Top 10 Road Trip Reading Accessories

With Thanksgiving just 2 weeks away, we are in the midst of road trip season! Are you taking a trip for the holidays? We are (luckily) staying at home this year for the most part. But for the last 4 years, we’ve traveled for Thanksgiving and I’ve gotten good at packing accessories to ehlp me keep current on my reading goals during travel. Here’s my Top 10 suggestions for reading while traveling:

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1. An e-reader

You may be anti-Amazon, but a Kindle is by far my favorite accessory for reading while traveling. You can pack as many books as you want in something that weighs just a few ounces! My favorite features of my Kindle Paperwhite are the ability to download books from Libby to the tablet, and the ability to download audiobooks. While it doesn’t have speakers, you can pair a wireless headset to the device and have both your audio and written books available to enjoy on your trip. The Kindle Paperwhite 32GB is currently available for $199 on Amazon – I have seen them discounted for Black Friday, but if you are looking for something for a Thanksgiving trip, they are currently shipping 2-day to most locations.

2. A good book light

I stumbled across my favorite book light while shopping with my kids a few years ago. With a slide on attachment to clip to the back cover of the book and a flexible neck, the Really Bright Book Light is lightweight and compact enough to slide into a carryon bag on briefcase. It does call for AA batteries which means it isn’t as “green” as some other light options, but it is well worth it! You can grab it at BAM Books for $19.99.

3. Annotation kit

This was a social media find earlier this year and I can’t imagine reading any hard copy book without this. This utilizes magnets instead of elastic bands that bend the cover and pages of your book. It has room for 4 writing utensils and comes with small sticky notes to help annotate. Achievers Must has a few options, but my favorite is currently available for $39.95.

4. Magnetic Bookmarks

I have seriously used just about anything in reach as a bookmark while traveling – my train ticket, a small sock, a candy wrapper. All because my bookmark fell out of my book somewhere along the way. Magnetic bookmarks are the way to solve that problem! One of my favorite options is customizable and available on Etsy for $9.78. Make sure whatever option you choose is slimlined – you do not want thick or bulky bookmarks that will bend or damage your pages.

5. Fingerless gloves

If you are headed somewhere a bit cool, you may want somethign that will protect your hands while holding your e-reader or book. These fingerless gloves provide warmth and softness, and are quite stylish! Another Etsy find, these are currently $27.01

6. Throw blankets

Hear me out – if packing economy isn’t a concern….throw in a blanket! I love curling up under a soft and warm blanket to read and the places we stay never seem to have one that works for me. I’ve started packing my own lately and it was a game changer! This cute option sets the expectations that you are not to be disturbed and keeps you warm! Available on Etsy starting at $31.99

7. Travel mug

Again, most places we have stayed while traveling have not had adequate coffee mugs. I love Piper Lou mugs and tumblers for how well they are made. Each comes with a lid and are an easy to wash metal interior (just don’t put them in the dishwasher). My favorite reading themed travel mug in their collection is a 20 oz skinny tumbler etched with “Professional Bookworm” available in 2 colors for $32.99 right now.

8. Water cup

You can’t expect to just drink coffee on your trip (ok…who am I kidding…) so you’ll need a water cup, too. If you like those Stanley type cups that are large and have a handle, Piper Lou can help with that, too. They don’t have any that are necessarily book themed, but you can customize your own and you might find something in their collection that speaks to you here starting at $49.99

9. Highlighters

If you’re taking a hard copy book and an annotation kit, you need to include a good set of gel highlighters. They won’t bleed through the pages like some highlighters and come in some many beautiful colors. Check out this set from BAM Books for $7.99

10. Pens

Like highlighters, you’ll need pens for annotation. My favorite options are Sharpie S-Gel Retractable 0.5mm pens in blue. I like the retractable option because there’s no need to keep track of a cap. I prefer the gel pens because they don’t bleed through or smudge as much as other types of pens. Now, this next part is totally up to you, but the 0.5 mm is easier for me to write with than the 0.7 and blue shows up better on printed word than black. You can get a box of 12 at Staples for $17.99

If you are traveling in the next few weeks, I wish you safe travels and happy reading!

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What I’m Reading

• Current print book: Virgin River, Robyn Carr
• Current audio book: tbd
• Book I’m most looking forward to: The Cold Dish, Craig Johnson