Bang!Zoom! Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Getting ready to go on vacation for two weeks, the thought went through my mind not to take any books to read at all. That's a pretty novel idea for me. Would I survive, would I like it? How about giving up the net too while I'm at it? No net No books No reading I cannot fathom giving up the camera though. Or I could try something like harlequin romances by the pool. I haven't done that since I was 17..lol.... Should I try this experiment? Would you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest inoubliable Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I would go insane. Wait. Is there a beach involved? I could probably get away with it if I were spending massive amounts of my vacation time asleep on the beach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 No Internet? Sure! I usually give up the Internet on vacation. No books? Why on earth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 For me, part of the point of a vacation is to find MORE time to read books. But definitely no Internet, and having a camera is a must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 A vacation without books is not...a vacation. o_0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 It's a novel idea (pun intended), but it makes me cringe. I have never gone on vacation without a book. Leisurely reading time is one of the things I look forward to on vacation! So no, I wouldn't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Ya, beach type atmosphere. Plenty of stuff to see. I wonder if I would go through withdrawal syndrome. Is that possible? It does give me a strange clammy hands reaction just to think about this. Would I panic at the last second after the car door is shut and I'd beg to go back to fetch just one? Could I make it 12 hours without a book at hand? Could you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 The Vero Beach Book Center is one of my favorite places to visit when we go to the beach. I love to sit on the beach and read in the sun. Or sit by the pool an read. I read everything from breezy novels to some heavy non-fiction. I love to read on vacation because the rest of the year I am either reading to keep up with my own kids or the junior and senior English classes at my school. So at the beach I read whatever strikes my fancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 I've bought strange books at little beach shops before. Not sure what's with that, but a book from a beach shop seems to have a different sort of stick in your brain type fuzzy warm memory. I feel a special fondness for those stories. I remember jimmy buffet as a beach experience, went and had a few margaritas and didn't put sunscreen on purpose, just to get that stupid tourist glow on the first day...lol. I can see me having a nervous breakdown and running to the first Hudson store and breaking line just because I'm such a wimp. I haven't read any new fiction in a hundred years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I think you are certifyably insane! No Internet..absolutely, of course. But no books... That's just crazy talk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Once again, why? (I'm seriously curious. Why would you want to give up books on vacation?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Well, as long you won't be too far from a bookstore, I guess there's no harm in your experiment (although I still don't understand why you would want to do this). ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Are you kidding me? What's the point of vacation if a person can't pack a couple of new books? :ohmy: I can survive without internet (although I do prefer some access). But books? No way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Can you HAVE a vacation without fluffy books? I mean, It might qualify for something, but I wouldn't be labeling it a vacation.... :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 That would not work for me! Vacations are excellent times to read stuff you don't like to admit you read. I recommend The Book of the Dead by Preston and Childs. It fake -cerebral; you can almost pretend you're not reading twaddle. The book noted is the last in a trilogy, which I did not know when I read it. Fwiw, I don't feel the need to read the first two, as the book stands alone. I started their book Riptide, but didn't finish. Fun enough, but not anything that can't wait until another vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Can you HAVE a vacation without fluffy books? I mean, It might qualify for something, but I wouldn't be labeling it a vacation.... :laugh: LOL. I agree - it's more like a temporary relocation if you go without books. :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Why? Why would you want to go without books? I'd go literally insane without anything to read. Unless you plan on taking your e-reader. But even when I travel with e-reader, still take along a book or two. No I couldn't make it 12 hours without a book to read. Even if I only ended up reading for a few minutes amidst all the activity, it helps me to not be cranky with the family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Sounds like a nightmare to me rather than a vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Well, I was wondering what it might be like, you know..to like seek the present moment...find it..and stay there. This does present some opportunity to attend with eyes open. I wonder if it add to the now-ness of life and conversation. I think I read too much sometimes. Then I think about Milton. What would Milton do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 LOL. I agree - it's more like a temporary relocation if you go without books. :p to prison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Getting ready to go on vacation for two weeks, the thought went through my mind not to take any books to read at all. That's a pretty novel idea for me. Would I survive, would I like it? How about giving up the net too while I'm at it? No net No books No reading I cannot fathom giving up the camera though. Or I could try something like harlequin romances by the pool. I haven't done that since I was 17..lol.... Should I try this experiment? Would you? You might as well just stop breathing while you're at it. :scared: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 On my last extended trip, I took only books I had been avoiding or otherwise hadn't gotten around to for years. I got a lot read at 2 am when I couldn't sleep due to time zone difference. On my next long trip, I'm thinking maybe Moby Dick. Or War and Peace. Or the Handbook of Nature Study. I think an ereader of some sort would be the perfect item -- all those heavy books, in one thin little device! