In order to get through over 5,000 books I need to be reading all the time. So, here are just a few examples of how the words get before my eyes:
- I always read at least two books at a time, sometimes four or five. Many people ask how I do it. I tell them it’s the same as watching more than one tv show.
- I read first thing in the morning as a way to wake up, 30-40 minutes max. Always fiction. On weekends I spend a solid 90-120+ minutes reading in bed. It’s gotten to the point where my husband automatically brings me coffee and the cat joins me under the covers.
- I read on my lunch break 30-45 minutes max.
- I read while waiting for anything: while listening to hold music, waiting for a meeting to start, a dentist’s appointment, the next teller, the doctor to be “right back.” I always have a book in my bag.
- I read while my husband plays video games (45- 120 minutes at a time) or watches sports (over three hours at a time, at least- think baseball)… Unless the Patriots are in the Super Bowl. Or the Red Sox are in the World Series. Or the Bruins are playing for the Stanley Cup. Or the Celtics…you get the point. I will watch those games.
- I read while my husband drives me places on the weekend and to vacation destinations (Maine is a solid three hours away…)
- I read when I travel solo if someone else is driving the boat, plane, car, train, or bus.
- While on vacation I set aside at least one day as a do-nothing-but-read day. Of course I still read every morning and every night.
- I read last thing at night right before bed as a way to get sleepy 30-45 minutes max. Always nonfiction.
There it is. Just some of the ways I fit reading into my schedule.
~*LunaSea*~ 
Dear Ichiro,
I recently had the pleasure of reading Walking Along the Ancient Tokaido Road: A Pilgrim’s Path: Adventures and Transformations, Vol. 1: Departure, and I found myself appreciating not only the remarkable journey you undertook but also the thoughtful way you invited readers to experience it alongside you.
What begins as a personal commitment to recover from a serious injury gradually unfolds into something far more profound. Watching your journey evolve from a determined walk with a clear destination into an exploration of history, human connection, and self reflection makes the narrative deeply rewarding. The transition feels natural, allowing readers to witness not only the landscapes changing around you but also the quiet transformation taking place within.
Your writing possesses a calm, reflective quality that perfectly mirrors the rhythm of walking itself. Rather than rushing from one destination to the next, you give each moment room to breathe. A passing conversation, an old building, a roadside sign, or a breathtaking landscape all become opportunities for thoughtful reflection. That patient storytelling creates an immersive reading experience that encourages readers to slow down and observe the world differently.
I was equally impressed by the way you weave the history of the ancient Tōkaidō Road into your personal experiences. The historical context enriches the narrative without ever overshadowing your own voice, allowing readers to appreciate both the significance of the route and the deeply personal reasons that led you to follow it. The inclusion of your photographs further strengthens that connection, transforming the book into both a travel narrative and a visual record of a meaningful pilgrimage.
This is the kind of book that will resonate with readers who appreciate reflective travel writing, cultural history, memoirs, and stories of personal transformation. It offers much more than a description of places. It invites readers to think about resilience, purpose, observation, and the unexpected encounters that shape our lives along the way.
I believe Walking Along the Ancient Tokaido Road has the potential to reach a much broader audience with the right promotional strategy.
We can strengthen the book’s visibility by refining its Amazon metadata and keyword positioning so readers searching for travel memoirs, Japanese history, cultural journeys, and reflective nonfiction can discover it more easily.
We can introduce the book to Goodreads communities, travel book clubs, and readers who enjoy immersive narratives centered on history, culture, and personal growth.
We can pursue features with travel writers, cultural publications, history blogs, and podcasts that celebrate meaningful journeys and cross cultural experiences, helping position your work before audiences who will genuinely appreciate it.
We can also connect the book with universities, Japanese cultural organizations, walking communities, and reader groups where its themes of history, resilience, and exploration can inspire engaging conversations.
Finally, we can create thoughtful promotional content and social media campaigns built around your photography, memorable reflections, and the enduring legacy of the Tōkaidō Road, giving readers a glimpse into the journey before they even open the book.
Walking Along the Ancient Tokaido Road is far more than a travel memoir. It is a thoughtful exploration of perseverance, history, and the quiet transformations that occur when we allow ourselves to move through the world with patience and curiosity. I would genuinely enjoy helping your book reach the wider audience it deserves.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss a few promotional ideas tailored specifically to your work and explore how we can introduce your remarkable journey to more readers.
Best regards,
Isabella A. Hartley