A friend asked me yesterday about Kindles and security. (You may have seen the exchange on my Facebook page.) “Do you have to take your Kindle out at security the way you do with a laptop? Or can it stay inside your bag while it goes through x-ray?” Regular readers may have noticed that I am a HUGE proponent of eReaders, and count my old school Kindle to be one of the most valuable things I travel with. I take it on every trip, so can say without a doubt that you don’t need to take it out at airport security.

However, I know the latest generation of Kindles are more like tablet computers, and I’m less familiar with those. I do have an iPad that I travel with occasionally, and I’ve never had to take it out before. But of course we know that sometimes what happens in practice does not follow the actual rule (thanks for the consistency, TSA) so I thought I would check for sure. I went to the TSA webpage to see what I could find.

Here’s what I found after entering “tablet computer” into the “Can I bring my….” tool:

Small and portable electronic items (iPods, iPads, cell phones, etc.) do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.

Super, so iPads and other tablets don’t have to come out. Just for fun I checked eReaders, and the same message came up. Good to know! Of course, laptops still have to come out and go into their own bin.

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When I was a kid, I spent hours at the library. I read anything I could get my hands on, and there was no where I would rather be. Fast forward about twenty years, and I still love to read. But I don’t ever go to the library anymore. The combination of less time to read, plus buying so many books at the airport, plus using my Kindle for so many years, has led me to not visit a library in longer than I can remember. However (and I may be the last person in the world to know about this) I just found out that you can borrow ebooks from many libraries! It’s free—all you need is a library card. (Pictured: The old school Kindle with the ink display, starting right now at $69!)

I also recently learned that another way to get free books to read on my Kindle is to join Amazon Prime. Of course, you have to pay around $80 per year for the membership, but the ability to borrow one Kindle book for free each month is one of the perks.

There are also frequently ebooks available for free or significantly reduced price on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. But I still think the best way to read books for free is the library. So I will be heading to my local branch this weekend to sign up. Then I will be able to download books to my Kindle any time of day, no matter where I am, for free. Of course I don’t get to keep them forever, but that’s okay. I’m just glad to be able to read a variety of books again!

Readers, have you found ways to get ebooks for super cheap or even free?

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It’s the time of year for giving! In case you are stumped about what to get the Road Warrior and Road Warriorette in your life, I have rounded up a list of great gifts for your traveling loved one.

E-readers. The best gift for someone who is on the road a lot, or who reads a lot. I got my Kindle three years ago and never looked back. Other popular options are the Barnes and Noble Nook and the Sony eReader.

Headphones. Whether they’re earbuds or of the full-on noise canceling variety, headphones are a great gift! I like these J. Fi Natural Accoustic earbuds, and the originals, the Bose Quiet Comfort Noise Canceling Headphones. Of course, you could always get a headset like the awesome Plantronics Voyager Legend too.

Pashmina. Love, love the pashmina. Available everywhere, ranging in price from $10-$100 or so. If you want a good inexpensive version, try this one from Sakkas. For a luxe experience, definitely go cashmere like this one from Nordstrom.

Compression socks. Necessary for anyone who makes long flights! Available for men and women, all over the place. These super cute striped and argyle versions are from TravelSmith.

Travel purse/briefcase. I am totally asking for the awesome
eBags Laptop Collection SOHO Leather Mobile Office this year. It has room for all of my stuff, but won’t take up too much room on a short trip. Plus it’s super cute!

Stocking Stuffers. Travel-friendly items come in small packages too! Travel sized toiletry bottles, luggage tags, and water bottles that pack flat  all make great gifts that will fit in a stocking (and won’t break the bank!). Other options are a nice toiletry set—help pamper your loved one when they’re away from home with this L’Occitane Shea Butter set.

Gift cards! If you don’t have time to shop or your person is super hard to shop for, gift cards are always a winner. ITunes are great, as are Amazon gift cards (especially if your person has a Kindle). Or think about buying airline upgrades as a gift!

Readers, what items are on your gift list this year?

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When e-readers first came out, I’ll admit it. I was skeptical, because I love the experience of reading. Holding a book, turning the page, perusing my personal library for which of my favorites I am ready to re-read. Walking into a bookstore is practically a religious experience for me—the smell, the stories, the possibilities. I just knew there was no way some electronic device could possibly duplicate my sacred reading experience.

But while one of the things I love about a book is its heft, that very thing makes traveling with lots of books quite difficult. I am a pretty fast reader, so for a week-long trip I would often need three or four just to get me through the flight time. What finally made me willing to try an e-reader was needing to make a trip to Manila, with transit time of 25 hours one way.  I just couldn’t figure out a way to make the logistics work. How could I possibly carry enough books to entertain me during fifty hours of travel time?? So I sucked it up and bought a Kindle.

I was hooked. That first trip with my Kindle, I was amazed at how light my purse was. No longer full of stacks and stacks of books, it was incredibly easy to lift and carry. Hooray! I’ve been a convert and evangelist ever since.

