Writing Manhattan is a new map guide, pinpointing more than 75 significant literary spots.

THE SOUTHERN LITERARY TRAIL

THE SOUTHERN LITERARY TRAIL connects southern places in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi that inspired great American writers to create classic fiction and plays. The inspiration continues. Every two years, the Trail's organizers host Trailfest, the only tri-state literary festival in the United States with free events, theatrical performances and heritage tours.

Literary Mount Vernon

* On my last day in Baltimore, I found this map in The Basilica's gift shop and unfortunately had no time to explore, but on my next trip into this city I plan on taking this tour. This is a map of authors, poets, & editors who sojourned in Baltimore's cultural hub. Look for a map called Literary Mount Vernon and get ready to walk!

Novel Destinations

Since summer is a time to travel, why not check out some literary landmarks. If you’re looking to indulge in literary adventure, you’ll find all the inspiration and information you need in Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks From Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West by Shannon Mckenna Schmidt (Author), Joni Rendon (Author), Matthew Pearl (Introduction) along with behind-the-scenes stories. Check out their website for more information and photos.   http://noveldestinations.wordpress.com/

Week Forty Six, Book Sixty

Eat, Pray, Love:

One Woman's Search for Everything Across
Italy, India and Indonesia

by Elizabeth Gilbert

Review:
Wow! This was an intelligent, funny and passionate painting of travel and love. As you are devouring each section (three in total), you cannot wait to race to the next and find yourself satisfied and glad you made the journey. The story takes place in three different cultural settings during the self discovery of a woman going through a divorce and change of life. I laughed in Italy, smiled in India and exhaled in Indonesia. I was skeptical when this became the choice for our monthly book club only because Oprah's club read this and Gilbert appeared on the show. But, I was pleasantly surprised and loved her style and language from start to finish. Here is an excerpt that is a lovely example of just how refreshing Gilbert's writing can be. Be sure to check out the video and her website below.

Anyway, by now, by the middle of November, the shy, studious Giovanni and I have become dear buddies. As for Dario—the more razzle-dazzle swinger brother of the two—I have introduced him to my adorable little Swedish friend Sofie, and how they've been sharing their evenings in Rome is another kind of Tandem Exchange altogether. But Giovanni and I, we only talk. Well, we eat and we talk. We have been eating and talking for many pleasant weeks now, sharing pizzas and gentle grammatical corrections, and tonight has been no exception. A lovely evening of new idioms and fresh mozzarella.

video: Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book
author site: http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm

Moleskine

* I have a love/hate affair with my Moleskine. See for yourself how the little black book has expanded into a city guide.

click here for the official page: http://www.moleskine.it/eng/default.htm

Tribute to Chicago

I just spent a week in Chicago and found myself in a surprising literary world among the celebration of architecture and art the city had to offer. The following posts will be a tribute to Chicago through the the world of literature. Enjoy!

Time Out Chicago

(Time Out Guides)

by Time Out

*Great book, even better weekly magazine that I purchased as soon as we landed in Chicago. I was so excited to find out that one of my favorite NYC magazines has a Chicago version. If you are interested in finding out what the city has to offer just during your stay, then look no further.

Chicago Poems

by Carl Sandburg

*I picked up a copy of this book right across the street from The Art Institute of Chicago and plan on using some poems in my classroom this Fall. Great Poet, Great City!

The Devil in the White City:

Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America

by Erik Larson

The Time Traveler's Wife

by Audrey Niffenegger

*There are some really odd tours in the Chicago area. If you like books, art or history you have a few good choices. We took the architecture boat tour on the Chicago River and it was worth every penny. The two books listed above have tours that take you to the places described in the stories settings. I have read The Devil in the White City and am now anxious to read The Time Traveler's Wife.

High Fidelity: A Novel

by Nick Hornby

*For all you music fans out there, no trip to Chicago is complete without visiting the hot music shop John Cusack worked at in the movie version of the book (Reckless Records - visit us) and the music club he went to hear Lisa Bonet perform (Welcome to Double Door). By the way there is so much Jazz and Blues being played every day of the week, you would think you were in New Orleans.

Chicago Cubs: Memorable Stories of Cubs Baseball

(Game of My Life)

by Lew Freedman

*One of the highlights of the trip was our day at Wrigley Field. The Cubs played the Diamondbacks, Boo! Even though the Cubbies lost, we had great seats ($12 standing room only) for this sold out game. It was hard to get tickets and we tried all week via phone, but were able to pull off buying some last minute tickets at the stadium box office in person. The area around the ball park is unreal! You have to check out Goose Island Brewery just a block away from the stadium for post- game drinks/grub and cool live music.

The Rise And Self-Destruction Of The Greatest Football Team In History: The Chicago Bears And Super Bowl XX

by John Mullin and John Madden

"That 1985 season was the most fun year I ever saw, not only for broadcasting, but for the whole NFL. For the country, really. . . . I mean, the whole thing was right out of central casting. . . . It was like a smorgasbord, a buffet." —from the Foreword by John Madden

*Sorry to say, but Soldier Field was closed the day we trekked out to sneak a peek. Good news, we did have a great view from our hotel and we took tons of pictures from the outside.

The Great Chicago-Style Pizza Cookbook

by Jr., Pasquale Bruno

Classic recipes for deep-dish, stuffed, thin-crust, and vegetarian variations.

*If you ever go to Chicago you have to have two types of pizza: the classic deep dish and the stuffed. I especially enjoyed Pizano's Pizza & Pasta A Chicago Italian Restaurant and Giordano's, Chicagos World Famous Stuffed Pizza which are both in the Downtown area.

Sin in the Second City:

Madams, Ministers, Playboys,
and the Battle for America's Soul

by Karen Abbott

Freelance journalist Abbott's vibrant first book probes the titillating milieu of the posh, world-famous Everleigh Club brothel that operated from 1900 to 1911 on Chicago's Near South Side.

*Although I did not see any of this type of nightlife, I thought this new release looked interesting.