For safety’s sake, it is very important to take a book with you wherever you go.
You might need it to protect yourself from an unexpected apocalypse, or use it as a disguise to hold in front of your face while you flee a crime scene, or use it to save a seat, or read it or (most importantly) hide behind it if someone tries to talk to you.
Now I actually don’t like reading outside the house, because I don’t like outside the house. (Like why is it there????) However, I do always bring a book! Or 3 or 7! Never know what will happen so be prepared, right?! And I thought today would be a great time to tell you about some books I have read when someone pried my cold dead claws off my house and dragged me outside.
I’m also notoriously proud of myself for even remembering which books I’ve read where, because I have the memory of a fractured cantaloupe.
Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Awaken the Travel Bug In Me…and look, this sort of fits the prompt??! Let’s go with this, I’m doing great.
1. ROYAL BASTARDS → READ IN A TENT IN BUNDABERG
This was nearly a year ago exactly! And I recall being so proud of myself for actually reading an eARC on time. This never happens!! I clearly was not myself!! Anyway, I also remember vividly reading this while camping because we were moving house, aka 2000kms away, and our freaking car bROKE DOWN.
So we were stuck in the middle of the Australian East coast, in a caravan park, with our furniture who knows where…and I read Royal Bastards.
Which was quite funny and good and I liked it! I also blinded myself using my kindle as my only light in a pitch black tent. So that’s Reason #98928 I hate camping.
2. TWO TOWERS → READ IN NANING, CHINA
Look I say “read” loosely, because I literally took this book as my only read to China * …(this has got to be like 8 or so years ago) to FORCE MYSELF TO READ IT. I ended up watching Despicable Me on a like 10cm wide MP3 player screen 60 times instead to just avoid the freaking thing.
This News Just In: TOLKIEN IS A NO FOR ME.
I also hate Despicable Me now???? hOW unforeseen, Cait, good job. Anyway, I at least read about half of it before I died and my ghost ascended so this counts.
* And yes this was my only overseas trip! My family went for 1 month because I had a sister living there and there was much to enjoy and also so many people and I’m kind of traumatised and will never never never travel again. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
3. THE FOXHOLE COURT TRILOGY → ON A ROADTRIP
In February we took a roadtrip down to visit my sister in NSW and I read these on the way. And by “read” I mean: I SUDDENLY GOT OBSESSED AND WANTED TO DO NOTHING BUT READ AND READ AND NO ONE TALK TO ME I AM A BOOK.
Also roadtripping + reading = very hard for me as I get carsick. So it’s more like “reading while my dad stops to get coffee” or “reading while my parents set up the caravan” or “reading at night in a tent because none can stop me”.
(Also I maybe just bought the paperbacks of these from American Amazon and literally sold my unborn first 9 children to cover postage. But WORTH IT.)
4. LONG WAY DOWN → IN A COFFEE SHOP
This book is actually in poetry-format so it’s so so short and you can totally read like HALF while waiting for your coffee order to come in!! This is amazing because by the time your coffee gets there, you’ve destroyed your heart and soul and mind reading this gut-wrenching book.
Good job, me. Very smart. Always read grief stories in public. What could go wrong.
5. DIVERGENT → SOME TEEANGERDOM CAMPING TRIP
I don’t even remember honestly why we went (this was in 2013 I think?)…even though “UGH WHY” is my first reaction whenever someone says the word “camping”. Look I’m not trying to be dramatic, but WE HAVE HOUSES AND WHY SHOULD WE LEAVE THEM TO SLEEP BETWEEN SOME GLORIFIED SHEETS ON POLES WITHOUT A REAL BED FOR “FUN”?????????????
I’m so confused. Who started the idea of camping. Bring them to me. I want to roast them in a pot.
Anyway, I also destroyed my copy of Divergent, totally gouged the back out. And people don’t think camping is evil, sheesh.
6. HORSERADISH → IN A…UM…BOOKSTORE
Look, I was careful. And this has got to be when I was like 13 or something?! But I couldn’t afford to just buy books and I was obsessed with Lemony Snicket and was left (read: ran away whilst parents shopped) in a bookstore for a while, so I read the whole thing!
It’s all verses/sayings so it probably took like 10 minutes haha.
And I promise I was so so careful and didn’t break the spine at all.
But still. Evil little Paper Fury.
7. THE ISLE OF THE LOST → IN THE CAR
While my mum was in a shop called “Rainbow Wholefoods” and if this doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about my family, WHAT WILL. She was probably buying organic zucchini.
However this store also often gave us free Moon Balls! They kind of look like this. And I would do unspeakable things for those, they were delicious.
Anyway, she was off with organic zucchini. I was in the car after a wholesome library haul, and I picked up this book which is, arguably, the STUPIDEST and also worst book I’ve ever read. Fond memories.
8. MY LIFE NEXT DOOR → AT THE LIBRARY
Well…only a few chapters because I was also babysitting my two nieces and one nephew and in retrospect I probably should’ve been watching them??? But they’re all still alive. The have most of their limbs attached. I don’t know what more you want from me.
Also, this book, had a STICKY DUBIOUS STAIN on the plastic library covering. It was the kind of stain you couldn’t hold the book without touching. It was the kind of stickiness you wanted to cut your whole arm off after touching. Look, this says something about how good the book was — because I kept reading.
But talk about being violated. MY BONES ARE GAGGING RIGHT NOW IN MEMORY.
9. GAME OF THRONES → WHILE WALKING
I love walking! I go for a run in the morning + a walk in the afternoons (and then I return quickly back inside, believe me). Before I had a dog, I used to listen to audiobooks while I went. This is great multitasking, plus Game of Thrones is 48728 hours per book. SO! I had to be clever to get through these tomes.
