Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books

In our recent survey, we invited our audience to ask us anything, and we got 153 excellent questions in response. The queries ran the gamut from 'what's the best thing about living in Prague?' to 'how did you meet?' and 'how do you choose the books for the show?' In this mini-episode, we answer those questions and more. We give you a behind-the-scenes peek at how we decide which destinations to cover — and when — along with our (perhaps overly-complicated) criteria for selecting the books we recommend. And, due to popular demand, we divulge the travel secrets of our cat Smudge. As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On our show, we usually get curious about a destination somewhere in the world and take you with us on a virtual trip. In this mini-episode, we're getting curious about YOU. You're invited to participate in our audience survey to let us know what's working for (and what's not), and you can suggest a future destination or theme for the show. Plus, you could win $50 in books from your favorite indie bookstore! To take the survey, visit http://strongsenseofplace.com/survey For more info and the show transcript, visit http://strongsenseofplace.com/2021/03/08/podcast-mini-episode-audience-survey-2021/ As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Divided in two by political and religious differences, the isle of Ireland comprises two fabulously green entities: Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (a sovereign country). Lucky for us, delicious food, compelling stories, raucous pubs, and toe-tapping music know no boundaries. In this episode, we dig into the fraught history of The Troubles, introduce you to remarkable Irish women writers, and get real about leprechauns. Then we recommend five books that will transport you to Ireland, including a larger-than-life biography, a history of The Troubles, an atmospheric short story collection, a contemporary thriller, and a poignant historical novel set in Dublin. Books we cover include: The Pull of the Stars: A Novel by Emma Donoghue Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became American Hero by Timothy Egan The Guest List by Lucy Foley That Old Country Music: Stories by Kevin Barry For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2021-02-08-ireland As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every four years when presidential elections roll around, Pennsylvania is a big deal: It's a swing state with 20 electoral votes. But it's been a power player in politics since the beginning. During the Gilded Age of the 19th century, captains of industry including Carnegie, Schwab, Rockefeller, Heinz, and Hershey inscribed their names on institutions throughout the state. (Thank you, Milton, for the chocolate kisses!) Which brings us to food. Pennsylvania is snack food heaven! You've got your cheesesteaks and hoagies and stromboli. Funnel cake, whoopie pies, Twizzlers, Tastykakes, shoofly pie, and oh, yeah... scrapple. In this episode, we discuss the state's unusual tourist attractions, romp through its history, and name-drop some of the best-known and best-loved Pennsylvanians. Then we recommend five books we love that took us to the Keystone State on the page. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2021-01-25-pennsylvania Books we cover include: Long Bright River by Liz Moore Growing Up in Coal Country by Susan Campbell Bartoletti Ways to Hide in Winter by Sarah St.Vincent 2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino An American Childhood by Annie Dillard As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's our Podiversary! Podcastiversary? Podcastersary? Let's just call it our 1-year Podcast Anniversary. In this mini-episode, we look back at our first two seasons, share a few interesting stats, and give you a sneak preview of what's coming in Season Three, including four of our upcoming destinations. As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vietnam has mostly been defined by its tumultuous history of border scuffles, invasions, and colonialism — which does this beautiful, graceful, colorful southeast Asian country a disservice. Respect for tradition jostles up against a forward-facing attitude in Vietnam, which makes for a jumble of fascinating contrasts: the hyper-energetic urban centers of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City versus the idyllic countryside (which two-thirds of the population call home); state-mandated atheism versus a long tradition of spiritual practices; Communist government versus capitalist economy. But spend any time getting curious about Vietnam, and one thing becomes abundantly clear: family and a reverence for tradition are nearly universal. As is a passion for flavorful food that woos all the senses and an appreciation for the country's stunning natural beauty. In this episode, we delve into Vietnam's dramatic history and discuss what makes it like no other place on the planet, then we recommend books that transported us there on the page, including moving family sagas, first-person memoirs, and an ode to a perfect bowl of pho. Books we talk about include: The Eaves of Heaven: A Life in Three Wars by Andrew X. Pham The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2021-01-11-vietnam As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this mini-episode of our show, we talk about holiday traditions from around the world that we've added to our own celebrations... Our favorite Christmas cookies! The world's friendliest nutcracker collection! The Icelandic book party called Jólabókaflóðið! Lasagna! Then we share one of our favorite poems, a celebration of the winter solstice by British poet Sarah Cooper. As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Happy holidays! