Packing the Perfect Vacation Read

What book will I read next?

Such is the angst of the avid reader packing for vacation. Because there is definitely a book (or two or three) going into the totebag or suitcase. For this finite time, for this limited stuff I can carry period, the choice of book is a weighty one.

 

What makes a good book to pack for vacation?

Of course, the invention of the iPad and e-readers has made the decision a less stressful one. You can carry all hundred of your books with you without an added suitcase.  But if you are like me – you’ve got to take a physical book, too.  Why? Sand, water, spilled drinks.

On a beach vacation, I’m taking my book to the beach. And I might even sit in the pool or at the edge of the water while reading. And that lazy river ride? Perfect (even if everyone else is looking at me like “what – is that a real book on a water ride?”)

Here’s my criteria for that real book that’s going in the suitcase.

• Must be paperback. It’s a weight thing.

• Got to be good. The frustration of taking a book that by chapter two I know I’m not going to like. Then what? Finish it? Leave it behind? And what do I do in the meantime?  Friend recommendations are a good choice. Sometimes a re-read of the classics is a good option, too.

• Okay to lose and/or mess up a little bit. See my comments above about sand, water, spilled drinks.   There’s many times I’ve woken from a sun-induced nap to find my book covered in sand or a victim of high-tide.  Add to that, general vacation distractedness.

• Doesn’t require too much concentration. Beach read usually means light and happy, that’s how I’ve described my own novel, Life in Spades.  But I’ll take a not so light book, too. I read Little Bee on the beach and while reading a particular scene (you know if you read it) wiggled my fingers in the sand.  I also was reading Ghana Must Go on the beach when I happened to be on the beach chapter in that book, and a wedding party showed up (in real life, it was a different gathering in the book.) 

Then what do you do with the book when you are done? Take it back home, leave it at your hotel?  I've stayed at some resorts with a library, where you can borrow and leave books. The library in Ocean City, Maryland also has a system that allows you to borrow books without needing a library card or donate books when you're ready to go home.  Some people leave their books in a public place, with the hopes that someone else will pick it up and enjoy it. A program like BookCrossing can help track your book's travels.  I haven't tried this, but considered it; sounds like it could be interesting. It reminds me of the Flat Stanley project from elementary school (am I showing my age?)

We’ve got a couple more weeks of summer vacation. A few more lazy afternoons at the pool. I'm hoping to get in at least a few more sand-filled, water-logged, rum-soaked books before it's all over.

What are you reading on vacation?

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6 Reasons To Go To The Library (Other than the Books)

Summer, sitting outside, and reading all go together in my mind. Well, so do cold days, snuggling inside with a blanket and reading.  So there's always an excuse to go to the library.  Obviously, the free books is the primary one, but there are others. Here’s 6.

Late fees make you feel like you are contributing to society. The books are really only free if you don’t lose them and turn them in on time. Otherwise, you will owe your library some money. But unlike a parking meter ticket – which feels like such as waste, because, really, did that extra five minutes actually cost the city $40? – you can talk yourself into feeling good about your library fine. It goes to the library, a public good, one that you like.

There’s more than books to borrow from the library.  Libraries now have audiobooks (our must-have for roadtrips and other continuous hours in the car), CDs, and DVDs. On the bookshelves, there’s books in different languages, whether you are bilingual or wanting to learn a new language.  Many libraries also have computers for public use for internet access, as well as getting documents done. And I noticed at our new library, you can borrow iPads while you are visiting.

They are everywhere (and there’s WiFi.)  At least at our libraries there is. As a mom and busy lady that’s always going from here to there, I’m often looking for a place to hang out when I'm away from home, that’s not necessarily a Starbucks because even I can only drink so much coffee. There’s always a library somewhere nearby, along my route of errands.  I can find a spot at the library, do something quiet – work on my laptop, read, wander around looking for my next book.

You can check out books without even going to the library. Need the next book for bookclub? On vacation and run out of reading? Open up your e-reader and borrow an e-book from your local library. What a life-saver this was for me. My oldest daughter is a voracious reader. Of course, I’m very excited about this, but it required me taking her to the library all the time for her next pile of books.

