Literary Summer

Vacation time will be upon us soon. And for those of you who cannot only afford to go on vacation but can afford some literary vacay swag here are some of my summer recommendations.

Penguin Books Deck Chair



What a perfect way to curl up pool or seaside with a book (and you will know your chair from all the others.) For those who may be able to afford the chair but not the vacay this will do just as nicely on your porch or in your garden.

Available in the following titles:
The Common Reader
A Room of Ones Own
Brighton Rock
The Big Sleep
The Horizontal Man
The Man of Property
Country Life
Man and Superman
The Big Sleep
The Garden Party

Price tag $118.04 + shipping

And what better way to remember your vacation with a camera.

Lens: 23.1mm f8
Shutter: 1/80
Film advance: Manual
Film: 110mm film (film sold separately here.)
Flash : None
Body Size: 110x31x68mm
Weight: 110g
Accessories include: Paper case, manual.

$67

As a further follow-up on my previous post of literary destinations I have a few more places I have stumbled upon.

The Spencer Hotel and Spa
Chautauqua, NY



Akawaaba Bed and Breakfast
Washington D.C.

ZORA NEALE HURSTON

Decorated in tribute to Zora Neale Hurston, this second floor guestroom faces picturesque 16th street and is decorated in bold red hues. One of the largest rooms in the house, it is furnished with a Brass King sized bed, antique writing secretary, and mirrored armoire. The front bay window allows plenty of natural light. The private bath features a 2-person Jacuzzi tub and shower.

TONI MORRISON

Nobel prize winner, 1993 for her collected works and Pulitzer Prize, 1988 for Beloved, Morrison is best noted for her “epic themes, vivid dialogue and richly detailed African American characters.” Located on the second floor, in the middle of the house, this room features a queen-sized bed, decorative fireplace, and private, shower only bath.

ROMANCE SUITE

A queen-sized 4-poster canopy bed sets the tone of this second floor guestroom decorated honoring the romantic in all of us. Situated at the rear of the home, allowing for a quite peaceful nights sleep, or quiet respite from life's hectic pace. The private ensuite bath features a couple's shower with dual showerheads.

LANGSTON HUGHES

Poet and Playwright Langston Hughes is memorialized in this 3rd floor guestroom. Decorated in deep browns and greens, this room includes a small private balcony overlooking 16th street. The second of the largest rooms in the house, guests will find a king sized bed, decorative fireplace sitting area and ensuite private bath with 2 person Jacuzzi tub and shower.

MODERN CLASSICS ROOM

Located on the 3rd floor, this guest room offers a queen sized bed with
upholstered headboard, and private shower only bath. Sleek trim decor,
hardwood floors and decorative fireplace give this room a modern feel mixed
with old world charm.

WALTER MOSLEY SUITE

Best known for his Mystery novels featuring lead character Easy Rawlings, guests who stay in this suite often feel as though they are staying in Mr. Mosley's secret writing retreat. The Mosley Suite is located on the 3rd floor and rear of the home. The room offers a queen sized bed, decorative fireplace, writing desk and private bath with couple's shower with dual showerheads.

INSPIRATION ROOM

Be inspired with this 4th floor suite. Tucked in the eves of the home, yet bright with a large skylight, neutral tone and 2 windows, this room proves to be very popular with our guests looking for a little romance or pampering. The room is furnished with a king sized iron bed and sitting alcove with 2 wing back chairs. The ensuite bath is shower only, however an antique claw-foot soaking tub is tucked in the room, and perfect for a hot bubble bath.

POETRY SUITE

Dedicated to one of your host's favorite genres, the Poetry Suite offers a library of collected favorite works. This 4th floor room, features 2 queen-sized beds, allowing comfortable sleeping accommodations for up to 4 guests. Natural light fills this room with a large window stretching almost the full width of the room. A large couch allows for a great place to catch up on your favorite book, or a pick from the room's collection.

THE WRITER'S SUITE

The Writer's Suite is a Garden level/English basement fully furnished, and private entranced efficiency apartment. The spacious main room is divided into sleeping and living quarters offering a cozy living room with a full sized leather sofa, armchair and TV with cable and DVD player.

The bright front bay window has a dining table which also provides a great work space to catch up on email. Sleeping accommodations include a king sized bed and bureau and night stands at the back of the room.

The apartment provides a galley style kitchen, with gas stove/oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, and all counter-top appliances. There is also a full bath. Breakfast and daily housekeeping are not provided with this unit. All bed and bath linens are provided. Wireless Internet is complimentary.

