A Traveler's Guide to Packing a Book

     With life happening all around us, it can be difficult to find the time to relax. And as responsibilities pile up, it can feel like that precious free time is shrinking by the day. Everything ebbs and flows, though, so hopefully more relaxation is on the horizon. But even when things are looking dark, we've still got one last bastion of rest: time off.

     Whether you're trotting the globe or choosing to see just how deep you can make that groove on your couch this weekend, taking some time for yourself can be both a restful and rewarding experience. It can also allow you to spend more time with interests you may have been neglecting, such as reading. As many of you probably already know, doing the reading is only half the battle and finding the perfect book can prove to be the more difficult task. Luckily for you, dear reader, booksellers happen to be perfectly equipped to find you just the book you need for any of your vacation endeavors, no matter where they take you.

    The first question I always ask myself when traveling is how many books I want to take. To answer this question one must consider many factors, such as duration of the trip, time spent traveling, and how much free time to read you're going to have. You should also consider how much space you're willing to allocate to books in your luggage, and whether or not you plan on shopping for books wherever you're going. (I always end up coming home with a couple more than I left with).

     Next, you should consider how you'd like your books bound. This part doesn't have anything to do with a book's content, but whether a book is hardcover or softback can be a deal breaker. Many travelers refuse to fly with a rigid hardcover, opting instead for a smaller and more flexible paperback. Others prefer the hardcover, citing its inflexibility as a plus that will keep it from being damaged. Some people don't really have a preference, which is also totally reasonable.

    Now that you know how many books you want and which books you're automatically not taking (sorry to that interesting looking 600 page hardcover that's been waiting on your to be read pile), it's time to figure out the actual books you'll be bringing with you. Some of you may already be compiling a list in your head, but don't start packing them just yet! Are you sure you want to bring that horror novel that's going to keep you up all night when you've got a travel itinerary that'll keep you busy all day? And do you really need to bring all four of those books with you for your long weekend at the lake? If you do, then more power to you, but it's always good to think about what books will pair well with your trip & the specific needs that may arise.

    And that about sums it up! Now that you've figured out what kind of books to look for it's just a matter of getting out and picking the books. Of course, if you need any recommendations or other assistance your friendly neighborhood bookseller should be happy to help!

Taiwan Travelogue

     Summer is just around the corner, and for many this seasonal transition tends to bring a vacation with it. Taking a trip is historically one of the best ways to unwind, whether you're kicking back on the beach or secluding yourself in some sort of cabin. A change of location can also bring with it a flood of new experiences & offers a change of pace from the potential tedium of daily life. 

    If a vacation isn't in the cards for you this summer, however, there are still plenty of books that can take you somewhere far away, such as Yang Shuang-Zi's Taiwan Travelogue. In it we follow Aoyama Chizuko, a young Japanese novelist, as she embarks on a year-long trip to Taiwan to give talks about her novel and its newly released film-adaptation. During her stay she is accompanied by Chizuru, an enigmatic interpreter and Taiwan native, who shows Aoyama around the island. 

    Vacationing isn't always fun and games, though, and I'm not just talking about drama with one's travel companions. Tourism as an industry can be incredibly taxing on a location and the people who call it home, whether that be through overcrowding, rising costs of living, or environmental degradation. Just look at Venice.

    Taiwan Travelogue explores the tension brought upon by unwanted guests, though in the novel its not so much tourism as colonial occupation that is breaking down the local culture & environment (though tourism still plays a part). Despite opposing Japan's occupation of Taiwan, Aoyama still takes a government sponsored vacation to Taiwan. To show her defiance, she spends her time writing articles about local Taiwanese cuisine, history, and culture thanks to all the insight she's able to glean from Chizuru.

    What really stands out about Taiwan Travelogue is its focus on the little details. Aoyama has something of a bottomless appetite, so she's constantly sampling the local fare while she tours the country.  From decadent banquets to simple rice dishes, every meal is described with such precision that you can almost taste it. Oftentimes I would put the book down to realize that my own stomach was grumbling.

    This eye for detail isn't just aimed at the food, though. From the history of the railroads to the inner workings of traditional family structures, Shuang-Zi wastes no opportunity to provide more background. This abundance of information never feels overwhelming, though. This is in part due to the context of the conversations being between a traveling writer and her interpreter, but also because much of the information is delivered through footnotes, allowing the reader to go as deep into it as they want.

     Everyone knows that a scenic vacation isn't complete without some drama, and Taiwan Travelogue has that on deck too. Our two travel companions may have become fast friends, but Aoyama can't help but notice that Chizuru pulls back from time to time, almost as if she were wearing some porcelain mask. I won't be spoiling anymore, but I can confirm that watching the two's relationship unfold is sweeter than the fresh pineapple juice that brings them together.

    As the world seems to be edging closer and closer to the brink, it's important to take things slow every now and then to acknowledge the things in life that bring you joy. Taiwan Travelogue serves the dual purpose of being a great book, for those of you who enjoy that kind of thing, and being a story about finding those nuggets of joy in what can otherwise be a dreadful situation.