Reading Through the Soul: Book Review: Have Bags, Will Travel: Trips and Tales — Memoirs of an Over-Packer by D.G. Kaye

Book Review: Have Bags, Will Travel: Trips and Tales — Memoirs of an Over-Packer by D.G. Kaye

Have Bags, Will Travel: Trips and Tales by D.G. Kaye is an engaging and humorous memoir that chronicles the author’s travel experiences through a lens of witty reflections and insightful anecdotes. A self-proclaimed “over-packer,” Kaye invites readers to join her on an exploration not only of far-off lands but also of the quirks and complexities of travel itself. Her stories reflect the challenges, joys, and unexpected lessons learned along the way, giving readers a personal and often entertaining perspective on globetrotting.

The book is divided into a series of travel-themed essays, each touching on different destinations and moments in Kaye’s journey. From the small mishaps and comical packing disasters to the more profound emotional discoveries triggered by travel, Kaye’s voice remains warm, relatable, and often laugh-out-loud funny. The title, Have Bags, Will Travel, encapsulates the sense of adventure that pervades the book, while the subtitle, Memoirs of an Over-Packer, hints at the lighthearted self-awareness that Kaye exhibits about her own sometimes humorous predilection for over-preparing. She doesn’t shy away from making fun of herself, which makes her a sympathetic narrator for anyone who’s ever overpacked or been caught in a travel snafu.

Kaye’s reflections are filled with moments of self-discovery, offering a glimpse into how travel can be a metaphor for life itself. The book delves into themes of personal growth, the ups and downs of being away from home, and the deep connections that can be made while traversing new places. However, it is Kaye’s candid and humorous writing style that elevates the narrative. Her lighthearted approach to travel mishaps, cultural misunderstandings, and even the joys of a well-packed suitcase make the book feel more like a conversation with a friend than a traditional travel memoir.

While the book’s central theme of overpacking might not seem like a compelling topic at first, Kaye uses it as a clever jumping-off point to explore broader travel experiences, making each chapter more than just a reflection on luggage. For anyone who enjoys the intersection of humor and personal memoir, Kaye’s stories will resonate, and her reflections on travel provide an authentic, funny, and often heartfelt journey through both the physical and emotional landscapes of the world.

In conclusion, Have Bags, Will Travel is a delightful memoir that combines humor, personal reflection, and the universal theme of exploring the world. D.G. Kaye’s writing is engaging and accessible, making it an enjoyable read for anyone who loves to travel, whether they overpack or not. Her light-hearted exploration of her own travel experiences and the lessons learned along the way makes the book a perfect companion for those who want to laugh while being reminded of the beauty and challenges of discovering new places—and themselves.

Thank-you for reading.

Much Love and light,

Brenda Marie