Here’s a guest post that I thought some of you might be interested in. Over the course of my life, I’ve moved over 40 times, and I’m not even in the military! Why not have a good book to read while your moving? Ms. Seka answers that question.
Top Three Books to Read While Moving
Between hunting for a new place, evaluating the host of movers in your area before settling for a reputable local moving company, gathering packing supplies and doing the actual packing, not to mention the long list of to-do’s waiting to be ticked, it is understandable that you feel overwhelmed.
Then comes the actual moving day itself. The movers have to arrive at the scheduled time and load up belongings onto the truck, so you want to be sure everything is set and ready to go in advance.
Not to mention, if you have family or a pet owner, there is the child that needs watching over and your furry four-legged member of the family also needs to be kept out of the way.
It’s little wonder then that moving house is considered one of the top stressors in life.
At this time, anything that could distract the mind in a positive way would be welcome. That particularly goes for when we’re moving long-distance to a different part of the country.
One of the best distractions to keep the mind occupied is – no, not the wine (that can wait until we arrive at the new home) – a good read.
Even those of us who are absolutely at home with nothing to keep us occupied but our thoughts can get bored during a long-distance move. It is times like these that a good book would be most appreciated.
Now, if you’re wondering what titles would be nice to include in your list, we have a few suggestions we think would make for excellent company during the trip.
- On the Road (By Jack Kerouac)
Of course, what better book to pick up while you’re on the road than – welp! – one that goes by that same name?
On the Road is a Beat Generation classic by Jack Kerouac written in 1957. The timeless travel novel relays the story of Sal (Kerouac’s main character) who lives in New York City and decides to pull up stakes to head west.
Driven by a frustration and desire to see the world, Sal makes the most of his time, making friends along the way, riding the rails and partying the night away.
With the pressures of modern life, this is a theme that may very well resonate with you. And you’ll love that Sal grows into a better, stronger and more confident individual through all his travel adventures.
- A Year of Living Danishly (By Helen Russell)
Dubbed “the world’s happiest country”, Hellen Russell tells the story of the time she followed her husband to Denmark after he landed a job at the Lego office in Jutland.
She spends her time freelance-writing while trying to uncover why the Danes are such a happy bunch.
She explores everything in her book – from food, to education, childcare, sexism, taxes, interior design and more – and does so while throwing a comedic twist to it, making for a poignant story that’s sure to keep you hooked.
Yes, turns out the Danes don’t have much tolerance for witches too.
What this is is an informative read that’s hilarious at the same time – self-deprecating even – that tells an intriguing story of someone trying to fit in.
Just what you need as you head out to start life in the new lands.
- The Alchemist (By Paulo Coelho)
Yes, we thought we would include this too. Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is one of the most read books in recent history.
If you are an avid reader, chances are this one forms one of the pillars of your collection. And if you’re not, there’s also a chance that you’ve happened across this book.
Whichever the case, now would be as good a time as any other to immerse yourself one more time in this soul-stirring story.
It follows a young shepherd boy who journeys from Spain to Egypt. Following his heart, he understands love and the meaning of life as he also learns to go with the flow.
If you haven’t read The Alchemist yet, you’re in for a treat. Slot it right at the top of your list. It will be one of the best ways you spend your time (moving or not) and you’ll be happy you picked it up.
Happy Moving!