Travel essentials ✈️
Are you actually packed if you don’t have any books?
For my trip to Brazil, here’s what I took:
📖 Child of the Dark by Carolina Maria de Jesus
Carolina is a Black Brazilian woman who lived in favelas in São Paulo and documented her experience via diaries. Reading this while in the country of origin was surreal
📖 Our Sister’s Keeper by Jasmine Holmes
I’m reading for Summerween and was immediately drawn to the cover. This book is a great tale about the power of Black women and female rage.
My kindle of course because packing 18 physical copies would be crazy
Have you read either of these?
When I traveled to Brazil, bringing meaningful books was a game changer for my journey. Instead of just typical travel gear, I chose to pack works that not only kept me entertained but also helped me understand the culture and social issues of the places I visited. For example, "Child of the Dark" by Carolina Maria de Jesus gave me profound insight into life in São Paulo’s favelas through the eyes of a Black Brazilian woman who chronicled her daily struggles and hopes in diary form. Reading it while actually in Brazil made the stories feel vivid and brought a new level of empathy to my experience. Similarly, "Our Sister’s Keeper" by Jasmine Holmes resonated with me because it explores themes of Black womanhood and resilience, which connected to the spirit and history of Brazil’s Afro-Brazilian communities. Carrying a Kindle allowed me to access many books without the burden of weight, which I highly recommend for any literate traveler. From my experience, choosing books that relate to your travel destination enriches your journey both intellectually and emotionally. It encourages deeper connections with the people and history of the country, beyond just sightseeing. Plus, reading on the go fills travel downtime with meaningful engagement rather than passive scrolling. Next time you pack for a trip, especially to culturally rich places like Brazil, consider including local authors or stories that highlight important social narratives. This approach transforms your travel from typical tourism to an immersive, educational experience that stays with you long after you return home.
