Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books

This is a special episode of Strong Sense of Place in which we announce that we’re doing it again — we’re taking a group of readers back to Trevor Hall. In October 2025, we took over Trevor Hall — a Georgian manor house in Llangollen, Wales — with forty members of the Strong Sense of Place community. It was the best book club ever. We took walks in the countryside, talked about (so many) books, en...

Sometimes, it really does feel like Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Give us the fairy lights, colored baubles, fresh smell of pine, whipped cream-topped hot chocolate, and cookies. ALL THE COOKIES, PLEASE. One of the best things about Christmas is that it stretches and bends to fit the shape we want and need it to be. Sure, holiday traditions can punch above their weight in Decem...

In October 2025, we took over Trevor Hall — a Georgian manor house in Llangollen, Wales — with forty members of the Strong Sense of Place community. It was the best book club ever. We took walks in the countryside, talked about (so many) books, enjoyed ridiculously delicious meals, and told spooky stories by candlelight. And we made lifelong friends. In this episode, we explain where the idea came...

We recently spent three weeks in North Wales, and TBH, we left a big part of our hearts in Cymru. From the mystical borderlands to the rugged coastline and the top of Snowdon, Wales is thick with friendly sheep, genial locals, alluringly dark folklore, and natural-born storytellers. A few bits and bobs about Wales: It’s symbolized by a ferocious red dragon (and the yellow daffodil). Its lakes, riv...

We’re currently visiting Wales with bookish friends for our Readers Weekend at Trevor Hall. But since Halloween is coming, we thought you might like to revisit our previous episode devoted to Spooky Season. In this episode from 2020, we talk about the origins of Halloween monsters and the tricky laws around selling a haunted house. And we recommend a bunch of books for Halloween, including some fu...

We’re currently tucked up in a manor house in Wales with a slew of bookish friends for our Readers Weekend at Trevor Hall. Since it’s Spooky Season — aka, the best season of the year — we’re sharing our previous episode of The Library of Lost Time all about the Gothic. --- In this show, we’re excited about two books: The Murders at Fleat House by Lucinda Riley and Starter Villain by John Scalzi. T...

In no particular order, here is an incomplete list of some awesome things about Spooky Season: bats, witches, vampires, scary ghost stories, sad ghost stories, funny ghost stories, werewolves, dogs in Halloween costumes, tiny candy bars, full-size candy bars, caramel corn, bobbing for apples, a chill in the air, staying up late to watch scary movies, dressing as your alter-ego, dressing as your he...

For most people, home represents comfort, safety, maybe family. It’s the place where you can be yourself — and where you keep all your stuff. For the wealthy, the right home can mean status, reputation, and legacy, especially in the UK. For hundreds of years, the traditional English manor was more than simply a big house staffed with servants. It was a grand home situated on farmland owned by the...

There’s nothing else quite like a night at the ballpark, especially when the light and temperature hit just right. The air is soft, the crowd is genial. You’ve got a hot dog in one hand and an icy-cold drink in the other. Your only job? Sit there, take in the action, and occasionally join in a cheer or shout at the ump. Since the 1860s, baseball has been called ‘America’s pastime.’ During times of...

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 horn, a discarded red stiletto: They can all be found in a museum somewhere in the world. But exhibitions in museums are more than mere collections of...

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...

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 tw...

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...

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...

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...

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 wit...

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 Be...

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 Pe...

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 an...

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 o...

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 Skell...

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...

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 Robe...

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 Villa...

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...