Reserved off street parking is available behind the home by reservation for an additional $12 per night.

Ammenities include:

• Choice of 8 guestrooms each with private bath (2 feature Jacuzzi tubs
• Home cooked hot breakfast served each morning, 8am weekdays, 9am weekends
• Complimentary WiFi
• Available reserved off street parking
• Rooms with King sized beds
• Color television with cable in each room
• Romance packages available
• Massage services can be reserved on-site
• Afternoon refreshments
• Smoke free/pet free accommodations
• We can accommodate children over 12 in the Poetry Suite
  

Rates:
Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes Suites: $190-285
Romance and Walter Mosley Suites: $165-235
Toni Morrison and Modern Classics Rooms: $150-205
Inspiration Suite: $175-235
Poetry Suite: $175-235 for 2, $30 per night for each additional guest up to 4.
Writer's Suite: $145-195

See more here

Recently Finished:
The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette
Carolly Erickson

Britain by the book: other great literary walks

Thanks to Telegraph UK

Alfred Lord Tennyson lives on not only in his poetry but in the Tennyson Trail, a 15-mile footpath on the Isle of Wight that stretches from Carisbrooke to Freshwater Bay, across lovely scenery. The last few miles run past Tennyson's monument on the downs and close to Farringford, his island home, where he wrote The Charge of the Light Brigade. Details from Isle of Wight Tourism (01983 813818 ).

The Brontë sisters have given their name to the whole area around the village of Haworth in West Yorkshire where they lived and wrote. You can visit their former home, now a museum, and then follow one of the many trails that leads from the village up to the Pennines and the moors that form the backdrop to Wuthering Heights. The tourist information centre in Haworth has maps and walk leaflets (01535 642329 ).

Samuel Taylor Coleridge spent two creative years at Nether Stowey in Somerset, often walking on the surrounding hills. The Coleridge Trail runs west from here to Porlock, crossing the Quantock Hills and parts of Exmoor; details from Taunton tourist information (01823 336344 ).

Coleridge's fellow Romantic, William Wordsworth, is most closely associated with Cumbria. A footpath through classic Lakeland scenery links two of his homes: Dove Cottage, in Grasmere, and Rydal Mount, near Ambleside. Details on www.wordsworthlakes.co.uk.

"I walked on to the cliff path again, the town behind and below waking up now so very slowly," wrote Dylan Thomas in Quite Early One Morning. New Quay on the Welsh coast lays claim to being this "cliff-perched town at the far end of Wales", and you can follow Thomas's route by climbing up to the coastal path above the town, from where there are sweeping sea views and sometimes glimpses of dolphins below. Information on www.newquay-westwales.co.uk.

ctors lead the way on Edinburgh's Literary Pub Tours, guiding you through the backstreets, courtyards and taverns of the city and giving a lively account of their influence on its writers - from Sir Walter Scott to Irvine Welsh. Book on 0800 169 7410, www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk.

The county of Hampshire has impeccable literary connections. Jane Austen ived in the village of Chawton and liked to walk across country to Farringdon, where she had friends. For details of her route, and of other literary walks in the area (including an Edward Thomas walk through Steep ), see www.easthants.gov.uk or contact Petersfield tourist information: 01730 268829.

Austen spent the last months of her life in Winchester, and is buried in the cathedral. After visiting her tomb you can walk down to the water meadows where John Keats drew inspiration for Ode to Autumn. Details from Winchester tourist information (01962 840500 ).

The 10th Daphne du Maurier Festival will be held in Fowey, Cornwall, from May 11 to May 20. Planned events include guided walks to places associated with the writer. See www.dumaurier.org from early March for details.

Recently finished:

A Briefer History of the Universe
Stephen Hawking

I was quite surprised by how many times God or a great creator was referenced in this book. Walked away from this agreeing with Einstein, to paraphrase - Politics are for the present but science is forever.

Book Worms on Vacation

Literary Walk
Central Park
New York City, New York

Located in the middle of Central Park (Mid-Park and 72nd street) you will find a garden of authors, known as literary walk includes sculptures of the following people you may find heavenly to pass by on a nice day outdoors.
William Shakespeare
Sir Walter Scott
Robert Burns
Christopher Columbus
Victor Herbert
Ludwig van Beethoven

The mall runs from 66th to 72nd streets.

