blog

Notes on books and travel.

Norway, Joys of Rereading, 1923 Beach Party, Wildlife Vocab & More: Endnotes 23 June
Norway, Joys of Rereading, 1923 Beach Party, Wildlife Vocab & More: Endnotes 23 June
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got Rick Steves' travel journals, paper airplanes, gender identity terms, 29 great American Diners, a Saharan traveler, and more.
Embrace Joy with the Poem 'I Want You To Know' by Kenyan Poet Micere Mugo
Embrace Joy with the Poem 'I Want You To Know' by Kenyan Poet Micere Mugo
This poem and interview with its author are like a warm shot of direct sun to brighten your day and make you feel unstoppable. It's happy, inviting, tender, and triumphant. Treat yourself to a few feel-good moments.
Red Lotus Sea, Book Holster, Charles Dickens' Art, Bench Love & More: Endnotes 16 June
Red Lotus Sea, Book Holster, Charles Dickens' Art, Bench Love & More: Endnotes 16 June
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got books and longevity, 46 world-changing books, beautiful ocean-fed pools, banning Maus, LA's Clifton's Cafeteria, and more.
SSoP Podcast Episode 54 — Kenya: Hurrying Has No Blessing
SSoP Podcast Episode 54 — Kenya: Hurrying Has No Blessing
There are so many things to see and do in Kenya. Yes, you can go on a safari. (Glamping, anyone?) You can also meet the Maasai in a traditional village and stroll narrow lanes in the romantic coastal city of Mombasa.
Raichle Palace, Beautiful Libraries, Retro Motels, Chips Oman & More: Endnotes 09 June
Raichle Palace, Beautiful Libraries, Retro Motels, Chips Oman & More: Endnotes 09 June
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got all-American country house murder mysteries, Taiwan's Rainbow Village, menopause novels, short stories vs. novels, and more.
There's Drama and Comedy with These 8 Gripping Books Set in the Theater
There's Drama and Comedy with These 8 Gripping Books Set in the Theater
Live theater can transport us inside stories like nothing else can — but great books come close. These titles take you behind the scenes of theaters around the world with big feelings and unforgettable characters.
St. Lucia, Peter Rabbit, Roadside Attractions, Book Dresses & More: Endnotes 02 June
St. Lucia, Peter Rabbit, Roadside Attractions, Book Dresses & More: Endnotes 02 June
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got the best sandwiches in Atlanta, an iconic hotel, why libraries are essential, the best spots for nature swimming, and more.
SSoP Podcast Episode 53 — Theater: Act One, Scene I, Lights Up
SSoP Podcast Episode 53 — Theater: Act One, Scene I, Lights Up
You know what's great about the theater? The backstage drama is as compelling as what happens under the spotlight. From Greek chorus to Broadway and everything in between, we celebrate a great night at the theater.
Rijksmuseum, Ablaut Reduplication, Faroe Mysteries, Lucky Vocab & More: Endnotes 26 May
Rijksmuseum, Ablaut Reduplication, Faroe Mysteries, Lucky Vocab & More: Endnotes 26 May
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got 15 audiobooks for road trips, Judy Blume's fave books, where to eat around the world in 2023, sweet clothesline art, and more.
Needhams Candy from Maine, Inspired by the Sweet Novel 'Almost, Maine'
Needhams Candy from Maine, Inspired by the Sweet Novel 'Almost, Maine'
Oh, what a sweet combo a charming book and some chocolate can be! The novel 'Almost, Maine' invites you to believe in the magic of love, the Northern Lights, and that hope and joy find you when you least expect it.
Iceland, Audiobook Biz, Admont Abbey Library, World Wonders 2023 & More: Endnotes 19 May
Iceland, Audiobook Biz, Admont Abbey Library, World Wonders 2023 & More: Endnotes 19 May
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got a brilliant must-read essay, nostalgic Euro summer movies, charming botanical illustrations, a new romance festival, and more.
SSoP Podcast Episode 52 — Maine: Lighthouses, Lobster Rolls, and the King of Horror
SSoP Podcast Episode 52 — Maine: Lighthouses, Lobster Rolls, and the King of Horror
A short list of awesome things in Maine: Lonely lighthouses, blueberries, just-caught lobster, great poetry, kayaking, stargazing, spine-tingling horror tales, pine trees, moose, crashing Atlantic waves, and more.
Batu Caves, Collective Nouns, Famous Last Lines, Paris Hotels & More: Endnotes 12 May
Batu Caves, Collective Nouns, Famous Last Lines, Paris Hotels & More: Endnotes 12 May
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got summer short story collections, a dive into an Anne Brontë poem, crime novels set in Gibraltar, a Chinese bookshop, and more.
These 12 Instagram Accounts Will Make You Want To Visit London Right Now
These 12 Instagram Accounts Will Make You Want To Visit London Right Now
These photographers and curators go beyond the typical to share the everyday people and places that make London extraordinary. From afternoon tea to drama after dark, you'll be transported to Londinium in a snap.
Greenland, Stand with WGA, Coronation Recipes, Book Souvenirs & More: Endnotes 05 May
Greenland, Stand with WGA, Coronation Recipes, Book Souvenirs & More: Endnotes 05 May
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got library cafés and wine bars, Sri Lankan mobile bakeries, English Breakfast Society, spite houses, fun reading lists, and more.
SSoP Podcast Episode 51 — London: The Tower, Tudors, and a Nice Cuppa Tea
SSoP Podcast Episode 51 — London: The Tower, Tudors, and a Nice Cuppa Tea
Yes, royals, posh accents, and proper cups of tea abound in London. But it's also one of the world's most diverse cities — multicultural, creative, and modern without skimping on its literary and historical legacies.
Tbilisi, Punctuation, Passport Photos, Vacation USSR-Style & More: Endnotes 28 April
Tbilisi, Punctuation, Passport Photos, Vacation USSR-Style & More: Endnotes 28 April
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got Hilary Mantel's unfinished last novel, beautiful/affordable Airbnbs, firefly spectacle, why we need dinner parties, and more.
A Love Letter to the Cookbook 'Middle Eastern Cooking' by Rose Dosti
A Love Letter to the Cookbook 'Middle Eastern Cooking' by Rose Dosti
In my family, nothing brings us together like the promise of delicious food or a commitment to doing something silly to amuse ourselves. This story about a 1980s cookbook and an afternoon with my dad features both.
Charlotte Brontë, Bookshop.org, Mauritania Libraries, Mirror Writing & More: Endnotes 21 April
Charlotte Brontë, Bookshop.org, Mauritania Libraries, Mirror Writing & More: Endnotes 21 April
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got 10 books set in Berlin, bright Catalan art, the return of Dracula Daily, California's superbloom, destination pizza, and more.
SSoP Podcast Episode 50 — Lebanon: Surrender to the Call of the Mijwiz
SSoP Podcast Episode 50 — Lebanon: Surrender to the Call of the Mijwiz
Yes, Lebanon has a troubled past and tricky present. But there's so much to recommend this tiny Mediterranean country: idyllic beaches, fragrant cedar forests, slinky music, and some of the world's tastiest food.
Spring Tulips, Booker List, Romcom Essays, Travel Movies & More: Endnotes 14 April
Spring Tulips, Booker List, Romcom Essays, Travel Movies & More: Endnotes 14 April
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got the legacy of Juliet Capulet, 19th-century silhouette art, Istanbul spy movies, literary lunch, Belgium itinerary, and more.
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.