Antarctic Penguins, Public Libraries, Louvre, Favorite Words & More: Endnotes 21 February

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.

Fun fact: There are an estimated 44 million penguins in Antarctica. According to the World Population Review, the next highest concentration is in Chile with 13 million. So if Mr. Popper’s Penguins was one of your favorite kid’s books, you should maybe head to Antarctica. There are eight penguin species on the snowy continent — and here are the tips you need to go visit them. This post explains what to expect on your Antarctic adventures; this one shares everything you need to know. And AFAR magazine reveals 11 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Traveling to Antarctica. Need more inspiration? How about a bunch of 6-month Emperor penguin chicks jumping off a 50-foot icy cliff?

• If you only click one link today, please make it this one. It’s a call to action to notice the cool/sweet/special small moments in your life and to write about them — to create a personal encyclopedia of ordinary life.

• On a recent episode of The Library of Lost Time, I recommended Elinor Lipman’s new book Every Tom, Dick & Harry. If you’re a fan of her work too, treat yourself to this interview from Nerd Daily and a previous chat with her about some of her favorite bookish experiences.

• Last week’s Endnotes included a photo of the (beautiful) University of Michigan Law Library. In response, we heard from friend-of-SSoP Lisa D who said this: ‘I love the library list link. Just wanted to share how proud I am of our local library here in Missoula, Montana. It was named the Public Library of the Year in 2022 - World’s Best. It’s stunning, inside and out, with big windows and areas where there’s something for everyone.’ She wasn’t overstating; the Missoula Public Library is awesome. For more on fantastic public libraries, check out this episode of The Library of Lost Time.

• We were so happy to join Anne Bogel on her podcast What Should I Read Next? to recommend books set in destinations she’s eager to visit.

• Thinks the Louvre is too overwhelming, too crowded, too too? This deep dive into the best way to visit might change your mind.

• Whoa. Do you know about Luna Luna? It’s a carnival of magical artworks, including a Ferris wheel designed by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a carousel by Keith Haring, and installations by Salvador Dalí, David Hockney, and Roy Lichtenstein. You can explore this wonderland at The Shed in New York City’s Central Park until 16 March.

• One hundred percent yes to red carpet outfits as books:

• I think you’ll love these little love notes to favorite words.

• Aw. The Couples Who Found Love in Bookshops. ‘… Jess decided to send Patrick a parcel of 20 books, complete with annotations. “My form of saying I love you was These are my favourite books.’

• Friends, there’s a new roller skating rink in Brooklyn called Xanadu. ‘The roller-rink-slash-music-venue is decked out in ’90s patterns, neon lights, and a long bar that separates booths from the skating floor itself. The rental skates are purple and seafoam suede… A few people even whiz by on Rollerblades.’

• Whelp, I just added the stunning seaside town of Monte Argentario (Italy) to my must-visit list.

• Where to start with Zora Neale Hurston, the author of Their Eyes Were Watching God.

• I found this quiz about synonyms pretty challenging. I got 12/15.

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 new books: The Watermark by Sam Mills and Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live by Susan Morrison. Then Mel shares the buttery story of the best croissants in Paris. [transcript]

Links

• The Watermark by Sam Mills

• Sam Mill’s website

• The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

• Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live by Susan Morrison

• Gerloczy in Budapest: the hotel and the cafe

• Alma Nomad Bakery in Madrid

• Moon Croissants in Paris

• Up close and personal with a double-baked almond croissant

• Fascinating facts about croissants

• Three-day Croissant recipe

Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio. Some effects are provided by soundly.

Wishing you something buttery.

Top image courtesy of Dylan Shaw/Unsplash.