5 Tips for Enjoying a Book Box Subscription During Vacation
Vacation time! It’s that moment as you log off and put your out of office on before heading home, that you start winding down. Your brain hasn’t quite processed that you won’t have to jump out of bed tomorrow at the crack of dawn, and that soft, lazy feeling is just around the corner.
Whether you’re off to the coast, heading for the hills, or staying at a cozy cabin, vacations give you the perfect excuse to slow down, unwind, and finally dive into that book you’ve been meaning to read. But if you’ve ever packed a book only to realize it doesn’t quite match your mood (or forgot your bookmark and had to use a boarding pass), you’ll love the way a Once Upon a Book Club box transforms your vacation reading into an experience. (No boring books allowed, we promise!)
Unlike any ordinary book, OUABC boxes come with surprise gifts that are tied to specific pages, making each reading session feel like an adventure of its own. And best of all? No Wi-Fi required. So wherever your summer plans take you, here’s how to make your book subscription box the ultimate travel companion.
5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Book Box While Traveling
1. Pack Smart
You don’t need to bring the whole bookshelf—just your current OUABC book and its matching gifts. Use the original book-shaped box as your travel container (it’s perfect for stacking in a suitcase or carry-on), and only include what you need: the book, the page-labeled gifts, and a few trusty reading accessories like sticky notes and a bookmark. And if you’re worried whether or not any of the surprise gifts are fragile or airport-friendly, reach out to us and we will let you know (spoiler-free, of course!)
We love using the Reading Log Bookmark Set to track progress and mark special moments without losing our place. These exclusively designed bookmarks feature slots for up to 27 book reviews, including the date read, book title, and your star rating!
2. Set a Vacation Reading Ritual
The best part about vacation? The freedom to slow down. Whether you're sipping coffee on a quiet porch, sunbathing by the pool, or relaxing after a full day of exploring, make reading a part of your daily rhythm. It doesn’t have to be long, just consistent.
Choose a moment each day when you can unwind with your book. And here’s the fun part: let each page-matched gift become a mini milestone in your trip. Reached page 117 by the lake? That’s gift time! Got to page 203 on the plane? Surprise yourself mid-air. Creating these little rituals turns reading into a rewarding moment you look forward to every day.
3. Make Unwrapping Part of the Experience
We’re big fans of vacation journaling, and what better way to document your trip than by pairing it with your reading journey? Snap a photo of each gift as you open it (extra points if your sandy toes and beach towel make a cameo) or jot down a quick note in your travel journal about what surprised you most.
We think you will love using our reading journal (available in Classic Coral, Periwinkle prose, and Seafoam Stories) to track your favorite bookish moments. If you’re reading with your tween, they’ll love filling in their Tween Reading Passport.
Pro tip: Toss a mini pouch with scissors into your travel bag to help with gift-opening on the go!
4. Match the Box to Your Destination
There’s something extra magical about reading a beachy thriller while sitting oceanside or diving into a cozy mystery surrounded by pine trees and mountain air. Before you hit the road, browse our Ready-to-Ship Boxes to find a story that fits your vacation vibe.
Planning a seaside escape? Try our Limited Edition Summer Reading Boxes. Heading into remote, forest-filled terrain? Pack our “Leaves of Magic” book box for an enchanting adventure beneath the canopy. Whether you crave magic, mystery, or a dash of romance, aligning your setting with your story guarantees total immersion—and maybe a few goosebumps.
5. Share the Experience
Books are even better when shared. While you’re lounging, exploring, or enjoying your destination, share your reading moments with friends or fellow book lovers. Post a photo of your favorite gift reveal or your reading spot to Instagram, or hop into the OUABC Community on Facebook to chat with others reading the same box.
There’s something truly delightful about knowing someone else is opening the same gift in another part of the world. It’s like a secret travel book club, full of shared excitement and a whole lot of heart. You might even make a new bookish friend or two!
Travel-Friendly Boxes to Start With
Whether you're heading to the beach, hopping on a plane, or just planning a backyard escape, these travel-ready boxes are the perfect way to pack a little literary magic into your trip:
Adult Box - The Fabric of Her Life
Take a journey through time with our November 2024 Adult box featuring The Memory Dress by Jade Beer. This beautifully woven historical fiction tale comes with FOUR elegant gifts that bring the story to life—perfect for a quiet morning read or a cozy night in.
YA Box - Wild Hearts
Our June 2024 Young Adult box stars Wild About You by Kaitlyn Hill, a swoon-worthy romance set in the great outdoors. This paperback comes with FOUR fun, summery surprises that make it feel like you’re part of the story—whether you’re camping or just camping out on the couch.
Tween Box - Math & Fastball
It’s Shakespeare meets snacks and summer league baseball in Much Ado About Baseball by Rajani LaRocca! This box is packed with FIVE interactive gifts and includes a signed bookplate from the author—making it a home run for readers ages 9–12.
Our Adult Book Subscription Boxes feature everything from pulse-pounding thrillers to sweeping historical sagas. Young Adult Boxes are packed with love, drama, and adventure for teens and YA fans. And our Tween Boxes? They’re perfect for curious minds ages 9–12 who love to get lost in a good book. Wherever you’re going this summer, we’ve got a story ready to tag along.
Your New Favorite Travel Companion
Reading is one of the best ways to enhance your vacation, and a Once Upon a Book Club subscription makes it even better. With beautifully wrapped gifts, immersive story moments, and just enough surprise to make every chapter special, our book boxes are built for creating memories, not just reading about them. Did we mention our whimsical packaging?
Remember, reading improves your mental health, so think of reading as your brain taking a break! So this summer, pack a story that travels with you. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the mountains, or just your backyard, a book box from OUABC turns every destination into a place where the magic of storytelling lives.
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Happy reading from the OUABC team!
Sources
Lynch, É. (2024, May 22). How reading improves your mental health and wellbeing. Scottish Book Trust. https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/articles/mental-health-and-the-benefits-of-reading
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