Since I was a fairly early adopter (not super early, but early enough I guess), people would stop me often, in airports, airplanes, restaurants, wherever, to ask me how I like it. The honest answer is that I love it. Instead of replacing my beloved books, it is an addition to my library. I will still buy books on occasion, but I’m more discerning about which ones. I buy random paperbacks or things I want to read over and over on the Kindle, and special things in book-form. It makes travel so, so much easier. No longer do I have to plan out how many books to bring—I just grab my Kindle and I have hundreds at my finger tips. So easy!

Now I’ve had my Kindle for a few years. It is old-school—it’s not in color, and it looks like an actual book when I read it. It’s not back-lit, which means I need a light to read it, but it doesn’t hurt my eyes like a computer screen. So even though I’m mostly pretty happy with it, all these new e-readers are intriguing! Nook, Kindle Fire, pretty color displays…..

So I wanted to ask you guys—which one do you like best and why? Do you think it’s time to get a color e-reader so I can read magazines or go online? Or do you still prefer paper books and magazines?

The last time I asked this, I got a bunch of great recommendations, so here it goes again! I will be traveling a ton next quarter, so I will need some new books. In the last few months, I’ve been reading a lot of fiction, with a memoir thrown in here and there, and a few business books. Here are several recommendations.

The Princess Bride (William Goldman). My favorite movie of all time, recently found out there is a book, so of course I had to read it! I loved it. It’s written in a very interesting way, with the author interjecting stories about his “life”. Big blocks of the dialogue are taken directly from the book, so it was very easy to hear the voices of Cary Elwes and Mandy Patinkin in my head as I read. Highly entertaining!

The Help (Kathryn Stockett). Could. Not. Put. Down. I still haven’t seen the movie, but I looooved the book. You’ve probably heard the premise—in the fifties, a white woman writes a book about the African-American domestic help. Very well written.

Yoga Bitch (Suzanne Morrison). My sister slipped this in my bag as I was leaving Chicago the last time, and I’m glad she did. It was so good! I want the writer to come hang out with me and be my friend. It’s her story of going to Bali and going to yoga teacher training, and figuring out her relationship with her teachers. Fantastic!

American Wife (Curtis Sittenfeld). I’ve had this for a while, and recently re-read it. A fictional story based on the life of Laura Bush. Very well written, with a great story, and great sympathy for her characters.

Knitting Mystery Series (Maggie Sefton). Quick, light reads, but fun stories. If you’re a knitter, it’s fun to hear about the various projects and yarns the characters are working with. At the end of each book, the author gives a knitting pattern and a recipe.

Mom, Incorporated (Aliza Sherman and Danielle Smith). I haven’t finished it yet, but I am learning a ton from Aliza and Danielle. They give great advice for taking charge of the work-life balance and starting your own business. (And check out the interview I did with them!!)

Next up: My Stroke of Insight (Jill Bolte Taylor), about a brain scientist who had a stroke and recovered from it.

So what have you been reading? What do you recommend? I think I’m ready for some more nonfiction and memoirs, so bring on the suggestions!!

This is one of my favorite posts to do all year. I get to spend time searching the internet for the most fun, interesting, and useful gifts. And boy did I find some! Bring on the shopping.

Flight Comfort

The Cabin Cuddler is a great gift for anyone who travels long distances! It’s super warm and cozy, is easy to pack, and includes a pillow. Travel slippers would also be great on a long haul trip, plus they would be nice to wear around the hotel room during the winter. Eye masks are great for helping travelers sleep on planes or in a hotel room, and this one is super cute! Finally, compression socks are a must have for long flights. Keep your loved one’s ankles and feet from swelling and reduce their risk of DVT.

Passport cover

Give your favorite road warriorette a passport overhaul. A fun passport cover can liven up boring travel docs. Love this one from Ruche.

Fun travel toiletries

A little pampering makes frequent business travel more bearable, and this Oatmeal Whoopie Pie scented body wash sounds verrry luxurious. And tasty.  Another option is this Travel Spa in a Box. It includes anti-bacterial aroma mist, anti-bacterial hand oil, a lavender flax eye pillow, lip balm, and others. Fabulous. Not only is this little bag from Etsy shop Aunt Meep’s Attic very cute, it’s made of oilcloth so it’s easy to clean, and can be used for makeup or non-liquid toiletries.

Luggage tag

Help your favorite traveler keep track of their bag with these brightly colored, fun luggage tags.

Kindle/iPad case

Seriously I am putting this on my list. I didn’t even know they made Kindle cases this pretty!!! And don’t forget a Kindle or iPad to go inside of it

Travel mug

Travel mugs keep your beverage warm and reduce trash. This clever mug from Mighty Leaf is made specifically for tea drinkers, and would be a great gift for the traveler in your life! (Enter our contest, and you could win one!)

Readers, what are you shopping for this holiday season?

First of all, I have to say that I am super impressed with my readers. Based on the poll yesterday, about half of you unpack only for longer trips. But so many of you unpack all the time! That’s amazing, and I bow to you for being so organized and dedicated.

