📚 Detour Alert: Book Drop from the Road! 📚

 

Because sometimes the best journeys are the ones found between pages.

Okay travelers, we’re taking a brief detour from planes, trains, and cruise ships… and heading into the world of stories—specifically, the ones found in libraries.

I love libraries. Like, really love them. There’s something magical about stepping into a new city’s public library—it’s like getting a quiet, cozy peek into the soul of the place. Whenever we can, we make time for a library stop on our adventures. The one in Nice was modern and calm, London’s felt full of old whispers and literary charm, and Boston? Absolute classic vibes. But even when we’re not traveling, we love checking out our local library to see what’s on display and what the latest eye-catching covers are.

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And yes, I’ll admit it... I absolutely judge a book by its cover. Marketing teams, you’ve done your job—those bold titles and pretty spines do lure me in. I love when the art hints at the tone and setting of a book. A good cover gives me just enough of a tease to know if I want to dive in.

So here’s what I picked up on my most recent library run:
“The Dressmakers of London” by Julia Kelly.

I’m currently halfway through it, and oh wow—I’m hooked. Historical fiction meets family drama in the heart of wartime London. After traveling to London myself, books set there feel different now. I can picture the cobblestone streets, the bustle near Piccadilly, the understated beauty of Maida Vale. Reading about those places now brings them to life in a way that feels deeply personal.

The story follows Isabelle Shelton—who’s always found stability in her mother’s dress shop—after her mother unexpectedly passes away. She and her estranged sister, Sylvia, suddenly inherit the business together. Naturally, drama (and maybe healing?) ensues. When Izzie is conscripted into the WAAF, she’s forced to rely on Sylvia to keep the shop running. Told partly through letters, their story explores old wounds, new beginnings, and the legacy of family—all set against the rich backdrop of wartime London.

It’s giving me all the feels.

And can we talk about how books hit differently after you’ve visited their setting? I re-read “Confessions of a Shopaholic” by Sophie Kinsella after our London trip and found myself laughing out loud all over again—but this time, with visuals! Harrods! Oxford Street! I was basically living out Becky Bloomwood’s adventures without maxing out any credit cards. (Promise.)

Anyway, just a little bookish detour from the usual travel chatter. If you're ever on the road and have a little time to spare, I highly recommend finding the local library. You might leave with a great story—or five—in your suitcase.

Have you ever read a book that felt completely different after visiting the place it’s set in? Drop your favorites in the comments—we’re always on the hunt for our next read!

Happy travels, and happy reading. 🧳📖
– The Trekking Pawns