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 200 years since trains first started clattering on the rails, they dramatically changed industry and commerce — and inspired technological innovations that changed the world. But we like them because they're romantic and comfortable, allow us to interact with other travelers, and are the most fun way to get out of town. With the transcontinental railroads, far-flung destinations were connected for the first time. Entire continents were opened up to new trading opportunities, not to mention that people could travel farther and faster than they ever had before. The world got a bit smaller, but also far grander, and a new era in travel was born. Luxury trains like the fabled Orient Express offered the curious and the posh opportunities to see the world in opulent comfort. No wonder there are so many great stories set aboard Pullman cars and steam engines. In this episode, we briefly explore train history and discuss why train travel might just be the best mode of transportation. Then we share five books we love that capture the innovation and adventure of trains around the world. Books that we discuss include: The Lady Vanishes by Ethel Lina White The Edge by Dick Francis The Train Book: The Definitive Visual History by DK Publishing The Woman on the Orient Express by Lindsay Jayne Ashford Nothing Like It In the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869 by Stephen E. Ambrose For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-12-14-trains As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peru is South America's geographical triple-threat with beach-front desert fronting the Pacific, the Andes mountains (the second-highest range in the world), and dense Amazon rainforest. It's also astonishingly beautiful with craggy peaks, lush greenery, lakes the color of aquamarine and sapphires, and so many very (very, very) cute llamas and alpacas. It's also a mystical wonderland for travelers. There's the aerie of Machu Picchu and the wonder of the Nazca Lines carved in the desert, excursions amid the treetops of the Amazon, and the cities of Lima, Cuzco, and Arequipa, where you can visit museums by day, then dine of world-class cuisine and sip pisco sours by night. In this episode, we explore Peru's history and culture, then recommend six books that capture Peruvian magic: two memoirs that illuminate Peru's enchanted landscapes, two cookbooks that explore the culture and fusion cuisine, a detailed account of Incas vs. conquistadors, and a gorgeous novel of friendship and adventure. Books we discuss include: The Last Days Of The Incas by Kim MacQuarrie Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams The Boiling River: Adventure and Discovery in the Amazon by Andrés Ruzo The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley The Fire of Peru: Recipes and Stories from My Peruvian Kitchen by Ricardo Zarate, Jenn Garbee Ceviche: Peruvian Kitchen by Martin Morales For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-11-30-peru. As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Located on the west coast of Africa, Nigeria is the seventh most populous country in the world — and one in six Africans is Nigerian. Its megacity Lagos is the hub of commerce for the country, and it's also known for its epic nightlife, bustling street markets, influential music scene, and Nollywood, the second-largest film industry in the world (to the tune of 1500 movies per year). Most countries embody contradictions, but Nigeria takes it to extremes. There's vast wealth (thanks to its oil reserves) right next door to poverty; one-third of the population lives below the poverty line. Devout religious beliefs rub elbows with government corruption. Despite all that, or perhaps because of it, Nigerian culture is boisterous, colorful, and exuberant, shaped by both religions and tribal tradition. English is the official language, and most Nigerians also speak Nigerian Pidgin, a creole language that combines local dialects, slang, and English words. In this episode, we explore Nigeria's past and present, including the deliciously carb-centric and spicy food. Then we discuss five books that took us there on the page, including a sci-fi-noir novel, an evocative travelogue, a darkly comic story of sisterly love, a multi-generational family saga featuring Nigerian cuisine, and the tale of a village girl on a quest for an education. The books we cover include: My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria by Noo Saro-Wiwa Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi Rosewater: Book 1 of the Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel by Abi Daré For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-11-16-nigeria As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran (formerly known as Persia) is the second-largest country in the Middle East, and its culture reaches back through the millennia. About 2500 years ago, the Persian Empire stretched from Greece to India, and its impact is still felt in the world today. Persia was the world's first superpower. Its leader Cyrus the Great allowed kings to continue to rule the areas he conquered, earning him the moniker 'King of Kings' and laying the foundation for our next remarkable fact: Persia was the first multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-lingual empire. Persian leaders envisioned a world in which religion was not the basis for strife and division. So how did this society based on equality — and wildly passionate about civic improvements, art, philosophy, food, and poetry — become the theocracy we know today? That's a long and interesting story that we explore in our podcast and through the pages of five books we love that transported us to Iran on the page. Books we discuss include: Everything Sad Is Untrue: (A True Story) by