Long before I knew I wanted to travel, I was a reader. As corny as it sounds, this was my only way of traveling to the places that I wanted to see. I cannot think of a time when I wasn't reading or when I became a reader. I just know that I always was one. The moment that changed my life was in sixth grade social studies. We started reading The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder and it took me down a rabbit hole of all things Egypt. I KNEW when I was eleven years old that I wanted to go to Egypt and in 2021, I DID!
Growing up without a lot of money made me more creative and allowed me to dream more. Being the oldest child in a large family didn't always afford me the opportunity to be a dreamer, but I loved that my parents never discouraged me from reading. I may have been told my dreams were nice and I'd see it come to fruition ONE DAY, but they weren't complete dream killers. I'm sure I yapped and yapped all day, but they supported my dreaming through reading.
Being a dreamer comes with creating scenarios in your mind that HAVE to be played out. As a child, I had always been a people person and could make friends easily. You talk to me, you're stuck with meeee LOL! My unsuspecting friends and classmates never knew that my curiosity about their culture, backgrounds, and upbringing fueled my desire to read books on what they shared with me. I loved history class for the opportunity to learn about people and their stories and the places they have been. Novels I read helped support my understanding of people, culture, travel, and creating memories.
Anyone who knew me growing up until now will tell you reading is my passion. I always had a book, was talking about a book, or asking when I could get a book. You know, chasing that Scholastic Book Fair high. As an adult, I'm looking for all of the bookish events, book drops, or book merch. See? Some things never change LOL! The obsession is REAL!
While Egypt was not my first international trip, it was a childhood dream come true. I realized while planning for it that I knew so much about Egyptian culture, various parts of Africa, and all of those historical nuggets planted in my mind a couple of decades ago. This trip was personal and intimate in a way that words still cannot describe. All I know is eleven-year-old me had a dream and grown-up me got to live it. When it did, something shifted. If Egypt--the place I'd been dreaming about since sixth grade--was possible, what else had I convinced myself was out of reach? After that, no destination felt off limits anymore.
AC Booked It has really been in the making for years. My Egypt trip was inspired by a book many moons ago and many of my travels were inspired by a book. Most of my adventures start the same way: a story, curiosity, or a thought of what it would be like to go there.
This is the life I longed for. Now I get to live it--and I FINALLY have the courage to let you in. Welcome!
I am excited that you found my blog. Here, I will share books I am reading, places I dream of visiting, the trips I have actually taken, or books that make me want to pack a bag. Some stories will be about books. Some stories will be about travel. And sometimes, like Egypt, they'll be about both. Meet me at the intersection of books and travel and let's see what AC Booked next 📚✈️