Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books

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.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 Instagram: Up close and personal with a double-baked almond croissant Fascinating facts about croissants Three-day Croissant recipe Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comJoin our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel.Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? 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 find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two new books: Every Tom, Dick & Harry by Elinor Lipman and On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer by Rick Steves. Then Dave shares a sweet poem about the good stuff: love and dogs.Links Every Tom, Dick & Harry by Elinor Lipman Podcast: Mel talks about Ms. Demeanor by Elinor Lipman Visit Elinor Lipman’s website. Elinor Lipman is the new EM Forster. Fight me. Review of The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman Review of The Way Men Act by Elinor Lipman Review of Isabel’s Bed by Elinor Lipman On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer_ by Rick Steves Photos from On the Hippie Trail on Rick Steves' website Video: Rick Steves talks about his book Taylor Mali’s website What Learning Leaves by Taylor Mali Video: Taylor Mali performing ‘How Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog’ Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comJoin our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel.Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? 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 find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two new books: Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Travelsby Caroline Eden and Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor. Then Dave shares his enthusiasm for the 2025 Grammy nominees for best audiobook recordings.Links Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Travels by Caroline Eden Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration by Jimmy Carter My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand: print and audiobook …And Your Ass Will Follow by George Clinton All You Need is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words by Peter Brown & Steven Gaines: printand audiobook Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones by Dolly Parton: print and audiobook Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comJoin our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel.Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? 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 find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two new books: The Power and the Glory: The Country House Before the Great War by Adrian Tinniswood and Playworld: A Novel by Adam Ross. Then Mel shares her reading and loving doorstopper novels of 500+ pages.Links The Power and the Glory: The Country House Before the Great War by Adrian Tinniswood The Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House, 1918-1939 by Adrian Tinniswood Noble Ambitions: The Fall and Rise of the English Country House After World War II by Adrian Tinniswood Playworld: A Novel by Adam Ross Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross Adrian Tinniswood’s website Podcast: History Extra — The Golden Age of the Country House The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch Mel’s Favorite Doorstopper Novels Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson REAMDE by Neal Stephenson The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili (translated by Ruth Martin & Charlotte Collins) Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth - reviewed on our Hollywood podcast Wolf Hall trilogy by Hilary Mantel - reviewed on our London podcast The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova - reviewed on our Library podcast The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins - reviewed on our Cemetery podcast The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón - reviewed on our Library podcast The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Fairy Tale by Stephen King Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comJoin our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel.Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? 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 find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spend a bookish weekend with us in a country manor house!For centuries, nobles and ne'er-do-wells have gathered on country estates for a bit of leisure, a lot of sumptuous food, sparkling conversation, and general good cheer. You’re invited to join us at Trevor Hall for a modern take on the traditional manor house weekend.Together, we’ll make ourselves at home in this historic Georgian mansion surrounded by the picturesque North Wales countryside. We’ll talk about books, share gourmet meals in the Great Hall, play parlor games, ramble in the Welsh hills, listen to stories by candlelight, and be dazzled by an illusionist from London.Our weekend begins in Manchester, England — a UNESCO City of Literature. We’ll take over a boutique hotel in the city center where we’ll enjoy an evening pub meetup, spend the night, and start our morning with a breakfast fry-up. Then we’re off to the Elizabeth Gaskell House for a private tour of the Victorian villa where the author wrote her classic novel ‘North and South’ (and entertained literary friends like Charlotte Brontë and Charles Dickens).After a restorative tea-and-cake break, we’ll ride together via private motor coach — just over an hour — through the rugged countryside to Llangollen, a charming historic town on the River Dee in North Wales. Our destination: Trevor Hall.The Hall is a Georgian mansion on a wooded hilltop overlooking green slopes dotted with sheep and horses. After a tour of the house and gardens, we’ll ease into country living in the Hall’s luxurious (and tastefully eclectic) rooms. With literary activities, entertainment, and surprises planned throughout the weekend, you’re sure to be delighted — and have plenty of time to connect with old and new bookish friends.For complete details about the weekend and lots of photos, visit strongsenseofplace.com/weekend.For early access to tickets for a Readers' Weekend at Trevor Hall, join our Patreon.To be notified the minute tickets go on sale, join our free Substack newsletter.Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio. Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about three books: Gifts from the Kitchen by Kristine Kidd and A Christmas Cornucopia: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Yuletide Traditions by Mark Forsyth. Then Dave recommends entertaining, accessible graphic novels for newbies.Links Buy: Gifts from the Kitchen by Kristine Kidd Internet Archive: Gifts from the Kitchen by Kristine Kidd A Christmas Cornucopia: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Yuletide Traditions by Mark Forsyth Polar Vortex: A Family Memoir by Denise Dorrance Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott The Way Things Work by David Macaulay How It All Ends by Emma Hunsinger Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comJoin our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel.Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? 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 find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two new books: A Lively Midwinter Murder by Katy Watson and The Way by Cary Groner. Then Dave recommends fun boardgames to play with your friends and family this holiday season. Links A Lively Midwinter Murder by Katy Watson The Dead of Winter by Nicola Upson The Way by Cary Groner Sky Team dice game — how-to video Harmonies board game — how-to video Flip 7 card game — how-to video Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comJoin our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel.Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? 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 find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s our November tradition! This week, we’re replaying a special Thanksgiving episode of our show.====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.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 grateful 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 Transcript of this episode Sign up for our free Substack to connect with us and other lovely readers who are curious about the world. Do you enjoy our show? Do you want access to awesome bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon! Strong Sense of Place is an audience-funded endeavor, and we need your support to continue making this show. Get all the info you need right here. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about three books: Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris, The Starlets by Lee Kelly & Jennifer Thorne, and Darkly by Marisha Pessl. Then Dave makes the case for playing cozy games.Links Strange Beasts by Susan J. Morris The Starlets by Lee Kelly & Jennifer Thorne Diavola by Jennifer Thorne Darkly by Marisha Pessl Mel’s review of Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl Night Film by Marisha Pessl Steam gift cards  Tiny Glade on Steam Video: Tiny Glade Demo #1 and Demo #2 A Little to the Left on Steam — also available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S. Video: A Little to the Left Demo Oddada on Steam Video: Oddada Demo Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comJoin our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel.Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? 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 find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We'd love to hear from you! -- Take our survey at strongsenseofplace.com/survey.In this episode, we get excited about two books: the audiobook version of Rivals, written by Jilly Coooper (read by Georgia Tennant) and Big Book of Bread: 125+ Recipes for Every Baker from King Arthur Flour. Then Mel shares her extreme enthusiasm for sandwiches and The Sammies Awards. Links Rivals by Jilly Cooper(read by Georgia Tennant) King Arthur Flour Big Book of Bread: 125+ Recipes for Every Baker Podcast: How the Sandwich Consumed Britain Read: How the Sandwich Consumed Britain The art of the Ultimate Sandwich The Guardian Audio Long Read podcast The Guardian Long Read archive Sandwich Designer of the Year Awards Recap of the 2023 Sammies Meet the Chef Behind the UK’s Best Sandwich, the Smokey Roll Smokey Roll recipe Mountain Feta & Merguez Wrap by Simon Broadribb Transcript of this episode.The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.comJoin our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel.Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? 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 find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices