The Great Vacation Book Packing Dilemma
By Emma O’Keefe
Events Coordinator, Birdie Books
July 28, 2026
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I'm currently planning for a weeklong family vacation where five children, seven adults, and three dogs will somehow be living under one roof.
But before I even think about clothes, sunscreen, or whether I remembered to pack enough snacks, I have to answer the most important question:
What books am I bringing?
Now, I know that thanks to e-readers (I'm a devoted Kobo fan), bringing books on vacation isn't really a matter of luggage space anymore. But I also happen to love the feel of a physical book. There is just something about tossing a paperback into a beach bag that an e-reader can't quite replace.
I rarely leave home without a book. I blame this habit on binge-watching Gilmore Girls growing up. Somewhere along the way, books became my adult version of a security blanket.
The good news? We're driving to Michigan, which means I have virtually unlimited trunk space. Dangerous.
So, what makes the cut?
I love a great romance, so I could finally dive into The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren. Or maybe this is the perfect opportunity to prepare for the upcoming film adaptation by reading The Odyssey while sitting lakeside. Then again, The Road to Tender Hearts has been calling my name ever since I heard it described as having major Little Miss Sunshine energy.
But it's only one week. How is anyone supposed to choose?
First, I need an audiobook my husband and I will both enjoy for the drive. Yes, I absolutely give him mini book pitches until we land on a winner. This year's selection is Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt. My prediction? I'll spend several hours in the passenger seat ugly-crying while he nods thoughtfully and says, "Yeah...that was a good book."
Every vacation also deserves a sweet treat, and for me that's Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst. Durst has a magical ability to write fantasy that's both captivating and comforting. Give me a love story full of green flags, a cozy magical world, sentient plants, and (most importantly) cats with wings, and I'm completely sold.
But I never pack every book before I leave.
I always save room for at least one or two discoveries.
One of my favorite parts of traveling is exploring independent bookstores wherever we go. On my latest trip to South Carolina, I managed to squeeze in 4 different bookstores in one weekend. This is a habit that is mirrored after my Grandma, who would buy a cookbook about local cuisine on her many travels around the country and world.
Walking into a local indie always feels like stepping into a conversation with the community. This little roadmap to understanding the locals. Every store reflects the real people who work there, their favorite books, their handwritten recommendations, their local authors, and the stories they're most excited to share.
Yes, I know... I work in an independent bookstore. But honestly, that's exactly why I love visiting others. No two indies are the same, and there's always a book I never would have found otherwise.
So if you happen to see me this summer, I'll probably be carrying at least three books, listening to a fourth, and coming home with even more than I packed.
Some vacation souvenirs collect dust.
Mine always end up on my bookshelf!
