Updated January 15, 2018
For me, every blog post is a little like giving birth. (I may be am indulging myself in a little some hyperbole here.) The C-section of my writing career was a 75 page independent study paper produced during my senior year of law school with over 100 footnotes. This was in some antediluvian time before word processing, so editing was a nightmare. I even had to hire one of Mr. Excitement‘s old girlfriends to type my final paper. I’m so00 lucky he had the good sense he was willing to settle for a hunter and pecker over a chick who could type 90 words a minute.
One of the boons of becoming a travel blogger has been the chance to meet some other baby boomer wanderlusters who have actually been churning out real books. I suspect the experience of producing their literary progeny (compared to my law school mega paper) has been more like giving birth to triplets, but they hunkered down and did it.
When you are trying to think of the perfect gift for travelers, even armchair travelers, who are at the age when they should be throwing stuff out downsizing, not acquiring more stuff, I suggest you think about books. If they are dinosaurs still like the feel of a real book, you can buy them paperbacks, but e-books are also gift options and all they will take up is a wee bit of bytes on their electronic device of choice.
Here are some of my recommendations, all written by travel bloggers I’ve met IRL (in real life). We’ll start with the books written by fellow baby boomer travel bloggers:
Chocolatour: A Quest for the World’s Best Chocolate * by Doreen Pendgracs
This book is perfect for the chocolate lover in your life. In fact, you could give them this book with some lovely chocolate. If you’re clueless not sure what chocolate to buy for them, you could even consult this book to give you some ideas. The excellent thing is that the chocolate won’t even add to their stuff because presumably, it will be consumed. Okay, so it might add to their hips, but not to their stuff.
I met the author, Doreen Pendgracs at a chocolate festival in Honolulu. (Yes, chocolate covered bacon is actually a thing.) She inscribed my copy for my favorite chocolate lover, Mr. Excitement. After all, it was thanks to him that I got to live in Hawaii for three months and thus was able to attend the Honolulu Chocolate Festival. (Did I mention that chocolate covered bacon is actually a thing?) For a more in depth taste of this book (pun 100% intended), you can read my full review.
Going Gypsy: One Couple’s Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All* By Veronica and David James
GypsyNester.com was one of the first baby boomer travel blogs I discovered. In this book, Veronica and David not only chronicle the beginning of their travels, they also share their process of becoming empty nesters, a life passage that many baby boomers are also bumbling feeling their way through. It can be seriously disorienting when you switch from 24/7 parent mode to “oh dear, now it’s just the two of us” mode. Veronica and David dove right into that phase by selling their house and moving into an RV—not the big bus luxury kind of RV, but the kind of RV where it is impossible not to be in the same space at the same time. Not to give anything away, but I finished this book with my RV fantasy (unfortunately, not shared by Mr. Excitement) intact. For a better idea of why that happened, read my full review of Going Gypsy.
Philadelphia Liberty Trail by Larissa and Michael Milne
As a misguided person who still bleeds Eagles green even as our birds spiral down into another disastrous football season, I was anxious to read this tome authored by fellow Philadelphians, Larissa and Michael Milne. The City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection) might be known mostly for poorly behaved sports fans and a signature food (cheesesteaks) that is horrendous not that good for your health, but it also boasts the most historic square mile in the United States. (Boston, don’t even quibble. It’s a fact.) You really should come to Philly and bring your family. When you do, you should come prepared with Michael and Larissa’s book so you can get the most out of your visit. I explain why in my full review of Philadelphia Liberty Trail.
Montecristo Travels to Pisa: A Montecristo Travels Adventure Book * by
This recommendation is for baby boomers (or anyone) who has small people in their lives i.e. children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, etc. If you follow Boomeresque, you know that Montecristo is my favorite 4 pound, long haired chihuahua travel blogger. He is adorable, full of personality (doganality?) and is very well traveled. His biped mother, Sonja Lishchynski, helps him out with his writing and blogging. Read my full review of this charming book and then buy it.
Our Bodies, Our Shelves: A Collection of Library Humor* by Roz Warren.
Finally, since we’re talking about books, I am also recommending a book by another Philadelphia area writer who like I am is also a recovering lawyer. Actually, 
Roz Warren is a humor writer who is all the way recovered and when she’s not actually writing, she’s a librarian. Roz’ anthology of library humor (yes, there is most certainly such a thing) might make you squirm a bit if you’ve ever haggled with a librarian about overdue book fines, but you will probably have a smile on your face (if not a full throated guffaw) when you read about the guy who refused to pay to replace a book he never returned because, of course, aliens stole it from the book drop after he left it there. (Happens all the time, dontcha know).
*Disclosure: If you buy any of these books on line (as I hope you will), as an Amazon affiliate, Boomeresque will receive a very small commission that will not affect your price. In a year and a half, Boomeresque has earned $4.49 in this manner, but Amazon won’t release any funds until Boomeresque earns $10.00. By purchasing books in this manner, you will help me remain in recovery from legal career.
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
What an eclectic collection of boomer friendly books!
I love reading books by people I know.
