Bookish Travels: Delaware 2021

Camping.  Yes, camping.

I must say that for the entire amount of years I have been on this Earth, I had never been camping.  Sleeping in a tent, cooking over an open flame, no bathrooms, I mean, come on – that’s definitely not me.  But sometimes, you’ll catch me in a mood to try something outside my comfort zone and then all bets are off.  This was such a mood last year – after COVID was making us all stir crazy – when after talking with some friends, I announced, “I’ve always wanted to go camping.”  Out loud.  To a couple of campers.  Needless to say, a campsite was booked and plans were made.  

This year, I definitely needed a break.  No vacation in a year and a half has made me a bit cranky.  My spring break plans were thwarted by a bunch of people who really did not take COVID seriously, and so my energy meter was running on fumes.  Then, slowly, slowly, these camping plans crept up on my calendar.  First it was gentle reminders about the things we needed to do.  Then came the packing lists. I started getting nervous, after all, I’m still me and all the bravado I’d had last year seems to have diminished the closer we got to departure day.  But I can persevere!   I mean, it was only one weekend and we were planning to camp basically on a beach in Delaware.  It can’t be that bad, right?  

Looking back now, I can definitively say I am NOT a camper.  While I do enjoy hiking, the beach, sitting by a campfire (as long as I don’t have to start it or maintain it or do anything with it) and roasting marshmallows for s’moreos with good friends, I definitely cannot sleep in a tent.  In fact, I’d say that I liked everything else about camping except the actual tent part.  I’m not ashamed to admit that I will never sleep in a tent again. 

<Side note: unless the zombie apocalypse makes it a necessity.>

However, as you are aware, I tend to think about the books that describe the location of my travels or how I feel when I travel and this trip was no different.  Here are some great books about camping and/or Delaware to get you excited!

Black Dog Bay series by Beth Kendrick

Cure for the Common Breakup

New Uses for Old Boyfriends

Put A Ring on It

Once Upon a Wine

In Dog We Trust

To be fair, I’ve only read the first two in the series.  And that was like a million years ago (or it feels like it since we are currently living in the amorphous blob of time.)  But I remembered that these were set in a seaside Delaware town.  So much so that I would love to visit said seaside Delaware beach town.  They are adorable romance novels about life in Back Dog Day (the aforementioned Delaware seaside town).  I was so reminded by these that I attempted to purchase the third one at the local indie bookstore.  Imagine my surprise that they hadn’t even heard of them.  HORROR!  No worries, my local library has the whole series, so let’s just say I’ve got some fun reading ahead!

Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer

As Mr. Librarian pointed out in his review of this hilarious kitchy mystery, Delaware is the home of our 46th president.  So it’s only fitting that a book with him and his pal, former President Barack Obama investigate a mystery in the Delaware area.

Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

This book was one of the influences for my impromptu announcement that I wanted to go camping.  Worried that you too will announce to your nearest and dearest that you want to go camping?  Worry not, this is a delightful read even if you are a non-camper like me.  Read all my opinions of this book here.

Do you have any other Delaware recommendations? Have a great camping book that will be complete escapism for me? Let me know in the comments!