So you’ve planned your trip, the boat is ready to set sail. It’s time to escape the stresses of life on land. Time to say goodbye to traffic, work, and… smartphones. But, before you throw your phone overboard, consider instead how to manage your screen time.
A phone is essential on a long trip, you can maintain contact with the outside world and entertain yourself in any conceivable way. In fact, why even bother to put it down and pick up a book?
Connection
A long trip away at sea is full of excitement, but it’s only natural to feel lonely or homesick at times. It’s comforting to disappear into another world and connect with new characters.
Social media may seem, in theory, to bring us closer to others, but it often leaves us feeling further away.
Stress-Relief
Simply sitting and reading can be incredibly relaxing. The fast-paced nature of modern life allows very little space for alone time, but a great novel gives you permission to switch off and embrace escapism.
Empathy
The sheer volume of information and entertainment available to us means we’re constantly scrolling through a mixture of funny videos, tragic news reports, in-your-face advertising, the list goes on and on. It’s easy to lose sight of what REALLY matters, like our relationships.
Books encourage us to empathise with others, and maybe even question our own actions and values.
Knowledge
Whether reading an old classic or a perspective-shifting piece of non-fiction, literature provides full immersion in any given subject. You may discover new worlds, or finally be able to tell your friends that you’ve read Ulysses…
So, greater knowledge, an improved attention-span and memory, what’s not to like?
Recommendations?
Millions of books are published each year, so where to begin? Here are 5 excellent must-pack books for your next trip:
1. The Count Of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas
Yes, it’s around 1000 pages long, but don’t let that put you off. This Dumas epic is a classic for a reason, a tale of injustice and one man’s search for revenge. Who doesn’t love a good revenge story?
2. Stoner – John Williams
This underrated novel is finally achieving the recognition it deserves. The plot follows William Stoner, a university lecturer leading a seemingly ‘normal’ life in the early 20th Century. Without the need for an extensive list of characters or an explosive plot, Stoner somehow manages to be nothing short of perfection.
3. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage – Alfred Lansing
A literary list of this sort would be incomplete without at least one story set on a boat. Whilst you may have no plans to replicate Shackleton’s death-defying adventure on board the Endurance, it’s so worth reading this powerful tale of sacrifice and survival.
4. Calypso – David Sedaris
We all need a good laugh, and there are few better humorists than David Sedaris. Calypso contains Sedaris’ usual collection of absurd and charming essays, delivered with a hefty helping of dry wit.
5. No Country For Old Men – Cormac McCarthy
You may have seen the Coen Brothers’ adaptation of this intense thriller, but the book is equally worth your time. After Llewlyn Moss finds a suitcase full of cash in the middle of the desert, he sets off across state lines pursued by the relentless hitman Anton Chigurh, the kind of man you hope only exists on the page.
So, now you’ve got plenty of reading material! With a suitcase full to bursting, a worthy shipmate and your trusty literary companions, sailing will be a breeze. Get in touch to see if we can help make your experience even more comfortable.
