26 Bookish Travel Resolutions for a Year Full of Story-Inspired Trips

I literally have the worst motion sickness, so I try my best to limit any kind of transportation. 

That means I walk a lot, and I generally keep transportation to a minimum no matter what. 

But I’ve decided to challenge myself to do new and difficult things, and starting next year, I plan to travel more.

Before I begin traveling, I thought it would be nice to put together a list of resolutions and ideas that will guide me to make my experiences more thoughtful and intentional.

I decided to turn it into a post where I share my travel resolutions as a book lover.

These are things that will shape how I interact with the places I visit and help me make my trips more meaningful, so they hopefully won’t end up feeling like a waste of my time or resources.

If you’ve traveled in the past and you’re a book lover like me, and you have any useful tricks or tips to get by, please let me know in the comments – I always appreciate helpful advice.

1. Visit a Literary Landmark I’ve Always Dreamed Of

Honestly, this has been on my mind for a while. I mean, who doesn’t want to stand where their favorite authors once walked? 

I’m picturing myself wandering around the streets of London near Shakespeare’s Globe or sitting in a cozy café in Paris where Hemingway wrote. It is a personal pilgrimage. 

Right now, I’m at a point in my life where I crave deep, meaningful experiences rather than just ticking off tourist spots. 

I’m so looking forward to feeling that kind of magic and now that I’ve decided to travel some more, I for sure will find my way to London soon enough. 

2. Take More Books on the Road (Even if It Feels Heavy)

I’ve learned that I need my books with me wherever I go.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s weird to carry a stack of books in my bag when I’m traveling light. 

But honestly? Books are my comfort, my escape, and my adventure all at once. 

It doesn’t matter if the luggage is heavier – those pages are worth every extra pound. 

Whenever I do get around to traveling, I’m definitely lugging my books around with me. Books help me slowly down and really live in the moment. 

And, I also really love sharing what I’m reading with people I meet on the road. It’s such a lovely way to connect.

3. Journal My Travels Alongside My Reading

There’s something incredibly personal about writing down your thoughts while you travel, especially when you’re reading something that moves you. 

I’ve tried keeping journals before but never stuck to it. 

This year, I want to be more intentional – to jot down how books make me feel in the place I’m in, what the surroundings remind me of, and the little thoughts that pop up. 

Honestly, it feels vulnerable, but I think that’s exactly what makes it special. I want you guys to feel that – the raw, real part of travel and reading – too, so I’m definitely going to take up journaling when I hit the road. 

4. Check Out Local Bookshops and Libraries Everywhere

I think poking around small, quirky bookshops and public libraries when I eventually travel will be super fun.

We don’t have a lot of those in my country (Nigeria), but I’ve watched reels, shorts, and vlogs from other creators abroad and I’m looking forward to being able to do this when I travel.  

I’m someone who loves supporting local businesses, and bookshops feel so alive and authentic. 

Right now, with everything feeling so fast-paced, these visits will absolutely make me slow down and appreciate the quiet, thoughtful spaces that books create. 

It’s a personal ritual I’m excited to deepen and I hope you’ll join me on the hunt for the best shelves out there. The blog would probably be updated on a daily basis at that point. 

5. Attend a Book Festival or Author Event Abroad

This is a big one for me. 

Book festivals feel electric, full of energy and passion. I’ve been to Ake, when it took place in Lagos, but I want to experience that buzz on a bigger stage, somewhere new. 

Right now, I’m craving connection – with authors, with fellow readers, and with the stories that bring us all together. 

It feels like a way to feed my soul and push myself beyond my comfort zone.

6. Read Books Set in the Places I Visit

I personally find this so enriching and, if I end up doing only one thing from this list of resolutions, then this is it.

The goal is to look for books set in a place I’m about to visit or by its local authors. 

I’ve taken part in some around-the-globe reading challenges and I know for a fact that it makes the whole experience more vivid and more meaningful. 

At this point in my life, I want my travel to be about understanding, not just sightseeing. 

Books help me feel connected in ways a tour guide never could, so it only makes sense I learn more about the location from books. 