I want to also say it’s really weird walking down the street while the book is loudly talking about gruesome murders, zombies, incest, and blooooooood. I mean, I’ve got headphones on.
BUT STILL. YOU WONDER IF OTHER PEOPLE KNOW.
10. HOW TO LEAD A LIFE OF CRIME → AT MY SISTER’S HOUSE
This was back in 2013!! Aww!! Little tiny tiny me!! Anyway, for some reason I cannot remember, I was staying overnight at an older sister’s house??? 0/10 do not like staying at other people’s houses. Anyhow, I recall reading this covertly because the cover is kind of, um, well…CRIME.
Look, I am dark and nefarious (despite the rainbows around here) and I do pretty terrible things like tell my little sister there’s no more chocolate while eating the last piece. But I’m not actually out to lead a life of crime! That’s aaaall on the title. The fact that my family seemed to think the title was pretty normal for me says…nothing.
Anyway, the book had some great tips, not knocking the knowledge I gleaned. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What can I say.
Camping is evil. There is no need for it.
Exactly. Thoroughly agree. WHY CAMP WHEN THERE ARE HOUSES.
This exactly. There is no need for sleeping on the ground when there are houses with beds and chairs in them
Great post! 🙂
For a moment I thought you actually read Game of Thrones while walking…. My brother once did this during a walk with my family. I still wonder how he was able to avoid all the trees! I regulary have bruises from bumping into things or people XP
I like LOTR, but I can imagine that people are bored by the book. Tolkien describes basicly every tree… Do you like the movies?
Nooo I am NOT that coordinated I promise. 😂 It’s audiobooks for me haha. I think people who can walk + read and not die are actually wizards probably.
And yes I do like the LOTR movies!! I guess the style of the books just wasn’t for me really?😂I am so bad.
Game of Thrones plus walking? Sounds like a survival training hehe since I don’t listen to audiobooks I’m STILL making my way through A Clash of Kings.
Here’s a surprise for you! Good or bad, you decide! But I’m visiting Australia this July aaaaaand my boyfriend bought me a copy of your book!! Eeeek, so excited to read your book in your home country 😀
I tell you, some parts make you walk quite briskly.😂😂I was kind of traumatised by several parts omg.😂
OMG THAT IS SO AMAZING !!! And yay that you’ll be visiting Australia (I’m biased but it is the best country every 😉 and omg I hope you enjoy ATPN. 😍😍
I once listened to Nevernight by Jay Kristoff while riding a public bus. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it, but it can be very … graphic. Some have even called it ‘stabby’. I can definitely relate to your experience of listening to Game of Thrones while walking. I really hope people can’t hear my book through my headphones!
P.S. You have a delightful blog. It’s so colourful and funny.
Duuuude, YES. 😂 Omg I have a fun Nevernight audio story too…although it’s not outside the house. But I accidentally pressed play while my headphones were out and it was the part where it just booms across the room “AND DEFLOWERING VIRGINS” and omg I died. My family was like 😳😳😳 And I just died. 😂😂
ooh nice picks!! Quite a few new to me ones here too! Except for Divergent of course!
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Old Follower 🙂
Divergent definitely is one that most of us have encountered right?! 😂😂
I had no idea what moon balls were (or that they even existed) but now i feel like i need them in my life…
Ever since i started dating my BF (about a year and half ago), i spend a considerable amount of time at his place. It stresses me out a lot, cuz I’m not very good at being in other people’s houses either. Like, i always come with a massive backpack to be surrounded some of my own stuff and books and crap. I do read quite a lot of my books there nowadays.
They are DELICIOUS. I kind of feel there’s maybe a technical Chinese name for them, but the owner of the store was Chinese and that’s what they were called, so I’m going with it. They are so good tho omg. I miss living there.😂
And agh SAME with the needing-to-be-surrounded-by-your-own-things?!? I’m so so much all for that. Like I even dislike spending time in my sister’s room, because I need to be in MY room, with all my books and things in their rightful places.😂
Such a great list!
I have read quite a few books while camping, my family used to take me camping when I was a child. I haven’t been camping in over 11 years, and I don’t want to, either.
I generally don’t like being outside and can only put up with it for a while. My family has been wanting all my life to spend some more time outside, because most of them love being outside in the sun sitting on a chair and napping in the sun or perhaps reading, but it’s not for me.
During our camping trips, I often stayed in our huge tent and read books, rather than spending time outside. I would usually borrow library books, and I would take some of my own books and (re)read them. I didn’t have a lot of money so I often re-read my own books, since I couldn’t often buy new ones. I remember rereading the Babysitters Club books in the tent, and I also read some Point Horror books (my mum gifted one to me and one to my sister, while we were in the car, it was about a 12 hour trip so she brought gifts for us to keep us busy. My brother was younger than us so he was too young to read books, but he got other things instead). I also remember that one day when I had finished all of the books I brought, and I was in our huge tent, I went through the books my parents brought and read their copy of The Client by John Grisham.
I remember that I read part of Insurgent outside, book 2 in the Divergent series. And when I go visit my grandparents with my parents, I always bring a book (or two or three) with me so that some of the time I can rest and read upstairs while my family talks to one another (and is noisy). I remember reading The Library of Unrequited Love by Sophie Divry in my grandparents’ house. I also remember reading part of The Girl With The Curly Hair by Alis Rowe on my e-reader, at first my grandparents’, then my aunt’s house. I read parts of other books at their houses, but I don’t quite remember which ones. Somehow the two I mentioned stuck with me, for some reason.