For those who may find themselves in England and yearning for more book worm culture I suggest Pavement Pounders.
Currently there are three guided walks:
Coleridge & Highgate
Romantics in Hampstead
Hampstead Between the Wars

and one in preparation

Fitzrovia, a Region of the Mind

And lastly but certainly not least this site seems to be the ultimate in pay dirt for literary travels

Books you may also be interested in checking out:
Walking with William Shakespeare
In the Steps of Jane Austen
In the Steps of Thomas Hardy
Words to Walk by: Exploring Literary Brisbane
Walks in Literary Santa Fe: A Guide to Landmarks, Legends and Lore
Walks in Hemingway's Paris: A Guide To Paris For the Literary Traveler
Walking Literary London: 25 walks Through London's Literary Heritage
Literary Chicago: A Book Lover's Tour of the Windy City
A Literary Companion to Venice
Literary Trail of Greater Boston: A Tour of Sites in Boston, Cambridge and Concord
A Literary Companion to Rome: Including Ten Walking Tours
From The Lighthouse To Monk's House: A Guide to Virginia Woolf's Literary Landscapes
Literary Nashville
The Ideals Guide to Literary Places in the US
Traveling Literary America: A Complete Guide to Literary Landmarks
Storybook Travels: From Eloise's New York to Harry Potter's London, Visits 30 of the Best-Loved Landmarks in Childrens Literature
Bookstore Tourism: The Book Addicts Guide to Planning & Promoting Bookstore Road Trips For Bibliophiles and Other Bookshop Junkies
The Book Lover's Guide to Florida: Authors, Books and Literary Sites
Walks in Oscar Wilde's London

Recently finished:
Footsucker

Snap This Up

Toy cameras started in the 90s in a book shop. So this is Superheadz's way to say thanks to all book shops and book lovers. This imaginary Russian book is fitted with a camera inside it.
After taking great photos with it, you can keep it inconspicuously on your book shelf. It comes with a normal lens and a close-up lens.

Lens: 23.1mm f8
Shutter: 1/80
Film advance: Manual
Film: 110mm film (film sold separately here.)
Flash : None
Body Size: 110x31x68mm
Weight: 110g
Accessories include: Paper case, manual.

Price: AUD$70.00

To Purchase

Recently finished:
Persepolis
Persepolis 2
Marjane Satrapi

This is an auto-biographical graphic novel series about growing up in Iran during a time of war as well as traveling around Europe while trying to figure out who you are in a world when you feel you can't go home - or at least not yet.

The Other Boleyn Girl
Phillipa Gregory

I'd seen a few of her books around during the time I spent working in the back of a bookstore. The back seemed interesting enough but I never felt the full compulsion to purchase.

More than happy with this book I was not disappointed by finding that this was a series that needed to be read in a particular order. Hopefully soon I will make my way through the rest of what I am nearly certain will be a truly wonderful series.

If you have already read and any of the above books - rejoice - they will very soon be made into movies.

Do You Already Live in the Library?

Late 2007 I read the entire Series of Unfortunate Events (and loved them!) If any of you have also read them you may remember the Penultimate Peril where the Baudelaire's find themselves in Hotel Denouement. A hotel that is organized much like the Dewey Decimal System.

If this sounds like paradise to you I have found the real life equivalent.

The Library Hotel


This 60-room "boutique hotel" is located at 299 Madison Avenue (at 41st Street) appropriately close to the New York Public Library.

The Library Hotel was by Christopher Breed who is also responsible for the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, the Coq Sevire Hotel in Paris, and two estate homes owned by the (Ralph) Lauren family.

Each of ten floors is themed after a major category in the DDC. All rooms include a small collection of books for your enjoyment. Throughout the hotel may be found some 6,000 books.

Other ammenities include:

·	European Style deluxe continental breakfast buffet served every morning
·	Cappuccino, Cafe Au Lait, Espresso, Cookies, Whole Fruits served all day
·	Wine and Cheese Reception in the Reading Room every evening 5:00pm - 8:00pm
·	Selection of Local and National Newspapers
·	High speed Wireless Internet throughout the hotel
·	24 hour Computer stations with printers
·	Complimentary passes to NY Sports Club
·	DVD library of the American Film Institute’s top 100 films of the 20th Century.
·	Complimentary Cable including premium movie channels
·	Access to Reading room 24 hours a day
·	Access to Poetry Garden and Writers Den unless a special event is in session

If you're ready to put aside any reservations and make one you may visit them online at http://www.libraryhotel.com/