Books Take You Places... Quite Literally!

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Not only can a book transport you into a world within a story, but they can also quite literally be the vehicle that gets you to places you never thought you'd go!

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I'm not a "Bucket List" type of person. Probably because I just haven't spent the time to sit down and think of all the places I'd love to go, things I'd love to do, or see, or experience. But if you asked me today where is one place I would LOVE to visit, I can think of 2 or 3 dream destinations off the top of my head. (I'll tell you one of them at the end)! Are you wondering why my personal dream vacay might be relevant to YOU? More on that in a bit... I promise!

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First, I want to share about a trip I took recently to a place I never thought of travelling to, but one that I will never forget.

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Last month, I travelled to Savannah, Georgia. Just me and my husband for four days at a beautiful resort. (We had to fly in an airplane to get there, and let me tell ya, travelling without kids is a vacation all by itself). Besides the couple quick trips to the coast for local-ish getaways, our recent trip to Savannah was the first time my partner and I were both away from our three kids in the last 12 years. This trip was long overdue, and to sum it up in three words: oasis, rejuvenating, grounding.

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The icing on the cake (or beignets) was that our unforgettable trip was nearly free of charge. Yep, thanks to my book business with PaperPie, I earned my first incentive trip! That meant a free 4-night stay at an amazing resort and travel funds for plane tickets! We happily paid for the delicious food and fresh beignets, unlimited sweet tea, a few fun souvenirs like mood rings and pirate coins, and our sight-seeing excursion to the Bayou!

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My TOP 3 Reasons this unforgettable trip is "one for the books!"...

I could write pages upon pages of all the reasons I loved this trip, but here are my top 3 reasons:

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Reason #1) It was the perfect atmosphere for me to reconnect with my best friend. Being partners for the last 20 years means we have been through a lot together. It was very special to spend time just being a couple, exploring something new together, talk, listen to live music, swim in a heated saline pool, visit with friends (old and new), and go for long walks around Forsyth Park and historic churches and monuments. Our relationship needed this time together, and I'm grateful we had it.

Reason #2) The depth of the history in Savannah, the solemn reality of it, and to have tangible proof right in front of me and all around me as we kayaked through thousand-year-old trees that lived through it all. Kayaking with a group of friends was the one thing I had my heart set on while visiting Savannah, but this particular kayaking trip was one of a kind. Beautiful and majestic, somber, peaceful, and relaxing. Not hard for your mind to wander! Our tour guides from "Backwater Expeditions" definitely delivered. They knew these waters well, and I appreciated the knowledge they shared about Ebenezer Creek... both in identifying the plants and wildlife, but also sharing a bit about the history too.

Reason #3) I could say I achieved something that I thought was always out of my reach. I finally experienced what a PaperPie trip was like first-hand, and fully understand the "hype" around these annual trips to places all over the world. Trips you can choose to take solo, with a partner, your kid, a friend, a parent, or your whole family. (And I left with the reassurance that if I can earn a trip, surely anyone on my book team can as well, if they want it bad enough).

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Thanks to books, I can literally travel the world... to places I never thought I'd see, or knew existed. Earning the memorable trip to Savannah marks the beginning of many adventures to come. This is another one (of many) amazing perks to being a Book Lady with PaperPie. Selling amazing books, spreading a literacy mission, talking with parents about which books will be perfect for their child, seeing kids' faces light up from a book, and giving back to my community by way of donating thousands of dollars worth of books... all have helped me to write my own story. And one that I am very proud of. I find so much joy and fulfillment in this book business. It has positively influenced my children's lives too, their relationship to reading, and how they think about and perceive "work" and "mom-life." It has shown them what determination, creativity, and dedication can produce as you follow your passions. All while loving the process.

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Maybe that's why I don't really have a "Bucket List"... I'm enjoying the process of discovery and writing my own story one chapter at a time. That said, when I stop and think about it in the spirit of wanderlust, it isn't hard to come up with a few places that would TOP my "Bucket List" of dream destinations.

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Knowing that I work with a company who loves to spoil it's brand partners (aka "Storymakers" or "Book Ladies") with annual incentive trips like Alaskan Cruises, trips to Punta Cana, Atlantis, Hawaii, etc, it's fun to think about these next questions: "Where could I go next?" Where is a place I'd love to explore? Who would I bring with me? Who do I know that would also LOVE to take a vacation to the next "Incentive Trip" destination? Having earned a trip recently, these questions are a reality for me now. I know it can be a reality for YOU too.

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Ready to learn what's at the top of my "Bucket List?" And why MY top vacay destination could be relevant to YOU too? The next unforgettable trip that anyone can earn through PaperPie was just revealed, and it just so happens to be a place I have only DREAMED of visiting. I imagine it might also be a place that YOU would be excited to explore as well. Ready? ...It is within grasp to earn a free trip to...

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... wait for it...

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... Edinburg, Scotland! (Watch this video to see why I am SO excited!) Cue all the confetti, heart eyes, and mind-blown emojis! Yep, it's true.... I am currently working to earn an all-expense paid trip to SCOTLAND! Can you believe it?! How amazing would that be?! And YOU can earn this free 6-day, 5-night trip too. The earning period JUST started this month, and we have the rest of this year to earn it. Seriously SO possible!

An incentive trip can be earned by ANYONE with PaperPie. I am proof. Any brand partner, no matter if you are brand new or a seasoned book lady, can do it. I can show you how! So whether or not you have a bucket list doesn't really matter. PaperPie can open up a world of possibilities and give you the space to start dreaming. (And then dream BIGGER)!

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Where is a "Bucket List" destination for you? No seriously... WHERE would YOU want to go? Scotland not your jam? No worries! The news gets even better.... If you'd rather, you can actually earn travel funds instead to create your very own dream vacation (or "Storyscape" as we call it). So let me ask you again, where is a dream destination on YOUR bucket list? Let me help you make it a reality!

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home. - Anna Quindlen

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Want to earn a free trip to Edinburg, Scotland? Where would you travel to if you could go anywhere in the world?

(Thinking more locally? I have a book for that...)

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I look forward to hearing from you and learning what tops your Bucket List of dream destinations! Until then... Happy Reading (and happy dreaming)!

-Jen

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Jennifer de Guzman, Literacy Advocate

PaperPie Brand Partner and Advanced Leader, PaperPie Learning Educational Services Representative, www.jenslittlebookstore.com​

PaperPie, formerly called Usborne Books & More, offers engaging and educational books and learning products for kids of all ages, newborn through teens. Browse the full selection anytime here: www.jenslittlebookstore.com

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Read my previous newsletters including "The ABC's of Reading" and "Do you know a kid that hates reading?" for a few helpful and EASY tips to develop and nurture a love of reading, and what to do when you have a "picky" reader.

To schedule a personal shopping appointment or free discovery call, or to learn more about becoming a brand partner with PaperPie, send an email to: jen@jenslittlebookstore.com or text: 971-220-1678