I spent years travelling by train to university (and back home) and I would sometimes read books on the train. Before I had my e-reader, I often took small or medium sized paperbacks with me, some of the Wheel of Time series come to mind, as well as the series of The Banned and the Banished and the Discworld series (I was really into adult fantasy back then). I also remember reading one of the Hunger Games books in the train, I think it was the first one. Once I had my e-reader (which was only during the last half year of university), I tended to take that with me instead and mostly read some non-fiction self-help books.
I remember reading Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour on my road trip from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom, with my dad and my boyfriend (my boyfriend is from the UK, so dad and I drove there and picked up him and all his stuff, because we were moving in together in the Netherlands). That was a few years ago.
I also remember reading books while in the UK at my boyfriend’s family’s houses. I read The Stand by Stephen King, I read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, I re-read The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton (book 1 in Night’s Dawn), I read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, I read a few Wheel of Time books, I also remember reading The Patchwork Marriage by Jane Green (which I found at a British supermarket and decided to read it right then on my holiday). I also read some e-book short stories and novellas on my Kindle, while on holiday in the UK (because, limited space in suitcases).
In recent holidays in France I read a bunch of books too, though I can’t quite remember which ones. I remember reading an A. S. King book. But I can’t really recall the rest without looking it up (because my memory isn’t very good).
I was into books for adults a lot more some years ago, the last few years I’ve read both adult, YA and children’s books, but back then I mainly read books for adults. When I was a teenager YA wasn’t really a thing yet.
Hmmm, that’s all I can think of for now! Nowadays I don’t often travel as much anymore and I don’t go on holidays that often, so I tend to do most of my reading at home.
Outside is just overrated let’s be real here.😂 I mean WHYYYY do we have an indoors hmm?! To stay in it. *shuts all the doors* 😂 (My parents are also really keen on the outdoors and nope can’t relate.)
Also I’m loving reading your books-out-of-the-house memories here! And you have so many too! AHHH! (Also my childhood was totally full of rereads. <3 It was glorious.) And I also love how many different genres/types of books you read...you are so well rounded in your reading. MUCH RESPECT.
Oh! I didn’t read Divergent at home, either. Or was that Insurgent? Either way, I read one of those on the train in… Taiwan? Malaysia? Again, one of those. xD It was one of those rare moments when I didn’t have motion sickness. AND I ALSO LIKE TO READ WHILE WALKING… In the mall. While my dad shops for pants, or while my brother shops for shoes… (Yes, the men in my family are the shoppers.)
It’s honestly SO HARD to remember all the details. Like c’mon, we read too many books for this.😂But omg motion sickness is the worst right? It’s such a waste of time too because long car rides could be perfect for reading, but noooo my stomach says. *sobs* 😂
I’m exactly opposite, I suppose; I love to read when I’m away from home. My list would be considerably longer.
Beautiful, beautiful photos.
Haha, fair enough! And aww thank you about the photos!
I used to read most of my NetGalley books while walking to meet my boyfriend, popping open the Kindle app on my phone and trying my hardest not to trip over stones or fall in any ditches. It was surprisingly easy after a few weeks, and the walking time had been boring but it was suddenly something I really looked forward to (even if I did walk much slower and had to leave earlier and therefore got more reading time – sneaky!).
Okay that is true TALENT and I admire you so much right now. 😂Sometimes I drop my book on my face while I’m reading sitting still so, like. Coordination? I appreciate it.😂
WAIT YOU GUYS HAVE A RAINBOW WHOLEFOODS TOO!?
There’s one that was right down the strip mall from where my Uncle’s pawn shop was, so whenever we visited his shop, we’d go there and then my mom would get me a raspberry popsickle because it’s 100% raspberry juice and heaven on a stick.
The place also smelled weird tho.
YES IT MUST BE A SMALL WORLD. 😂 Well I mean, we moved so we don’t anymore, but it was a good place.😂 (Why does it smell so weird in there tho.)
It’s like the had bottled “weird wholefoods smell” and had t circulating in the air conditioning.
I remember reading while camping too (years ago, though)! My brother and I may have had our camp chairs set up in the middle of the stream while reading. I don’t recall what book I had, but I remember he was reading Garden of the Purple Dragon because guess what? Yep. He dropped it in the stream! Now it’s super annoying to stack because the book is now shaped like a really fat Toblerone…
Ohhhhh nO that’s so horrible that it got ruined. SEE THIS IS WHY CAMPING IS DANGEROUS.
I loooove camping. I go with my family all the time 😉 The last two times I went I read The Two Towers, and the time before that I read some of Winter.
I have very good memories of huddling beneath a trampoline with a tarpaulin over it, trying not to get fried to a crisp by the cruel Aussie sun while my parents built a house and my siblings and I listened to various How to Train Your Dragon books.
I also remember the time I tried to read Five Children and It while riding a bike. Take my advice and never try it. Learn from my mistakes.
And I have vivid memories of reading a book in a bakery in Barcaldine. And reading a book on Pioneer Women while travelling the outback. And reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea whilst camping in Alice Springs. Oh, and I read The Silver Chair on a plane to Horne Island and then while travelling down through Cape York, Cairns and outback QLD.
Anyways, I camp a lot and read a lot 🙂 as you might have guessed.
I’m glad you like camping.😂I’ll leave aaaall the camping to you haha. And I’m glad you have outdoors-book-memories though too! (Also I LOVED Five Children and It so much?!?)
(Also funniness, I live near Cairns.😂)
Ok, I actually quite like reading outside if the weather’s nice and I can find a convenient chair or bench or porch swing (!!!). It’s a nice change of scenery, and if you get the right sort of day, it makes the book that much better. That said, I can’t think of many specific books I read outside . . . there’s a lot of them, I’m sure.
I do sympathize with the awkwardness of listening to strange things with people around. 😛 For me, it happens more with my music when we’re on road trips— die Familie and I don’t have the same taste in music at all, plus I tend to listen to weird music a lot, so I’m always checking my earbuds to make sure they can’t hear me. 😛 I’d probably have the same problem with some audiobooks, though.