Daniel Nayeri Searching for Hassan: A Journey to the Heart of Iran by Terence Ward Disoriental by Négar Djavadi The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-11-02-iran As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's no surprise that most Halloween stories delve into the dark corners and shadows of life. That premise is in the very name of the holiday. Originally known as All Hallows' Eve, it's celebrated just before All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day — two holidays meant to honor the dead. For thousands of years, people all over the world have remembered the lost with candles, rituals, costumes, and revelry. The best Halloween stories produce tingles up the back of the neck, while also, maybe, breaking one's heart just a little bit. After all, good scares and sorrow often go hand-in-ghostly-hand. In this episode, we get curious about Halloween traditions and explore the lore around classic creepy creatures., Then we recommend books that celebrate the spirit (and spirits) of Halloween, including stories for self-proclaimed scaredy-cats, titles that should come with a 'don't read this at night' warning label,' and a few in-between. Trick or treat! We also talk to horror legend Steve Bissette, illustrator of 'The Swamp Thing' and writer of both fiction and non-fiction works that'll scare the pants off you. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-10-19-halloween. Books we talked about include: Dracula by Bram Stoker The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving Pine by Francine Toon Basic Witch: Witches of Salem by Harmony Hart Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery by Deborah Howe, James Howe Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Something Wicked This Way Comes: A Novel by Ray Bradbury Small Spaces by Katherine Arden As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head south to Australia and take a sharp turn east to arrive in New Zealand. It's a landscape both magical and majestic, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Tasman Sea and southwestern Pacific. New Zealand is a fairly new country: the first people to arrive were ancestors of the Māori, between 1200 and 1300. It took another 300 years for European explorers to show up. Modern NZ balances its colonial and Māori history with three official languages (English, Māori, and NZ sign language), and a national anthem that's sung in both Māori and English. In this episode, we get curious about life in New Zealand, then recommend books that transported us there, including an essay collection, a memoir from an American woman who married a Māori, a novel about the 1860 gold rush, a tale of Māori mythology, and a fantasy novel set in Wellington. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-10-05-new-zealand Books we cover include: The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H.G. Parry Come on Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All by Christina Thompson The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera The Colour by Rose Tremain Can You Tolerate This?: Essays by Ashleigh Young As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The library is a sacred and celebratory place, filled with objects, yes — but inside those objects are imagination and possibility, heartbreak and triumph, silliness and seriousness and the whole range of human emotion and the entire history of science and art and philosophy... so far. In this episode, we discuss some of the highlights and larger-than-life personalities of library history, then recommend books we love that put the library front and center. We've got two wonderfully nerdy nonfiction books that explore bookshelves and archives, a sweeping literary cycle centered around a magical library, a historical novel with dueling timelines, and an exuberant story about a secret library. Books we cover include: The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón The Book on the Bookshelf by Henry Petroski Mr. Penumbrass 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel by Robin Sloan The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón Library: An Unquiet History by Matthew Battles The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-09-21-library. As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alaska is the 49th and largest state in the union. It was derided as Seward's Folly when the US Secretary of State bought the territory from Russia in 1867. But the joke was on critics: Decades later, both gold and oil were discovered in Alaska's pristine wilderness. The call of adventure was too much for pioneering Americans to resist. When they arrived, they met the original hardy inhabitants: native peoples who'd been hunting, fishing, and gathering there since 10,000 BCE. Native tribes had followed migrating animal herds across the land bridge that once connected Russia to Alaska. But the most noteworthy residents might be the bears, wolves, moose, eagles, whales, otters, sea lions, puffins, seals, and more that populate the state parks and — in some cases — roam city streets, reminding everyone that Alaska is equal parts danger and beauty. In this episode, we discuss the surprises of life in Alaska, then recommend books that transported us there, including a vivid memoir, two novels in which snow plays a starring role, a coming-of-age story set in the world of commercial fishing, and two books that showcase Alaskan cuisine. Books we talk about include: The Raven's Gift by Don Rearden If You Lived Here, I'd Know Your Name: News from Small-Town Alaska by Heather Lende The Whale and the Cupcake: Stories of Subsistence, Longing, and Community in Alaska by Julia O'Malley The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey The Alaskan Laundry by Brendan Jones