In the last few years, my husband and I have begun to travel a bit. We finally can afford it, and the kids are making lives of their own. They are spreading their wings in different areas of the country. That has opened the door for us to go to new places: Charleston, Newport, Houston, and Sedona. There is a reader's opportunity here that I have missed over the years. Never again.

After our visit to Charleston, SC., I read a book set there. I recognized some of the place names. I wish I had read the book before I had gone to Charleston. That got me to thinking. Why not read books that I'm plannign on traveling to? It will give me ideas of the place and give me a connection to it. Who knows! I might discover new places to visit through the books.

These books can be fiction or non-fiction. It really doesn't matter. Before we went out to Las Vegas and Sedona, I got books on the hsitory of the areas. I learned so much and didn't quite feel so lost.

Next year, we are heading to Newport, RI. I've already got a list of books set in the area to purchase a few months before we go. There is a couple of biographies and a few murder mysteries as well as one romance.

Have you thought of reading books set in where you will visit? You might discover new historical sites or even restuarants to visit. Yes, some fiction books have fictional locations, but can still be fun to read.

What places would you be reading about?