You’re in an airport. It doesn’t matter which. Maybe it’s small and regional; maybe it takes several shuttles to get to your next terminal. There could be carpet on the ground or a shiny linoleum that reflects the myriad of lights that seem hell-bent on blinding you just a little bit. Your bag was packed at home, everything was accounted for, but you’ve got a layover. It’s strange, it’s foreign, and you’ve already scrolled through every social media feed you could find.

Something is missing.

Maybe you see it in passing, maybe you’ve been searching for it since you landed—a bookstore. The label is certainly used loosely. Depending on which port of call you find yourself in, you could be wandering into a hole-in-the-wall newsstand or a bonafide bookselling institution. It’s all consequential. The employee looks at you. Or she doesn’t. Regardless, you find yourself drawn to a shelf, or maybe several. You’re alone and you’re lonely, and somewhere in this store is the answer. A friend. A buddy. A companion.

Somewhere here is the perfect book.

Let’s back up a little and lay down some facts. Benjamin Books was the first-opened airport bookstore back in 1972. Robert Crews, the owner, had a simple vision—he believed that every airport should sell books. In the years since his pioneering venture, his wish has been fulfilled. Various and plentiful booksellers have flocked to virtually every airport. And despite the rise in e-readers (which might seem to some like the ideal choice for reading on the go), they’re doing very well for themselves. Unlike traditional or independent bookstores, airport booksellers aren’t curating the perfect list for their clientele. Their customers are as untethered to predictability as a group of money-wielding people can be, and their book selection reflects that. Flash and style win out over substance, and the new or tried-and-true are the only things you’re guaranteed to see on their shelves.

So what does that mean for you, the lonely traveler in search of the perfect companion? Well, maybe you get to try a book you’ve been meaning to read since high school. Or maybe, you decide to let chance decide and simply pick out the most appealing book cover. If you’re finding yourself tired, overwhelmed, and confused, maybe some suggestions for pairing a genre with a destination could help you out.

Relaxing Getaway:

You’ve been counting down the days on your work calendar, and finally the time has come. You’re heading to some tropical or sandy location; your bag is packed with swimsuits and sunscreen and little else. Who do you want beside you on a beach towel? Why, a romance, of course! A guaranteed happy ending with all the drama and breezy reading you could wish for—it’s the perfect match.

Backpacking Across . . . Somewhere:

This isn’t the place for heavy hardbacks. This isn’t the place for hours spent languishing over a plot so convoluted you need a spreadsheet. This is the time for something to the point yet introspective, so you can have interesting perspectives to twirl around in your mind as you march endlessly through new lands and experiences. You need an American classic.

Business Trip:

You don’t have time. Back to back meetings, unfamiliar hotels, an overworked brain, you wish you could sit still for an evening, but there simply aren’t enough hours in the day. What you need is something short, yet nourishing for your tired soul. It seems like your ideal buddy is a book of poetry—comforting, beautiful, brief.

Spontaneous:

You’re looking for your next big thrill. Life has afforded you the luxury of cut strings, and you’re free to go wherever you want. That’s a one-way ticket in your hand, and your mind is filled with daydreams of endless possibilities. So, who’s going on this grand adventure with you? There’s no better match than science fiction.

Next time you’re on an adventure through the friendly skies, stop by an airport bookseller. They may not have the title you’ve been searching for, but they’ll somehow have exactly what you need.

Written by Emmily Tomulet.