7. Make Time for Reading During Travel (No Matter How Busy)

I can already see myself being the type who will let travel get so busy that reading falls by the wayside, and that is already bumming me out. 

That’s why I decided to commit in advance to carving out even just a few minutes each day to read, whether it’s on a plane, train, or a quiet park bench. 

It’s a small habit but one that I’m sure will bring me joy and calm amid the chaos of travel. 

I want you guys to know it’s okay to slow down and give yourself that little gift. It’s often those quiet reading moments that make a trip unforgettable.

8. Find and Support International Bookish Communities

I love how reading connects people worldwide, and I want to be more intentional about tapping into bookish communities wherever I go. 

Whether it’s joining a local book club or just chatting with other readers in a café, I think there’s magic in these shared spaces. 

I’ve made some of my very best friends off Goodreads & Facebook groups and I really cannot overstate how important this connection is to me. 

I’m excited to build friendships and find kindred spirits around books, no matter where I am, and if I do end up traveling, I’m definitely going to do this. 

9. Write Travel-Inspired Book Reviews and Share Them

Honestly, this is already a hard ask because I find it difficult to even write book reviews on calm days, so to talk of even writing book reviews while I’m traveling is very optimistic. 

But, I’ve always been a kind of person that feels deeply about certain things and being able to capture that on the blog will be a big achievement. 

So, I kind of tacked this on hoping nobody actually holds me to it and I’m actually kind of excited to be more honest and unfiltered in my writing, which reflects where I am now.

If you read my reviews when that time comes, I hope you feel that sincerity, that connection to the places and stories I love.

10. Pack a Travel Reading Kit Just for Me

I’m talking cozy socks, a comfy bookmark, a notebook, and maybe even some tea bags.

It sounds simple, but having a little kit that makes reading on the road feel special is something I’m really looking forward to eventually doing. 

I like to be comfortable wherever I go and nothing screams comfort like familiarity. I don’t think I’d like the idea of having to buy every single thing I need wherever I land. 

11. Try Reading Books in a New Language While Traveling

This is a bit scary but also super exciting because not a lot of you know that I am learning French and Japanese.

I’m definitely not perfect at either of them, but I think that’s part of the joy. 

I’m in a place now where I want to grow and push my boundaries, and this feels like a gentle, meaningful way to do it. 

If you’re like me and a bit intimidated, know that it’s okay to stumble – it’s all part of the process.

12. Use Audiobooks to Make Long Journeys More Enjoyable

I already listen obsessively to audiobooks, so this particular resolution is like a cheat code to get better grades. 

On long bus rides or flights, having a story to listen to will definitely make the hours rush by. 

It helps with travel anxiety too, which I absolutely struggle with, but I wonder if I’d even be able to do this because I have the worst car sickness. 

13. Gift Books to People I Meet While Traveling

This is one of my favorite resolutions that, again, feels like a cheat because I’m definitely going to gift people whether I write it or not. 

I love giving gifts and books feel like the perfect and most meaningful gift, and sharing one with someone new is such a beautiful way to connect.

It’s personal, it’s thoughtful, and it will create a lasting memory beyond the trip. 

14. Create a Travel Reading Scrapbook

This is more creative than I’ve ever been with my bookish side. I want to collect tickets, postcards, quotes from books I read on the road, and little notes about places. 

It’s a way to make my travels tangible, to hold on to the stories in a physical way.

I’m excited about this because I love looking back at memories, and this scrapbook will be a personal treasure. 

If you’re a visual or tactile person like me, this might be a fun project to try. And, if you’ve done this before, I’ll appreciate all the tips I can get. 

15. Try Reading Local Folklore and Mythology from Each Place I Visit

I love how folklore and myths give you a glimpse into a culture’s soul.

Whenever I travel, I want to dig into those stories – the legends locals grew up with, the tales they still whisper about. 

16. Limit Screens and Let Books Be My Main Entertainment

It’s so tempting to scroll endlessly during downtime, but I want to flip that. 

