Post written by Laura Cococcia. You can follow Laura on Twitter.
I’m getting ready for my cultural expedition to Peru. A little Machu Picchu, Cusco, interviews with locals and some other top secret adventur
es that I’ll share throughout the week.
While I’m excited for the food, hiking, spa time (!) and new cultural experiences, I make sure my excursions have plenty of time built in to reflect and write – something I never have quite enough time for in my daily life.
As I was packing this morning, I had to strategically decide which books to include – mostly based on weight and interest.
I almost started an Excel spreadsheet, but that was just too nerdy. The decision took about two hours, but I did it.
And The Winners Are…
Alas, here’s what made it in the suitcase: A mix of new and old, fiction and nonfiction, inspiration and education. Have a look and let me know what you think.
1. Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving. I’m a huge John Irving fan and am psyched to dive into his latest. The World According to Garp is easily in my top 5.
2. Day After Night by Anita Diamant. I am halfway through this so it will be finished by the time I land in Lima. I had the pleasure of interviewing Anita earlier this year and met her in person a few months ago in NYC. Diamant’s The Red Tent is another top 5 hit.
3. Here is New York by E.B. White. This was recommended to me a few years ago and has been sitting on the waiting shelf for a bit. It is short, about New York and covers history. No brainer.
4. Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck. I’ve read this book about 8 times. It never goes out of style. Whenever I have some quiet time, I love to go back, read a few excerpts and see if I’m anywhere close to finding the star.
New Additions and Editions: A Whole Lot of Magazines
My wonderful and brilliant creative coach, Charlie Gilkey, has encouraged me to keep up my quest for knowledge by subscribing to 5 or 6 magazines that align with my interests. As a part of this ongoing assignment, I pick out the articles that grab my attention and write down 3-5 questions for future research. I like it.
Here’s what I have: Newsweek, The New Yorker, Ms. Magazine, The Economist, Global Affairs and National Geographic. By the time I hit JFK, I guarantee that Glamour and People will make their way into the suitcase. (Sorry, I’m not perfect).
What books or other reading materials do you take on your treks? Any suggestions for future trips?
[I also know people who do not take reading companions, which is also entirely ok - would love to hear your thoughts too.]
All comments welcome – will definitely help me prepare for my next adventure.
More to come, live from Peru.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow – another fabulous trip. I have heard amazing things about Peru and Macchu Picchu.
I’m currently on my flight en route to Knoxville. As for my reading materials:
- Career Renegade by Jonathan Fields
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
- Self Magazine
- Real Simple Magazine
- Kiplinger’s Magazine
- too many books on my Kindle to list
Travel safe and can’t wait to see the tweets and posts!
Lisa
Glad to see that you added Finding Your Own North Star to the list – I think it’ll be a great addition to the stuff you’re reading.
And who said you couldn’t have Glamour and People? It’s an excellent complement to everything else. I’m glad you’re going to add them to the list.
Thanks for the link, too! Rock out in Peru.
.-= Charlie Gilkey´s last blog ..How to Flourish: 17 Quotes On Living, Being, and Doing =-.
Laura! I can’t wait to hear about Peru!!!
Here are a few reading suggestion for future venture:
The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist – it is really opening my eyes to the idea of money and how to put it to its best use in the world.
A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe – loved reading this tale of adventure while on a recent solo trek.
Here If You Need Me – a beautiful love story that I couldn’t put down! It helped me grapple with the idea of change.
.-= Christa Avampato´s last blog ..My Year of Hopefulness – Sunshine and Rain =-.
Have a wonderful time, Laura! Just soak it all in and enjoy the people you meet. Safe travels!
@Lisa – Love all of those. Especially love Career Renegade – can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
@Charlie – 90% of what I brought is all you. Thank you, friend. And People made it in (thanks for validating). Can’t wait to tell you all about it!
@Christa – wish you were here! We were so close to crossing paths in Miami – love your Costa Rica adventures!
@Linda – Thank you my friend – I can’t wait to cross reference experiences here since I know you’ve been!
Laura- I can’t wait to hear what you think of Day After Night by Anita Diamant. I also loved The Red Tent (and your interview with Anita) so I am eager to read this book too!
I have moved so many times in the last 2 years. Not just to new addresses, but to new countries. And it’s hard to choose what books to take when you when you’re traveling by plane with the weight limit and your stay will be for several years in a place that doesn’t speak English.
Yes, it leads to full suitcases. :)
I’ve been carrying these around the world:
Lightning by Dean Koontz
The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald
The River Why by David James Duncan
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (for my 8 yo son. He just finished it)
English books have become so precious. I love to find good friends who love books and speak English.
Your trip sounds awesome. I want to do South America someday.
.-= Leighann Garber´s last blog ..10 Reasons To Be Thankful You’re An Expat =-.
Hi Leighann! Great to see you here. It’s always tough to choose books, I agree. So many people have written to me and told me to buy a Kindle, but I just can’t give up my books!
Wonderful list – and I would love to check out each and every one of them.
If you ever need some travel tips for South America, do let me know. I visited Brazil a few times last year and had the good fortune to spend 2 months on assignment in Buenos Aires.
Thanks so much for your comment!