Holyrood Abbey, Jungle Wedding, Fantasy Clocks, Retro Istanbul & More: Endnotes 21 July

Every Friday, we celebrate the weekend — and all the reading and relaxing and daydreaming time ahead — with Melissa's favorite book- and travel-related links of the week. Why work when you can read fun stuff?!

This post is part of our Endnotes series.

Those glorious ruins above are the remains of Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh, Scotland. According to legend, around 1127, King David I of Scotland was hunting in the forests around Edinburgh when he was charged by a red deer and thrown from his horse. As he wrestled with the beast, grasping its antlers in desperation, he saw a vision of the cross glowing between the deer’s antlers. King David was saved. In gratitude, he founded Holyrood Abbey and named it ‘holy rood’ (holy cross) for the crucifix that saved his life. Today, after a stroll on the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle and a visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, you can explore the Abbey’s roofless nave, Gothic windows, vaulted ceiling, and Romanesque arcades. Keep an eye out for mystical stags.

• What Happened When I Gave a Book Talk Completely Nude. (!!!!!)

• Here’s a timely roundup of five of the best fantasy clocks in books. ‘We’re diving into the wibbly-wobbly world of fantasy clocks, in which time can be molded, anthropomorphized, or simply measured with remarkable flair.’

• The Secret History of a Moscow Hotel’s Double Life. ‘During the Second World War, the famed Metropol Hotel became headquarters for a group of international journalists. A new book offers a thrilling peek inside.’

• There was not a poisoning or stabbing, but more than 100 people were stuck at Agatha Christie’s house Greenway for hours.

• Why, yes! I would like to stay in this treehouse on an English country estate.

• These vintage posters by artist Donald Brun are so charming.

• Here’s a tool to find the farthest city from anywhere on Earth.

• In today’s episode of The Library of Lost Time, Dave recommended The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale, the new book by Jon Klassen — here’s a really good Q&A with the author.

• YES! Designer Thom Browne has a new line of apparel and accessories inspired by Moby-Dick.

• My must-read of the week: How I Survived a Wedding in a Jungle That Tried to Eat Me Alive.

• Great for your TBR and weekend discussions: Esquire presents their take on The 50 Best Mysteries of All Time.

• Would like to time-travel here:

• Heads-up! Americans traveling to Europe in 2024 will need a visa in addition to their passport — but the online process is simple.

• Well, this is fun: a mashup of Jane Austen classics and murder mysteries. Manslaughter Park Turns a Jane Austen Classic Into a Sapphic Mystery.

• Have you listened to our latest podcast episode Amusement Parks: Wheeeeeeeeeeee!? Here’s a fun look at the real-life places that inspired attractions at Disney parks.

New Episode of The Library of Lost Time

In each mini-podcast episode, we discuss two books at the top of our TBR, then share a fun book- or travel-related distraction. Get all the episodes and books galore here.

In this episode, we get excited about two books: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen. Then Dave shares a fascinating art project about phantom islands. [transcript]

Links

• Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

• Visit Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s website, Twitter, and Instagram.

• Gods of Jade and Shadow by by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

• Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

• The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen

• Follow Jon Klassen on Instagram.

• Jon Klassen’s Hat Box by Jon Klassen (all three books in the trilogy)

• I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

• We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen

• This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

• The scoop on phantom islands from Wikipedia, Atlas Obscura, and Explorers Web.

• Andrew Peckler’s Phantom Islands — A Sonic Atlas.

• The album Sounds from Phantom Islands. (The vinyl is sold out, but mp3s are available.)

• Andrew Peckler’s new musical release Cue.

May you let your imagination lead the way.

Top image courtesy of Alexandra Reinwald/Shutterstock.