanks! Exactly, I was pretty anti tablet/kindle, but then I went off longterm traveling and was like ooooooh, now I see how useful a kindle is!! Now that I have one, I can’t put it down!