Also, question: what exactly is a caravan? Because I’ve only ever heard that word used to refer to groups of camels ridden by traders and kings and whatnot in the ancient Middle East, and occasionally to large groups of cars traveling together. And I’m pretty sure you’re not talking about either of those. So, help?
I’m glad you like reading outside! I have yet to find a point haha, but like also I don’t have a lovely place to read outside so maybe that helps?😂Or maybe I’m like in love with my house. IT’S POSSIBLE.
And audiobooks are VERY handy for blocking out family’s unfortunate taste in music. *shudders* I do that a lot.
Omg I have no idea what your word for a caravan is?!😂Motor home? I mean, you must have them, you just have weird words for things haha.
A moment of silence for all the books on here that got destroyed 😔 you shall be remembered… Sort of, I actually don’t remember like half the characters in Divergent but hey the book is about bravery so good idea for camping which sucks. Like why can’t people who like camping just go camping and those of us who don’t just stay behind or at a hotel? Then everyone would be happy.
I’ve actually trained myself to read in the car, I decided I wanted to read more and my large family constantly drags me places so why not read in the car? I never finish a book in the car but I have manage to read major chunks of Legend book 3: Champion, The second two books in The Maze Runner, all the Divergent books (man I read a lot of dystopia on car rides), The Astonishing Color of After, To Kill a Kingdom, and Ranger’s Apprentice.
Also as a Tolkien fan i don’t blame you for not finishing The Two Towers, I know many who have tried and failed, it suffers a very severe middle book syndrome but Return of the King is amazing
I know right?! SO many tragic deaths of books on these camping trips smh. Although admittedly I don’t even remember half the characters in Divergent but I was pretty upset it got wrecked at the time.😂 Or better yet, the best fix for camping would be: no.
I’m glad you can read in the car!! I literally feel sick in the car and then proceed to feel sick for like, um, 478 years afterwards. *cries*
I feel like I’m probably just not good with Tolkien in general?? Although I do want to read the Hobbit at some point.😂
If you like cozy stories that aren’t super stressful more like a tv show with each of the chapters an episode and large cast that should be easy to remember because there names rhyme get you can’t remember them all then try The Hobbit
omg I actually JUST started listening to audiobooks while walking as a way to exercise but not waste time because I’m getting through a book! At first, every time I tried audiobooks I hated them, but I really enjoy it now because I feel so productive with my multitasking xD
Isn’t it such a handy thing?! I love doing it!! Although, I mean, admittedly, I find it hard to do + walk my dog because I need to pay attention to what he’s doing haha. But I love multitasking things with audiobooks!
I used to like camping. And then I didn’t go camping for four years and I went camping again and I was like, “Why.”
I only take books with me if I’m going to have time to read, such as in the waiting room at the orthodontist. I did take two books on that camping trip I mentioned, though. One was a book about sustainable local food systems (yes, I’m “that person”) and the other was the 6th Harry Potter book.
Maybe it’s something that’s better before you realise how fantastic houses are?? I love houses. I have literally written a book dedicated to my love of houses.😂
Haha, I love camping and go as often as possible. Camping does destroy books, though. Also, I understand about mystery stains that make you want to chop off your arms. Last night, I was reading a used book, and I had to carefully peel apart the pages because there was something weird and brown on them. It looked like syrup. Just . . . WHY? While I’m running, I listen to a true crime podcast. I have wondered what other people would think if they knew what I was listening to.
Duuuude. You can have like all the camping and I will give you my camping. (It works like that right?? Camping is transferable??) But yeah ugh it’s bad on books! I prefer kindles except then the battery drains. (I use my iPod.😂)
I love how anti nature / anything that it not the comfort of your own home, you are. I think you are my new spirit animal.
We are definitely relating here *nods* Like the outside is just…why??? Why.
We used to camp when I was a kid. It was a lot of fun – we used to gather as many other kids as possible and play MASSIVE games of manhunt. 🙂 I read in coffee shops sometimes when I had coursebooks to get through. It broke up the monotony.
I’m glad you had good camping experiences then. 😂I mean I DID have some good times but afhasilghl I would rather nope.
….you have ventured to the Outside???
#6 tho!! You sneaky little criminal. XD
This was funny! I can’t remember where I read specific books, most of them at home or in a hotel (my only kind of camping). I take a book with me most of the time, but occasionally forget and regret it while I’m in the car waiting for hubby to shop in an auto parts or DIY store.
I TRY NOT TO DO IT TOO OFTEN, EVANGELINE. IT’S TRAUMATIC. And yes…my Slytherin is showing.😈
Camping sounds completely awful, why would anyone do that to themselves??? We’ve invented mattresses and indoor plumbing and air conditioning for a reason. Literally the only good thing about it is s’mores around the campfire, but I can do that in my own backyard and then return inside, thank you very much. At least you had a good book to distract you from the horrors of the outdoors!
I think I forgot to check the “get replies to my comments box,” so this is me fixing that, hehehe . . .
I KNOW RIGHT?! CAMPING IS JUST…NOPE. We have houses (well, we should have castles, but if we dON’T then the houses are ok replacements for now). And you can totally do any good part of camping in just a backyard so there is no need for the rest of the world *waves vaguely at all the nature stuff* why
I don’t think Tolkien is for me either… I hate too descriptive books and Tolkien books are just that >_< I hate camping because the only camping site we have SUCKS like some of the bathrooms don't have doors (or if they do, they have holes) and it's a mixed bathroom… WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?? Also, the water just pooled on the ground when it's raining and my tent and all my stuff are all wet we had to evacuate. Never again.