After the poll, and thinking about all of the responses from last week’s Top Five Travel Necessities: Airplane Edition, I decided to write this week’s travel necessities post about the hotel. What are the most important things to me while I’m in a hotel? It’s a little different than being on a plane. You spend more time in a hotel, even though a lot of it is sleeping. Your time spent in a hotel is more about getting ready for work, and less about entertaining yourself. With that being said, here are my five most important items to have in the hotel:

1. Kindle. Again. I know, I included it in the airplane list too. But part of my bedtime routine is reading for twenty minutes or so before I turn off the light. Magazines work for this, but a book is best.
2. Mighty Leaf tea. I carry Mighty Leaf tea with me everywhere I go–it is seriously the best tasting tea ever, IMO. There is a little Ziploc in my purse with teabags and Splenda, just in case I need it. I love the Vanilla Bean for perking up, and the Chamomile Citrus for winding down. (Bonus: in case something smells bad at any point on my trip, but mostly on the airplane, I can smell one of these teabags and it will make it much better.)
3. iPhone. Again, I know. But it helps me keep in touch with the Home Warrior, and I can listen to my home public radio station on the road. (I have friends who watch TV constantly in their hotel room, but I prefer the radio.)
4. Bag of electronics. I have yet another Ziploc with a mini surge protector and extend-able ethernet cable, just in case.
5. Travel yoga mat. Even if I can’t make it to a studio, I like to do yoga on the road. The Manduka travel mat is light and thin, so is perfect for layering over the carpet of a hotel room.
6. Honorary Mention: My own toiletries. No offense to the sometimes really lovely toiletries that hotels offer. I just really like to have my own. I have refillable bottles from Aveda, all holding the same products I use at home. This keeps my skin and hair from freaking out even more than is necessary from travel, and makes me feel like I’m home.

So Readers, what are your necessities when you’re in a hotel?

Erin! Her “stickiest travel situation” was tricky indeed, as well as pretty funny. She was randomly selected from all of the entries using the random number generator at Random.org. She will receive a Kindle and a Mitchum stick, courtesy of Mitchum’s “Love Thy Pits” campaign. Thanks Mitchum!! And thanks, Readers, for sharing your worst travel stories.

Erin’s story:

Back when I was 27, my boyfriend, two of his friends and myself decided to go to Europe for a month. We were planning on traveling as cheaply as possible, had rail passes for the whole time there and were planning on making use of hostels as much as possible.

Well he proceeded to really piss me off, almost immediately upon landing, so the whole trip instead of being boyfriend and girlfriend, we were just unfortunate roomates.

It was either that or I was going to have to bunk in with one or the other of his male friends because none of us could afford single rooms. So for a whole month we shared the same bed, all the while barely speaking to one another.

I managed to have a decent trip because really who wouldn’t when you’re in Europe for the first time. But coming back and going through customs, the one thing that I had forgotten until the custom agent pulled them out of my suitcase were two very large baggies filled with my unused contraceptive sponges. Since obviously, I hadn’t needed them at all.

So as I stood there watching him holding one in either hand, up in the air and peering at them, all thirty of them, curiously. And then looking over at me.

I just knew that everyone in line behind me was pitying me for having such high expectations for my sex life and obviously having it fall well short.

If I had it to do all over again, I would have thrown them away before going to the airport or left them somewhere that maybe someone could have used them, even if they were expensive.

Tomorrow bright and early I leave for Nashville.  Not looking forward to getting up super early, but the flight is only a couple of hours, and it’s direct, so that’s pretty much as easy as it can be.  I will be home tomorrow night, only a day trip, but I will have time for dinner.  Anyone have a good restaurant rec near the airport?

I have to say I like day trips simply because they are so easy! I get up, grab my purse (making sure my Kindle, laptop and charger, and boarding pass are in there) and then walk out the door. Fun times!

This is the Winners and Losers version, Part 1.

Kindle—Winner!!  Normally for a two day trip I will bring 4 books. For a trip with 50 hours of flying I brought 8, on my Kindle. The first thing I noticed as I was picking up my purse to leave for the airport was how light it was. Awesome! I have read two books so far, and my eyes have not hurt at all, which I was concerned about. It has been great! The only problem is that I did not receive my case before I left, so I am constantly worried about dropping it or breaking it.

Eye mask—Winner!! Of course, I didn’t end up needing the one I bought because they give you one in Business Class on American, which I didn’t realize. Oh well.  Not only did I use the eye mask on both long flights, but I used it in my hotel room yesterday when I was sleeping during the day (remember, I’m working at night and sleeping during the day).  The only disconcerting moment came on the first flight when the nice man beside me had to wake me up so he could get out of his seat. It was pitch black even when I opened my eyes, and there was a quiet, unknown, Japanese-accented voice in my ear. Took a minute 

Ear plugs—loser   I didn’t end up using them, because when it comes down to it, it creeps me out. I didn’t realize this until I was about to put them in. Maybe I will try again, maybe not.  What I did end up using was my iPhone White Noise app with headphones, and that was great. With the eye mask on and the white noise going in my ears, it was like I was the only one on the plane!

Seat Organizer—Loser    I still think this could be really useful, but it took up a lot of room in my backpack that I just didn’t have to spare, so I didn’t even bring it. I think for another trip it could work, so I’m going to try again.

Next edition:  Seat cushion, travel blanket, and compression socks. Fun times!