Hyenas, Jane Austen Bangs, Historic Vanilla, Novel Paintings & More: Endnotes 04 April

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.

I know that hyenas have a bad reputation — I blame The Lion King. And yes, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed are very, very naughty and should reconsider their allegiance to Scar. But whenever I watch the live NamibiaCam, I get very excited by the appearance of the hyenas. Sure, they hunt in groups and can take down antelope, zebras, and wildebeest, and yes, they have super-strong jaws and teeth that mean they can chomp through horns and bones. But! They live in complex social groups usually led by an alpha female and display intriguing behavioural complexities that parallel those of many old-world primates. As Ingrid Wiesel, founder of the Brown Hyena Research Project, told National Geographic, ‘You couldn’t maintain all these social bonds if you weren’t intelligent.’ She continued, ‘If non-scientists could speak for these animals that would do a lot more for the public to understand they’re not so bad.’ So, speak up, friends! Hyenas aren’t bad, just misunderstood. Want to see for yourself? Here are the best places to see hyenas in Africa. And let’s be real: the babies are very cute.

• It’s almost time for Easter Crime! You might remember Dave explained the Norwegian tradition of Påskekrim in our podcast episode Norway: Vikings, Bears, Boats, and Bergen. During Easter weekend, there are marathons of crime shows on TV, newspapers publish mysteries, and bookstores set aside extra space for author events and the deluge of new crime novels. This is your heads up that Easter is just a few weeks away — now is the time to stock up on your favorite Scandi-noir. (Here’s a list from Vulture of 16 Icy Nordic Thrillers for the screen.)

• Three words I did not expect to see together: Jane Austen bangs.

• I know what I’m doing tomorrow afternoon! A poetry jukebox (Poesiomat) has been installed in Prague’s Wenceslas Square. More details here.

• Alchemy! Prague Castle! Delicious flavoring! The oldest vanilla bean pod in Europe was discovered at Prague Castle. ‘Its radiocarbon dating revealed that the sample belongs to a period spanning from the early 16th century to the late 17th century, coinciding with the reign of Rudolf II, a monarch known for his interest in sciences and alchemy. Until now, there was no archaeological evidence that vanilla had reached Europe this early.’

• Splash! London’s Design Museum has a new exhibit devoted to the history of bathing suits. Starting in 1920, the exhibition dives into our relationship with water in the pool, the lido, and nature. See Pamela Anderson’s Baywatch swimsuit, the first Olympic solo swimming gold medal won by a British woman, and a selection of 1980s men’s Speedos (!).

• Here’s some fuel for an argument fire: the ultimate ranking of the adaptations of Pride and Prejudice. (I’m a 2005 girl.)

• 6 Movies That Will Make You Want To Travel the World.

• This collection of air hostess uniforms through the ages is equal parts amazing and hilarious. Wings Air is very Star Trek, and TWA looks so 1930s glam. That little hat! (OMG… Tyrolean Airways.)

• Everything you need to know about the British Book Awards 2025 debut book of the year shortlist. (I’ve been wanting to read Butter and The Ministry of Time since they came out!)

• Last week, I shared the announcement about Wil Wheaton’s new show It’s Storytime with Wil Wheaton. I listened to the first episode and loved it. He narrated this story by Caroline M. Yoachim — a time-traveling romance that’s clever and heartwarming. Can’t wait to listen to the next episode!

• This is some kitchen fun! The pasta company Barilla created playlists that are the exact length you need to cook your noodles. Once the post is boiling, add the pasta to the water, and hit play. When the music’s done, your pasta is, too.

• Fans of The Sound of Music, there travel tips for walking in the Von Trapps footsteps are for you.

• Transport yourself around the globe with these 7 escapist perfumes. The Seychelles, Morocco, Greece, Thailand, and more!

• Quiz: How well do you know the world’s most iconic brands? This is tough! I only got 4/12.

• 10 Novels That Revolve Around Paintings. ‘How is it possible for a man-made object to be so demonstrably inert, and yet so uncanny?’

• 5 Fascinating Interpretations of Snow White. ‘Scholars believe the tale—which has versions around the world—represents everything from the pain of motherhood to childhood jealousy (and some even think it might be based on real history).’

• Bodices? Heaving. Romance? Budding. Intrigue? Happening. Here’s a peek at everything you need to know about season four of Bridgerton.

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: When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory and The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones. Then Mel shares the meaningful story of the new Witches of Scotland tartan. [transcript]

Links

• When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory

• Daryl Gregory’s website

• Read an excerpt from When We Were Real

• Podcast: Mel talks about Spoonbenders in our Chicago episode

• Mel’s write-up of Spoonbenders

• Podcast: Mel talks about the P&T Knitwear bookshop

• The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

Distraction of the Week: The Witches of Scotland Tartan

• The Witches of Scotland website, Instagram, and TikTok

• The book: How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy’s Guide to Silencing Women

• The podcast: Witches of Scotland Tartan Episode

• Smithsonian magazine on the campaign and tartan

• Nicola Sturgeon Issues Apology for ‘Historical Injustice’ of Witch Hunts.

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

Well-behaved women seldom make history; against Antinomians and witches, these pious matrons have had little chance at all. — Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Top image courtesy of Matt Bango/Unsplash+.