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I am an avid reader! Typically I read fantasy books with the occasional contemporary, classic and biography in there. I really struggle with reading while abroad as it’s very difficult to decide what to bring!
If you’re interested in other packing posts, be sure to check out my post on how to pack for a rural trip.
So how do I do it? A kindle!
There are so many types of kindle, you have the general ‘Amazon Kindle’, the Paper-white, the Oasis and the Fire and probably more that I haven’t even heard of!
My personal favourite is the Paper-white. It is light, back lit and easy to navigate and so perfect for travel. The battery life on this kindle is also brilliant, I have read non-stop for about 7 hours before (I can’t sleep on planes!) and it had only just started to die on me.
The Kindle Fire is very useful if you want a way of keeping in contact with the world as you can go on Facebook and use other apps, as well as reading while abroad! The battery life isn’t quite as good as it has all the apps.
Admittedly, I don’t know much about the Oasis as I have never used one, but it’s worth checking out!
The best thing about buying a kindle is that you can have hundreds and thousands of books at your disposal for the weight of half a book! If you read fairly quickly, I recommend getting Kindle Unlimited as you can have up to 10 books a month!
Buy books while travelling
Usually while I am waiting for my flight or train, I find myself in a bookshop. Every time this happens, and every time I know that I am getting ripped off because the prices are extortionate! I still do it anyway though.
If you have a long journey ahead of you, I do recommend checking out the bookshop because you can get a short book (or a long one if you’ve got time to read it!). Once you’ve finished with it, you can pass it along to someone else who might be interested in reading it or donate it to a place when you’re at your destination.
Only take 1 book with you
I always allow myself 1 book to take abroad with me. Usually I take a big fantasy book as it keeps me going for a while. Also, chose a paperback over a hardback!
There’s a multitude of things you can do with the book once you’ve read it depending on the type of journey you are doing. When backpacking, the weight of a book really influences your journey, and therefore I don’t recommend keeping the book once you’re done.
If you’re doing a beach holiday, then keeping it (if you like it of course) wouldn’t really effect you.
Check out second hand book shops!
Second hand bookshops are a beauty. They are the perfect place to explore and get immersed into the local culture!
This is also a brilliant place to give away a book that you bought with you, or bought while travelling. You can bring something back from here as a souvenir.
Keep an eye out for a blog post on Second Hand Bookshops you must visit!
Find the local library!
If there is a time when you’re waiting for a bus, or just have some time to relax, why not find the local library? You don’t need to take out any books, but you can browse the shelves and find a comfortable seat to start reading in!
Libraries also have free WiFi and computers so it’s a perfect place to get in contact with home as well.
Check out BookCrossing
This is new to me! Be sure to check out the site here if my explanation is not informative enough!
You register with the site, and you input the book you want to ‘donate’, you receive a label which you print and stick on the book. The next step is to pass on the book! They call it ‘releasing it into the wild’ whereby you leave it somewhere or give it to a stranger.
Due to the label on the book, whoever gets the book after you is able to find the BookCrossing website and claim the book, and you are able to see where in the world the book has gone!
Incredible, isn’t it!
Although i am not an avid reader, my sister is! She will love these amazing ideas
I bought a Kindle Fire for traveling, but ended up buying a Paperwhite so that I could use it on the beach. The key feature of the Paperwhite is that it doesn’t have screen glare and is the closest experience to looking at a paper book, so when you’re on the beach or somewhere sunny it’s still easy to read. Whereas on many of the other ebook readers, the screen is shiny and you get glare.
I love the BookCrossing idea! That is so fun that you can share books and see where they end up traveling around the world even after you’re gone. Thank you for sharing this fun idea. 🙂
Visiting bookshops and buying books while traveling is so much fun! When I was living in Moscow, it was so difficult not to fill an entire suitcase full of them, lol. I’m sooo glad I have a Kindle now, as it’s so much more convenient! Nothing beats flipping a real page, though. 🙂
I totally agree with you! My favorite e-book is the Kindle Paperwhite. I love how light and practical it is, even for reading in the dark without damaging your eyes. The only taking one book option is definitely not for me, and I always end up in those second-hand bookstores (except where I don’t speak the language). Honestly, never thought about the library!
I love having a physical book while traveling as a break from the screen – I usually give it to someone or donate it at the destination. I will definitely look at BookCrossing too since I have so many books at home that I’m not going to re-read.
I have tried just taking a kindle, but to me nothing beats a real book with paper. I always bring 3 books with me when I travel so that I don’t run out. Once I finish them, I leave them for the housekeeper.
I’m also a huge reader and I’m so glad that Kindles and tablets exist now, especially for travel. I used to lug around so many books and magazines in my carry-on that my arm would go numb! Thanks for including the tip about BookCrossing. I’d never heard of that and I’m going to check it out!
Love this, I’m an avid reader too and have been thinking about buying a kindle. I’m going to check out the paper white one you suggested
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