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
April 18, 2025 • 12 mins
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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April 11, 2025 • 26 mins
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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April 4, 2025 • 12 mins
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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March 28, 2025 • 11 mins
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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March 21, 2025 • 11 mins
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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March 7, 2025 • 13 mins
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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February 28, 2025 • 12 mins
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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February 21, 2025 • 20 mins
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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February 14, 2025 • 14 mins
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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January 31, 2025 • 13 mins
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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January 24, 2025 • 22 mins
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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January 17, 2025 • 20 mins
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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December 13, 2024 • 19 mins
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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December 6, 2024 • 14 mins
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
...
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November 26, 2024 • 25 mins
It’s our November tradition! This week, we’re replaying a special Thanksgiving episode of our show.
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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 b...
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November 22, 2024 • 16 mins
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 Mar...
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November 15, 2024 • 19 mins
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 Arth...
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November 8, 2024 • 67 mins
Hello! Please take our end-of-the-season survey at http://strongsenseofplace.com/survey! We'd love to hear from you.
Seattle is a mashup of water and mountains — it just might be the ultimate outdoor playground. If you want to go hiking, camping, boating, biking, or meander in a beautiful garden, Seattle is a fantastic place to do all of that.
It can also claim a vast realm of ‘firsts’ in music, architecture, politics, and literatu...
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November 1, 2024 • 16 mins
In this episode, we get excited about two books: The Absinthe Forger by Evan Rail and The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen. Then our guest Evan Rail shares his enthusiasm for fountain pens and special inks.
Links
The Absinthe Forger: A True Story of Deception, Betrayal, and the World’s Most Dangerous Spirit by Evan Rail
The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen
Evan Rail’s website and Ins...
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October 25, 2024 • 72 mins
Graveyards, cemeteries, ossuaries, and crypts — all places of reverence where the living can pay their respects to those who’ve crossed over before us.
But that wasn’t always the case.
In the Middle Ages, graveyards were far more raucous, home to fairs, markets, and even grazing cattle. In the 19th century, some cemeteries were the place to see and be seen, possibly with a well-stocked picnic basket in tow.
In 1860, The Green-Wood ...
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