Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books
Melissa & Dave
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
Mentioned books
Jan 21, 2020 • 46min
Ep 02 — Restaurants: Hot Stoves and Steamy Relationships
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
Jan 20, 2020 • 57min
Ep 01 — Prague: Castles and Cobblestones
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
Jan 10, 2020 • 2min
ep 0: Introducing Strong Sense of Place!
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
