

Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books
Melissa & Dave
One lifetime is too short to visit everywhere and meet everyone. That‘s why we love books with a strong sense of place — they let us travel the world in our imagination. In each episode of our Strong Sense of Place podcast, we explore one destination and talk about what makes that place different from everywhere else. Then we recommend five books that took us to that place on the page. Every other week, we share The Library of Lost Time, a mini-pod that features two new books and our Distraction of the Week. We‘re on a trip around the globe, one great read at a time. Please join us!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 20, 2023 • 6min
LoLT: The Spectacle of 'RRR' & Two New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two books: 'Really Good, Actually' by Monica Heisey and 'How to Sell a Haunted House' by Grady Hendrix. Then Dave explains why the Tollywood movie 'RRR' is the best action-adventure movie since 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.'LINKSReally Good, Actually by Monica Heiseyhttps://bit.ly/3ZskOD4Monica Heisey's perilous trip to Parishttps://bit.ly/3CFuLUeRead an excerpt of Really Good, Actuallyhttps://bit.ly/3itfjnbI Can't Believe It's Not Betterhttps://amzn.to/3IkaTcYHow to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrixhttps://bit.ly/3X2lCx9Horrorstor by Grady Hendrixhttps://bit.ly/3GvrOGWMy Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrixhttps://bit.ly/3jZhj6VThe Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrixhttps://bit.ly/3vQrM7FRRR on Netflixhttps://bit.ly/3vQfX16The real story of the two freedom fighters in RRRhttps://bit.ly/3CDBWMA5 Reasons to Keep ‘RRR’ on Your Radarhttps://bit.ly/3GVEicmTranscript of this episodehttps://bit.ly/3WWvicmThe Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 13, 2023 • 10min
LoLT: Realm Podcasts & Two New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two books: 'City Under One Roof' by Iris Yamashita and 'Endurance: 100 Tales of Survival, Adventure and Exploration' by Levison Wood. Then Mel talks about why Realm is her favorite new place to find awesome fiction podcasts. LINKSCity Under One Roof by Iris Yamashitahttps://bit.ly/3Zp5HdOEndurance by Levison Woodhttps://amzn.to/3ir27z8Walking the Himalayas by Levison Woodhttps://amzn.to/3Xf4ELqWalking the Nile by Levison Woodhttps://bit.ly/3CC4K8jInterview with Iris Yamashitahttps://youtu.be/hMoK9Y_PmoURealm.fmhttps://www.realm.fm/Marigold Breachhttps://bit.ly/3CCntAGThe Witch Who Came in From the Coldhttps://bit.ly/3vRSTixSpark Hunterhttps://bit.ly/3X1hzBaJameela Jamil and Manny Jacintohttps://youtu.be/5L_oJTukaIATranscript of this episodehttps://bit.ly/3Znk8iuThe Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 6, 2023 • 8min
LoLT: The Extraordinary Attorney Woo & Two Books
In this episode, we get excited about two books: 'The Bandit Queens' by Parini Shroff and 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir. Then Dave explains why The Extraordinary Attorney Woo is must-see TV. LINKS The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroffhttps://bit.ly/3FofNSTProject Hail Mary by Andy Weirhttps://bit.ly/3uMqJF3The Martian by Andy Weirhttps://bit.ly/3HxkBbiBook trailer for The Bandit Queenshttps://youtu.be/GLujn_PsuFoMel's review of The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obrehthttps://bit.ly/3W4MbRoExtraordinary Attorney Woo trailerhttps://youtu.be/MxeXECe2t-cExtraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflixhttps://www.netflix.com/title/81518991AV Club on Extraordinary Attorney Woohttps://bit.ly/3uKKsVxTranscript of this episodehttps://bit.ly/3uO1BxSThe Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 30, 2022 • 11min
