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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 podcast, we explore one destination and talk about what makes that place different from everywhere else on earth. Then we recommend five books that took us to that place on the page. We‘re on a trip around the globe, one great read at a time. Please join us!
Episodes
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Let's get this straight immediately: If you want to make friends with the good people of the mountains, you'd better pronounce the name of their home the way they do. When you say Appalachia, make it sound like 'throw an apple atcha'.
This fabled region of the US includes parts of 12 states and the entirety of West Virginia. It encompasses forested peaks and deep hollers (the local name for valleys) along the Appalachian Mountains that stretch from Canada to Alabama.
Although the population is predominantly of white Scots-Irish or German descent, about 10% of the population is African-American. But circa the 1700s, it was a melting pot that blended white, Black, and Native Americans. That means there's damn good food, foot-stomping music, and a lively storytelling tradition, along with long-held wisdom about the importance of kin, living in harmony with nature, and being self-reliant.
In this episode, we discuss Appalachian folklore, celebrate the magic of Dolly Parton, listen to eerie country ballads, and daydream about banana pudding. Then we recommend five immersive books that took us to Appalachia on the page.
- The Book Woman of Troublesome by Kim Michele Richardson
- F*ckface: And Other Stories by Leah Hampton
- Victuals: An Appalachian Journey with Recipes by Ronni Lundy
- The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker
- She Walks These Hills by Sharyn McCrumb
For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2022-06-06-tasmania
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:
Friday Jun 17, 2022
Friday Jun 17, 2022
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Last Call at the Nightingale' by Katharine Schellman and 'Downton Shabby: One American's Ultimate DIY Adventure Restoring His Family's English Castle' by Hopwood DePree. Then we share details about the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø, Norway, where 6000 runners hit the course under a bright sun that never sets.
BOOKS
Last Call at the Nightingale by Katharine Schellman
https://bit.ly/3tJzj7r
Downton Shabby: One American's Ultimate DIY Adventure Restoring His Family's English Castle by Hopwood DePree
https://bit.ly/3QlAaVw
DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK
Midnight Sun Marathon
https://bit.ly/2EMohoN
Newsletter signup
https://bit.ly/3y13ycK
Midnight Sun Marathon on Instagram
https://bit.ly/3xVdlkl
The 12 Best Things to do in Tromsø
https://bit.ly/3QuQ1Bp
Polaria Arctic Aquarium
https://bit.ly/3zJIhpa
Tromsø Cable Car
https://bit.ly/3N1bDlC
SSoP Podcast Episode 28 — The Arctic: Otherworldly Beauty That Might Kill You.
https://bit.ly/3b6Yfz8
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:
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Friday Jun 10, 2022
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'The Woman in the Library' by Sulari Gentill and 'There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness: And Other Thoughts on Physics, Philosophy and the World' by Carlo Rovelli. Then we celebrate the genius of the one and only Maurice Sendak, author of 'Where the Wild Things Are.'
BOOKS
The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill
https://bit.ly/3NEZrbH
There Are Places in the World Where Rules Are Less Important Than Kindness: And Other Thoughts on Physics, Philosophy and the World by Carlo Rovelli
https://bit.ly/3xnf8wX
DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK
Maurice Sendak: On Life, Death And Children's Lit
https://n.pr/3MEZuCI
Artist Christoph Niemann illustrated a 'Fresh Air' interview with Maurice Sendak
https://bit.ly/3O87Vrq
Fresh Air Remembers Maurice Sendak
https://n.pr/3MCokU4
9 Surprising Facts About Maurice Sendak
https://bit.ly/3O4eCLd
10 Wild Facts About 'Where the Wild Things Are'
https://bit.ly/3aIB2mP
Maurice Sendak obituary from 'The Guardian'
https://bit.ly/3aTRErW
'Where the Wild Things Are' on Strong Sense of Place
https://bit.ly/3O7h7wh
Roasted Carrot Caraway Soup inspired by the book
https://bit.ly/3QfS8sH
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:
Monday Jun 06, 2022
Monday Jun 06, 2022
This might be a bit too seem cheesy, but we're going to say it anyway: This small-ish, heart-shaped island in the Southern Hemisphere has stolen our hearts. There's so much to love.
