Strong Sense of Place | Travel Through Books – Details, episodes & analysis

The Central American country of Panama is like a stretched-out letter S, lying on its side to soak up the sun — with the Pacific and the Caribbean snuggling up to its curves. The capital, Panama City, in the bottom arch of the S, invites you to stroll down red-brick streets lined with lush palm trees and white colonial buildings that look like layer cakes. You can stroll along the seafront and gaze out across the Pacific — and daydream about the 17th-century pirates that sailed nearby. When you’re ready for adventure, you might hike to the top of Panama’s highest mountain — Volcán Barú — to watch the sun rise over both the Atlantic and Pacific, volunteer in Cerra Hoya National Park to study jaguars, spend the night a traditional village in the jungle with the Emberá people, or kick back at an artistic island resort. Maybe it’s more your speed to spend endless days in your bathing suit, eating fresh fish just pulled from the sea, or sipping some of the world’s best coffee. Panama has all of that and more. In this episode, we get curious about the Panama Canal, discuss the relative sobriety of dwarf sloths, and get real about what it’s like to spend time in the jungle.  Then we recommend five great books that took us to Panama on the page: Seducing the Spirits by Louise Young Born to Be Hanged: The Epic Story of the Gentlemen Pirates Who Raided the South Seas, Rescued a Princess, and Stole a Fortune by Keith Thomson Silver People: Voices From the Panama Canal by Margarita Engle Panama Fever: The Epic Story of One of the Greatest Human Achievements of All Time—the Building of the Panama Canal by Matthew Parker The World in Half by Cristina Henríquez For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes. Sign up for our free Substack to connect with us and other lovely readers who are curious about the world. Transcript of Panama: Jump Back, What’s That Sound? Do you enjoy our show? Do you want be friends with other (lovely) people who love books and travel? Please support our work on Patreon! Strong Sense of Place is an audience-funded endeavor, and we need your support to continue making this show. Get all the info you need right here. Thank you! Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio. Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we get excited about two books: The Divide: A Novel by Morgan Richter and Mina’s Matchbox by Yōko Ogawa, Stephen B. Snyder (translator). Then author Morgan Richter explains why now is a great time to read Batman comics.  Links The Divide: A Novel by Morgan Richter Mina’s Matchbox by Yōko Ogawa, Stephen B. Snyder (translator) The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa, Stephen B. Snyder (translator) Morgan Richter’s website, YouTube channel, and Twitter Nightwing Vol. 1: Leaping Into the Light by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo (illustrator) Catwoman 1: Trail of the Catwoman by Darwyn Cooke & Ed Brubaker (illustrated by Cameron Stewart, Mike Allred, Brad Rader) Transcript of this episode. The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Join our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel. Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India seems committed to being over-the-top in the best way possible. It’s colorful, noisy, crowded, vast, deeply historic, spiritual, vibrantly modern, multi-lingual, and stunningly beautiful.  Want to get loud? India is the place for you! Sure, its population of 1.4 billion people might overwhelm you with the sheer crush of humanity, but its cities have an undeniable energy once you’re acclimated. Delhi, the capital, has everything that makes travel great: ancient forts, mosques and temples, leafy parks and botanical gardens, sprawling bazaars, and bustling lanes of street food.  Feeling like a quiet retreat? India is the birthplace of yoga and meditation. You could visit Rishikesh, on the bank of the Ganges, to practice asanas in the birthplace of yoga.  India is also a fantastic place to shop for jewelry in a market, eat the best curries in the world, browse epic English-language bookstores, wander through centuries-old forts, and, of course, marvel at the Taj Mahal. In this episode, we celebrate the poet Kabir Das, talk about dolphin rights, dig into Salvador Dali’s quirks, and explore India’s Golden Triangle. Then we recommend five great books that took us to India on the page: Loot: A Novel by Tania James City of Djinns: A Year in Delhi by William Dalrymple Dishoom: Cookery Book and Highly Subjective Guide to Bombay by Shamil Thakrar, Kavi Thakrar, Naved Nasir The Last Dragoners of Bowbazar by Indra Das The Bandit Queens: A Novel by Parini Shroff For more on the books we recommend, plus the other cool stuff we talk about, visit show notes. Sign up for our free Substack to connect with us and other lovely readers who are curious about the world. Transcript of India: The Continent Masquerading as a Country Do you enjoy our show? Do you want be friends with other (lovely) people who love books and travel? Please support our work on Patreon! Strong Sense of Place is an audience-funded endeavor, and we need your support to continue making this show. Get all the info you need right here. Thank you! Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, 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. Then Mel makes her case that 'Betty Crocker's Cooky Book' is the best cookie cookbook on the planet. LINKS Murder at Black Oaks by Phillip Margolin https://bit.ly/3XlQLMz Gone But Not Forgotten by Phillip Margolin https://amzn.to/3i4OHIE Dickens and Prince: A Particular Kind of Genius by Nick Hornby https://bit.ly/3VbrEKE High Fidelity by Nick Hornby https://bit.ly/3TZ3CkL About a Boy by Nick Hornby https://bit.ly/3ETkkxJ 31 Songs by Nick Hornby https://amzn.to/3UWQLkl The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby https://amzn.to/3TYY61H The Joys of Incorporating Golden Age Cliches Into Contemporary Fiction https://bit.ly/3EvCZOB Betty Crocker's Cooky Book https://bit.ly/3Et3owA Who was Betty Crocker? https://to.pbs.org/3ETlwkH The etymology of cookie vs cooky https://bit.ly/3hTxPEu Russian Teacake recipe https://bit.ly/3OpDRZT Transcript of this episode https://bit.ly/3ExQA82 The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Do you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Bill Bryson https://amzn.to/3TEvPgI Wayward (Wanderers