LoLT: New Year's Eve Poems & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two books: 'The Snow Ball' by Brigid Brophy and 'Nine Liars' by Maureen Johnson. Then Mel and Dave share poems to usher in the new year.LINKSThe Snow Ball by Brigid Brophyhttps://bit.ly/3uOllRKMozart the Dramatist by Brigid Brophyhttps://amzn.to/3HxjQisNine Liars by Maureen Johnsonhttps://bit.ly/3j088TtYour Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson & Jay Cooperhttps://bit.ly/3iVujKqThe Box in The Woods by Maureen Johnsonhttps://bit.ly/3Fqf0AZTell Me by Kim Addoniziohttps://bit.ly/3BuGkNaSwearing Smoking Drinking & Kissing by Kim Addoniziohttps://amzn.to/3hnZdL6You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smithhttps://bit.ly/3Fo6Rgjthese are the words by Nikita Gillhttps://amzn.to/3q2wY5fPanel discussion of Brigid Brophy's workhttps://youtu.be/YZHQl2cIMtgKim Addonizio's websitehttps://bit.ly/3FOLFliKim Addonizio on Poetry Foundationhttps://bit.ly/3YkKReVMaggie Smith's websitehttps://bit.ly/3Hxu02BMaggie Smith on Twitterhttps://bit.ly/3HzoCvYNikita Gill on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/nktgillNikita Gill on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/nikita_gillTranscript of this episodehttps://bit.ly/3FpsnBpThe Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 16, 2022 • 11min
LoLT: The Big Read Book Club & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'The Family Game' by Catherine Steadman and 'The Explorer's Library: Books That Inspire Wonder' by Atlas Obscura. Then Mel discusses The Big Read book club led by writer Jeremy Anderberg. BOOKS The Family Game by Catherine Steadmanhttps://bit.ly/3GAd0bFThe Explorer's Library: Books That Inspire Wonder by Atlas Obscurahttps://bit.ly/3ACthsMAtlas Obscurahttps://www.atlasobscura.com/Gastro Obscurahttps://www.atlasobscura.com/gastroDISTRACTION OF THE WEEKRead More Books newsletter by Jeremy Anderberghttps://bit.ly/3XAeYPoThe Big Read 2023 Schedulehttps://bit.ly/3XrKq1WGet 20% off your first year of The Big Readhttps://bit.ly/3TZHuH8Jeremy Anderberg on Instagramhttps://bit.ly/3ExlYDFTranscript of this episodehttps://bit.ly/3EqZbJXThe Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 9, 2022 • 9min
LoLT: Best Books of 2022 & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about three books: 'The Christmas Party' by Georgette Heyer, 'The Christmas Murder Game' by Alexandra Benedict, and 'The Writer's Journey' by Travis Elborough. Then Dave shares a fantastic resource for finding the best books of the year. BOOKSThe Christmas Party by Georgette Heyerhttps://amzn.to/3VjHeUlThe Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedicthttps://bit.ly/3tXkhKRThe Writer's Journey: In the Footsteps of the Literary Greats by Travis Elboroughhttps://bit.ly/3UYd3m1Our History of the 20th Century by Travis Elboroughhttps://amzn.to/3i3d6OTA Traveller's Year: 365 Days of Travel Writing in Diaries, Journals, and Letters by Travis Elboroughhttps://amzn.to/3U6QEBOAtlas of the Unexpected by Travis Elboroughhttps://amzn.to/3VdC3oSAtlas of Vanishing Places by Travis Elboroughhttps://bit.ly/3ESRLQURollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Trackhttps://amzn.to/3AFsIhNDISTRACTION OF THE WEEK The Largehearted Boy List of Online 'Best of 2022' Book Listshttps://bit.ly/3VfxSsIGosford Park trailerhttps://bit.ly/3AzRyQ0Transcript of this episodehttps://bit.ly/3GCiGSkThe Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 2, 2022 • 11min
LoLT: Betty Crocker's Cooky Book & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'Murder at Black Oaks' by Phillip Margolin and 'Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius' by Nick Hornby. Then Mel makes her case that 'Betty Crocker's Cooky Book' is the best cookie cookbook on the planet.LINKS Murder at Black Oaks by Phillip Margolinhttps://bit.ly/3XlQLMzGone But Not Forgotten by Phillip Margolinhttps://amzn.to/3i4OHIEDickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius by Nick Hornbyhttps://bit.ly/3VbrEKEHigh Fidelity by Nick Hornbyhttps://bit.ly/3TZ3CkLAbout a Boy by Nick Hornbyhttps://bit.ly/3ETkkxJ31 Songs by Nick Hornbyhttps://amzn.to/3UWQLklThe Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornbyhttps://amzn.to/3TYY61HThe Joys of Incorporating Golden Age Cliches Into Contemporary Fictionhttps://bit.ly/3EvCZOBBetty Crocker's Cooky Bookhttps://bit.ly/3Et3owAWho was Betty Crocker?https://to.pbs.org/3ETlwkHThe etymology of cookie vs cookyhttps://bit.ly/3hTxPEuRussian Teacake recipehttps://bit.ly/3OpDRZTTranscript of this episodehttps://bit.ly/3ExQA82The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production!https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 25, 2022 • 9min
