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

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

Friday, 21 July, 2023

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.

rule

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.

 

 

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.

black and white map showing fictional islands with a box of text
A snippet of the map from Phantom Islands — A Sonic Atlas.

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]

 

May you let your imagination lead the way.

Top image courtesy of Alexandra Reinwald/Shutterstock.

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Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got a must-read short story, the case for slow travel, the retro art of high school yearbooks, the perfect piña colada, and more.
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got the genius of artist Edward Hopper, excellent books about tennis, how to steal a masterpiece, a cat with a passport, and more.
Every Friday, we share our favorite book- and travel-related links. This week, we've got why to read 'The Diary of a Provincial Lady,' quirky airfield restaurants, memorable bookstores, Edinburgh objects, and more.

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