I’m committing to putting my phone away more and letting books be my escape instead. 

Travel can be overwhelming, and this feels like a way to reset and recharge. 

I want my readers to know that it’s okay to unplug sometimes and that books can be the best company when you do. 

I’m at a stage where mindfulness means a lot, and this little change feels both radical and grounding.

17. Check Out Bookish Cafés and Literary-Themed Spots

You know those cafés where every corner is dripping with books and charm? I want to find more of those gems on my travels.

It feels like the perfect way to combine my love of reading with the joy of discovering new places. 

I’m really looking forward to cozying up with a good book in an atmosphere that just gets me. 

Honestly, it’s a small but meaningful pleasure and like a little pocket of comfort in a new city.

18. Read More Diverse Voices While Traveling

Travel opens your eyes to the world, and I want my reading to reflect that too. 

I’m committing to seeking out books by local authors or voices that might be new to me wherever I go. 

It feels personal because I want to broaden my perspective and deepen my empathy. 

This year, I’m focused on growth – not just for fun, but to really expand my understanding of different lives and stories.

I hope this encourages you to do the same.

19. Learn About the History of Books and Printing in Different Countries

This one sounds a bit niche, but I find it fascinating. 

How did books get to be part of a culture? What’s the history behind libraries and reading habits in different places? I want to explore this during my travels.

It feels like a personal curiosity that helps me appreciate books even more. 

I’m at a place where I want to combine my love of travel with my love of learning, and this feels like the perfect way to do it.

20. Take a Photography Project Focused on Books and Travel

I want to get creative and document my travels through pictures of books, bookstores, reading spots, and even the people who share my love for reading. 

It feels personal because it’s a way to tell stories visually – stories that words alone sometimes can’t capture. 

I’m excited to share this journey with you, not just through what I read but through what I see and feel. 

It’s a new challenge for me, and I love that it pushes me outside my comfort zone.

21. Challenge Myself to Finish a Book in Every New Time Zone

I’ve always been a bit competitive with myself in fun ways. 

This year, I want to finish at least one book each time I cross into a new time zone during travel. 

It’s a quirky goal, but it makes me excited to read consistently even when things feel hectic. 

It’s a personal way to keep grounded and celebrate little wins on the road. 

If you’re like me and need that kind of motivation, maybe this will inspire you too.

22. Write Letters to Bookish Friends from Each Destination

I love snail mail, because there’s something so intimate about writing and receiving physical letters.

I want to write postcards or letters to my fellow book lovers from every place I visit, where I’ll share what I’m reading and what the journey feels like. 

It’s personal and a bit old-school, but I think that makes it even more special. 

23. Read Travel Memoirs and Write My Own Reflections

I’ve always been drawn to travel memoirs because they blend storytelling with real-life adventure. 

I want to go into more of these and, at the same time, start writing my own reflections on travel, reading, and life.

It’s personal because it’s about making sense of my experiences and sharing those insights with you. 

Writing feels a bit scary, but I’m learning to embrace that vulnerability. 

24. Create a Travel Reading Playlist

This might sound a little out there, but I want to curate playlists that pair perfectly with the books I’m reading on the road. 

Music shapes mood, and I think it would deepen the whole experience  and make each book feel even more alive. 

I’m excited to experiment with this and share it as a new way to enjoy stories together.

25. Slow Down and Let Books Guide My Travel Pace

Finally, I want to stop rushing. 

Travel, at least the way I see it, isn’t just about seeing everything but about feeling everything.

I want to let the books I’m reading shape how I explore a city or countryside – maybe lingering longer in a café or park because a story makes me want to savor the moment. 

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I strongly believe that travel is deeply personal, just like reading, and they’re both better when you slow down. 

I hope you’ll feel inspired to take your time and let the stories lead you to the experiences that really matter.

Right now, I can’t really tell how my travel experiences will turn out, but I truly hope I’ll enjoy them and make the most of every moment. 

I’ll be updating you all on the blog about how everything goes and, of course, sharing if I visit any new places. 

I’m just so excited to get started.