Book 2) by Chuck Wendig https://bit.ly/3hOcD2M A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson https://bit.ly/3Ao8f0M Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson https://bit.ly/3TLzJUX Wanderers by Chuck Wendig https://bit.ly/3EHNJem Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel https://bit.ly/3V8gq9I The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern https://bit.ly/3V9wYhv DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK German Fairy Tale Route website https://bit.ly/3hSud5C Guide to the German Fairy Tale Route https://bit.ly/3gfWcf6 Grimmwelt Museum https://bit.ly/3V23MJ6 Wilhelmshöhe Palace https://bit.ly/3EhFpAp Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe: Monument to Hercules https://bit.ly/3UKEIGT Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe: Fountains https://bit.ly/3ggZnTY Transcript of this episode https://bit.ly/3Ap0ebV The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Do you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Patreon Twitter  Instagram Facebook   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 for the Holidays' is an annual Thanksgiving tradition in our house. The film is based on a brilliant short story by Chris Radant that is, sadly, out of print. (Although you can read it online here - https://bit.ly/3hVgfzW.) Both the story and the film tell the tale of a family Thanksgiving in all of its gluttonous, annoying, loving glory. It's a celebration of affection, patience, and forgiveness. Since you can't get the story as an audiobook, Mel went into our blanket fort recording booth to read the story out loud, and then Dave worked some editing magic. Boom! We made our first homegrown 'audiobook.' We're very grateful that you've all joined us on our Strong Sense of Place reading-traveling adventures. We hope you enjoy the story! * * * * * * * * * * * Read the short story by Chris Radant on Internet Archive  https://bit.ly/3TZ8nLc Do you enjoy our show? Do you want access to awesome bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon! Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Patreon Twitter  Instagram Facebook   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Miller https://bit.ly/3E9BZiY xo Orpheus: Fifty New Myth by Kate Bernheimer https://bit.ly/3gfQqKs Circe by Madeline Miller https://bit.ly/3hRV0yV Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami https://bit.ly/3GkNUgN Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami https://bit.ly/3TMJUIO Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami https://bit.ly/3gd3kJc DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK Super Mega Lucky Box Video review - https://bit.ly/3g9sg4x Buy - https://amzn.to/3AnfyWF   So Clover Video review - https://bit.ly/3EEOSTD Buy - https://amzn.to/3tEjZIM   The Crew: Mission Deep Sea Video review - https://bit.ly/3XdopDU Buy - https://amzn.to/3hSgxYv   Transcript of this episode https://bit.ly/3EjRbdF The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Do you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Patreon Twitter  Instagram Facebook   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Hays https://bit.ly/3FINRew The Best American Short Stories 2022 by Andrew Sean Greer & Heidi Pitlor https://bit.ly/3DzPKHs Less by Andrew Sean Greer https://bit.ly/3Wvf9uw Less is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer https://bit.ly/3U5SNhU The Best American Food Writing 2022 by Sohla El-Waylly & Silvia Killingsworth https://bit.ly/3U2HruW The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022 by Jess Walter & Steph Cha https://bit.ly/3UoYKpV The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2022 by Jaime Green & Ayana Elizabeth Johnson https://bit.ly/3T2hLxf The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2022 by John Joseph Adams & Rebecca Roanhorse https://bit.ly/3Wkv8vs The Best American Essays 2022 by Robert Atwan & Alexander Chee https://bit.ly/3DTtzgR Lucinella by Lore Segal https://amzn.to/3T0j6Vm Mirror, Shoulder, Signal by Dorthe Nors,  Misha Hoekstra (translator) https://bit.ly/3fvPeCp Old in Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by Nell Painter  https://bit.ly/3Wq0aSO   DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK Read all the Dear Dorothea columns https://bit.ly/3T1xZXo The announcement of the Dear Dorothea column https://bit.ly/3zFqrCC What Should I Read Next podcast https://bit.ly/2EMgZSP Transcript of this episode https://bit.ly/3DXxUzH The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Do you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Patreon Twitter  Instagram Facebook   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 devoted to all things Inspector Gamache. BOOKS Pretty Dead Queens by Alexa Donne https://bit.ly/3U1XBEZ Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne https://amzn.to/3frZls7 Last Call at the Hotel Imperial: The Reporters Who Took on a World at War by Deborah Cohen https://bit.ly/3Uk63z8 Still Life https://bit.ly/3FGQYmV The Foulest Things https://bit.ly/3h8E7zV A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny https://bit.ly/3zEG5OK DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK Sign up for Notes from Three Pines https://bit.ly/3Ul7bSX Follow the founders of Notes from Three Pines: Elizabeth Held https://twitter.com/ElizabethHeld Aya Martin Seaver https://twitter.com/ayamseaver Transcript of this episode https://bit.ly/3U3Mpr9 The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Do you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Patreon Twitter  Instagram Facebook   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.  BOOKS Revenge of the Librarians by Tom Gauld https://bit.ly/3rW9XBW The Little Wooden Robot and the Log Princess by Tom Gauld https://bit.ly/3yFUMjY Department of Mind-Blowing Theories by Tom Gauld https://bit.ly/3VpyXPA The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy by Moiya McTier https://bit.ly/3Vqc0f7 ** DISTRACTION OF THE WEEK ** DoestheDogDie.com https://bit.ly/3rW1vmj Review on The Wildest https://bit.ly/3CyY21T Transcript of this episode https://bit.ly/3ELfXFg The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Do you enjoy our show? Want access to fun bonus content? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can follow us at: Our web site at Strong Sense of Place Patreon Twitter  Instagram Facebook   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices