The Books We Didn’t Plan To Pack

When we left home, we decided the girls would read digital books on the iPads because books are just too heavy to carry with us. And after packing up boxes and boxes of their bedroom libraries before we left, I can confirm: books are heavy! So off we went with suitcases full of clothes and iPads and not a single paper book.

But there really is something special about holding a book and turning the pages. Back home, the girls are constantly curled up somewhere with their noses in a book. So on day three in Paris, when we happened upon an English bookstore on the Rue de Rivoli, their eyes lit up and suddenly they had a little more bounce in their step.

They wandered the aisles, picking up books, checking out the covers and discovering authors they hadn't read before. One of the best things about being overseas is discovering authors and stories from other countries, and Smith & Son was full of them. For two voracious readers, there were many new authors to curl up with. So off we went with they walked out with M. A. Bennett and Carlos Sánchez tucked under their arms and list of several more British authors on their reading wishlists.

So much for the no-paper-book plan!