Yeah exactly right?! Sometimes Tolkien isn’t for everyone! I get annoyed when people act like I hate fantasy if I don’t like Tolkien. SIGH. There are different styles of fantasy!!
Ewww camping is just nOT gOOd.
Camping is evil, obviously. I mean, most of my relatives think it’s the best thing, but I prefer to be comfortable? So I don’t much like the whole “roughing it” experience of which my family seems to be so fond. If I must travel, put me in a hotel with fluffy beds and a television, please.
I am very, very bad at reading outside of my house. Though I can read it the car! I don’t get carsick, thankfully, but two of my sisters do and I sympathise. Whenever I try to read in public my brain is pounded by the presence of humans. It’s like trying to read when you are in constant fear of suddenly being stabbed. That’s how it feels sometimes. I wish I could just shut out the humans and forget their existence, but it can be HARD. You never know, one of them COULD be carrying a dagger or a sharpened pencil and if I don’t keep a look out I might be dead. And I could get my book bloody.
So yeah… I don’t read much outside the safety of my abode.
(As a side note, there is a book I read INSIDE the safety of my abode recently called A Thousand Perfect Notes and I adore Beck and Joey and August and TORTLE. Now I wish that Twice Burgundy was an actual band. I am a hugely difficult reader to please and I could count the romances in books that don’t strangle me to death with irritation ON MY FINGERS , but Beck and August? GUESS WHAT THEY WERE ADORABLE AND I WASN’T ANNOYED BY THEM. How did this happen??? I have no idea. Seriously. I typically HATE romance but you have created such a sweet thing and I am in awe of your magical abilities. Thank you so much for this book. Cait!!!)
I know right?! Like whyyyyy is camping even a THING. For people to choose it is just bizarre. IF YOU HAVE A HOUSE, IT IS FOR STAYING IN (forever tbh). But I also relate to getting really super distracted while reading out in public. Heh. Like most of these experiences are quite old because I’ve found my attention span is getting worse as I get older, isn’t that nice. 😂 THANKS BRAIN.
OMGGGG CAN I JUST FLAIL NOW. YOU ARE SO AMAZING AND WONDERFUL AND I’M SMILING AHHHHHHH SO MUCH!!! *sends you all the cake* Tortle was the star tbh, no wait, the book is just Joey’s. August and Beck are total secondary characters.😂 And aww look at you!! Enjoying a romance!! 😉
Yes, I remember reading outside ALL THE TIME when i was younger and didn’t particularly mind ignoring mortals who tried to talk to me (sadly, i grew up and became nicer). like, i would legit take a book to the movies, because what if the screen died halfway and i was gonna die of boredom and then i would regret not bringing my book???
anywho, yes. take a book when entering the mortal realm. always.
and camping?? i don’t know.. never tried it actually.
Agh it’s a problem to grow up and become nicer. RIP our younger more focused selves. (Also totally legit bringing books everywhere. I’d sometimes bring backup books too BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW.)
I’m almost positive Terry Pratchett has a quote about how almost the entire drive of human history has been trying to get as far away from nature as possible. I need to find that quote now. Should I be exasperated, or happy that you’ve sent me in search of a possible quote from an author who has over 40 books to dredge through? I haven’t reread a Pratchett in over a month so I’m going with happy.
Omg does he?! That would be an amazing quote. Everyone who’s like “WE NEED TO GET BACK TO NATURE!” can go sit in a tree or whatever but leave me in my cASTLE and well stocked library. I mean.
(Google maybe? Instead of looking back through all his books haha.)
Camping is EVIL. I rarely leave my house so the only time I can really remember reading a book outside the house I was a child (and i’m 29 now…i’m easily distracted by noise so I don’t read when i’m out) and was reading in a tree house. It was a Goosebumps book but I don’t remember exactly which one (There are so many!) but what I do remember is staying in that tree house for a few hours to finish it, and that I loved it. I’ve always loved Horror and i’d like to thank R.L. Stine for getting tiny me to love reading. 🙂
IT IS EVIL. WHY DO WE EVEN WITH IT. If you have a house, I mean. Like why ever leave it??? Smh. (Also I do find I get super distracted trying to read out of the house.😂)
I read about 90% of my books in public when I have school. I read on the train to school, I read waiting for my lessons to start, I read on the way back, I read when I have to wait forever at the train station because Deutsche Bahn sucks. This is great because it means I will always read a lot, no matter if I have school or not (like ~60 pages a day only on trains yay!), but it is also terrible because I read a lot of sad books and there have been many times where I have had to fight back tears (and mostly failed) so that people don’t look at me like I’m mad.
And then, in April, I read We Are Okay by Nina LaCour which has the most misleading name ever because I’m NOT OKAY EVEN MONTHS LATER. I read this in like three days and ONLY on public transport cause I had no time at home and it punched me in the face, and heart, and stabbed me, and then tore my heart out and stepped on it and I think I started all three days by crying on the train to school at 7 am and finished them by going home and crying again. Not able to stop my tears. So THAT WAS FUN THANKS NINA.
Anyway, it’s a great book.
That’s a really good way to get in more reading ahhh! (Although sucks you have to wait so long at trains. That would be frustrating.) And it’s so dangerous to read sad books in public right?! 😂😂Why do we bookworms do this so ourselves.
