I'm fascinated by the idea of living out of an RV, but I've always worried about how the logistics would work. This book has a fun, conversational tone, but the advice is practical. I didn't even realize there were different kinds of RVs, but Jaffarian explains how to find one that fits your budget. Some people probably just take off in their new RV without doing much research, but this book explains a lot of the necessary parts of living and socializing the nomadic life. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

After 13 years, Sue Ann Jaffarian retired from her job as a corporate paralegal. She’d just turned 66. The next day, she sold her car, started a new life as a full-time nomadic writer, and left her former life behind.

Giving up apartment living, most possessions, and living in an RV, isn’t a decision to be made lightly. Three years before her retirement date, she began to explore her options. Never a camper, the idea of being both mobile and at home seemed the right choice.

After a five-day test run, she discovered she did enjoy the RV, even when some of the chores were unpleasant. It’s not a lifestyle for everyone but with planning, it can be just the right fit. Months before her official retirement, she downsized, gave up her apartment, and lived in the RV, taking the occasional short weekend trip as a further test of RV living.

There are RVer clubs online, making acquaintances available to answer questions which can range from how to fix a sticky valve to what camps are to be avoided, which businesses welcome overnight stays, or sights to see. For a writer, mobile living also allows time to set up near water, a favorite view of hers, and, inspired, write like a mad woman.

One thing that’s needed is a home base, a place to receive mail, to license the RV, to vote. She chose Texas but there’s too much to see and do to spend much time there (plus it’s hot!) She found a primary physician, verified her Medicare would be accepted in most other states, has a permanent address for paying taxes, and likes the central location.

An avid sightseer, she’s been to the Corn Palace, visited Mark Twain, Popeye, and Superman, followed the Pork Tenderloin Trail, attended RV rallies, accepted house and pet sitting jobs, and met bison bodyguards who aren’t shy about letting drivers know to stay put until the herd is off the road. Most importantly, she’s learned to trust her judgment so if a camping area or business parking lot gives off a bad vibe, she moves on.

Sometimes people ask, what are your plans for giving this up at some point? She has no plans. This life, while different than most people have, is hers for life.

I have been following Sue Ann Jaffarian's RV adventure from the very beginning and I am fascinated by it all. I enjoy travel and she's made it to places I'd like to visit one day so it's nice to be able to travel with her. But there's more to this than just a travel log. I found the information about expenses and how she decides where to stay easy to understand and insightful. This is a great resource for anyone who is considering life on the road; not only will you learn many important lessons but you will laugh along as she recounts the various people she meets and the scenarios she encounters.

In this memoir, authors Sue Ann Jaffarian talks about her decision to buy a camper van when she retired and hit the road full time. She discusses what lead to her decision and the steps she took to get ready for her new adventure before detailing what life was like that first year on the road. She talks about the joys (visiting beautiful places, making new friends) and the pitfalls (dangerously bad weather, problems with her van). She also talks about how her new life changed in 2020 as we were all trying to shelter in place.

As a fan turned friend, I have followed her journey from the time she first made the decision, and I was thrilled to read this book and get a good look at how she is adapting to his new life. The book is filled with practical advice and a realistic look at what life can be like. As I said, she covers the good and the bad, and I appreciated the balanced approach. Still, overall, she loves her new life, and that comes through. If anything, I wish we’d heard more about places she’s visited along the way, although the discussions we do get make me want to hit the road and see them for myself. If you want an honest look at the life of a full-time nomad, you’ll love this book.

As someone who has traveled quite a bit in a Class C Winnebago View this book was quite interesting. I really thought it was funny that we traveled to a lot of the same places and visited the same attractions. The book was well written, educational, entertaining and quite interesting.

This is more than a travelogue. The author is a writer by trade and, after retiring from her day job, she bought a van and went on the road. As a retirement plan, it sounds fascinating, but hard. Jaffarian tells the story of how she made the decision to leave her stationary life, all the planning that went into it, how she made all her decisions and how her life as a nomad has gone. Before and after the pandemic. She talks about the amazing (and scary) sites she’s visited, about loneliness and freedom and the vastness of America. But there is also a more practical side to this book. She gives specific advice for people who might be considering this way of life. To be honest, it’s something I’d never thought of but, after reading this, I’ve added it to my list of options. Jaffarian doesn’t shy away from the less glamorous side of this lifestyle, but the life she’s accomplished is remarkable. Her writing style is colloquial and full of humor. For armchair travelers.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#BookBuzz.net.