For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-09-07-alaska. As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you daydream about Paris, whatever sparkling, romantic images you conjure are probably not too far off the mark. It is, after all, know as the City of Lights and the City of Love. The Eiffel Tower can be seen from almost everywhere and is a constant reminder that you are in Paris). The streets are lined with cafés, the tables and chairs arranged so you can sit next to your companions and look out on the people passing by. The smell of baguettes wafts in the streets in the early morning. And when the sun gets lower in the sky, burnishing the buildings with its glow, people fill the cafés, drinking wine, smoking cigarettes, and talking, while their hands gesture in the air to make a point. It is, in many ways, _just_ like the movies. In this episode, we talk about some of our favorite experiences visiting Paris and how it really does live up to its dreamy reputation. Then we discuss the books that transported us there: an insightful memoir about one lively (and typically Parisian) street, an illustrated novel about the magic of everyday life, a fictional biography of Madame Tussaud, a modern crime novel with a snappy heroine, and a confection of a story that centers around an exceptional bottle of wine. Books we talk about include: Vintage 1954 by Antoine Laurain The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick The Godmother by Hannelore Cayre The Only Street in Paris: Life on the Rue des Martyrs by Elaine Sciolino Little by Edward Carey For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-08-24-paris. As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this mini-episode, we answer a variety of questions, including how we choose the books for our show, whether or not we really love everything we recommend, how we met, previous jobs, and other behind-the-scenes info. As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this mini-episode, we share some of the results from our end-of-Season-1 audience survey, preview some of the changes we're making to the show, and announce the first four destinations for Season 2. We also discuss a few of the books we've read lately. Books mentioned in this episode: The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - https://bit.ly/2NWWUfF 30 Days of Night by Steve Niles & Ben Templesmith - https://bit.ly/3e29If6 The Labyrinth of the Spirits by Carlos Ruiz Zafón - https://bit.ly/2AzAwpC The Way Men Act - Elinor Lipman - https://bit.ly/2Z1cyNu The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - https://bit.ly/3gqGGYm Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - https://bit.ly/2D5wWUY Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - https://bit.ly/2NUc45r As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no Strong Sense of Place without you, and now we're curious about what's on your mind. Where shall we go next? What can we do better? We've put together a short survey so you can tell us just what you think. Bonus! If you provide your email address at the end of the survey, you'll be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card to the independent bookstore of your choice. Express yourself _and_ maybe win some free books! Click here to take the survey! Thank you so much! As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feats of derring-do! Amazing acrobats! Clowns both ridiculous and poignant! Majestic animals from around the world! For centuries, the circus has transported audiences to an enthralling in-between place: a version of our world where gravity seems to disappear and everything sparkles with glitter. In this episode, we go behind the greasepaint and red velvet curtains to get curious about the circus. We discuss larger-than-life characters who created the modern circus and discuss what's happening in the world of new circus. Then we share the many books that confirmed our desire to run away with the circus. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-05-11-circus You can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, with sparkling beaches, lush jungles, and mountainous forests populated by animals found nowhere else on earth. It's a beautiful place with a tough history: colonization, liberation, independence, revolution, and finally, communism. But the island itself is colorful and welcoming. The capital city of Havana is a candy-colored dreamscape of pastel buildings, curvy American cars from the 1940s and '50s, and everywhere: smiling, friendly people. The weather is hot and humid, so the rum cocktails are cold and sweet. Cigar smoke drifts out of doorways and through balcony windows. And then there's the music. Salsa and rumba and cha cha cha. Afro-Cuban jazz and mambo and timba. Guitars and maracas and bongos and cowbell. And literal dancing in the streets. In this episode, we discuss books that transported us this island nation: a suspenseful police procedural, a thrilling hour-by-hour recount of the Cuba missile crisis, a sweeping family saga and ode to storytelling, a journalistic memoir of life in modern Cuba, and a boozy murder mystery that travels back to the glamorous (and dangerous) nightclubs of the 1950s. