A Reader’s Guide to Travelling with Books

As book lovers, packing for a holiday is more than just stressing over what toiletries and how many outfits to pack. You also have to contend with selecting the stories that will accompany you on your adventure! Whether you’re jetting off to a sun-soaked beach, a countryside getaway, or a city break, the right book can transport you to somewhere even more magical. 🏖️ ✨

But travelling with books does come with its challenges. If you’re wondering how to protect those precious pages in transit, which bookish accessories are worth taking along for the ride, or how to choose the perfect fictional companions, this guide will help you prepare for your summer escapades. 🕶️ 📖

Paperbacks vs Hardbacks

Paperbacks are incredibly lightweight, and their small size makes them easy to slip into backpacks and beach bags. This makes them the ideal choice for adventures on the go, but they do lack the sturdiness that hardbacks have. Hardbacks act like guardians to the stories that reside within them, and are more likely to withstand a journey as they are harder to damage, as long as their dust jackets are removed. There’s no right or wrong choice here, it just depends on what is most important to you!

Checked Baggage vs Hand Baggage

Instead of keeping all your books in one place, consider dividing them between your checked baggage and your hand baggage. This distributes the weight more comfortably, safeguards your collection, and ensures you’ll always have a portal to another world close to hand while waiting at the airport and soaring through the clouds!

How to Pack

Treat your treasured books with the same care you would a magical artefact! Placing them flat against the base of your suitcase will protect their spines and prevent their covers bending. Surrounding them with soft clothing will act as an enchantment that adds an extra layer of protection, and positioning the heavier books closer to the wheels will properly balance the weight. For other bags, utilise any front and side pockets.

Digital Media

While we’ll forever love the magic of physical books, with the feeling of paper beneath our fingertips and the scent of ink infusing the air, eBooks and audiobooks are also wonderful companions for your travels. Make sure to download a few before you go to save space and to give yourself a vaster selection of stories to choose from. This way, you’ll always have something to suit your mood, whether you’re lounging by the pool or stopping for a rest whilst exploring a new city.

Allow Extra Space

Let’s be honest here, we know you will be wandering around new bookshops and leaving with a armful of new stories… book lovers just can’t resist! Make sure you leave extra space for any new books you accumulate on your trip. They are the perfect souvenir to remember your travels, after all!

Book Sleeves

Book sleeves provide a safe way to carry stories everywhere, keeping those precious pages protected from bent corners, spills, and other wear and tear. With their extra cushioning, you can just pop them into your bag without any worry!

eReader Straps

A small accessory that makes a big difference, these straps give you a more secure and comfortable grip on your eReader. Perfect for reading on public transport, by the water, or at a café, they prevent accidental drops and make it even easier to lose yourself in a story.

Clip-On Reading Light

Always have ample reading lighting, no matter where you are! With the ability to be clipped on to any cover, these lights cast a gentle glow over the pages, allowing you to continue your story long after the sun has set. Whether you’re resting in a dimly lit hotel room, travelling through the night, or just don’t want to disturb others around you, a clip-on reading light is a must!

Picnic Blanket

A picnic blanket can make any place the perfect reading space! Weather on the beach, in a park, or beside a stunning view, wherever your adventure takes you, a picnic blanket will ensure you’re always ready to take a break and sneak a few pages in.

Short, Quick Reads

When you’re going to be out and about, sometimes it’s best to opt for shorter books. They’re usually fast-paced so you’ll still feel like you’ve made good progress in the story even if you don’t have time to read for long, and they also tend to be easier to dip in and out of. Shorter books also offer the satisfying possibility of being able to finish a whole story in a single, blissful sitting, perhaps during a pool day or on a travel day.

Light, Fun Reads

Every great adventure deserves an equally great story to accompany it. Although books of any genre can make a wonderful travel companion, if you’re struggling to pick, we would suggest choosing lighter and more playful reads. They won’t bring down the mood, but instead keep you feeling relaxed and joyful… just as you should be on holiday!

Location Appreciation

There’s something truly special about reading a story that echos your surroundings. Take a book that’s set in the place you’re going, or one that’s written by an author from that region. Encouraging fiction and reality to intertwine, this will deepen your connection to your destination and make your travels even more magical!

Where are you jetting off to this summer? We’d love to know! ✈️ 🌴