Sure, Tasmania may have started with the sinister-sounding name Van Diemen's Land. And yes, it was founded as an inescapable penal colony for the most hardened criminals in Britain.
But now, Tasmania is an epic playground for anyone who loves outdoor adventures. There are soft sand beaches for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and lazing around in the sun — perhaps at the poetically-named Bay of Fires or Wineglass Bay. The island's network of rivers means lots (and lots) of waterfalls, along with kayaking and rafting. Foodies can enjoy a leisurely drive along the Tamar Valley Wine Route dotted with inviting wineries and an exciting food scene.
But if (when!) we visit Tasmania, it will be for the animals. It's home to ridiculously cute animals like wombats, wallabies, and, yes, the Tasmanian Devil. If we're being honest, these adorable creatures might also kill you — or at least cause grave bodily harm. But truly: Cuddling up to a furry, tank-like wombat or seeing a Tasmanian Devil IRL might be worth it.
In this episode, we briefly dip into Tasmania's dark history, learn about a truly unusual museum, talk about the Roaring Forties, and mourn the loss of the Tasmanian Tiger. Then we recommend five great books that took us there on the page:
- Wildlight by Robyn Mundy
- Carnivorous Nights: On the Trail of the Tasmanian Tiger by Margaret Mittlebach & Michael Crewdson
- The Survivors by Jane Harper
- Ten Rogues: The Unlikely Story of Convict Schemers, a Stolen Brig and an Escape from Van Diemen's Land to Chile by Peter Grose
- Flames by Robbie Arnott
For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2022-06-06-tasmania
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:
Friday Jun 03, 2022
Friday Jun 03, 2022
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Hide' by Kiersten White and 'Born to Be Hanged' by Keith Thomson. Then we discuss the very soothing, compelling cooking videos on the Country Life Vlog.
BOOKS
Hide by Kiersten White
https://bookshop.org/a/1240/9780593359235
Born to Be Hanged: The Epic Story of the Gentlemen Pirates Who Raided the South Seas, Rescued a Princess, and Stole a Fortune by Keith Thomson
https://bookshop.org/a/1240/9780316703611
DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK
Watch and follow the Country Life Vlog on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIix6MklfJFywa_36iDj8Sw/featured
Meet Aziza and her family
https://blog.solostove.com/the-common-flame-country-life-in-azerbaijan/
The video for cold Okroshka Soup.
https://youtu.be/W7fvudJvDlo
And a full recipe for the soup, in case you want to make it yourself.
https://natashaskitchen.com/okroshka-recipe-russian-summer-soup/
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:
Friday May 27, 2022
Friday May 27, 2022
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Trust' by Hernan Diaz and 'How to Be Eaten' by Maria Adelmann. Then we get nostalgic for the Opening Day on the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937.
BOOKS
Trust by Hernan Diaz
https://bookshop.org/a/1240/9780593420317
How to Be Eaten by Maria Adelmann
https://bookshop.org/a/1240/9780316450843
DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK
Treat yourself to the Official Program for the Golden Gate Bridge Fiesta - https://www.goldengate.org/assets/1/6/officialprogram.pdf
Read more about the Fiesta - https://www.goldengate.org/bridge/history-research/bridge-construction/opening-fiesta-week/
Enjoy this video of the opening from British Pathé - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_sm0OHQKrg
Or this video from British Movietone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQFNVLZEFrU
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:
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
Room service. An oversized bed seemingly made of clouds. Breathtaking views through wall-sized windows. Zippy elevators. Friendly, efficient bellhops. And three magical words: Gourmet breakfast included. These are the things of which a first-rate hotel stay is made.
The idea of a place to lay your head while away from home has been around for millennia: When the Greeks and Romans developed thermal baths, they also built accommodations for visitors to spend the night after a recuperating soak.