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 OP - I'm really, really trying to understand what is prompting you to consider this. As I try to get inside your head on this one ( :tongue_smilie: ), I'm wondering if you want to leave the books at home in an effort to experience more on your vacation? Is your thinking that if you have nothing to read, you'll make more of an effort to see/do/experience on your vacation? If yes, I can understand that. But even on my most adventurous, action-packed vacations I still brought along books. If this is your objective, how about making a deal with yourself that you'll only read in the evenings or for a certain amount of time a day? Then you could experience all there is to experience on your vacation and enjoy your reading time too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Can't imagine it either. I get the be in the moment thought but no books. That smiley the last person used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Well, I was wondering what it might be like, you know..to like seek the present moment...find it..and stay there. This does present some opportunity to attend with eyes open. I wonder if it add to the now-ness of life and conversation. I think I read too much sometimes. Then I think about Milton. What would Milton do? OK. *This* I can understand. Trying to be present in my own life is one of my ongoing challenges. However, it's not a problem I typically have on vacation. That's one of the reasons I travel--I'm much more present when I do. However, there's really no reason to be present for a trans-Atlantic flight. :-P I agree with an earlier poster that perhaps limiting your reading would be better than eliminating it all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Must have books! Ok, I usually just bring one book. And a magazine. I don't usually buy magazines so it's a vacation treat for me. Everyone in our family brings at least one book for vacation. That's just how we are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 OK. *This* I can understand. Trying to be present in my own life is one of my ongoing challenges. However, it's not a problem I typically have on vacation. That's one of the reasons I travel--I'm much more present when I do. However, there's really no reason to be present for a trans-Atlantic flight. :-P I agree with an earlier poster that perhaps limiting your reading would be better than eliminating it all together. That's why god made Xanax and Bloody Marys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 It seems like day to day life is all about information intake for all of us. It's all this printed and screen communication. So many words all the time. On any average day, we have about what feels like a maximum of 15 minutes total of eye contact in a semi human state, then back on the hamster wheel. It seems like there is a chance to put this away for a bit, and without a book to distract me, even for fun, maybe I would appreciate something more. But then I think of how it is to fall into a really good book, in a nice place, in the quiet before dawn with amazing coffee and bird song...and that sort of falling in love with a passage is its own magic. You know that thing that happens... You glance up from a page and go.... Hey how did I get here? The dreamer in the dream zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 While I understand the be in the moment thought, it is not all moments on a vacation that you want to be in. If you are flying for hours or driving for hours, you might as well use those times to catch up on reading. We always pack books when n vacation though we might not read everything. I have had to tell my dd1 a couple of times to stop reading and enjoy the moment when I feel she is not paying attention to what is going on. It's always a balancing act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Well, I was wondering what it might be like, you know..to like seek the present moment...find it..and stay there. This does present some opportunity to attend with eyes open. I wonder if it add to the now-ness of life and conversation. I think I read too much sometimes. Then I think about Milton. What would Milton do? Ok - I definitely don't read enough in print lately, so I can't exactly relate there. I do know what you mean about embracing the now and finding some sense of zen about your surroundings, family, connecting to actual humans, etc. I work on that daily, truly. We just were on a vacation in January that involved a bunch of hiking as a family and I found it very centering and lovely. I love to lay in bed at night with a book though, so that's where I'd have to draw the line! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I understand and fully support the idea of mindfulness and being in the moment. However, as others have said . . . Being in the moment when you're doing something really cool and memorable is one thing. Attempting to be fully in every moment of a long drive or plane ride . . . . nah. Plus I have to read at least a few minutes before bed every night. It's part of my "sleep hygiene" ritual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 One of my fondest vacation memories was the week my family spent at a friend's borrowed beach house....no one made me go outside and I was able to read the entire LOTR books for the first time while curled up in a beanbag chair in a dark bedroom. Heavenly! Vacation w/o books? What kind of vacation is that????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I usually go through a whole book at the airport and/or on the plane, especially a long plane ride over an ocean. I don't sleep on planes. Planes don't make me nervous. I have had to buy books at an airport gift shop because I finished a book before we even arrived at our destination. That is why I have an ereader now. I also love to read on the beach in between swimming and playing with the kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I can understand being in the moment as you said. The problem would come if you took a book along to the museum or zoo or movie and ignored everyone and read instead. I remember going to the movies once and there was a couple there, both with noses buried in their books and didn't stop reading until the movie started. There's a time and place to read. Vacations are fun times with the family and yes, your family should expect you to be fully present. However, you need downtime as well. And if reading helps you relax, then read when you are all in the relax mood. We always build plenty of down time into our vacations so we can just read and just relax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 To give another perspective, reading is actually another form of mindfulness practice. You need to have the ability to turn off your mind and your surroundings, to focus absorbing the printed word. That's not necessarily simple for everyone. And there are definitely days where I read the same page 3 times before I come into focus. So consider it part of your mindfulness training. :D I'm not a person who could read on the beach or out in public much (on an airplane - definitely), so maybe if you do decide to bring books, maybe limit your access. Don't take one with you when you leave your hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 For me, part of the point of a vacation is to find MORE time to read books. But definitely no Internet, and having a camera is a must. A vacation without books is not...a vacation. o_0 I think you are certifyably insane! No Internet..absolutely, of course. But no books... That's just crazy talk! Once again, why? (I'm seriously curious. Why would you want to give up books on vacation?) Okay, I have to stop before I multi-quote practically everyone! I simply cannot imagine a vacation without books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I can see this being a goal if you find yourself missing out on the moment, missing out playing with your children amd communicating verbally with others due to a reading addiction. I am one that can become addicted to a book series and not surface to reality for three days until I finish all those books. When I do resurface mentally, the house is trashed, laundry is neglected and my family feels neglected as well. So, if taking one book on vacation would prevent you from taking part with your family, then absolutely leave the books at home! I myself have to really limit my readings or it would consume me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 No book? Why? :huh: We read books at restaurants while waiting for the service and for the meal. We talk amongst ourselves too, including discussing what we are reading. We read books on the airplane, and while riding in the car. We read books before turning in for the night's sleep. At barest minimum, we would have to bring prayer books for morning/evening. Books would not interefere with our having an active, engaged, interactive-with-others vacation. If I were to ditch anything, it would be the cell phone. (Perhaps I could turn it on once per evening, just to check for messages that the house had burned down.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Personally, if I'm living in the moment too much, like on vacation, I go insane if I don't have some down-time at the end of the day where I can just read my books and shut out the world. It's my release-valve from sensory overload, and I'm very prone to sensory overload on vacation - too much stuff to see and do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I even took a pile of books on my honeymoon so you know how I'd vote! I usually go with light reading for vacation or reread an old favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I can't imagine not having books. What will you do when you're not doing anything? Our cruise last fall was 13 days, plus 5 days in Rome. I read 4 books (on my Kindle) in that time and I assure you, I missed nothing. I didn't take a book with me when we went ashore, but in the evenings, before I went to bed I read and when I was hanging out by the pool (in the shade, because I'm ridiculously pale) I read. We had several at sea days and I would have gone bonkers without books. I did very little online activity, except to email James Bond every few days, so that wasn't a big deal, but books? No. When we were in WDW in the States last year I brought my Kindle too. I like to read in the evenings while we're winding down. I enjoyed every moment with my family, but my mind would have gone flat if I didn't have something to do during those down times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I love having extra time to read when I'm on on vacation, and it's relaxing to me. The idea of restricting myself from books just doesn't compute--especially on vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 My brother in law finds it humorous that invariably, whenever we're on vacation, we end up going out to buy books-because no matter how many I bring, I need more :). When we rented a beach house with them one summer, the best part was that it had a stocked bookshelf ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Could I make it 12 hours without a book at hand? Could you? Heaven forbid. I get in the car with a coffee and a book for the ride. THAT's vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Heaven forbid. I get in the car with a coffee and a book for the ride. THAT's vacation. I hope you're not driving. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hikin' Mama Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I usually always take books with me on vacation, but we recently came back from Hawaii and I didn't take a single book. And I didn't have time to read anyway. I didn't take any with me because we tried to fit everything into one carry-on each and I needed room for souveniers on the way home. I figured if I needed a book, I could go buy one. As it was, there was a B&N a mile away from the condo, but we were either in the water, doing some activity, or driving to an activity. We also had plenty of downtime, but I spent that time hanging out and enjoying my kids (21, 18, 15) and my brother, with whom I'm very close. So in this case, I didn't miss it, but usually I want some books with me. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang!Zoom! Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 I caved. Bought two used books to throw in my backpack. Fiction, which is unusual for me. The Floating Book by Michelle Lovric and The Master, by Colm Toibin. I think these two will get me to LAX, after that, I'll be without anything but the Sky Mall magazine ... I'm sure the iPad and Kindle will be dead by then. Do they even have chargers on planes? I'm feeling panicky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Kindles last a long time, and you can recharge them in airports. DD and I hung out in a corner charging both the iPad and Kindle on our last transit and the charges held the whole trip with that one boost. A vacation without books is a disaster waiting to happen. DH and I take a book or e-reader everywhere. They are our insurance against delays. The gods are always conniving against us mere humans, and we always encounter perfect reading opportunities (read: delays) when we are stupidly without reading material. They are part of our "go to sleep" routine, and sometimes part of the wake up one too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Could I make it 12 hours without a book at hand? Could you? I'll be sleeping all the way there while hubby drive. Than happily taking photos and videos of my boys collecting shells and building sand castles. After that looking for places to eat yummy food and just take in the local scenery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I vacation without books only if I am backpacking and can't add the weight. Otherwise, vacation is the perfect time to get caught up on my reading! There is always so much down time, because one can not possibly rush around for 16 hours on one's feet two weeks long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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