This work by Afghan poet Roya cuts to the bone with sharp imagery and four simple words: Not an Afghan woman. It's a plea and a protest and — most of all — an assertion of self-worth that shouts in quiet phrases.
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got Wes Anderson films ranked, the origin of 'a dark and story night,' an island where walrus sing, Moby Dick Big Read, and more.
This mystery novel is the perfect entry into the works of beloved author Dick Francis: a salt-of-the-earth hero, a deliciously dastardly villain, the thrill of horse racing, a touch of romance, and grand adventure.
We usually focus our show on destinations you'd like to visit. Afghanistan is likely not one of those places. But with the withdrawal of the US military, now is a good time to be empathetic and curious about Afghans.
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got authors leaving Goodreads, flight attendant advice, realistic PIs in fiction, the beauty of Albania, Austen objects, and more.
Get lost in the pages of this novel. You'll hear footsteps behind you on the cobblestones while a chill mist seeps under the door. Victorian London comes to life in a plot that's filled with secrets and surprises.
Poor Frankenstein! (The 'monster,' not the doctor.) The poor creature deserves kindness and a hot breakfast to start the day. Like this savory bread pudding from 'A Gothic Cookbook.' It's monstrously delicious.
Writer Elizabeth Held has great taste in books. Her newsletter 'What To Read If' is a welcome arrival in our email each week. In this post, she recommends novels that combine boarding school with creepy happenings.
If you feel like you need a big adventure, New Zealand is a pretty fantastic place to get started. There are volcanoes and fjords, mountains and meadows, Māori mythology and gold rush history. And fairy bread.
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got Scotland on film, 11 romantic suspense novels, Wes Anderson's train car, presidential libraries, an ode to orcas, and more.
Ghost stories are a combination of melancholy and euphoria, vividly contrasting the joy of being alive with the grief and permanence of loss. The best ones, like 'Pine,' deliver genuine emotion along with the scares.
The only thing better than a full-size Snickers in your trick-or-treat bag is a perfectly moody, unputdownable Halloween read. We've got you covered with books, short stories, audiobooks, recipes, our pod, and more.
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got food artifacts in the NYPL collection, scary Shirley Jackson facts, live otter cam, postcard collecting mysteries, and more.
Edinburgh, Scotland, offers so many atmospheric sights: the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Mary King's Close, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and lots of cobbled alleys. This fun ghost story will transport you to all of them.
This post has everything good: Arctic adventure, polar bears, Arctic hares, tundra-inspired cuisine, and comfy accommodations. We encourage you to browse the stunning photos and bake this cake as soon as possible.
The Arctic is otherworldly. An expanse of sea, snow, icebergs, and majestic wildlife that's as likely to kill someone as beguile them. Add human ego, foibles, and dreams to the mix, you've got stories for the ages.
Looking at photos of the Arctic has us wishing (at least a little) that we could chuck our everyday lives to stow away aboard a research vessel cutting through the sea ice. Polar bears! Northern lights! Salty stories!
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got Green Apple Books, hotels of the world, the allure of tiny books, ebooks vs. print, the history of animal prints, and more.
This might very well be the ideal book to read in the fall. It's made for shorter days, eerie twilights, crunchy leaves, and a nip in the air — a thrilling tour of Eastern Europe, libraries, history, and legend.
The Arctic has fascinated humans for centuries. For the right kind of person, its ethereal beauty and challenging climate are irresistible. For others, it's the polar bears and puffins. Bundle up, we're heading north.
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got the beach in winter, vampire and Gothic novels, chocolate bars inspired by classic lit, Goodreads vs. Storygraph, and more.
