blog

Tropical coasts, lush jungles, ancient Mayan and Aztec ruins, majestic colonial architecture, fresh margaritas — Mexico is an inspired background for all kinds of stories about sun, fun, friendship, and family.

Raise a glass — or a teacup — to your near and dear at midnight and ring in the new year with these inspiring words from celebrated authors. Wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy 2020 filled with books and adventure.

Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got a Phryne Fisher fan convention, the best places for 2020 travel, fast food around the world, how to be a better reader, and much more.

How idyllic! A group of old friends from Oxford gather in a remote hunting lodge in Scotland to relax by the fire, drink bubbly, and reconnect. Then their New Year's Eve celebration goes horribly, fabulously wrong.

These tender pork meatballs are packed with umami — like gyoza without the noodle-wrapper. Dig into them while you read this lovely, poignant novel of love, friendship, and the power of words in Japan.

Pssst... how'd you like to sleep INSIDE a bookshelf?! That's exactly what you'll get to do at Book and Bed Tokyo, a collection of six hostels devoted to reading (and a little bit of sleeping).

The shortest day, the longest night, the transition to deep midwinter — the winter solstice is a powerful date on the calendar. This moving poem by British author Susan Cooper captures its magic. Welcome, Yule!

Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got breakfast in 24 countries, a snowy train ride, 50 fictional librarians, Neal Gaiman reading 'A Christmas Carol,' and much more.

This weekend, visit Antarctica, France, and Ireland with two unforgettable people who traveled through space and time to find each other. It's a tender, poignant reminder to befriend your ghosts and look at the sky.

Russian Teacakes are like butter bombs of happiness. The original recipe in this classic cookbook is the hands-down, best-ever holiday cookie. If you've never tried these fluffy white puffs of joy, now is the time.

The Waterstones in Bradford, England is a cathedral of books. You can browse the stacks of carefully curated books under soaring ceilings and stained glass windows, then enjoy a cuppa in the balcony café.

Holiday choice: A charming coming-of-age story in snowy Philadelphia, or eerie stories starring Krampus, the Christmas-y demon who drags bad children to the underworld. Or both! 'Cause what good is nice without naughty?!