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-04-27-cuba You can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're usually all about curiosity and fun facts and armchair travel and great books on our podcast. But in this mini-episode, we take a few minutes to talk about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and give you a brief update on how things are in our home. We're both healthy, although a bit sadder than usual. We're extending all our empathy to you and yours — and hoping with our whole hearts that you're all healthy and safe. We also want to shout out very loud thank you messages to all of the people who continue to work so that the rest of us can stay safe at home. To healthcare workers, grocery store staff, delivery people, sanitation teams, truckers, and everyone else who is making sure the services we rely on keep functioning, our deepest gratitude. And to you, thank you for listening. We're grateful to have you with us. You can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As of April 2020, Sweden is the seventh-happiest country in the world. And it's no wonder! Its residents enjoy one of the highest standards of living on the planet with low unemployment, one of the world's longest life expectancies (80.6 for men; 84.1 for women), a commitment to caring for the environment, and a strong sense of community. Ninety-one percent of Swedes agreed that they know 'someone they could rely on in a time of need.' Plus, there's ABBA. Which is all very sweet and life-affirming. But also raises the question: Why are Swedish novels so murdery?! In this episode, we discuss everything that makes Sweden one of the happiest and most liberal places on Earth. Then we share the books that transported us there: a historical novel steeped in royal intrigue, a coming-of-age story rich with atmosphere (and food), and examples of excellent Scandi noir, including a classic of the genre set in Stockholm, a twisty whodunnit in an isolated village, and a missing-persons case set in the forest during Midsommar. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at https://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-04-13-sweden You can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we armchair travel to the Windy City for a deep-dive into what makes Chicago different from every other city in America. We break the rules a little bit and discuss six books we love that explore Chicago's culture, food, and history of rabble-rousers and heroes. Chicago is a representation of everything that makes the United States the awesome and challenging country that it is. There's a tradition there of firsts — the skyscraper, the telegraph, the Twinkie — and a commitment to industry with railroads and shipping and meatpacking and teamsters. There's also a sobering history of race riots and gangsters. Daring muckrakers and corrupt politicians. Life-affirming jazz and blues musicians and baseball. Hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, and Italian beef sandwiches. And a population made up of immigrants from all over Europe that have spawned high-spirited, tough-minded native Chicagoans. We cover all of this and more in our discussion of books and life in Chicago. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-03-30-chicago You can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russia is the largest country in the world. And its culture is dominated by larger-than-life historical figures, giants of literature, and sweeping landscapes. Both intentionally and inadvertently, Russia has had a massive impact on the rest of the world. For centuries, the capital city of Moscow and former capital of St. Petersburg (a.k.a., Leningrad) have been fodder for stories of entitled tsars, idealistic revolutionaries, murderous dictators, Cold War spies, and modern political machinations. But this Slavic nation is also known for the warmth and grit of its people, its comfort food (pickles and vodka and caviar and sausages and potatoes and borscht and buttery Chicken Kiev), and the darkly moralistic fairytales of its folklore. In this episode, we discuss books that gave us a peek inside life in Russia: a threaded short story collection that spans history, two tales of WWII (during the Siege of Leningrad and a posh hotel in Moscow), a contemporary coming-of-age story, and a retelling of the legend of Koschei the Deathless, Russia's answer to Western fairytale villains. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about and info about our guest, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-03-16-russia You can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Morocco can seem like something conjured from a dream. The twisty alleys of its old-town medinas hold secrets around every corner. Its markets are infused with the aroma of spices and the lilting melodies of musicians, with jewel-colored leather and scarves and rugs as far as the eye can see. Morocco's history is just as colorful. Nomadic peoples like the Berbers and the Tuareg (a.k.a., the Blue People) were roaming and riding the Sahara desert for centuries. The cities — Tangier and Casablanca, Marrakech and Fez — were well-known havens in and around the World Wars for secret agents, ambitious businessmen, and glamorous movie stars. In this episode, we discuss books that transported us to Morocco, including two very different — but equally moving — memoirs of personal adventures; a historical novel featuring two strong heroines and a mysterious amulet; a poignant look at the fading art of Moroccan storytelling; and a contemporary thriller about a traveler's worst nightmare. We also talk Moroccan food and travel with Amanda Ponzio Mootaki, a.k.a., MarocMama, the founder of the MarocMama web site and Marrakech Food Tours. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about and info about our guest, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-03-02-morocco/ You can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Twitter Instagram Facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sea is a metaphor for everything that's important to us: for adventure and creativity and love. It's fascinated humans since the beginning of time, inspiring poets, historians, and novelists, as well as adventurers, conquerors, and pirates. In this episode, we discuss essential words and phrases associated with the sea — including an introduction to the first poet (a lady poet!) — and recomend books that made us feel the ocean breeze and smell the salt in the air. Then David chats with B.J. Porter, an American father and husband from Ohio, who sailed with his family halfway around the world in their boat the Evenstar. