Vacation reading - #SOL March 22

It's March and time for the Slice of Life Challenge! Thanks so much to the entire crew at Two Writing Teachers for organizing and hosting this massive event! You are all rock stars!

I'm excited to be part of the Challenge again this year. As I continue to tap into "joy" as the motivation for my writing, I am also tracking the territories about which I tend to write (and sometimes intertwine). Current writing territories are teaching, family, friends, travel, working with a personal trainer, the quirks of being me.

For me, getting ready for a vacation is an exciting time. And of all the many things I look forward to packing, the packing of books is my #1 priority.

I begin gathering books at least a month in advance. I have a pile I keep in the living room, adding to it as needed. The variety of books I bring are as eclectic as me:

• Advanced Review Copies that I have been given that will be coming out in the next few months that I want to pass on to teachers and students.
• My next adult book club book - read in preparation for going to hear Laura Lippman speak about her latest book in May. For now, we are reading one of her older titles, What the Dead Know.
• A few chick lit books, especially ones set in the South - what beach vacation would be complete without one of those?
• One or two spy or mystery books because I love them and my husband can enjoy them as well.
• New children's books about which I have heard a lot of positive things - the 2nd book in the  MasterMinds series by Gordon Korman and Pax by Sara Pennypacker topped this list.
• Books friends have recommended it and I reserved at the library - Adrianna Trigiani's book, All the Stars in the Heavens is one of these.

The process was more arduous this year than in previous years because I brought so many print books. I gave my self an arbitrary rule - I could only bring what fit in the bag. That's tougher than it seems. And did I mention, I brought my Kindle as backup also?!!

It's also important to note that, though I have been reading a great deal professionally as of late, not one professional title made it into the bag of vacation reading.

I read quickly, but I don't kid myself that I will finish all of these books. However, I do need choice in my reading, and depending on the day, I never know what I might be in the mood to read next. Therefore, choices are available.

What are you reading over spring break, or this spring?

One of the final revisions of books
that would come on vacation with me