[Book] Defective Family's Bike Road Trip 1 & 2

Title: Defective Family's Bike Road Trip 1 & 2

Author: Namjung Kim

image from Naver Book

This is a 3-series children's book but I only read 1st and 2nd ones so in this post, I will only introduce stories and after thoughts about 1st and 2nd books. As this is a series book, 1st and 2nd stories and closely connected. It is a story Hojin. He is a elementary school kid who went for a 12- day biking road trip with 9 other participants (this is main story of 1st book). Hojin's family is on the verge of breakdown and he ran away to his uncle in Gwangju to protest against his parents' decision to get divorced. When he arrived in Gwangju, he joined the bike road trip crossing the country from Busan to Gangwon in an ungarded moment. 

During the bike road trip, Hojin was able to think about his mom, dad, and himself in a distant view. Listening to the life story of 9 different participants during the road trip, Hojin realize that no one is worry free or completely away from life problems. This road trip gave Hojin a brilliant idea to solve the problem that his family is facing. 

image from Naver Book

That is why Hojin prepared another bike road trip (2nd book) from Busan to Seoul. He thought that taking a bike trip with his parents might give a breakthrough to the family's problem. Though the bike trip was not easy at all, parents still fighting with one another, they go through challenge during the trip and get closer to one another. Being able to get away from their daily lives and seeing each other in a different circumstances, they get to know one under better and started to open to and talk to one other.

While I was reading this book, I desperately wanted to go for a bike trip. I love cycling. Two years ago, I commuted with my bike which took me about less than an hour from home to the office. This book reminded me of that time and feelings I had at that time. 

Good thing about bike riding is that it gives you time to concentrate on your feelings or get away from things that distract you. In addition, it makes you feel better and I think this is because you are feeling nice air and seeing sights around you. Listening to music while riding was the perfect refresh for me. After riding, stress was reduced and I was able to look at things more positively and find a solution to life problems. 

Anyways, I think a bit of tough physical activities or changing one's circumstances are things one can try when life is too tough for one. What are some tips or things you do to release stress or find a solution to tough situation? Why don't you take a walk or go for a bike riding this weekend to refresh yourself?