There’s nothing quite like the romance of curling up with a good book and escaping into another world. Except when that world is rapidly bouncing up and down because you’re trying to read in a moving car. For many of us book-loving mortals, reading in a car feels like tempting fate, as if the book itself conspires to turn your stomach into a washing machine on the spin cycle. But fear not, my fellow bibliophiles! There is a way to enjoy your literary adventures without succumbing to the dreaded carsickness curse.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the science, strategies, and some questionable life choices that may (or may not) help you read without transforming into a green-faced goblin of nausea. Whether you’re trying to crush your tbr list or just avoid staring out of a boring window for hours, we’ve got you covered—or at least mildly entertained until you give up and just listen to an audiobook.
Why Does Reading In The Car Make You Carsick?
Carsickness. The gift that keeps on giving! It turns out the root cause of your misery is the ultimate betrayal of body and brain. While your eyes are laser-focused on the pages of your book, your inner ear—a self-righteous diva who thinks she knows better—realizes you’re in motion. Your brain, being the gullible middleman, gets conflicting reports: one says you’re sitting still, and the other says you’re traveling at 60 miles per hour with all the grace of a drunk squirrel. The result? Your brain assumes you’ve been poisoned and sends your stomach into defcon 1.
Why evolution thought this was a great survival mechanism, we’ll never know. But the real question is: how do we hack our brains into chilling out so we can finish the latest spicy romance or twisty thriller without making an unscheduled stop on nausea lane?
Step 1: Choose Your Reading Position Wisely (Aka Don’T Be That Person)
If you’re thinking you can just hunker down in any old seat and start reading like you’re in a cozy library, you’re in for a bumpy ride—literally. First, let’s talk about seating. If you’re prone to motion sickness, sitting in the backseat is basically begging for trouble. You might as well wear a sign that says, “dear stomach, please revolt.”
The front passenger seat is your sweet spot, as it allows your eyes and inner ear to sync up with the car’s motion. Plus, you get a prime view of the road ahead, which helps your brain calm down. Bonus: you can judge your driver’s playlist in real-time while pretending to read.
And speaking of position, slouching like a human pretzel is not going to help. Sit up straight, channel your inner jane austen heroine, and keep your book at eye level. If you must angle your body into a position normally reserved for yoga classes, make sure it’s for a photo op and not a reading marathon.
Step 2: Timing Is Everything (And So Is Snacks)
Now, let’s talk timing. Never attempt to read in the car immediately after a feast. You might think that grabbing a cheeseburger and fries before hitting the road is a great idea, but your stomach has other plans. Trust me, no one wants to re-experience lunch during a high-speed chase scene.
On the flip side, don’t try to read on an empty stomach either. A hangry reader is a distracted reader, and you’ll be too busy fantasizing about snacks to enjoy your book. Stick to light, non-greasy snacks like crackers, and sip water like the classy bookworm you are. Avoid sugary drinks unless you want to give your carsickness an energy boost.
Step 3: The Magic Of Breaks (Or, How To Pretend You’Re Not Carsick)
You know how marathon runners pace themselves to avoid collapsing in a heap of exhaustion? You’re going to do the same, but with less sweat and lycra. Every 15-20 minutes, put the book down, look out the window, and take a breather. Yes, i know it’s hard. Yes, i know you’re at the good part. But trust me, unless you want to turn the next chapter into an epic battle of you versus your own digestive system, breaks are non-negotiable.
If you’re traveling with companions, use this time to engage in witty banter or argue about where to stop for snacks. If you’re alone, ponder life’s mysteries, like why we can invent self-driving cars but not nausea-proof books.
Step 4: Consider Alternative Reading Methods (No Judgment… Mostly)
Sometimes, you’ve got to admit defeat. If all else fails and you’re still teetering on the edge of queasiness, consider an audiobook. Yes, it’s not the same as the feel of a paperback in your hands, but think of it this way: your stomach will thank you, and you’ll still get to enjoy the story without looking like a seasick sailor on dry land.
Plus, audiobooks allow you to multitask! You can stare out the window dramatically, judge other cars’ bumper stickers, or even pretend you’re in a music video while the narrator delivers your story. It’s a win-win.
A Reader’S Road To Victory
Reading in the car is a skill, an art form, and sometimes a test of sheer willpower. With the right strategies, snacks, and a little determination, you can conquer the dreaded carsickness and transform your road trips into literary escapes. And hey, if you do end up nauseous, just remember: it’s a small price to pay for the love of books. Happy reading, my brave road warriors!