I read outside of the house quite a lot, I read all the time on public transport and I used to have to get the bus to and from school, and then to and from work and now I get the train back from Uni quite a lot so yeah, nine times out of ten I can point to a book on my bookshelf and be like….I read at least some of that on public transport! I read a lot of Under Rose Tainted Skies on an ill fated overnight ferry from Athens to Crete when I was travelling in Greece last year so that one will forever be burned into my memory, although I don’t know how much of that is the book (which I did enjoy) or how much is the awful ferry, which was stinky and they kept the lights on all night and I had to sleep in this airplane style seat with my sunglasses on to block the light out and yeah, not great. I also read part of The Bone Season whilst on another long ferry ride in Greece, this time coming from Santorini back to Athens. I read Salt To The Sea whilst my family were on holiday in France and I also read The Pearl Thief on that same holiday, which I thought Julie would approve of, since her family was part French! I actually read some of Six of Crows whilst I was in Amsterdam, which I thought was cool since Ketterdam is based of Amsterdam. I also spend a lot of time reading outdoors during the summer, cause I like the nice weather. So yeah, I actually spend quite a lot of time reading not in my house! And I do like camping, I was in Guides when I was younger and went on a LOT of camps!
That’s awesome! You must get a bit of reading done that way then. And ahhh Under Rose Tainted Skies! I hear so many good things about that one, I totally want to read it someday. Also I love how you have so many specific memories for this. THIS IS SO GOOD.
Also you win for reading SoC in Amsterdam!
I really do-it’s actually kind of amazing how much you can get done even in twenty minutes on the bus! It’s really good, definitely one of the better books with mental health rep that I’ve read, and it’s ownvoices too. Ha ha I didn’t actually think I had that many, but I actually probably spend just as much time reading outside of my house as I did in it! It wasn’t even planned, I just happened to start reading Six of Crows the week of my holiday there to visit my sister, so it just worked out really well!
I recently started commuting to work via train instead of with my mum and I’ve made it a habit to not even put my book inside my bag so I definitely won’t be too lazy to get it out to read. I’ve actually managed to almost miss my bus home the other day because I was so engrossed in my book lol.
Apart form all of that I remember reading the part of Les Mis where all the students die on the train to uni one morning and I was done with the scene early into the train ride and just spent the next 50 minutes sitting there kind of numb because I did not want to cry in public but their deaths were just so sad 😭
Also camping is clearly evil because no matter the temperature I will die of heatstroke in my sleeping bag and I’m not about that life.
That’s awesome when a book is that good though! Although…well not if you miss your bus haha.😂BUT STILL. Sign of a good book!!
Nooo that’s so sad about Les Mis though. Reading books in public is hazardous.
Love your twist on this week’s TTT theme!!
Here’s a link to my TTT post for this week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2018/06/top-ten-tuesday-top-four-books-that.html
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
“I don’t like outside the house. (Like why is it there????)” <— THIS. So much this. I don't understand the concept??
"AND NO ONE TALK TO ME I AM A BOOK." I laughed. Out loud. In the middle of the night. Thanks, Cait. Also, I am still not over how amazing these books are. TFC is such an amazing discovery and I have no regrets for selling my soul to you as thanks.
I don't recall ever actually finishing a book outside, to be honest. I did read City of Glass on a trip to London, I believe. I kind of had to because I could not make myself read that book otherwise so I brought it and my kindle and hid my kindle in the safe to force myself through that one. Don't remember what other books I finished on trips. I always have a book with me but I am so hyper-aware of my surroundings outside it's hard to lose myself at it and there is no such thing as a drive long enough for me to finish a book in Israel (also, I get car sick with physical books so… strangely, not so much with kindle books???)
I’m SO glad we are in agreement omg. I mean, the outside seems ok but I just…yeah, why? Also I’m very glad I made you laugh.😂Literally 100% of the reason I blog is hopefully to make people smile.😂
YOU’RE WELCOME FOR ME CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH TFC. THIS IS WHY I’LL MAKE A GREAT QUEEN OK.
I read out of the house a lot actually (although I still read in the house more), because I always bring a book with me everywhere, and apparently I’m not allowed to just stay in the house all day…
And I completely agree with you on camping… It’s uncomfortable, and there’s too many bugs, and it’s really hard to read while camping. Also lets cram four people into one tent, so that Iris’s face is smashed against the wall of the tent! Yay, fun!
Ugh. And apparently my mum is dragging me out of the house to go camping this summer as some sort of coming of age/bonding experience, and like, can we please not? Also she says I’m not allowed to read for the whole time, and like? Why? Not??
Also mwahahaha, yes, I got so many comments from my dad on the title of How To Lead a Life of Crime… he didn’t seem to think it was strange for me either… but he DID think it was HILARIOUS to make a joke about how my cousin (who loaned the book to me) was a bad influence on me, or how I wanted to be a criminal, EVERY. Single. Time. He saw the book. It wasn’t, in fact, all that funny. Just leave me to read my book in peace please dad?
Camping just makes NO SENSE if we have a house to live in afhgiah what is this.😂 And like NOT allowed to read as well?! So confusing. Sometimes humans have such odd ideas.
And I’m so glad you liked How TO Lead A Life Of Crime too😂 IT’S SUCH A GOOD BOOK. (Also why are dad jokes the worst.😂)
I read Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman on the beach. It’s not a usual beach read but they talked about deserts, and therefore sand which I was on so I thought I was pretty clever. I get made fun of for the way I camp because if I’m going to be out there, I’m going to make myself comfortable!
Hey that TOTALLY works. 😂And isn’t that such a good book, omg?! I love it.
I always make sure I have a book if I’m going to be in the car for any length of time or sitting somewhere. I read a ton of books this past year waiting for my daughter’s volleyball practices to end and now it’s reading while my youngest two take swim lessons for an hour. Love this list idea!
That is SUCH a good idea and a great way to fit in more reading time!!
Hmmm I can’t remember if I’ve ever read a book while away from home 😄 No, wait – I just re-read The Book Thief in the car when I was out on Cape Cod for the day, and I once brought The Fellowship of the Ring to my friend’s house (I love Tolkien, btw, but I totally get that its boring for some people – I’ve skipped whole chapters with no shame 😂 he gets so detailed and I get so lost!!).
