TURNIPSEED TRAVEL
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media

Travel Memories are Made When: I Find A New Bookstore

15/7/2013

 

The only thing I love more than travel is reading

Shakespeare and Company Paris France TurnipseedTravel.com
A cozy nook at Shakespeare and Company in Paris.
Kindle on Plane turnipseedtravel.comHow to feel 1st class in coach? Escape in a book!
If I could only describe myself with one word, it would be “reader”. I am a reader. I've been reading since I was 4 years old and, as much as I love being a writer and feel that writing is at the core of who I am, I would never have written a word if I didn't love reading so much. 

When people say that they haven’t had the time to read anything lately, that they don’t have a favourite book, that they find reading dull, or that there’s never been anything interesting to read, I immediately recoil. Who are these mutants? I feel it would be easier to connect with some of the case studies on Criminal Minds before I could trust, love, confide in a non-reader. 

Books save lives, they help people fall in love, they spark revolutions and they guide the way to peace. But there’s nothing interesting enough for you to read? I’ll be in the other room, thanks.

Iggie's House Judy Blume WIkipediaCourtesy of Wikipedia
Reading, of course, is a source of pleasure, entertainment, education, and thought provocation but it is ultimately a form of escape. I remember reading and re-reading Iggy’s House by Judy Bloom again and again and again one summer, oblivious to nothing else but the compelling words on the page. During the cold winter nights in my attic room in university, I snuggled down with a hot water bottle and the words of Lucy Maud Montgomery, entrusting only her to whisk me away. I think authors like J.K. Rowling deserve some kind of humanitarian award for the millions of children they saved, give hope to, rescue from drudgery.

When I travel, I always try to spend some time in a bookstore. I love absorbing the local flavor and discovering new authors, as well as handicrafts and stationary. Whenever possible, I try to visit independent bookstores, but I’m not adverse to chain shops as well. I confess to being that girl who curls up in the reading chair for hours, absorbed in a stack of magazines, or stealing away a few chapters of the new John Grisham novel (don’t laugh – his work makes for perfect travel fare!). 

Shakespeare and Company ParisCourtesy miragebookmark.ch
I remember entering Shakespeare and Co in Paris and thinking “I’m home”. It felt safe, cozy, intuitive, and right. In Cork, Ireland, there once existed a wonderfully atmospheric shop named “Mainly Murder” and I asked the elderly proprietress for her best recommendations for backpackers (Minette Walters, in case you’re wondering).

In Malawi, I discovered just one bookstore in Lilongwe and ended up spending a small fortune on Jeffery Deaver novels, the two Jane Austen’s I brought from home having been long read and passed on.  In Dublin, I sat in WH Smith and tried to gather my thoughts about my research project –which was easier said than done!

Edinburgh Writers MuseumCourtesy edinburghguide.com
For me, travel is about relaxing, enjoyment, getting to know yourself, and getting to know a community. While it might not sound very exciting, there’s no place I’d rather visit than a bookstore to realize these goals. As a writer, my relationship with books helps me improve at my craft and visiting bookstores is a source of great inspiration.  

Discovering bookstores has led me to explore writers’ museums (Dublin and Edinburgh are great for this, as well as the British Library in London). I have learned about great community events through their notice boards, met local authors, and consumed more than my fair share of cookies at the in-house cafes.

Traveling doesn’t have to always been adrenaline fueled, extreme adventure, always doing something new and exotic every day. Just do what makes you happy and the rest will follow! 

As always, I welcome and encourage your comments. Do you have a favourite book?

If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:
Three Travel Regrets
What To Do When Your Flight Is Delayed
Stuffed Bags Containing Stuffed Animals


Penny Sadler link
17/7/2013 02:34:22 am

I love reading and books too. I don't even have an ereader device yet., But am seriously considering a Kindle. One of the things that makes me most sad these days is that I can not keep my eyes open to read more than a page or two at night - my preferred reading time.

Vanessa
17/7/2013 08:59:33 am

I have one of the original Kindles that came out in Canada, about 4 years ago, and it's still going strong. I do love it, but I still really enjoy paperbacks.

The GypsyNesters link
17/10/2013 01:23:26 am

We love bookstores too. Just stumbled on to a little shop yesterday and wandered in. Next thing we knew an hour had gone by. Great places to lose yourself for a while.

Vanessa
18/10/2013 01:43:45 am

I can totally relate to the experience of "losing" an hour in a bookstore. It's like they suck time away when you go through the door!

Mackenzie Miller link
13/3/2014 05:01:14 am

Your comment "who are these mutants?" is exactly how I feel! I also love stopping in book stores. I went in every WH Smith I came across in the UK just to look around. I love sitting and having a second to myself to just think. And even if I don't sit and relax, looking through the stacks of books is rejuvenating.

Vanessa
17/3/2014 03:39:25 am

I agree - WH Smith has been a frequent sanctuary for me!

Stephanie Mayo link
16/3/2014 09:51:30 am

I can totally relate! I agree so much with you about not being a writer if I didn't enjoy reading so much! I'm also a sucker for bookstores, but I tend towards used book stores, reading an old, used book is like walking the cobble stone streets of Rome - they take on a whole new energy and life of their own.

Vanessa
17/3/2014 03:40:14 am

What a gorgeous analogy between the old books and the energy of an an old cobblestone street in Rome - I couldn't have said it better myself.

Sue Reddel link
15/1/2015 08:58:07 am

I simply couldn't trust anyone who doesn't love to read. Have you been to Daunt Books in London? It's a must-see for us wandering readers. Read on!

Vanessa
15/1/2015 09:12:50 am

I haven't been to Daunt yet - thanks so much for the recommendation. I'll check it out on my next trip.


Comments are closed.
    Recent Posts
    Posts by Location
    Turnipseed Travel Category Canada
    Turnipseed Travel Category USA
    Turnipseed Travel Category Europe
    Turnipseed Travel Category Africa
    Turnipseed Travel Category Australia
    Turnipseed Travel Category Asia

    Post Categories

    All
    $200 Challenge
    200m Challenge
    Accommodation
    Africa
    Amsterdam
    Anti Adventurist
    Asia
    Australia
    Belgium
    Business Travel
    Camping
    Canada
    Central Counties
    Cozy Travel
    Destinations
    Europe
    Experiences & Activities
    Female Travel
    Food And Drink
    Gear And Packing
    Golf
    Greece
    Guest Posts & Interviews
    Health
    Inspiration
    Making Travel Memories
    Montreal
    Most Popular Posts
    National Parks
    Norfolk County
    Ontario
    Ottawa
    Paris
    Partners
    Pet Travel
    Photo Essay
    Preparation
    Press Trip Portfolio
    Reviews Accommodation
    Reviews Gear Packing
    Round The World
    Saving
    Toronto
    Transportation
    Travel Cooking
    Travel Memories Series
    UK & Ireland
    United States

    Posts by Date

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012

Disclaimers, Privacy, and Cookie Policy

Top 100 Travel Influencer
As named by the Obama White House in 2014.​
White House Study Abroad Logo 2014
Turnipseed Travel Logo 2019
DMCA.com Protection Status
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Partner With Us
  • New Visitors
  • Social Media