Great selection Suzanne. I love the idea of fellow Boomers, Gypsy Nesters. I agree with your comments about Amazon – although I’m a little green around the gills because you’ve earnt more than me 😉
Except I’ve earned exactly $0 since they are holding my $4.49 hostage until I bring in $10 in commissions. 😉
At this rate, Amazon is going to make you rich :-). Don’t know how our fellow boomer travel bloggers find the time to write books as well. It’s hard enough finding the time to write blog posts (and write other articles, and live life…). Thanks for the gift ideas…
What an eclectic and lovely choice of books! I love book recommendations (aside from Amazon), so thank you.
Yes, I know what you mean about Amazon. I recently released my debut novel “Girl Gone Greek” and as an author, admittedly I’m not doing too badly out of royalties, but I need to be hot on the marketing.
I’ve never earned any money from being an affiliate unfortunately :0( Never mind…writing the novel was more enjoyable.
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for the book gift ideas! I’ve been eyeing the chocolatours book for a while –forget buying it for someone else… I want it myself!
Yay, Rachel! I’d be happy to personalize a copy for you if you decide to order from my website. All the best for the holidays to you.
I love your reviews and book choices. I must get Philadelphia Liberty Travel and give myself a tour that’s a long time coming. As a fully recovered behavior therapist, I will now have the time to read and travel. So I intend to comb through your posts and pick your humorous brain! Unfortunately, my e-book reader is your competitor. I’m not certain if I can support your growing investment but I’ll look into it.
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you so much for including Philadelphia Liberty Trail in your book suggestions. There are also a few others here I hadn’t heard of before which sound like great reads.
Michael
Was that the walking tour book you wanted us to read on our last visit? I know for sure we will order one copy of that Chocolate themed one for a friend – via your Amazon link of course. And thank you for the shout out – book two is under way!
Thanks so much, Sonja. I hope you enjoy and your friend enjoy reading Chocolatour. Cheers and happy holidays!
Yes, that is the one.
I completely love that you are promoting fellow author’s books:) I promise to do my part:)
Boomeresque will be happy to publicize your next one!
Wow–thanks for the shout-out Suzanne! Thrilled to be among your recommendations, and I look forward to “paying it forward” by reading these other Boomers’ books . . .
Nice selection of books. I’ve read Chocolatour and Going Gypsy and recommend both of them. I will have to check out the other books. I’m particularly intrigued by the library humour.
Thanks so m,such for the endorsement, Donna. I’m so grateful that you are a fan of Chocolatour. Happy Holidays to you, from Beautiful British Columbia (we’re in Lantzville on Vancouver Island.)
Hahaha! Don’t you just “love” the Amazon affiliate program? 😛 I think my take is about two dollars and change, which I’ll not likely see anytime soon.
All of those books sound interesting, especially the one by the travelling Chihuahua. Thanks for the suggestions, Suzanne.
Montecristo’s book is perfect for the little dog lovers on your gift list.
Thanks so much for including Chocolatour on your list, Suzanne! I’m so happy to have met you in person while researching chocolate in Hawaii. That was one sweet journey, and will be included in the second volume of Chocolatour.
That Honolulu Chocolate Festival was intense. I never thought I could ever have more than enough chocolate for one day. It might have been the chocolate covered bacon that pushed me over the edge. 😉
Great list of books – and really, who can go wrong with books?! I can testify that Amazon will in fact pay you once you hit that magic $10 mark, but you’ll get a lot of, “you did not earn the minimum in this payout period” emails, before you get the fat checks. I believe I’ve earned two fat checks in about the same number of years. 😉
I’m not quitting my day job. Of course, according to Mr. Excitement, I don’t have a day job.; -)
How thoughtful of you! This is a great list, thank you for putting it together.
I am honored to be included on any book list that includes a book by your favorite canine travel blogger because I know how much you respect his work! I hope that millions of Boomeresque readers flock to Amazon via your blog, enabling you to finally reach that $10 mark. (I hope that you’ll post about it when that does happen.)
Thanks so much for including us in this great group of authors! We’re thrilled to be here!
Nice to see fellow boomers so well represented on list. They all look like great reads but I have to admit the Chocolatour sounds especially lovely.
Yay. Sue! I hope you’ll check out Chocolatour as a gift to yourself or a favorite chocolate lover. Cheers & happy holidays!
Thanks for sharing these boomer-written books. You are right. They would make wonderful gifts.
I’m stuck at home sick and the word “patient” has never once been used to describe me so I will buy any of these that I can download as ebooks. I’m devouring about two a day – thanks for the recommendations!
Sorry to hear of your health challenges, Kay. Chocolatour is available as an e-book via my website at http://chocolatour.net. Cheers, and get well soon.
When you lead off with a book on chocolate, you’ve got me hooked – and I typed over 110+ wpm so raspberries to his ex girlfriend (smile)!! Boy am I glad they invented word processors! I will purchase my copies from your page here so maybe you can get your hostage money rescued!! They all sound really good.
What an interesting list! Thanks for sharing!
What a great list!I’ve read a few of theM and the rest sound so good too.
I am going to start holiday shopping, next week:)
I’m not at $10.00 yet either:(
I’ve read Going Gypsy and it’s a hoot. I will have to check out the others. Great list.
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