The library takes your old books. How about that? Not only can you borrow books for free, you can take your old books and leave them there. The library will then sell them in their used book sale to bring in more money for the library. Again- like the late fees, you can feel good about your contribution to society.

There’s free stuff to entertain your kids. What tired mom doesn’t love having an activity for your kid where you don’t have to do anything?  The library offers kiddie movies, music concerts, puppet shows, scientists doing ahh-inspiring experiments, and read-aloud mornings. Just get there, find a spot on the floor, and let someone else talk to your kid for an hour. Ahhh!  You will be re-energized, which is a good thing because she’s going to have you reading those library books about 50 times, over and over, before you bring them back. 

With my love of books, in recent years, I’ve crossed my fingers and wished – all the library needs is a coffee shop. And I hear that the new library will have a coffee counter. I can’t wait to get there to buy a cup of coffee and check out a book.

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Currently: Reading, Crocheting & Enjoying Snowballs

We have arrived to my favorite season of the year! Sure, the spring breezes and rain showers are nice, and fall crispy cool air is refreshing relief from the heat of summer, and a daily excuse for hot chocolate is great in the winter but give me the season of soaking in the sun, sipping on iced sweet tea, long days of nothing, a pile of books to read, and ice cream.

The longest day of the year, also known as the summer solstice, officially begins summer.  I celebrated with an ice-cold, delicious Baltimore snowball (chocolate covered strawberry, if you were wondering.) I have been derelict in my parenting duties and my kids were under the mistaken belief that the concoction of ice and watery flavor sold on the truck that comes to school picnics was a “good” snowball. I had to rectify that. It only took one sugary flavorful spoonful of a real snowball to make them (well, three out of four) converts.

Borrowing on the idea of The Longest Day, the AlzheimersAssociation used this day to increase awareness this disease, and fundraising for research of and support for those suffering from it and their caregivers.  Participants in the day were encouraged to pick an activity to participate in all day, to “symbolize the challenging journey of those living with the disease and their caregivers.”  I chose to crochet, one of my favorite hobbies and since handcrafts are reported to help stimulate the brain, I thought was a good fit.  Continuing in the idea of charity, I made hats for women going through chemotherapy who may lose their hair. I made three during the day, taking my yarn to the kids’ swim meet, stitching in between making dinner, and while hanging out with the family celebrating Father’s Day. They were so easy, I’m thinking of making some more. Any ideas of where to donate them to – leave in the comments.

In book-nerd fashion, I have anticipated the opening of the new library in my area.  I know – it’s going to have books just like all the other ones, but I’ve still got going to check it out on my list of things to do. And I heard they have a coffee shop!

On a related note, we have signed up for the National PTA Family Reading Challenge. This new initiative encourages families to read together. Okay - we do have a fun, vested interest in the program – we were one of the families selected to be in the “Inspiration” videos. My daughter and I talk about family reading traditions.  We’ve signed up for the summer challenge because I love reading and think its very important for children to not only be literate but to enjoy reading for their own entertainment and education.  I’ve mentioned many times on here about getting kids reading, especially in the summer so their minds don’t turn to mush in the sun.  As the kids get older, the reading together thing gets harder, it doesn’t seem as cool, but in a previous post, I shared some ideas.  Another note on the family challenge –(and my kids favorite part) there’s prizes from Amazon and Kindle.

I’m making good progress in my tidying and decluttering effort. As recommended in the book I’m using as my guide for now, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I’m committing huge chunks of time – cleaning out the kids’ closets and drawers for now. We packed up bags to donate to the local clothes exchange and another pile of bags of trash. At the same time, a friend was looking for donations of old t-shirts and yarn for a summer camp – yay!! We had a pile of all those logo/camp/event t-shirts that I didn’t know what to do with and I had a bag of yarn scraps. Perfect.  I love when I can donate my old things, it seems like such a waste to throw them away. The house is feeling so much lighter, now.

