Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books

Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books

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

June 13, 2025 74 mins
The National Park System (NPS) is a national treasure. US National Parks represent just about every type of feature and wildlife you can imagine. And it’s not just parks: The NPS includes national monuments, memorials, scenic trails, lakeshores, battlefields, recreation areas, and more. The concept of a national park is credited to George Catlin, a 19th-century lawyer, painter, and adventurer. His travels took him all over the bur...
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Snuggled up next to Spain on the Iberian Peninsula and perched on the westernmost edge of Europe, Portugal has a long love affair with the sea. The Age of Discovery, launched in 15th-century Lisbon, carried Portuguese sailors to far-flung lands and brought sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, coffee, gold, spices, and chocolate back home. Today, the traditions of the colonies — and a Moorish invasion or two — are integrated into Portugal’s...
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In this episode, we get excited about two new books: Aftertaste: A Novel by Daria Lavelle and Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hulls. Then Mel delves into the story of New Jersey’s favorite beachy souvenir for National Taffy Day. Links Aftertaste: A Novel by Daria Lavelle Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson Butter Honey Pig Brea by Francesca Ekwuyasi Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown Lush by Rochelle Dowde...
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We’re delighted to announce that Season 7 of the Strong Sense of Place podcast kicks off on Friday, 30 May! We’ve put together an itinerary of thrilling destinations with a journey to every region of the globe. Pack your (virtual) bags for Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and two exciting destinations in the United States. (Hint: There will be incredible vistas and majestic trees involved in our visit to America.) This time, we’re als...
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In this episode, we get excited about two new books: One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune and My Friends: A Novel by Fredrik Backman. Then Dave talks about the stellar winners of the 2025 Pen America Awards. Links One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune Read an excerpt from One Golden Summer Love is Like Peanuts by Betty Bates on Internet Archive Every Summer After by Carley Fortune My Friends: A Novel by Fredrik Backma...
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In this episode, we get excited about two new books: The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig and I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney. Then Dave talks about the stellar winners of the 2025 Pen America Awards. Links The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig Invasive by Chuck Wendig I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney Truth in Advertising by John Kenney Writer’s Digest interview with John Kenney T...
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In this episode, we get excited about two new books: Exit Zero: Stories by Marie-Helene Bertino and The Pretender: A Novel by Jo Harkin. Then Mel talks about the remarkable digital library fighting global censorship. Links Exit Zero: Stories by Marie-Helene Bertino 2 A.M. at the Cat’s Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino — hear Mel talk about it on our Pennsylvania episode Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino — hear Mel talk about ...
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In this episode, we get excited about two new books: Perspective(s): A Novel by Laurent Binet and The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer. Then Dave shares the app that’s decoding nature’s secrets in his favorite park. Links Perspective(s): A Novel by Laurent Binet The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer HHhH by Laurent Binet — hear Mel talk about it on our Prague podcast episode The Black House by Peter May — hear Mel talk abo...
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We have a slew of new listeners — hello, new book friends! — so we’re sharing this episode from 2020 in which we answered questions about how we choose the books we read for the show, whether or not we really love everything we recommend, how we met, previous jobs, and other behind-the-scenes info. Hope you enjoy the peek into our lives and work! Sign up for our free Substack to connect with us and other lovely readers who are cur...
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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. 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...
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In this episode, we get excited about fun new books: The Expert of Subtle Revisions by Kirsten Menger-Anderson and On Air: The Triumph and Tumult of NPR by Steve Oney. Then Dave recommends a tranquil dark sky festival. Links The Expert of Subtle Revisions by Kirsten Menger-Anderson On Air: The Triumph and Tumult of NPR by Steve Oney The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley Prague Spring by Simon Mawer Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival W...
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In this episode, we get excited about fun new books: The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue and The Antidote by Karen Russell. Then Mel explains why you should give yourself a time-out on the floor. Links The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue Video: Emma Donoghue at Politics and Prose bookstore The Antidote by Karen Russell The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders Why Lyin...
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In this episode, we get excited about three new books: The Café with No Name by Robert Seethaler & Katy Derbyshire (translation) and The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami. Then Mel recommends starting the day with the new word game ‘Order Up. Links The Café with No Name by Robert Seethaler, Katy Derbyshire (translator) The Tobacconist by Robert Seethaler, Charlotte Collins (translator) The Field by Robert Seethaler, Charlotte Collins...
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In this episode, we get excited about two new books: How to Survive a Classic Crime Novel by Kate Jackson and The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune. Then Dave shares Kevin Kelly’s surprising tips for memorable travel. Links How to Survive a Classic Crime Novel by Kate Jackson Cross Examining Crime website Artist Joanna Lisowiec’s website Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson, Jay Coo...
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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 Ba...
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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. ...
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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 ...
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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 Am...
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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 Nort...
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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 Yuletid...
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