Hi all:
Today I’m sharing the review of a book by a fellow blogger who is not only the heart and soul of the party, but she’s always sharing and promoting the work of others. D. G. Kaye (or Debby for those who know her elsewhere, other than just her books) writes non-fiction, mostly memoirs with a big heart. I had difficulty choosing only one of her books but I had to start somewhere. So, today I bring you…

Have Bags, Will Travel: Trips and Tales — Memoirs of an Over-Packer by D.G. Kaye (Author), Talia Leduc (Editor)
D.G. Kaye is back, and as she reflects on some of her more memorable vacations and travel snags, she finds herself constantly struggling to keep one step ahead of the ever-changing guidelines of the airlines–with her overweight luggage in tow. Her stories alert us to some of the pitfalls of being an obsessive shopper, especially when it comes time for D.G. to bring her treasures home, and remind us of the simpler days when traveling was a breeze.
In her quest to keep from tipping the scales, D.G. strives to devise new tricks to fit everything in her suitcases on each trip. Why is she consistently a target for Canada customs on her return journeys?
D.G.’s witty tales take us from airports, to travel escapades with best friends, to reflections on how time can change the places we hold dear in our hearts. Her memories will entertain and have you reminiscing about some of your own most treasured journeys–and perhaps make you contemplate revamping your packing strategies.
Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Have-Bags-Will-Travel-Over-Packer-ebook/dp/B015HP1R6S/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Have-Bags-Will-Travel-Over-Packer-ebook/dp/B015HP1R6S/
A bit about the author:

D.G. Kaye was born and resides in Toronto, Canada. She is the author of Conflicted Hearts – A Daughter’s Quest for Solace From Emotional Guilt, Meno-What? – A Memoir, and Words We Carry. D.G. is a nonfiction/memoir writer. Kaye writes about her life experiences, matters of the heart and women’s issues.
D.G. writes to inspire others. Her writing encompasses stories taken from events she encountered in her own life, and the lessons that were taken from them. Her sunny outlook on life developed from learning to overcomes some of the many obstacles that challenged her. From an emotionally neglected childhood, to growing up with a narcissistic mother, leaving her with a severely deflated self-esteem, D.G. began seeking a path to rise above her issues. When she isn’t writing intimate memoirs, Kaye brings her natural sense of humor into her other works.
D.G. began writing when pen and paper became tools to express her pent-up emotions during a turbulent childhood. Her writing began as notes and cards she wrote for the people she loved and admired when she was afraid to use her voice.
Through the years, Kaye journaled about life, writing about her opinions on people and events and later began writing poetry and health articles for a Canadian magazine as her interest grew in natural healthcare. Kaye became interested in natural healing and remedies after encountering a few serious health issues. Against many odds, D.G. has overcome adversity several times throughout her life.
D.G. began writing books to share her stories and inspiration. Her compassion and life experiences inspire her to write from the heart. She looks for the good and the positive in everything, and believes in paying it forward.
“For every kindness, there should be kindness in return, Wouldn’t that just make the world right?”
D.G.’s Favourite Saying: “Live. Laugh. Love …and don’t forget to breathe!”
When D.G. is not writing, she’s reading. Her favourite genres of reading are: biographies, memoirs, writing and natural health. Kaye loves to read about people who overcome adversity, victories and redemption and believes we have to keep learning–there is always room for improvement! She loves to cook, travel, and play poker (when she gets the chance).
You can find D.G. on social media and her author and blog pages:
www.dgkayewriter.com
www.goodreads.com/dgkaye
www.amazon.com/author/dgkaye7
www.twitter.com/@pokercubster
www.facebook.com/dgkaye
www.about.me/d.g.kaye.writer
www.google.com/+DebbyDGKayeGies
www.linkedin.com/in/dgkaye7
My review:
Although I’ve been travelling more than I used to in recent years, mostly for family reasons, I cannot say I’m a seasoned traveller or one who knows all the tricks of the trade. I get annoyed by the queues at the airport, like most of us, and I always discover I’ve left something in my hand luggage that shouldn’t be there, even after checking.
Reading this book I realised that perhaps I shouldn’t complain. I am not obsessed with germs (thankfully), I’m not a big shopper, I don’t wear make-up and although I’ve managed sometimes to pack too many things, I haven’t had to carry three suitcases all by myself. The author of this very short book has all those things against her. She also remembers the good old days when travelling was more glamorous and the airlines weren’t so strict with weight limits and didn’t insist on packing the clients as if they were sardines. That for sure must add to the frustration, as at least quite a few of us have nothing to compare it with and know no better, only degrees of discomfort.
D.G. is a woman with a great sense of humour and writes the book as if she were sharing anecdotes around a table with some friends. She wonders why she always gets picked up for searching at the airport (she tries to go unnoticed but there are limits to her attempts at invisibility) and is happy to confess to her fears, her crazy shopping sprees, and her failed best-laid plans. I was particularly interested in her reflection about how Las Vegas had changed. She describes her first trip there as a fascinating experience, when you landed in the desert and the hotels were the only oases in it and is disappointed by how much it has changed. I’ve only visited once and not being a gambler either, found that although its location was very convenient, it wasn’t the place I had read about. It’s difficult to fight commercialisation and consumerism and nobody can stop “progress” but perhaps there’s more to be lost than to be gained by some of the changes we’re implementing.
This is not a guide to travelling or packing (although there are a few wise words of advice at the end), but, as the subtitle indicates, a memoir of some of the writer’s trips. It could be extremely therapeutic if you’re going travelling as you’ll have the comfort of knowing that things could always get so much more complicated. You’ll end up with a smile on your face and you might also pick up a tip or two.
Thanks so much to D.G. Kaye for her book and for her blog (don’t forget to visit it), thanks to all of you for reading, and don’t forget to like, share, comment and CLICK!
Wow! Thank you so much Olga for reading my little memoir and giving it such a wonderful description and review. I hope you had a few chuckles. <3 I will be reblogging this on the weekend. 🙂
Thanks, Debby. Yes, it was great fun. Yesterday I was reading changes to policies on what you can take as cabin luggage and it’s getting very complicated (depending on where you’re going you can’t take your computer). Perhaps long-distance cruisers will become the thing, or we’ll have to buy our own planes. For some reason your comment ended up in Spam… There’s a conspiracy going on!
OH, now I’m in spam 🙁 The gremlins are always at work it seems. But you are so right, as I wrote in my travel post upon my vacation here to Arizona, it is indeed difficult and confusing to fly now for the average person, let alone a senior citizen. And watching the news here, I believe that new laptop rule is geared toward specific countries because of an intelligence found threat coming from certain countries where bombs are being made for batteries, undetectable by metal. Such a sorry state. Yes, perhaps someone could capitalize on private flights! 🙂
You’re right, Debby. I’m not sure I’d be able to travel if I had to take my computer behind, but yes, it looks as if eventually we won’t be able to go anywhere. Of course that doesn’t help safety anywhere else…
No Olga, it’s really a royal mess. 🙁
I don’t have an answer, for sure, but there must be a limit to how much security can be tightened up.
That I’ll agree with you on.
Terrific review, Olga. I like your reflections on your own travelling experiences; they draw the reader in 🙂
Thanks so much, Tina. Debby’s book is a caution. I’m travelling again (my usual) next month and when I started reading the changes to what one can take on the flight… It’s getting very complicated, especially depending on where you’re travelling to or from.
You’re welcome, Olga. I’m hoping to attend the Bloggers Bash in London but haven’t flown for years. I’m not looking forward to the complexities. The good news is that I might be travelling with Debby ~ my very own travel manager! Hugs ♥
Sounds good! I’m not sure at the moment if I’ll be able to make it or not but let’s hope!
I hope you can, Olga. I would very much like to give you a hug ♥
That’s a great reason to try and make it. I’m part of a project with a group of Spanish writers and we’re trying to organise a few events. It’s a lot of work, especially when I’m far away, so it might depend on how the timetable works. But I expect it will be great!
Oh, Debbie is so lovely. Wonderful that you featured her, Olga
Thanks, Erika. How weird, your comment also went to Spam and so many others haven’t. I wonder if they’ve changed something in WordPress.
I don’t know… There are periods when I end up there and then again it goes well for a while. I have to check my spam folder again. I always find friends in there. It is strange!
I think it’s probably wordpress changing something. I thought I had seen the notifications via e-mail but couldn’t see the comments… Weird. I’m sure it’s nothing to do with you.
I think so too! Because also other lovely bloggers end up in spam time and time again. So, let’s simply keep up releasing each other… lol! Thank you btw.
Thank you!
[…] The next review is for Have Bags, Will Travel by D.G. Kaye and was posted today by Olga Nunez Miret on her website: http://www.authortranslatorolga.com/2017/03/23/bookreview-have-bags-will-travel-trips-and-tales-memo… […]
I can relate to Debby’s dilemma. I used to take far too much, at least in the ‘old days’ when there was little restriction on luggage. I generally ended up bringing home 50% of the stuff without ever wearing it.
I have solved that problem now, as I never go anywhere!
Good luck to Debby with the book. I hope it does very well.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. I also do the same but I’m getting better at it (or rather, I’m staying longer than planned in most places, so eventually I end up wearing everything out of sheer need). I’d love to be able to travel without worrying about packing or restrictions… Have a great day.
I have this on my kindle and am looking forward to reading it. I’m going to zoom it up the tbr pile.
It’s very short, Mary. It was finished before I even realised!
Sounds like a lovely, amusing book, Olga. Super review.
Thanks, Robbie! It’s a great little book!
Wonderful review Olga, thank you! I need to take a page out of Debby’s book…and a new suitcase! 🙂
I know what you mean, Sherri!
🙂 Olga!
Just in time for summer travel – tips and stories for vacationers. Can’t wait to pack this book and read it on my next trip, which luckily is real soon. Congrats, Debby. Thanks, Olga for the feature.
Thanks, Ann. I hope you have a great holiday and don’t forget to pack plenty of books (this one is really short and fun). I hope Debby keeps sharing her anecdotes with us!