And I once brought the last book of the Found series to summer camp, but I didn’t actually read it there cuz I didn’t have time! I really love camping and I have a great time when I do camp!! But I usually keep my books safe at home and read in the comfort of my own familiar bed or patio. ☺️
Hey that counts!! And that’s awesome you can read in the car.😂😂
I read anywhere and everywhere. I always have somee books, audibles, and print copies around me. The last book I read outside was actually while I was floating in the pool. The book was Freaky Days by Amanda M. Lee. I love camping. Just don’t like doing it alone and no one seems to want to do it anymore. Guess I could make a tent in the house like we did as kids. LOL
That’s so so awesome! You must get a ton of reading done, right?! (Although reading in the pool is super brave, go you.😂)
I love camping! But I also grew up with it a lot. I was also part of an outdoorsy group where you learned to tie knots and stuff. Kind of like Boy Scouts but in Canada.
Most of my books I read/listen to on the train because my commute to work is two whole hours out of my day, but I would much prefer to read them at home.
I’m glad you love camping. 😂You can have ALL the camping and I will go without. (It works that way, right?!😂)
Haha, great list! Clever prompt twist. I do a lot of reading on my Kindle while I walk now. I blame Mary Russell, whose own rovings over the Sussex Downs inspired me to try my hand at reading and walking. I also read at business stops, on beach benches, and pretty much anywhere I have a moment. 😅😂
OMG READING AND WALKING?!? THAT IS A TALENT!!
The Foxhole Court series is on my TBR for this month, and I’m a bit scared to start it, because I’ve heard so many good and bad things about, and I really want to like it. I’m glad to hear you loved it!!
Also, camping is the devil … not even in disguise.
I think the Foxhole Court is just one you have to be aware of the content before you go in? Like there’s a LOT of problematic rubbish that goes down. I just don’t think the book was condoning it, it’s just about messy people doing bad things at times? The character arcs are everything tho.😍
I like camping, though it has been a while. My first real vacation with husband (then boyfriend) was us + my car + tent + Austria = lots of fun. I read Sunbolt in the hospital after the c-section haha. That counts, right?
Ahhh Austria!! I would like to see Europe. But not…from a tent.😂😂 And omg good on you for reading after a c-section!
The clearest memory I have of out of the house book reading is reading the Goblet of Fire. The day it came out my family was heading down to the shore, about a four hour trip away, and we were NOT LEAVING until I had this book in my hand because the only other book I had was my summer reading book (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn which I hated at the time and which is now my favorite book, go figure). Anyway, I think I finished most of it on the drive down. *lol*
I almost always have audiobooks going while out and about, or ebooks if I can’t play sound.
I’ve only been camping once or twice, but they were always in a cabin so does that count? I think they were without electricity so it was pretty terrible because I didn’t have a book light or a Kindle at the time so I would crouch by the window and read for as long as possible by the dying sunlight. ^^;
Ahhh that’s so cool you were so adamant to get the book though! Everyone should know not to get between a bookworm and their preferred reading.😂
(Eh we usually camp in a caravan so I guess that doesn’t count either.😂)
Most recently I read Geekerella while at the bowling alley! My best memories of reading outside of the house was listening to my mom read Baby Island and Anne of Green Gables on roadtrips. The weirdest place was I did my required High School reading while on vacation at Disney World. I read while in line for the rides! And I love camping!
Ohhh that makes sense to read while on the lines!😂That’s actually really clever. (And isn’t Geekerella so cute?!)
Well, this was fun! 😀
I don’t have any particular problems with camping but what I greatly dislike is when you get the sand from the campsite into the tent and you have to watch out for mosquitos and you are basically sleeping on the floor where your dog can lie conveniently on your face. But also smores! Barbecues and soft sounds and colourful lights and hey, that ancient cat from two places down is STILL ALIVE! O_o
I’m trying hard to think of books I have read in strange places. I read my first and only John Green book “An abundance of Katherines” on my England roundtrip. And I recently read the bigger part of Gemina at my Mom’s place since I spent a few days petsitting – you know, dog, cats, goldfish, little sisters.
I actually can remember a lot of what’s in books and where they take place and characters and stuff but rarely where I read them.
One of my CRs is “The Hobbit”. It’s not bad but I have to admit that I started it in April.
Hugs, M
Omg the mosquitos are awful too.😂Although my dog sleeps on my head when I’m at home (my mattress is on the floor haha) so I get that wonderful experience at ALL times. Nice.😂 We hardly ever do fires when we camp because it’s usually just a quick stop while we get to somewhere else? But yeah. bLEH LET ME STAY IN MY DARKNESS.
I’m fortunate I never experienced camping then. I love my life. Anywaay, I always have books with me like ALL THE TIME. I have ebooks on my phone and they save my life every time. I don’t bring physical books on trips because I’m too paranoid. What if it rains? My book will be ruined. What if evil spirits take my bags with my books in it? What if I accidentally mistake my bag for a pillow? My books are going to be squashed. Yeah those are just few what ifs of a paranoid bookdragon. See? My life is so great.
I don’t really read books outside because I don’t actually have an outside life. I’m mostly cooped up inside my lair. I DON’T NEED YOU OUTSIDE WORLD.
You are WISE, is all I can say. Like ajfkdsla why do people think that camping is a good idea omg. And I also usually just bring my ebooks now when I leave the house (IF I HAVE TO LEAVE THE HOUSE UGH) or ARCs that I don’t care if get a bit battered. I hate ruining books. *cries*
I loved How to Lead a Life of Crime! I remember I read it many, many years ago. My family kept asking me questions about the title and I had to keep reassuring them that I wasn’t trying to actually read a manual on how to be a criminal!
