PlayOne remarkable destination. Five books we love.
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!
Created by David Humphreys and Melissa Joulwan.
Heard Strong Sense of Place on Realm yet? Join me: https://realmfm.page.link/2E7pY4wAkq7KAo7YA
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Thailand: Come for the Food, Stay for the Spiritual Enlightenment
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 s...
LoLT: A Floating Taco Bar in the Caribbean & New Books
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://booksho...
Hotels: The Liminal Space with M&Ms in the Mini-Bar
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 hot...
LoLT: Golden Gate Bridge Opening Day & New Books
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. BOOKSTrust by Hernan Diazhttps://bookshop.org/a...
LoLT: Azerbaijani Food & New Books
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. BOOKSHide by Kiersten Whitehttps:/...
Tasmania: The Heart-Shaped Island at the Edge of the World
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 ...
LoLT: Maurice Sendak’s Birthday & New Books
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 Car...
LoLT: Midnight Sun Marathon in Norway & New Books
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 deta...
Appalachia: Buttermilk Biscuits, Bluegrass, and a Big Blue Moon
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 reg...
LoLT: Typewriter Rodeo & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Woman of Light' by Kali Fajardo-Anstine and 'Ordinary Monsters' by J. M. Miro. Then we share the lowdown on the thoroughly delightful Typewriter Rodeo poets in Austin, Texas. BOOKSWoman of...
LoLT: Butler County Donut Trail & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Her Majesty's Royal Coven' by Juno Dawson and 'Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks' by Patrick Radden Keefe. Then we take a sweet virtual roadtrip along Ohio's fa...
South Africa: Nelson Mandela, the Big Five, and Sweet Melktert
Animal safaris! White sand beaches! The majesty of Table Mountain! Plus, urban penguins, world-class wine, and food with irresistible names like melktert, bunny chow, and chakalaka. There is so much about South Africa to engage your curiosity. Any co...
LoLT: Pop-Up Book Art & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'What Moves the Dead' by T. Kingfisher and 'The Mermaid of Black Conch' by Monique Roffey. Then we explore the delightfully retro world of Thomas Allen's pulp fiction art. BOOKSWhat Moves t...
LoLT: Postcards from Timbuktu & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers. Then we daydream about receiving a postcard from the ancient city of Timbuktu. BOOKS...
Museums: A Gathering of Muses, A Clutch of Curators
Museums are where we put our best stuff. An item might belong in a museum if it's rare, expensive, irreplaceable, or so ordinary and beloved it becomes extraordinary. A self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, a can of SPAM, a Romanian mud hut, a narwhal h...
LoLT: The Real ’Dirty Dancing’ Hotel (?) & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'The Half Life of Valery K' by Natasha Pulley and 'The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir' by Ingrid Rojas Contreras. Then we go retro with 'Welcome to Kutsher's,' a documentary about the ...
Hawaii: Bring a Bottle of Gin for Pele
With palm trees galore, more than 100 beaches (plus more than 100 volcanoes!), Hawaii's islands are a playground in paradise. But there's a lot more to love about the 50th state than its splash-worthy waters and lush hiking trails. Settled by sea-far...
LoLT: The Most Remote Island in the World & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Kismet' by Amina Akhtar and 'Alias Emma' by Ava Glass. Then we think about running away to Tristan da Cunha, the world's most remote inhabited island. BOOKSKismet by Amina Akhtarhttps://bi...
LoLT: Tell Us How We’re Doing!
In this very short episode, we get curious about what you think about The Library of Lost Time. We'd like to know how to make a better podcast for you. More book reviews? More Distraction of the Week? Should Mel and Dave just talk about cakes and cat...
Turkey: It’s Turkish Delight on a Moonlit Night
Perched where East meets West, Turkey was once a stopover on the Silk Road, connecting the cultures of Europe and the Balkans to exotic Eastern locales. That explains why its history has as many layers as a piece of baklava. The invaders are a greate...
LoLT: Shetland Series and New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Portrait of an Unknown Woman' by Daniel Silva and 'A Dreadful Splendor' by B.R. Myers. Then Mel explains why she's smitten with Detective Inspector Jimmy Pérez and the Shetland TV series, ...
Atlantic Canada: For There Blow Some Cold Nor’westers on the Banks of Newfoundland
Close your eyes and imagine it: Craggy coastlines with the rumble of crashing surf, sand dunes shaped by the wind off the Atlantic, maybe a lonely lighthouse, and lots of green. The air is bracing, carrying the scent of pine and the sea. Atlantic Can...
LoLT: Newfoundland Screech & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'these are the words' by Nikita Gill and 'Daisy Darker' by Alice Feeney. Then Dave explains the delightful tradition of newcomers to Newfoundland being ScreechedIn. BOOKSthese are the words...
LoLT: Beautiful Street Art by NeSpoon & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Killers of a Certain Age' by Deanna Raybourn and 'Fairy Tale' by Stephen King. Then Mel takes us around Europe with the Polish street artist Nespoon. BOOKS Killers of a Certain Age by Dea...
Secret Passages: Down the Rabbit Hole
Secret corridors, hidden rooms, and trapdoors are the stuff of adventure and romance. Egyptian pyramids riddled with underground chambers and booby traps. An English country house with a priest hole and a trick bookcase. A speakeasy with a sliding pa...
LoLT: Traveling with Sleep Stories & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Ten Things I Hate About Me' by Joe Tracini and 'Thistlefoot' by Gennarose Nethercott. Then Mel explains how the Sleep Stories in the Calm app have taken her on adventures around the world....
LoLT: Hugo Award Winners & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'Duran Duran: Careless Memories' by Denis O'Regan and 'The Slow Road to Tehran: A Revelatory Bike Ride Through Europe and the Middle East' by Rebecca Lowe. Then Dave highlights three books ...
Italy: A Bottle of Red, the Tuscan Sun, and Il Dolce Far Niente
Do you ever feel like Italy is just showing off just a bit? It's literally got the best of both worlds, surrounded by the sea and graced with mountains (hello, Italian Alps, Dolomites, and Apennines), woodlands, and hills, including the famous seven ...
LoLT: Rebecca The Musical & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new book releases: 'The Most Likely Club' by Elyssa Friedland and 'The English Understand Wool' by Helen DeWitt. Then Mel tells the twisty story of 'Rebecca The Musical' on Broadway. BOOKS The Most Likely Cl...
LoLT: San Marino & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two books, one backlist and one new: 'Wakenhyrst' by Michelle Paver and 'This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You' by Susan Rogers. Then Dave shares three reasons to put the tiny countr...
LoLT: The Island Walk on PEI & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'The Sleeping Car Porter' by Suzette Mayr and 'Such Sharp Teeth' by Rachel Harrison. Then Dave explains why we should all book a trip asap to Prince Edward Island to explore The Island Walk. BOOKS...
LoLT: Nun Cookies in Spain & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'The Whalebone Theatre' by Joanna Quinn and 'The Hero of This Book' by Elizabeth McCracken. Then Mel shares her enthusiasm for cookies made by cloistered nuns in Spain. BOOKS The Whalebone Theatr...
LoLT: A Helpful Movie Website & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'Revenge of the Librarians' by Tom Gauld and 'The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy' by Moiya McTier. Then Dave talks about a website that provides 'emotional spoilers' for movies and TV. ...
LoLT: Notes from Three Pines Newsletter & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'Pretty Dead Queens' by Alexa Donne and 'Last Call at the Hotel Imperial: The Reporters Who Took on a World at War' by Deborah Cohen. Then Mel explains why she thinks you'll enjoy the newsletter de...
LoLT: Bookish Advice from Dear Dorothea & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about two new books: 'The Cloisters' by Katy Hays and 'The Best American Short Stories 2022' edited by Andrew Sean Greer & Heidi Pitlor. Then Mel recommends a new bookish advice column. BOOKS The Cloisters by Katy Hay...
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 Millerhttps:/...
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 f...
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. BOOKS The Secret History of Christmas by ...
LoLT: Betty Crocker's Cooky Book & New Books
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.
LoLT: Best Books of 2022 & New Books
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 resource for finding the best books of the year.
LoLT: The Big Read Book Club & New Books
In this episode, we get excited about 'The Family Game' by Catherine Steadman and 'The Explorer's Library: Books That Inspire Wonder' by Atlas Obscura.
LoLT: New Year's Eve Poems & New Books
We get excited about two books: 'The Snow Ball' by Brigid Brophy and 'Nine Liars' by Maureen Johnson.
LoLT: The Extraordinary Attorney Woo & Two Books
We get excited about two books: 'The Bandit Queens' by Parini Shroff and 'Project Hail Mary' by Andy Weir.
LoLT: Realm Podcasts & Two New Books
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.
LoLT: The Spectacle of 'RRR' & Two New Books
We get excited about 'Really Good, Actually' by Monica Heisey and 'How to Sell a Haunted House' by Grady Hendrix.
LoLT: Bad High School Analogies & Two New Books
We get excited about 'The Mitford Affair' by Marie Benedict and 'Creative ACT: A Way of Being' by Rick Rubin.
SSoP Podcast Mini-Episode — Season 5: Announcing 12 Exciting Destinations
Season 5 of the Strong Sense of Place podcast starts 06 February!
LoLT: The Currywurst Story & Two New Books
We get excited about 'Cold People' by Tom Rob Smith and 'Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life' by Dacher Keltner.
Spain: Valencia, Velázquez, and Vermouth
We get all dreamy-eyed about everything that makes Spain a fantastic place to visit.
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