Here’s to summer! Pass the sweet tea and share how you are starting off your summer!

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Currently...Checking off my Almost Summer ToDo List

I've got a week left until the end of school, until the end of morning alarms, rustling kids up, fussing about breakfast and packing lunch.

Well, in a way.  School will be over, but then swim team, summer basketball, summer classes, and hopefully, a summer job, will take the place of yellow busses and school bells.  But there is a slightly calmer feel to the long summer days.  So what am I doing in my last kid-free (relatively) week?  Here's the stuff on my to-do list.

Brunch with mom-friends. It's our last kid-free get together!  Through June, July and August, we may gather at the pool or someone's yard this summer with the family or take the kids all somewhere, but it'll be our last morning of mimosa without having to listen for "m-o-m!!" and having to decipher to whom the call is being directed to.  This mom get together is essential. Sometimes you just need to be with others in your same life phase to commiserate, support, laugh at all the mistakes you've made and reassure each other that it's gonna be all right.

My own wellness and health checks. Nothing like trying to get kids to wait patiently in the waiting room while you go to your doctor/GYN/mammogram appointment. These are must-do's while the kids are in school. And they are must-dos!  Moms are good at keeping the kids on schedule, but we've got to keep our health appointments up, too.

Summer workbooks and reading lists.  The terrible summer slide, when chemistry and Shakespeare and fractions hide in the corner of backpacks shoved in the backs of closets, not to be dusted off again until September (even for those of us in schools that start in August.)  The long days of summer are long enough to fit in a little bit of mental work.  I saw an idea for a daily journal - art, writing, something creative - I might try that this year, see what the kids think of that. In addition to a math workbook on the appropriate level and a reading list.  And not to be left out - the creative journal and reading list are for me, too!

Sweet tea. This is my summer staple. I've got a jar brewing now.  I always use Luzianne tea bags, the requirement for sweet tea. Every now and then, I find a flavored tea like peach or mango that I'll brew along with the regular tea bags for some different flavor. And I've also added orange slices or strawberries to be a little fancy. But the basics stay the same - Luzianne tea, sugar, water.  Add ice and enjoy.

Here's to the beginning of summer! What's on your list to kick off these sunny days?

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Summer To-Read Pile (#1)

This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer.  All those hours relaxing by the pool: hat, sunglasses, nice cold sweet drink, while the kids frolic happily on the way far other end.  Those days lazing on the beach, toes in the sand.  Those cool evenings, swinging in the hammock.

(Or more likely...) The mornings, afternoons, and evenings sitting poolside waiting for your swimmer kid to finish his one event in the 3-hour meet, running your own kid camp - summer school - sports practice - Vacation Bible School - friend's house bus route, or trying to keep one eye on your kid who just ran to the far other end of the playground and hoping you don't get arrested on suspicion of being a free-range parent.

Whatever the summer plans, we still have our to-read pile. That stack that - if the sun aligns just right with our sweet tea - we'll be able to get through by the end of August.  Here's the start of mine (more to be added, of course) - and a warning if you've never read my to-read pile selections before - I'm not promising I actually know what the book is about. It's either been recommended to me by someone I trust to make a good book selection or the cover and/or title is intriguing.

Everything I Never Told You, Celeste Ng
"Lydia is dead. But they don't this yet." That's the first line - what else do you need?

The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins
Keep seeing it on must-read lists, so well, I guess I have to read it.

The Sleepwalker's Guide to Dancing, Mira Jacob
This just sounds like a fun title.

Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads, Rosalind Wiseman
What happens to those middle and high school mean girls when they grow up?


Children's Books
I generally don't read too many children's books for myself, but I have picked up these two.  They happen to be free verse novels - stories told in a series of poems. Note too, if you are looking for diverse books - these are both African-American authors.

The Crossover, Kwame Alexander
Alexander was the guest reader for my school's PTA Family Reading Night.  My high schooler (my avid reader and basketball player) read it and loved it, though it's written for a younger age, so it's a good intro to poetry for the little people.

Brown Girl Dreaming, Jacqueline Woodson
I read so many "must read" reviews on this and then realized it was a children's book. It's a memoir of the author's childhood in the 1960s and '70s.


Still looking for more suggestions - what's on your summer to-read list? 

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*and keep up on my reading pile on Goodreads

Currently... Checking My Phone Less & Reading More

According to Goodreads, I’m behind on my reading goal for the year, which is disappointing.  Its an indication, perhaps, that I’m spending way too much time goofing around checking what my friends are having for lunch than spending time on my true favorite hobby.  I’m intending to do better.

Less phone check-ins. I read somewhere recently that the average person checks their phone 150 times per day.  Assuming 8 hours for sleep (I wish, but let’s pretend), that’s almost 11 times an hour, about every 5 minutes. And yes, I calculated that on my phone.  It’s so convenient and the norm, though, right? Waiting for a meeting to start, sitting in traffic, in line at the grocery store, sitting in a boring meeting – pull out the phone and read any emails or breaking news from friends that may have come in since you last checked your phone.  And no-one really pays attention when you do.  But if you pull out a book or a crochet project while waiting in line, folks look at you like you’re committing some type of social faux pas.  But imagine how much more reading I’d get done.  So I’m going to consciously try to not pull out my phone during those waiting times and doing something else, or even do nothing.

I did read God Help the Child this weekend.  As I mentioned in my last post, I bought it on day one and took it with me while I was traveling. Thanks to a seat all to myself on Amtrak and a few stolen moments (that waiting time) during the weekend, I finished it.  A whole book in one weekend, I was so excited.  I need to let this winding story about a very dark-skinned girl and her battles with herself and everyone around her marinate a little bit.  It might even need a second read.

Reading What Alice Forgot.  I had started this before Toni Morrison's book was released, at which point every other book on my to-read pile was set aside.  Now I'll return to this and the books overdue to the library.

Read more magazines.  I like magazines, though am surprised at how expensive they’ve gotten. Some are close to $15 ($14.95) which I don’t really get, nor buy. For that amount, I’m looking for a plot and characters, not a pile of articles and tips on lipstick or where to eat.  I recently picked up Baltimore and Food Network magazines, which were reasonably priced.

Although I don’t live in Baltimore, I like this magazine. The stories are usually pretty interesting and this edition has plenty of day trip ideas for visiting Baltimore, as well as to areas around Maryland and Virginia, perfect for the long days of summer.

As for the Food Network magazine – isn’t the big ole cupcake on the cover reason enough? Between my love for baking, my family's love of sweets, and my daughter’s new pinch for decorating, this edition will end up well dog-earred and butter-stained.  (You can check out some of my daughter’s recent cakes and cupcakes on our Pinterest page.)

Speaking of magazines… I’m feeling some kind of way about the Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazine covers.

Why is the women’s cover’s highlighted article about “Your Sexiest Body” with a half-naked woman and the guy’s get “Cut Your Gut” and a fully clothed guy?  What’s the message on the women’s magazine?  Only if you look this good naked are you healthy?  Although I have bought Women’s Health in the past, this cover is clearly not for me because even in my best work-out schedule, I’m not going to look like this woman. I’m looking for articles on healthy eating and exercise tips, not pictures of half-naked women.  But not to be left out, the men’s cover does manage to squeeze in a small picture of a bra-clad woman in its corner.  These are more examples of the sexualization of women, even when the message is supposed to be about our health. 

I went to a luncheon last week and the keynote speaker was talking about doing things for yourself. It’s similar to all the chit-chat about “me time,” but it was deeper. She said to think about what you do to feed your soul, that doesn’t benefit anyone else.  I would definitely say that reading feeds my inner self much more than checking my phone. I need to pay attention to that fulfillment more.