What we would recognize as an inn became common in Europe during the Middle Ages. Rustic but homey, they provided lodging, food, and stables for horses. Fast forward to the industrialists of the 19th century, and boom! now we've got grand hotels designed to cater to guests' every whim. Laundry service? Of course. Space for entertaining? Naturally. And oh, free soap!
In this episode, we take a quick romp through hotel history and imagine what it might have been like to visit a luxurious hotel during its 20th-century heyday. Then we discuss so many books that transported us to hotels on the page. There are haunted rooms and murderous mischief, people falling in love and settling scores, history-making events and intimate drama, plus plenty of opulent furnishings and white-glove service.
Here are five of the books we recommend on the show — there are a bunch more in show notes:
- A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
- The Plaza: The Secret Life of America's Most Famous Hotel by Julie Satow
- Estoril by Dejan Tiago-Stanković
- The Hitman's Daughter by Carolyne Topdjian
- The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman
- Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elissa Friedland
For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2022-05-23-hotels
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:
Friday May 13, 2022
Friday May 13, 2022
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker and Book of Night by Holly Black. Then we are charmed by three short words: floating taco bar.
BOOKS
- The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker - https://bookshop.org/a/1240/9780358251873
- Book of Night by Holly Black - https://bookshop.org/a/1240/9781250812193
DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK
Visit the website for Lime Out, the floating taco bar - https://www.limeoutvi.com
Follow Lime Out on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/limeoutvi/
Read an article about it in 'Travel+Leisure' - https://www.travelandleisure.com/food-drink/floating-taco-bar-st-john-us-virgin-islands-caribbean
Read an article about it in 'St. John Magazine' - https://stjohnmagazine.com/lime-out-vi-st-john-floating-bar
This video will have you packing your bags and booking a flight before you can say, 'extra guac, please.' - https://youtu.be/RpEjOIuI69k
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:
Monday May 09, 2022
Monday May 09, 2022
Located in Southeast Asia, Thailand is 100-percent situated in the tropics. It's hot and humid and, sometimes, there's torrential rain. The capital city of Bangkok is a cacophony of color and humanity: traffic jams, food markets, flocks of monks in saffron-colored robes, temple spires, and gaudy neon. And all of that only enhances its appeal.
Thailand is blessed with otherwordly beauty. From the hills and forests in the north to the terraced rice fields in the central plains, it seems to embody every imaginable shade of green. But hit the coasts, and the colors explode into other rainbow colors: fuchsia flowers, aquamarine waters, red-brown rock formations, and blindingly-white sand beaches.
That vibrancy is reflected in the food (colorful, spicy), the people (friendly, Buddhist), the wildlife (diverse, majestic), and all the activities they invite you to try: hiking, cooking, snorkeling, splashing, eating, drinking, living.
In this episode, we discuss how a trip to Thailand will engage all your senses, learn about a jewelry heist for the ages, talk about a giant Buddha, and daydream about Bangkok. We also recommend five great books that transported us there on the page:
- The Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth by Veeraporn Nitiprapha
- Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright
- Thai Street Food by David Thompson
- Bangkok 8 by John Burdett
- Jasmine Nights by S.P. Somtow
For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2022-05-09-thailand
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:
Friday May 06, 2022
Friday May 06, 2022
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: Siren Queen by Nghi Vo and Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story in Music Lessons" by Jeremy Denk. Then we talk about an exhibit at the New York Public Library featuring art from a new graphic novel.
BOOKS
Siren Queen by Nghi Vo - https://bookshop.org/a/1240/9781250788832
Every Good Boy Does Fine: A Love Story in Music Lessons - https://bookshop.org/a/1240/9780812995985
DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK
Watch a quick video about the INterSECTS exhibit -https://twitter.com/nypl/status/1513951186075979776
Get more info on the New York Public Library website - https://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/intersects
Take the excellent online audio tour of the exhibit - https://www.nypl.org/events/tours/audio-guides/intersects/item/6050
Download the free coloring sheets. One of them shows butterflies in the Rose Reading Room! - https://legacynyplorg-live.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/intersects_-_peter_kuper_coloring_pages.pdf
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: