Before the child in the back of the room raises his hand and asks, “What should I do?” After a full 10 minutes of writing instructions on the whiteboard and an additional 5 minutes of explaining them, an act of self-care takes place. I would like you to work on this.
Book your vacation.
It’s not just a vacation, it’s a reading vacation. Just imagine: It’s just you. One or two books. It’s very quiet. And no kid looks at you like, “Why are you torturing me with this book?”
Where are you going? Oh, please tell me, I value you so much.
The following list of domestic and international bookworm holidays for teachers is the perfect way to reignite that spark. The book that made you love books and want to dedicate your life to sharing that love with America’s youth.
Teachers who love books, it’s finally time.
It’s time to pack your bags. Please dust off your reading glasses. Find the perfect bookmark. Take out the naughty ‘I read a book before bed T-shirt’. And get totally excited for a bookish vacation that will help you remember your purpose.
Link Juan via Unsplash
A masterpiece of domestic literature
New York City, New York
It’s no secret that New York City is something of a haven for book lovers.
We recommend you start your literary vacation by checking into The Library Hotel. Here you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of books in themed rooms organized according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System. (Can you imagine, school librarian!?)
Once you’ve settled in, throw on your best tweed jacket (weather permitting) and head to the New York Public Library. The library is an iconic literary landmark with the fiercely famous lion statue of “Patience and Fortitude”. (As teachers, we know a thing or two about perseverance and fortitude.) Speaking of fortitude, managing a budget in this kitschy, cute bookstore-filled city takes a lot of effort. is. Locals and visitors alike rave about Housing Works Bookstore. This bookstore is run by volunteers, and all of the well-used books are donated. 100% of profits will be donated to Housing Works’ lifesaving projects! It’s a win-win! If you ask New Yorkers which bookstore in the city is a must-visit, the majority will undoubtedly say it’s the Strand Bookstore, with its 29 miles of books.
New York Public Library Richard Hedrick (via Unsplash)
baltimore, maryland
Whether you arrive in the gloomy middle of the night or on a typical Saturday afternoon, you’ll definitely start your vacation at the Poe Baltimore House and Museum. I probably don’t need to say this, but you can’t really arrive at Poe’s old house on Amity Street in the middle of the night. We highly recommend booking well in advance. The Death of Poe exhibit is a must-see for aspiring detectives and Poe enthusiasts. Visitors can get a thrill from one of the many Poe tours and events hosted by the museum.
I feel strongly that if you like libraries, and you’ve made it this far, you probably do. Don’t miss the George Peabody Library. This bookish architectural masterpiece was built in 1878 and has been dubbed America’s most beautiful library. Where else can you stroll through a five-story balcony lined with books?
Phew! These literary wanderings will undoubtedly leave you looking for a place to lay your head. May I suggest a room at The Ivy, a renovated mansion in the middle of the very bookish Mount Clemens? The hotel features a well-stocked central library and in-room reading corner, and of course plenty of nifty spots to relax with a good book.
© Visit Baltimore
Nashville, Tennessee
Hey guys, I had the great pleasure of taking my roomy Toyota Sienna to the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville. There’s not much to get excited about in an old van anymore, but when you can lay down the seats and have space to carry a ton of books, it’s worth its weight in gold. I first learned about the WNBA at the Southern Festival of Books. No, it wasn’t the basketball kind. Here, WNBA stands for Women’s National Book Association. He also wore a T-shirt that read “Books, not balls.” The festival is held for three days every October. Visitors can find miles of tents filled with books, authors, people who love books, and book-related merchandise.
While in Nashville, plan a visit to Parnassus Books, a popular independent bookstore owned by best-selling author Ann Patchett. Not only is this a bookstore for book lovers, it’s chock-full of carefully selected, mesmerizing collections. Plus, there’s a dog! I’ve visited many bookstores with cats, but this was the first one with a friendly dog!
If you’re a fan of historic libraries, check out the stunning interior of the Nashville Public Library.
Finally, no stop in Music City is complete without a visit to the Hatch Show Print. Founded in 1879, this printing press is known for its colorful and iconic posters of legendary country music stars. This stop inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum can easily fill up in a day. And we all know that country music is actually just a love story disguised as a song.
Immerse yourself in the ultra-chic Hutton Hotel in the vibrant West End, where music, art and storytelling come together. Our favorite amenity is the record library. Guests can check out records and play them while they write, read, or fall asleep in their rooms.
©Steffy McCourt
Newport, Oregon
For a truly unplugged literary retreat, head to the Sylvia Beach Hotel. There’s no Wi-Fi, TV, or phone to distract you from reading. The owner of this hotel has impeccable taste and sense of humor. The catchphrase is “Sleep with your favorite author.” (So cheeky! We love it!) Each room at the Sylvia Beach Hotel is named after a unique author and features whimsical décor that celebrates their work. Guests can watch Murder on the Orient Express while watching the surf in the Agatha Christie Room. With facilities such as a library with a fireplace and a puzzle room overlooking the ocean, you’ll never want to leave. If you want to explore further, check out Nye Beach Book House. This eclectic bookstore sells new and used books in Surfside.
© Silvia Beach Hotel
international literary adventure
london, united kingdom
No list of literary holidays would be complete without London. Stay at the Hazlitz Hotel in the heart of Soho (the perfect place for theater lovers). Writers frequently visit the hotel and often leave signed copies.
In London, you can travel back in time at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, visit the Charles Dickens Museum, or visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street. If you have time, a side trip to Oxford is a good idea (tolkien and CS Lewis fans, I think). Don’t forget to stop by Foyles, one of London’s most iconic five-storey bookstores.
© Charles Dickens Museum, London
dublin, ireland
Home to the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating back to the 9th century, it is one of the most visually stunning literary sites in the world. The Long Room in the Old Library of Trinity College. Built in the early 1700s, the Long Room has been featured in countless movies and novels. Join the ghosts of literary giants like James Joyce at the Davy Barnes pub on Duke Street, the setting for Ulysses. Ireland is widely known as the birthplace of fairy tales, so we recommend booking a room at Clontarf Castle Hotel.
© Clontarf Castle Hotel
Hay-on-Wye, Wales
This charming town in Wales is known by its people as ‘The City of Books’. There are over 20 bookstores here, making it a dream destination for book lovers. In addition, Hay-on-Wye is also home to the annual 11-day Hay Festival, one of the world’s most famous literary festivals. This festival attracts book lovers from all over the world. A stay at Drover’s Rest Farm fits perfectly into the city’s old-world charm, offering the perfect cozy setting for book lovers to rest their weary feet and heads.
One of Hay-on-Wye’s many bookstores. Yukon Horton (via Unsplash) We are teachers
Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s a great place to start. From literary landmarks to famous bookstores to cozy reading spots, these locations are perfect for teachers who need a break. Finally, wherever you go, carry some travel essentials with you. Don’t forget to pick up your new favorite when it arrives.
