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Notes on books and travel.

New Zealand Fairy Bread Inspired by 'The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep'
New Zealand Fairy Bread Inspired by 'The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep'
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a suspenseful fantasy novel set in Wellington. What better way to take a snack break than with the NZ treat called Fairy Bread?! Like the novel, it's sweet and a bit surprising.
Break Out the Bubbly: It's the 1-Year Anniversary of Strong Sense of Place
Break Out the Bubbly: It's the 1-Year Anniversary of Strong Sense of Place
Whew! What a year it's been! We launched the Strong Sense of Place website with a combination of enthusiasm, determination, high hopes, and — if we're honest — a little bit of trepidation. Thank you for joining us!
11 Cool Facts You Need to Know about Ngaio Marsh, the Kiwi 'Queen of Crime'
11 Cool Facts You Need to Know about Ngaio Marsh, the Kiwi 'Queen of Crime'
She wrote crime novels with well-drawn characters, sharp prose, and twisty plots — plus put her own spin on 'Hamlet,' drove an ambulance during WWI, and was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
16 Instagrammers That Showcase the Stunning Nature & Māori Culture of New Zealand
16 Instagrammers That Showcase the Stunning Nature & Māori Culture of New Zealand
Craggy mountains, bold blue water, irresistible wildlife, Māori mythology, and super-cute kiwi birds: The stunning images in these must-follow Instagram accounts showcase what makes New Zealand a magical place.
Belize Manatees, Book Dress, Baklava Butler, Evil Books & More: Endnotes 09 October
Belize Manatees, Book Dress, Baklava Butler, Evil Books & More: Endnotes 09 October
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got Wuthering Heights quote or song lyric, a new online book club, virtual tours of Lobkowicz Palace, words for thieves, and more.
Trip the Light Fantastic in the Snazzy Jazz Age with the Comics in 'Flapper Queens'
Trip the Light Fantastic in the Snazzy Jazz Age with the Comics in 'Flapper Queens'
If you've ever daydreamed about dancing the night away to hot jazz in a speakeasy, this is the book for you. Packed with vibrant full-page comics from barrier-busting women cartoonists, it's a time machine to the '20s.
Beef-and-Cheddar Pie Inspired by 'Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All'
Beef-and-Cheddar Pie Inspired by 'Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All'
What's not to love about a pie that fits in your hand, is golden and flaky, and is filled with a savory meat-and-cheese filling that will power you through your day and make you as happy as a Kiwi in New Zealand?!
SSoP Podcast Episode 16 — New Zealand: Kiwis, Majestic Scenery, and Māori Mythology
SSoP Podcast Episode 16 — New Zealand: Kiwis, Majestic Scenery, and Māori Mythology
New Zealand is an enchanting blend of colonial and Māori culture set against the prettiest green-and-blue backdrop of mountains and sea you could imagine. It's a place for exploration, all good vibes, and meat pies.
Cave Castle, Reading Treehouse, Iceland Writers Retreat, Book Hangovers & More: Endnotes 02 October
Cave Castle, Reading Treehouse, Iceland Writers Retreat, Book Hangovers & More: Endnotes 02 October
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got a Norway's answer to hygge, the NYTimes list demystified, an eerie/beautiful art installation, horror fiction podcast, and more.
It's a Rip-Roaring Sea Adventure with a Lady Pirate in 'Cinnamon and Gunpowder'
It's a Rip-Roaring Sea Adventure with a Lady Pirate in 'Cinnamon and Gunpowder'
You might not expect a story of kidnap and pirates to put tears in your eyes and wings on your heart. But you've likely never met pirates like Mad Hannah Mabot and her sometimes surly and surprisingly sensitive crew.
Going Behind the Scenes at the Beautiful Strahov Monastery Library in Prague
Going Behind the Scenes at the Beautiful Strahov Monastery Library in Prague
Gilded bookshelves, antique globes, allegorical ceiling frescoes, thousands of books, church ruins, trompe l'oeil — we took it all in on a tour of the Strahov Monastery Library and the Břevnov Monastery in Prague.
13 Books We Love Set in the Library Because Libraries Are the Best
13 Books We Love Set in the Library Because Libraries Are the Best
For readers, the book-lined shelves of libraries and archives are a dreamy backdrop for stories that resonate. These novels and nonfiction titles explore the drama, adventure, and history of our favorite bookish places.
Global Picnics, Travel Trivia, SF/F Last Lines, Mongolia & More: Endnotes 25 September
Global Picnics, Travel Trivia, SF/F Last Lines, Mongolia & More: Endnotes 25 September
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got Stephen King with cats, stunning lectures from Hilary Mantel, an alphabet made of trees, a free online Poe festival, and more.
Hunt for Gold and Make Lifelong Friends on a Big Adventure with 'Cryptonomicon'
Hunt for Gold and Make Lifelong Friends on a Big Adventure with 'Cryptonomicon'
Sometimes you just want to get lost in a cinderblock of a book, and when you do, we recommend this sweeping story of adventure, intrigue, WWII, lost gold, longtime friendship, and love in all its forms. Plus Einstein!
Reading is Even Sweeter with Salted Caramels Inspired by 'The Giant's House'
Reading is Even Sweeter with Salted Caramels Inspired by 'The Giant's House'
We love a character that's got a salty side to balance the sweetness, and that's just what we get in Peggy, the librarian. These caramels are a tribute to her ability to give her whole heart when it matters the most.
45 Awesome Instagram Accounts For People Who Love Libraries and Librarians
45 Awesome Instagram Accounts For People Who Love Libraries and Librarians
The stacks, backrooms, and archives in libraries all over the world are filled with countless treasures — rare books, photos, parchments, maps — that place us in history. Instagram lets us take a peek from where we sit.
SSoP Podcast Episode 15 — The Library: Endless Books, Reading Nooks, and Lots of Possibility
SSoP Podcast Episode 15 — The Library: Endless Books, Reading Nooks, and Lots of Possibility
In this ep, we discuss the magic of libraries and recommend library-centric books we love, including book-nerd-approved nonfiction, a lyrical literary cycle, a historical novel, and a joyous tale of a secret library.
Lit in Translation, Azulejos Tiles, Magic Books, Dracula & More: Endnotes 18 September
Lit in Translation, Azulejos Tiles, Magic Books, Dracula & More: Endnotes 18 September
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got stranger-than-fiction locations, dog-related vocab, a book-inspired bracelet, Hawaii stories, National Park photos, and more.
5 Great Books Set in Alaska That We Love
5 Great Books Set in Alaska That We Love
If you're looking for adventure, you need to seek no further than the 49th state. Alaska is defined by its beautiful but maybe deadly landscapes — deep, vast forests and snowy terrain that stretch beyond the beyond.
Escape the Reality of WWII in a Posh Hotel in Portugal with the Novel 'Estoril'
Escape the Reality of WWII in a Posh Hotel in Portugal with the Novel 'Estoril'
Get a different perspective on WWII with this sweet and affecting novel about life in a posh hotel in Portugal. You'll meet privileged exiles, aristocrats on the run, rich revelers, and one unforgettable little boy.
11 Instagram Accounts That Showcase Alaska's Native Beauty, Culture, and Cuisine
11 Instagram Accounts That Showcase Alaska's Native Beauty, Culture, and Cuisine
Food, wildlife, majestic vistas, quiet moments: the images in these Instagram accounts showcase what makes Alaska such a special place. It's rugged, colorful, somewhat dangerous, and celebrates an independent spirit.
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