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Notes on books and travel.

Scotch Eggs Inspired by Val McDermid's 'Broken Ground'
Scotch Eggs Inspired by Val McDermid's 'Broken Ground'
Bake a batch of Scotch eggs and get caught up in a police procedural that travels from a peat bog in the Scottish Highlands to beautiful Edinburgh. Sure, there's murder afoot, but that's no excuse to go hungry.
12 Books That Capture the Fierce Spirit of Scotland
12 Books That Capture the Fierce Spirit of Scotland
Craggy islands, damp peat bogs, twisty lanes of cobblestones, vast swaths of green to make your heart soar — Scotland is a beautiful country with larger-than-life heroes (and heroines) and more than a few ghosts.
SSoP Podcast Episode 05 — Scotland: Wraiths, Rebels, and Royalty
SSoP Podcast Episode 05 — Scotland: Wraiths, Rebels, and Royalty
Stunning windswept landscapes, a rebellious national spirit, an affinity for smart tartan plaids, a predilection for ghost stories, and an appreciation of a wee dram o' whisky. Scotland is all this and so much more.
Vintage Bookshelves, Feasting in Zanzibar, Novel Fashion & More: Endnotes 31 January
Vintage Bookshelves, Feasting in Zanzibar, Novel Fashion & More: Endnotes 31 January
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got a lush art nouveau house in France, vocab for book lovers, literary Airbnb reviews, why you should visit Bodø, Norway, and more.
Travel Between Modern-Day and '90s Croatia with 'Girl at War'
Travel Between Modern-Day and '90s Croatia with 'Girl at War'
This weekend, we recommend an emotional trip to '90s Croatia... where you'll meet Ana, a courageous heroine on a quest to reconnect with her heritage, her family, her old friends, and, ultimately, herself.
Postcards from Mexico: Mayan Ruins, Markets, Mountains, and More
Postcards from Mexico: Mayan Ruins, Markets, Mountains, and More
Beaches on the Pacific and the Caribbean, magical cenotes, mystical pyramids, amazing street food, and candy-colored architecture — these photos will have you booking a trip to Mexico asap. Sorry and you're welcome.
Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' was Published Today in 1845
Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' was Published Today in 1845
Poe's shadowy view of the world is as irresistible as it is spooky, due to his ability to weave a dark spell of words. In this poem, the winged messenger of the title is the only solace for our broken-hearted narrator.
Postcards from Japan: Bamboo, Temples, Monkeys, and More
Postcards from Japan: Bamboo, Temples, Monkeys, and More
These photos will take you beyond the neon and rhythm of Tokyo to peaceful shrines, brilliant green landscapes, and some really cute monkeys in the mountains. These snapshots that explore the diverse beauty of Japan.
Embark on a Big Adventure to the Andes in 19th-Century Peru with 'The Bedlam Stacks'
Embark on a Big Adventure to the Andes in 19th-Century Peru with 'The Bedlam Stacks'
This weekend, why not go exploring in the snow-capped mountains of Peru? You'll be swept up in local folklore, face your greatest fears, and find your truest friendship. You might also get caught up in a gunfight!
A Cathedral Library, Modern Anne Brontë, Kinder Travel & More: Endnotes 24 January
A Cathedral Library, Modern Anne Brontë, Kinder Travel & More: Endnotes 24 January
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got sweet Wes Anderson-inspired cafés, Armenian food in LA, the eerie boat-house from 'Rebecca,' easy travel journaling, and more.
SSoP Podcast Episode 04 — Mexico: Folklore and Beachy Paradise
SSoP Podcast Episode 04 — Mexico: Folklore and Beachy Paradise
Mexico is an inspiring background for stories that explore the joy (and challenges) of family and the magic of everyday experiences. In this episode of our podcast, we hit the beach and explore ancient cultures.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Inspired by 'The True History of Chocolate'
Mexican Hot Chocolate Inspired by 'The True History of Chocolate'
Forget everything you know about hot chocolate! This luscious recipe is rich, creamy, and not too sweet — the perfect thing to sip while you snuggle up with a book. Ready in minutes, no paper packet of brown powder in sight.
SSoP Podcast Episode 03 — Japan: Family Honor and Super-Cute Stuff
SSoP Podcast Episode 03 — Japan: Family Honor and Super-Cute Stuff
In episode 3 of our new podcast, we go deep into Japanese culture with moving novels, an autobio graphic novel, and a look at all things geeky. Then we chat with graphic novelist Tillie Walden about her love of manga.
Manga for Beginners: Recommendations From Tillie Walden
Manga for Beginners: Recommendations From Tillie Walden
In Japan, comics are known as manga. They're used to tell stories in every genre, and are read by people of all ages. We're delighted to have cartoonist Tille Walden share her top picks for readers who are new to the form.
8 Books That Will Transport You Directly To Japan
8 Books That Will Transport You Directly To Japan
From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the bucolic countryside, and contemporary plots to tales from history, Japan's culture — and pop culture — are inspiration for stories that move, inform, entertain, and surprise us.
SSoP Podcast Episode 02 — Restaurants: Hot Stoves and Steamy Relationships
SSoP Podcast Episode 02 — Restaurants: Hot Stoves and Steamy Relationships
Thanks to the heat of the kitchen and friendship forged during the dinner rush, restaurants are a rich setting for tasty stories. In episode 2 of our new podcast, we take a big bite of books about restaurants. Bon appetit!
7 Great Novels That Go Behind The Scenes at Restaurants
7 Great Novels That Go Behind The Scenes at Restaurants
The heat of a restaurant kitchen is a delicious catalyst for the drama inherent in professional rivalry, found family, true love, and everything in between. There's nothing quite like food to bring people together.
SSoP Podcast Episode 01 — Prague: Castles and Cobblestones
SSoP Podcast Episode 01 — Prague: Castles and Cobblestones
Big day! The first episode of the Strong Sense of Place podcast is out! We're celebrating Prague. It's the capital of the Czech Republic and home of the world's best beer, stunning architecture, and plenty of ghosts.
Prague's Stunning Strahov Monastery Library and Cabinet of Curiosities
Prague's Stunning Strahov Monastery Library and Cabinet of Curiosities
Soft light illuminates floor-to-ceiling shelves of gilt-spined books in the libraries of the Strahov Monastery. But it's not all Latin texts and antique globes: a narwhal horn and a giant crab decorate the hallway.
15 Books That Capture the Magic and Mystery of Prague
15 Books That Capture the Magic and Mystery of Prague
Prague's stunning architecture and magical atmosphere make it one of Europe's must-visit cities. But we love it because it's full of stories. Everywhere you look, there's a tale to be told, a mystery to unravel.
Take an Exciting Trip to Bulgaria with 'The Shadow Land'
Take an Exciting Trip to Bulgaria with 'The Shadow Land'
This weekend, we recommend a getaway to Bulgaria... where you'll visit the capital city, explore mystical hilltop monasteries, get caught up in the secret histories of two world wars, and fall in love.
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