Such a fun book to read. I read a lot of books by this author, and absolutely love her sense of humor. It's like she's taking us along as she sleeps around. I recommend this book.

3.25 Stars

"Not all those who wander are lost"
J.R.R. Tolkien

I was eager to read I Sleep Around, not only for the very clever name but also because my husband and I did the same thing for nine years.

I was utterly enchanted by the first half of I Sleep Around because I could SO relate to what the author was experiencing. I was shocked by all of the problems Ms. Jaffarian had with her Travato van, though! Especially with her propane tank. Yikes!

As the pages passed, I Sleep Around started feeling like a list of where the author parked (many times in parking lots), how she sat and wrote her book, which museum she had visited, and which friend or friends she met up with that day. (The names of her friends started running together for me...) I'm sure it's interesting to the author to go back and read all of those details but for me, the book became less interesting and more repetitious at that point.

All in all, I enjoyed reading about the museums the most and the parking lots the least!

Many thanks to both #HarborLaneBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of #ISleepAround
The expected publication date is June 4, 2024

I misinterpreted the detail on this book. I was expecting not only stories about RVing, but also stories about where she traveled the country. Where she went, what she saw, what she found, and how she felt about it all. But there was very little of that. This is almost a how to guide to getting your own RV, stocking it up, and picking a place to stay! That being said it still a fun read, just not what I expected. I thank NetGalley and BookBuzz.net for the advance read.

Omg this books made me so happy! I couldn't wait for the work day to end every day to cozy up, grab my tablet, and read it :)

This is the story of a 66 years old retired paralegal and writer who decides to RV full time. And wow, she loves this new lifestyle and it shines in each page :) Just writing this review makes me smile, thinking about how content she is with her life (of course, it's not all shine and candy, and she spends a great amount of time talking about all the 'cons' and difficulties of RVing). She keeps it honest!

So, why do I like this book so much?
- The first part of the book is about living in RV full time, and it is SO detailed and real, I was amazed. She goes over so many topics, like weather, cost, grey and black waste (dirty water and bathroom waste), being a solo woman nomad, writing while RVing, repairs... It's fascinating (by this point, you probably realized that the idea of being a digital nomad/slow traveler has popped up more than once in my head :))
- The second part is about the actual travels she took during her first year. At first, I found it quite mundane and repetitive (I went to this city, visited this museum, met my friends x and y, then moved to campground z...). But then, I realized this is RVing full time. No shine and glamour, just the simple truth. And I started enjoying this part more and more. And there are quite a few places I want to visit myself, especially the salt mine!!
- The third part is about her second year RVing in 2020... during COVID. She kept safe, used masks, social distancing, vaccines, and found ways to isolate herself and keeping safe. Very interesting new perspective on having to stay for longer periods of time in the same place, and what it felt like (the travel bug was itching her!). OMG and I forgot to talk about the dog and home-sitting she did in the previous year! Sooooo interesting!
- The final part is more about the perception of others on her lifestyle, from people lending a helpful hand to people forcefully handing her religious pamphlets to 'save her soul'. Nothing creepy was described, and she has a good instinct to avoid weird places.

So with everything said, how could I not give it a 5 stars? I loved it! Thank you Sue Ann for writing it :)

If you dream of life on the road, this is a fun book for you! The author tells of her travels and the issues that can arise when living in a vehicle. Very much like homeownership, there will be obstacles and repairs to overcome. Maybe I am a bit biased, as I dream of the same lifestyle one day but, I very much enjoyed the book and cross my fingers to run into the author one day on of her many adventures!

If for no other reason, I am giving 5 stars for the name alone! It's hilarious and immediately caught my eye. The next attraction to my eye was the map and I quickly grasped what the book was all about. As someone who recently purchased a van with plan to convert to a van camper, I WAS IN! I thoroughly enjoyed the authors tips and learning of her travels and visits to different campgrounds and museums. It sounds very much like the type of travel and random quirky stops that I enjoy as well. My hometown even got a mention! I hope to one day be on the road and enjoy many of the same adventures! And it probably doesn't hurt that I am married to an official carny kid who grew up moving week to week!