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Always Overpacked But Hopeful

With time away from home, whether for vacation or a business trip, I always imagine that I will have all this free time. While I'm traveling (if not driving), during large group meetings where I just have to listen or sitting on the beach, late in the quiet evening. I foresee hours of open time to catch up on my to-read pile and to-crochet stash, as well as maybe some of the not so tedious tasks on the ever going to-do list. Thus, I pack a tote bag full of all this potentially productive stuff.

If I get to half the stuff, I'm doing excellent.

This week is another attempt. I have a conference to attend and I'm gathering all the stuff I'm going to get to without the distraction of cooking and folding clothes and going to meetings and driving around the county.

I'm packing:
- Toni Morrison's just released new book, God Help the Child. Like folks waiting for the new iPhone, I was at Barnes & Nobles first thing in the morning to buy my copy, despite my husband's assurance that there probably was not going to be a line at the bookstore. Who buys hardback books, from a real bookstore anymore? We may be a dwindling breed.

- Yarn. I have some pretty orange and white souvenir yarn from Madrid from a trip a bit ago. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but have now decided on a poncho/shawl for the spring. Though I wish there was a less 1970s word than "poncho." I think of those granny-square, orange and brown, rough acrylic mini blankets with fringes every little girl had in her closet. If there's a better word, please tell me.

- Blank cards and stamps. To catch up on thank you cards, notes, birthday cards. I love personal notes - giving and receiving - and I'm trying to get better at actually writing and sending them.

I wonder how much I'll get done. At least I finished a blogpost.

The Family That Reads Together

As our children get older – and more literate - we generally feel like we can let go of family reading, the nightly story at bedtime thing.  But educators keep telling us that family reading, even after kids can read on their own, makes kids better readers, which of course, is a pretty important lifelong skill.

Last week, our school hosted a Family Reading Experience with the National PTA.  There were reading and word games that parents could play with their kids that were easy to do and didn’t require a whole lot of prep or equipment (good things for a busy parent.)  For instance, one game focused on compound words: select a letter at random and write all the compound words you can think of in one minute. Easy. Anybody can play. No special equipment; in fact, this could be a car game where everyone calls out words while driving to [fill-in your own kid activity].

The guest author, Kwame Alexander, demonstrated reading picture books – particularly those that rhyme – with your little ones. Read the sentence and pause at the words that rhyme and let them guess.  “Would you eat them in a box, would you eat them with a ____?” You get it. Yes, this counts as helping your kid with literacy skills!

Now, the early readers, that’s easy because we know we’re supposed to help them read. But what about the older ones?  Here’s a few ideas that might help you out.

Read a book together. This could go two ways. One - sit down and read the same book at the same time.  Something like Wonderstruck with its story both in prose and beautiful pencil drawings is a great reading and conversation book.  Or two - read the same books on your own time and talk about it, like a book club. This might work better for longer books and older kids.

Have your kids read to you. Little kids get a kick out of their new reading skills and like to show them off. Let them.  This could be at home or while riding in the car.  Busy mom tip – you can enjoy listening to Because of Winn-Dixie while folding clothes or prepping dinner.   You might even consider taking turns reading to each other.

Listen to audio books together. Pick a family-friendly book (depending on the ages of your kids) and pop in the CD, download to your iPad or whatever and listen while riding around or even while hanging out at home.  Hearing a story, like reading one, requires imagination – what does the character look like, where are they, what’s going on in the story – much more than watching a movie.  Listening as a family gives you a common activity to discuss and talk about.  It might even spur your kid to read other books by the same author or in the same genre.

Let your kids see you read. In your spare time, instead of checking Facebook, let your kid witness you reading a book, magazine, the newspaper.  You could even set aside a family reading time, like they do in school, where everyone finds a quiet corner and reads. (This worked well on those stuck in the house snow days.)

Go to the library. You’ve got to have books to read them, right? Get to the library on a regular basis, or if you prefer the bookstore, bricks and mortar or online, so they can select books they want to read.

I know – getting kids to read is sometime hard, especially with all the other non-reading distractions. But hopefully these tips will help a little bit.

Any other family reading tips you use to get your kids to read more?

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