You don’t need to finish a book on holiday. Sometimes, a few pages and a coffee are enough to change the pace of the day.
Follow your curiosity, not an obligation.
A cover, a sentence or a subject can be a good place to start. Instead of looking for the book you think you should read, look for one you want to open. Read the first page and see whether you feel like continuing.
Not every pause needs to be the same length.
A short story can keep you company over a cup. A novel can stay with you for days. Choose something that fits the time you have, without turning reading into another task on your holiday.
Let the place become part of the reading.
Put your phone away for a moment. Get comfortable and let your attention rest on one thing. If a picture or a conversation distracts you, that’s fine too: there is no right way to enjoy a little time over coffee.
When one book ends, another story can begin.
Before choosing your next book, think about what you liked in the last one: its setting, voice or kind of story. That small clue can lead you to something unexpected. If you’re interested in exchanging books, ask the bookstore about the conditions.