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about and info about our guest, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-02-17-the_sea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A rebellious national spirit, a predilection for ghost stories, an affinity for smart plaids, and an appreciation of a wee dram o' whisky — Scotland is all this and so much more. In this episode, we discuss books that swept us away to Scotland: an Edinburgh ghost story, a memoir by one of Scotland's most beloved sons, a story collection that celebrates the Scottish tradition of oral storytelling, and two books that explore the unique communities on islands in the Outer Hebrides. We also chat with Tom Hodges, the owner of one of our all-time favorite bookshops, Typewronger Books in Edinburgh. He walks through his Bohemian days in Paris, his decision to start the bookshop, his history with typewriters, and his favorite books set in Edinburgh. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about and info about our guest Tom Hodges, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-02-03-scotland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mexico is an inspired background for stories that explore the joy (and challenges) of family and the magic of everyday experiences. In this episode, we discuss two wildly different family sagas. One is set during the Mexican Revolution and infused with magical realism; the other travels back-and-forth in time from contemporary Mexico City to the 1940s and '50s. We also recommended a moving coming-of-age story set in Chicago and Mexico, a detailed history of chocolate (!), and an un-put-downable beach read. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we discuss, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-01-23-mexico/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rooted in tradition and family, the culture of Japan provides rich fodder for stories that grab hold of you and won’t let go. In this episode, we take a deep dive into WWII-era Japan with a family saga and a nonfiction manga comic — both populated by unforgettable characters, sweeping historical events, and big feelings. We’ve also got a culture guide to all things geeky, a workplace-romantic comedy about making a dictionary, and a slim novel with a mighty impact. We also chat with award-winning graphic novelist Tillie Walden about her extended stay in Japan and manga, the Japanese comics form that made her fall in love with comics. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we discuss and more on our guest Tillie Walden, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-01-22-japan/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a restaurant kitchen, the chef is the ultimate authority, a figure that can inspire fear, rebelliousness, and a cult of personality. But it's not only the kitchen boss that makes restaurants a hotbed for excellent stories. In this episode, the books we share will introduce you to relatable and loveable characters. The settings include a Chinese restaurant in Maryland, a Lebanese café in Los Angeles, the last night at a Red Lobster in Connecticut, and a fine-dining experience with an unforgettable waiter in Oslo, Norway. We also get into the nitty-gritty of restaurant life with a nonfiction book — written by an accountant (!) — that's surprisingly compelling. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we discuss, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-01-21-restaurant/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, home of the world's best beer, stunning architecture, and oh, yeah: ancient secrets. In this episode, we've got two books that transported us directly into communist territory during the Cold War, crime stories that explore the shadowy side of Prague, a fresh look at two Czech heroes of WWII, and more — all of which hit us right in our feelings. We also chat with travel writer Mark Baker. He's lived in Prague for more than 20 years and gives us the inside story on the city's bookshops, spies, and ghosts. For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about and info about our guest Mark Baker, visit show notes at http://strongsenseofplace.com/podcasts/2020-01-20-prague Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A well-told story can transport you to places you've never been. And if you enjoy books and travel, you will love our podcast Strong Sense of Place. We're Mel and Dave. Every two weeks, we get curious about one destination and discuss five great books that took us there on the page. We start with an overview of what makes that place different than anywhere else on Earth. And then we tackle a round of 'Two Truths and a Lie' to explore stories behind that place. But the heart of the show is our book recommendations. We share why we love each title — with NO SPOILERS. Each episode is a new bookish adventure. Take an imaginary trek with us through Iceland, sip Ouzo in Athens, or virtually ride the rails on an epic train adventure. The Strong Sense of Place show drops every other Monday. On Fridays, we release a mini-episode we call 'The Library of Lost Time.' We tell you about two new books we think belong on your TBR. And we share a Distraction of the Week. That's something reading- or travel-related we think will delight you. Strong Sense of Place was recommended on Book Riot and featured in Apple's Top 10 podcasts for the Arts. If you love books and travel, come with us. Listen to Strong Sense of Place on your favorite app or visit strongsenseofplace.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices