blog

Notes on books and travel.

Welcome Yule with 'The Shortest Day' by Susan Cooper
Welcome Yule with 'The Shortest Day' by Susan Cooper
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!
Travel checklist, secrets of Betty Crocker, fictional librarians & More: Endnotes 20 December
Travel checklist, secrets of Betty Crocker, fictional librarians & More: Endnotes 20 December
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.
See the Barren Beauty of Antarctica and Gaze at the Stars in 'The Comet Seekers'
See the Barren Beauty of Antarctica and Gaze at the Stars in 'The Comet Seekers'
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 from 'Betty Crocker's Cooky Book'
Russian Teacakes from 'Betty Crocker's Cooky Book'
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.
Waterstones in Bradford, UK is a Cathedral of Books
Waterstones in Bradford, UK is a Cathedral of Books
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.
Two Delightfully Different Books to Fill You With Christmas Spirit
Two Delightfully Different Books to Fill You With Christmas Spirit
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?!
Swing Dancing in Istanbul, Airport Secrets, Krampus & More: Endnotes 13 December
Swing Dancing in Istanbul, Airport Secrets, Krampus & More: Endnotes 13 December
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got a wintery short story, Kelly Clarkson on travel, holiday sleep tips, the best notebooks, delightful holiday fiction, and much more.
Spend Christmas Eve in Cozy Pajamas with a Box of Chocolates and a New Book with Book Flood
Spend Christmas Eve in Cozy Pajamas with a Box of Chocolates and a New Book with Book Flood
The island nation of Iceland has much to recommend it: breathtaking scenery, the creamiest yogurt, friendly inhabitants, amazing seafood, and a charming holiday tradition: the Christmas Book Flood called Jólabókaflóðið.
Roasted Carrot-Caraway Soup Inspired by 'Where the Wild Things Are'
Roasted Carrot-Caraway Soup Inspired by 'Where the Wild Things Are'
Being crowned king of the wild things and dancing at the wild rumpus can be exhausting. This comforting soup will fill your kitchen with a delicious aroma to restore your spirits and make you happy to be at home.
Treat Yourself to the Ultimate Bookish Staycation: Plan a 'Reading Day'
Treat Yourself to the Ultimate Bookish Staycation: Plan a 'Reading Day'
Imagine it: a day devoted to reading one great book. Squishy clothes, comfort food, and page after page of an utterly involving story. You can make it happen with just a little prep work; we'll show you how.
Literary Introverts, Travel & Empathy, New Library Podcast & More: Endnotes 06 December
Literary Introverts, Travel & Empathy, New Library Podcast & More: Endnotes 06 December
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got a beautiful bookish poem, writing for 'The Paris Review,' the ways English is a funny language, nautical phrases, and more.
Head to Vermont and meet the Remarkable Heroine of 'The Inn at Lake Devine'
Head to Vermont and meet the Remarkable Heroine of 'The Inn at Lake Devine'
This weekend, we recommend a getaway to a lake-side resort in Vermont... where you'll find yourself right smack in the middle of a romantic comedy with real, messy people who make real, messy mistakes.
Sweet & Briny Shrimp Salad Inspired by the Novel 'Death By Water'
Sweet & Briny Shrimp Salad Inspired by the Novel 'Death By Water'
It's never smooth sailing when the Honorable Phyrne Fisher is involved — but it is always a lot of dangerous and delicious fun. Dine on this delightful shrimp salad while catching up on Phryne's high seas adventures.
Cruising Around the World on Cunard's Luxury Liner RMS Laconia
Cruising Around the World on Cunard's Luxury Liner RMS Laconia
On 21 November 1922, a luxury liner embarked on a 130-day cruise around the world to 22 ports: Yokohoma and Shanghai, Rangoon and Bombay, Egypt, Cuba, and Naples. This is the true story of that grand adventure.
Spectacular Ceilings, Typewriter Art, Capitals Quiz & More: Endnotes 29 November
Spectacular Ceilings, Typewriter Art, Capitals Quiz & More: Endnotes 29 November
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, why books in translation matter, spectacular ceilings, IRL locations from The Crown, snowy vocab, paper sculptures made from books, and more.
Take a Chilling Trip to the Near Future with Rob Hart's 'The Warehouse'
Take a Chilling Trip to the Near Future with Rob Hart's 'The Warehouse'
This weekend, peek inside Cloud, the work-live space of the not-too-distant future. Sure, the pay is borderline and that wrist gadget tracks your every move, but it's cool in here, and Hey! We have cheeseburgers!
Typewronger Books in Edinburgh, Scotland Will Steal Your Bookish Heart
Typewronger Books in Edinburgh, Scotland Will Steal Your Bookish Heart
Typewronger Books in Edinburgh is the bookish retreat of our dreams: a cozy shop that only has the good stuff with a literary magician behind the counter. He looks into your soul and gives you the right book.
Vanilla-Maple Shortbread Inspired by 'The House Between Tides'
Vanilla-Maple Shortbread Inspired by 'The House Between Tides'
Every character in this vividly rendered historical novel needs a restorative cup of tea and homemade shortbread to help them chill out. Here's a killer recipe for shortbread, in case you need a sweet treat, too.
The Thoroughly Charming and Possibly Unreliable Story of the Lewis Chessmen
The Thoroughly Charming and Possibly Unreliable Story of the Lewis Chessmen
The Lewis Chessmen are 12th-century chess pieces carved from walrus ivory, and their origin story is shrouded in conjecture, academic rivalry, and murder. One undisputed fact: They are ridiculously cute.
2019 Holiday Gift Guide: All the Best Stuff for Readers and Travelers
2019 Holiday Gift Guide: All the Best Stuff for Readers and Travelers
Make your holiday shopping less stressful and more fun with these gifts for people who love to jet off to new locales and stay home with a good book. You might find something nice to add to your wish list, too!
Uncover Family Secrets and Find Peace with 'The Monsters of Templeton'
Uncover Family Secrets and Find Peace with 'The Monsters of Templeton'
This weekend, we recommend a getaway to Templeton, NY — aka Cooperstown. IRL, there's the Baseball Hall of Fame and James Fenimore Cooper. In the book, there's a lake and old friends and — oh, yeah — a monster.
our mission

Strong Sense of Place is a website and podcast dedicated to literary travel and books we love. Reading good books increases empathy. Empathy is good for all of us and the amazing world we inhabit.

our patreon

Strong Sense of Place is a listener-supported podcast. If you like the work we do, you can help make it happen by joining our Patreon! That'll unlock bonus content for you, too — including Mel's secret book reviews and Dave's behind-the-scenes notes for the latest Two Truths and a Lie.

get our newsletter

Join our Substack to get our FREE newsletter with podcast updates and behind-the-scenes info — and join in fun chats about books and travel with other lovely readers.

no spoilers. ever.

We'll share enough detail to help you decide if a book is for you, but we'll never ruin plot twists or give away the ending.

super-cool reading fun
reading atlas

This 30-page Reading Atlas takes you around the world with dozens of excellent books and gorgeous travel photos. Get your free copy when you subscribe to our newsletter.

get our newsletter
Sign up for our free Substack!
follow us

Content on this site is ©2024 by Smudge Publishing, unless otherwise noted. Peace be with you, person who reads the small type.