Book Review: Packing Light
I picked up the book on a whim on Saturday. I had ducked to library to see if any of my holds were ready and it caught my eye as I wandered the aisles.
No wonder. Allison is a blogger. There’s something that stands out about books by bloggers. It twigs in my brain and draws me in, even when I don’t know them.
Oddly enough, I would say don’t go and read her blog. Not yet. As much as blogging is wonderful, it feels different to get to “know” someone via a physical book, rather than a screen. Or it does to me.
Packing Light: Thoughts on living life with less baggage
The first thing that surprised me about this book (and myself) is that I don’t care that Allison talks about God a lot.
I’m not so much anti-religious as I was “sent to Catholic school for 9 years and eventually kicked out because it’s SO VERY NOT ME”. What you do or don’t believe in; who you do or don’t pray to is fine by me. Religion is not something I’ve ever felt I wanted in my life.
I think why reading what may be termed a Christian book didn’t bother me because it’s not un-relate-able. It’s not about scripture or anything that a non-religious person like me just doesn’t care about. It’s about big questions in life. And it just happens to be framed through Allison’s religion, because, well, duh, clearly that is how she wrote it and what her values are.
Why I loved this book
Initially, the cover drew me in. (I know. Books, cover, wrong. But it happens.) Then the title. Then the size of the book. It’s compact. It’s 252 pages. It easily fits in a handbag. It’s comfortable to read. It’s easy to get into.
What was unexpected
It was a lot less travel memoir than I had expected. I know there is a travel blog associated with this book. I thought the stories would be more based around destinations rather than people. In hindsight, that’s a bit illogical given the topic of the book. But it’s about what jumps out at you. What sticks with you.
If you are a writer, a blogger, a nomadic spirit of any kind, if you’ve ever wondered what you can do that is “more” than what you currently do, if you want the reality of doing the possibly mythical “more” and learning the ups and downs, then this book will suit you.
Tell me what you’ve read recently. I’d love to hear about something good to read next.
Instead of doing links above, where relevant, I am linking here. Because I really liked reading the book, then the blog, so I’m arrogantly suggesting that you might try that too 🙂 Of course you don’t have to, but I felt like it kept me less distracted and more focused on enjoying the book. Author’s website.
Love the simple cover, so get what you mean when you say it drew you in.
I don’t read a lot (any) non-fiction but got a diet-related book recently (about the science behind dieting etc) so really need to attempt that shortly!
It’s really nicely designed!
Sounds like an interesting book. The only books I seem to have time for at the moment are related to my business studies. Only a few more months till I’m finished.
I really should have been reading uni stuff instead haha. Shh..no one find my lecturer on twitter and tell her!
Sounds like an interesting read, will have to check it out, thanks for the recommendation!
I can’t think of much else like it that I’ve read before.
I’ve been reading mostly about improving what I’m doing for my business, especially with social media stuff.
I do have a few eBooks to complete in my Kindle app, heck knows if I remember the titles! Oh, here’s a Stephen King one in there, it’s called 11/22/63. The one where the guy travels through time to JFK time.
That novel could be really interesting! I hope you find the time to read it 🙂
Sounds like a good book and I must admit I am always drawn to a cover! With two little kids I find it hard to read but I am trying to get back into it.
I only really have reading time on my commute (and that’s ignoring that I could be doing uni readings then too) so the size and portability of this book – and that it’s easy to get into, were big factors in me liking it.
On the list!
🙂
Will have to look out for it! Will have to look out for it because I’m forever reminding myself to drop the baggage – physical, emotional and mental!
Just finished “The Good Luck of Right Now” by Matthew Quick who also wrote Silver Linings Notebook. Was a great read!