Isn’t it so good and SO underrated?!? I need to reread because it was so viciously clever.
I just recently finished up City of Bastards – and it was such a great sequel! Sometimes I wonder about that audiobook think too…
Lauren @ Always Me
Ahhh I so so am excited to read it soon!
I tend to read a lot on my phone while I’m outside! While walking. Which leads me to walk into poles and turn around the wrong corners and get lost, oops.
And the closest I’ve ever gotten to camping is accidentally falling asleep on my porch 😂 I don’t wish ot explore camping any further than that
Omg that is a talent though. 😂Like actually managing to get reading done AND move.😂
I love taking road trips because I can just dramatically stare out the window while listening to music, and plot my next book lol. But, I also wish I didn’t get car sick because then I would read in the car.
I DO THAT TOO. I’m reduced to plotting books because I can’t read. *dramatic sigh* I had a 3-day car trip once and just outlined an entire sequel to a book I SHOULD NOT have written a sequel to.😂
I can’t read while moving, either in the car, train or walking. I end up with motion sickness and no one likes chuck on their books, seats or hair if it’s particularly violent. I’m always impressed when anyone tells me they’ve read The Lord of The Rings Trilogy. I’ve tried and they’re just so long, dry and wordy. I have those same editions along with the Hobbit too. Saving them to use to keep warm during the next apocalypse.
The most important question is though, does it depend on where you’re going to what type of book you take with you and format? Like, going on a beach type holiday, do you prefer lighter type contemporaries? Where would it be easier to read eBooks rather than paperbacks? I used to carry a book or my Kindle in my bag but even if I’ve been waiting for an appointment or waiting for someone to finish their appointment or waiting anywhere in general I can’t concentrate on what I’m reading and have to reread it anyway. I should have my reading licence revoked for being such an amateur.
Yup SAME. It’s so annoying because so many hours just wasted?! But like…I’ve tried and it always has a disastrous end.😂
And I’m actually tragically unimaginative with my picks! I just always take what’s next on my pile to read.😂I do take kindles now if I go out though! Although, ya know, I try to remain in my cave and not go out so that solves that.😂
I loved this post! It’s really interesting to think about books that you’ve read in a specific context like when you were outside (and not in the safety of your bedroom) 🙂 I remember reading Miss Peregrine’s on my vacation to Vienna whenever there was a spare minute, because I got so addicted 😀 and I read a lot of books on the train (I used to be able to read in the car, but not anymore!)
I feel like sometimes we remember them better, like by associating them with the place we were?!? Whereas all the books I read in my room do merge. 😂
Totally! I will always remember books that I read on vacation or certain train journey to said vacations! 🙂
I love how you’ve described in detail where you read these books and your feelings while reading it.
I cannot read anything in the car because I get motion sickness or when there’s even the slightest bit of noise where I’m reading because I have traceback the lines to figure out what’s happening in the scene. Ugh, i hate how terrible I am at concentrating.
Motion sickness is the WORST. And it’s frustrating for roadtrips because I feel like I could get so much done?!? But I can’t read at all (unless it’s an audiobook!)
So true. I love audiobooks for non-fiction books but don’t know if i’ll try it out for fiction. How has your experience with Audiobooks been?
I always bring books with me, when I am away, but I still haven’t found the way to read properly. The reason why is mostly due to people who think will be unpolite reading while you are with others. But staring at phones without talking is great, isn’t it??
Camping isn’t my thing neither :’)
I know right?! That bothers me SO MUCH. Like nobody cares if you have our phone out…but apparently having a book out is “rude” in most social gatherings. Ughhh.
Hello, thank you for sharing such a great book list. All the books are so interesting. We have to read all these books. Also I like how you describe these and where you read. Keep sharing such nice post!
Aww thanks for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Yes! I almost always have at least one book with me wherever I go and kick myself those few times I do not. My favorite story about that though is the time I was having my car serviced (and at the time I had to wait because no other vehicle or ride was available) so I read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. As I recall, I got 3/4 done while waiting. would have been further, but the guys took pity on me and took me out to lunch and small talk. 🙂
Omg haha! I’m glad you had a book with you while the car got serviced then!! It must’ve been quite the long service?!
😀 Yeah, it was an inspection with required updates on many parts of an older vehicle.
By my waffles! I haven’t commented for how long??? More than a month, that’s for sure. I MISSED YOUR BLOG, CAIT. Sorry, I just barely got time for myself (and that sounds so weird because it is summer, but as u can see time management lessons have done nothing to improve me at all). So… hiiiii.
(Pss, I’m reading The Raven Boys and it’s so funny! I’m really liking it!)
I’m shock, is it really that bad Isle of the Lost???? Then I’m not reading it. And I have no idea how I’m going to do to read Game of Thrones. I get scared only by seeing its size from far D:
In other note, I’ve never camp before so… Idk…
Aw no don’t apologise!! I mean I miss chatting with you of course, but don’t feel like you HAVE to keep up or comment!! I hope you had a great summer though?!
And aHHHHHH THE RAVEN BOYS. YOUR LIFE DECISIONS ARE PERFECT CLEARLY.😍
Game of Thrones is freaking terrifying for size.😂I appreciated the audiobooks haha. At least I didn’t get too intimidated by a million pages.
Had a nice summer, yes 🙂 I hope you enjoyed summer too! I saw in your IG you had a lot of writing and editing going on. Sending all the virtual chocolate chip cookies!
PS: I also saw ATPN’s fanart… I FREAKING LOVED IT. IT’S SO CUTE. WHY I DON’T HAVE THE BOOK YET??? Maybe it’ll be my christmas present this year.