One for the Road: Ireland’s Literary Revival

by Kelly Amabile on

I’ve already mentioned how much I love the Roaring Forties ArtPlace series, but I won’t apologize for saying it again. The latest creative guide in this fantastic alternative series is A Journey into Ireland’s Literary Revival by R. Todd Felton. Instead of focusing on the life of one artist in a particular city, this unique guide takes a look at an entire group of writers and their individual relationships with various nooks and crannies of the entire Emerald Isle.

Felton takes the authentically Irish literature of writers such as W. B. Yeats, Lady Augusta Gregory and Sean O’Casey and uses it as a tool for exploration. This historic literary travelogue takes readers to places like Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Dublin. And along the way makes visits to the cottages, castles, theaters and pubs where some of the country’s finest writers shaped a vision of Ireland. This is a nice series for armchair travelers looking to bypass logistical details, and a perfect fit for literary fans who wish to see the country from a cultural perspective.

One for the Road: Celebrate Literary London

by Kelly Amabile on

The Southbank Centre in London is gearing up for a summer full of exciting events that celebrate the city. At the forefront of the festivities that focus on Literature and the Spoken Word is the brand new London Literature Festival, a two-week collection of literature, writing and performance activities that will take place throughout the Southbank complex beginning June 29.

One of the main themes of the festival is Metropolitan Lines, which honors London as muse with readings and performances inspired by the city. A headliner event of this series will celebrate the re-opening of The Poetry Library, which has been closed during the Royal Hall renovations. The library will be showcasing an exhibition of books on the theme of London and on July 4, three poets (Sean Borodale, Tobias Hill and Iain Sinclair) will pay tribute to the city.

Dupont Circle: Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

by Kelly Amabile on

While I’ve got D.C. on my mind, it’s best I mention one of the coolest bookstores in town: Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe is probably the first indy bookstore I’ve been to where the cafe is bigger than the bookstore. Actually, the first time I visited this Dupont Circle landmark, it was a dark summer evening and we sat outside and had dinner on the restaurant side. I didn’t even know there was a bookstore on the other side.

This could mean that some folks who enter from the bookstore side are so immersed in their browsing that they don’t notice the cafe in the back…doubtful, but I guess still a possibility?! The point is, my dear readers, that regardless of which side you enter from, be sure to partake in both halves of this wonderful bookstore cafe, which recently celebrated 30 years in the biz.

Besides the bookshop and cafe, there is an adjoining bar and live music performances. I’ve heard great things about their Sunday brunch, and I can report that the generous serving of cinnamon ice cream is worth the trip alone. Do you need any more reasons to visit?

One for the Road: Berlin, Hotels & More

by Kelly Amabile on

Being a German company and all, I guess it’s only natural that TASCHEN publish its share of native titles. A few weeks ago I mentioned the hefty Spirit of Berlin. Now we’ve got the recently released Berlin, Hotels & More, the latest in Dr. Angelika Taschen’s Hotel series.

One of the special selling points of this guide series is the detailed look at specific hot spots to visit in the hotel’s neighborhood. The book features accommodation suggestions that lean towards high-end and luxury, but includes a variety of hotel, pension and serviced apartment recommendations.

Forthcoming titles in this Berlin series include Restaurants and Shops, both due out in August. This softcover series also includes books on hotels in London and Paris, but should not be confused with TASCHEN’s hardcover The Hotel Book series.

Sitka, Alaska: Michael Chabon’s Jewish Homeland

by Neil Woodburn on

One of the more unique places I learned about on my Alaskan trip but was unable to visit due to time constraints, was the town of Sitka.

I became quickly fascinated with this town of 9,000 people due to its onion domed churches and heavy Russian influence.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Michael Chabon grew fascinated with this picturesque town for another, entirely unrelated historical reason; a brief proposal to turn it (instead of Israel/Palestine) into the Jewish homeland in 1940.

Obviously this never happened, but Chabon has just published a “revisionist history” work of fiction exploring what life would be like today if it had.

“The Yiddish Policemen’s Union” is a detective story that takes place in Jewish Sitka. Judging by an interview with the author in The New York Times, the book promises to be a fascinating read coupled with a very unique perspective on a very unique Alaskan town.

If the book becomes a success, Sitka will become famous for more than just its tasty pies. And I, for one, want to visit before this happens.

(Photo: Grillmaster from Flickr)