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
October 24, 2025 • 65 mins
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 fun titles for people who want to ge...
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October 17, 2025 • 16 mins
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.
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In this show, we’re excited about two books: The Murders at Fleat House by Lucinda Riley and Starter Villain by John Scalzi. Then Mel explains what she means w...
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October 10, 2025 • 72 mins
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 hero, dressing as your monster, looki...
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September 26, 2025 • 79 mins
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 family. In addition to being a sho...
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September 12, 2025 • 76 mins
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 strife — the Civil War, the Great...
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August 29, 2025 • 69 mins
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 striking items. Museums are vital ...
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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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May 30, 2025 • 71 mins
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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May 23, 2025 • 20 mins
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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May 16, 2025 • 11 mins
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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May 9, 2025 • 15 mins
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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May 2, 2025 • 17 mins
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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April 25, 2025 • 15 mins
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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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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