LoLT: German Fairy Tale Route & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'The Secret History of Christmas' by Bill Bryson and 'Wayward (Wanderers Book 2)' by Chuck Wendig. Then Mel takes us to the Germany of the Brothers Grimm. BOOKSThe Secret History of Christmas by Bill Bryson https://amzn.to/3TEvPgIWayward (Wanderers Book 2) by Chuck Wendig https://bit.ly/3hOcD2MA Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson https://bit.ly/3Ao8f0MNotes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson https://bit.ly/3TLzJUXWanderers by Chuck Wendig https://bit.ly/3EHNJemStation Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel https://bit.ly/3V8gq9IThe Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern https://bit.ly/3V9wYhvDISTRACTION OF THE WEEKGerman Fairy Tale Route website https://bit.ly/3hSud5CGuide to the German Fairy Tale Route https://bit.ly/3gfWcf6Grimmwelt Museum https://bit.ly/3V23MJ6Wilhelmshöhe Palace https://bit.ly/3EhFpApBergpark Wilhelmshöhe: Monument to Hercules https://bit.ly/3UKEIGTBergpark Wilhelmshöhe: Fountains https://bit.ly/3ggZnTYTranscript of this episode https://bit.ly/3Ap0ebVThe Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comDo you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplaceAs always, you can follow us at:
Our web site at Strong Sense of Place
Patreon
Twitter
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Facebook
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Nov 21, 2022 • 26min
A Mini-Episode to Wish You A Cozy and Happy Thanksgiving
We know you don't all celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, but it's never a bad idea to express gratitude and devote a day to being cozy. In that spirit, we've made a little gift for you to show our appreciation.
Watching the movie 'Home for the Holidays' is an annual Thanksgiving tradition in our house. The film is based on a brilliant short story by Chris Radant that is, sadly, out of print. (Although you can read it online here - https://bit.ly/3hVgfzW.)
Both the story and the film tell the tale of a family Thanksgiving in all of its gluttonous, annoying, loving glory. It's a celebration of affection, patience, and forgiveness.
Since you can't get the story as an audiobook, Mel went into our blanket fort recording booth to read the story out loud, and then Dave worked some editing magic. Boom! We made our first homegrown 'audiobook.'
We're very grateful that you've all joined us on our Strong Sense of Place reading-traveling adventures. We hope you enjoy the story!
* * * * * * * * * * *
Read the short story by Chris Radant on Internet Archive
https://bit.ly/3TZ8nLc
Do you enjoy our show? Do you want access to awesome bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon! Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace
As always, you can follow us at:
Our web site at Strong Sense of Place
Patreon
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Instagram
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 18, 2022 • 11min
LoLT: Fun Boardgames & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'Galatea' by Madeline Miller and 'Novelist as a Vocation' by Haruki Murakami. Then Dave recommends three fun boardgames for the holiday season — or anytime.
BOOKS
Galatea by Madeline Miller
https://bit.ly/3E9BZiY
xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myth by Kate Bernheimer
https://bit.ly/3gfQqKs
Circe by Madeline Miller
https://bit.ly/3hRV0yV
Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami
https://bit.ly/3GkNUgN
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
https://bit.ly/3TMJUIO
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
https://bit.ly/3gd3kJc
DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK
Super Mega Lucky Box
Video review - https://bit.ly/3g9sg4x
Buy - https://amzn.to/3AnfyWF
So Clover
Video review - https://bit.ly/3EEOSTD
Buy - https://amzn.to/3tEjZIM
The Crew: Mission Deep Sea
Video review - https://bit.ly/3XdopDU
Buy - https://amzn.to/3hSgxYv
Transcript of this episode
https://bit.ly/3EjRbdF
The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com
Do you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace
As always, you can follow us at:
Our web site at Strong Sense of Place
Patreon
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices