In Episode 15, Christine from The Uncorked Librarian talks literary travel and books set abroad.
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Highlights
- Why Christine became a “rogue librarian.”
- Why Christine is “notorious for breaking into libraries.”
- Why it’s harder than you think to visit libraries abroad.
- Christine’s top U.S. and International literary travel destinations.
- How the Icelanders make Christmas Eve the best bookish day ever (via Iceland’s Book Flood).
- Iceland’s crazy book publishing stat.
- Christine shares an upcoming YA release (which I think is the first YA book we’ve ever had on the show!).
Christine’s Book Recommendations
Two OLD Books She Loves
- Eat, Pray, Love
by Elizabeth Gilbert | Buy from Amazon [17:12]
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson | Buy from Amazon [22:13]
Two NEW Books She Loves
- The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson | Buy from Amazon [24:22]
- My MacArthur
by Cindy Fazzi| Buy from Amazon [26:54]
One Book She Didn’t Love
- Woman at 1,000 Degrees
by Hallgrimur Helgason | Buy from Amazon
[30:33]
One Upcoming Release She’s Excited About
- The Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak by Adi Alsaid (Publication Date: April 30, 2019) | Buy from Amazon [34:07]
Other Books Mentioned
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Big Magic
- Committed
- The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson | Buy from Amazon [22:39]
- In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson | Buy from Amazon [22:39]
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed | Buy from Amazon [23:04]
- Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides | Buy from Amazon [29:20]
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (My Review) | Buy from Amazon
[33:14]
- North of Happy by Adi Alsaid | Buy from Amazon [34:34]
- Siracusa by Delia Ephron (My Review) | Buy from Amazon
[37:33]
- Do Not Become Alarmed
by Maile Meloy (My Review) | Buy from Amazon
- Tomorrow There Will Be Sun
- The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve | Buy from Amazon
Other Links
- American Library in Paris
- Iceland sights: Geysir Field, Gullfoss
- Eric Carle Museum
- Normal Rockwell Museum
- The Long Room of the Old Library at Trinity College (Dublin)
- The Book of Kells
- Iceland’s Book Flood
- 11 Inspirational Travel Writers (Christine’s blog post)
- Icelandic Novels: Books Set in Iceland (Christine’s blog post)
- Sand Hill Review Press
- Netgalley
About Christine
Instagram | Blog | Twitter | Pinterest
I am a MLIS graduate from the University of South Florida. I have a BA in English and History from Smith College. The travel bug completely took over after my year as a Fulbright Scholar in Depok, Indonesia. In Indo, I taught English at a public high school. Basically, I posed as Miss America for the year. In reality, I played a lot of Uno, read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series, and stood in front of 600 students each week, wildly gesturing and sweating. Best job and experience in my life to-date.
I hold certifications in TEFL and Youth Development. In the office-like world, I possess more than 10 years of urban program management experience. My work focused on literacy and teaching. In addition, I spent five years in the public library systems.
Today, I am a board member for a nonprofit that brings the joys of reading to families. When not promoting literacy, I parade around (more like beach down) as a pilot’s wife with four furry children in the sunshine state. Obsessions include: YA books, brewery yoga, olives, decorating my home with owl everything, caticorns, and Sicily. I have a reputation for finding breweries and wineries anywhere I go.
Next Week’s Episode
Behind the Scenes of Currently Reading Podcast with Kaytee Cobb and Meredith Monday Schwartz (airing April 24)
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Do you enjoy literary travel?
Hey Sarah,
This was SO much fun. Thank you so, so much for having me.
I’m not going to lie, I was incredibly terrified when you asked me to come on–as you know. I debated saying ‘no’ just because I was too nervous about my public speaking skills. Plus, I have the memory of a goldfish and can barely remember some of the books that I read.
BUT, you were amazingly kind and easy to chat with. I instantly forgot that we were recording. I’m so glad that I decided to participate.
I also know how ridiculously hard you work on these podcasts. There is an abundance of time that you put into doing the interview, preparing for it, and then editing. As someone who knows how long we actually conversed for, I know the awesome editing you did to make the podcast more concise for listeners. You did such a terrific job.
I love the idea of podcasts and this series. I hope you continue to thrive. Never hesitate to reach out and let me know if I can support you in any way. It was truly a pleasure. I’m honored to be a part of this. Moments like this make me so proud to be a part of the blogging community. Who knew that this rogue librarian would go small business owner.
P.S. I braved posting this podcast on my personal FB account first–I don’t really think my friends and some family members have any idea about what I do as a blogger or even traveler. This might help.
Thanks again. You really are an inspiring book blogger. If you are ever in FL, drinks on me!
Cheers,
Christine, The Uncorked Librarian
Love it! I’m impressed by Christine’s multi-faceted, lifestyle and life philosophy in general.
Aw, thanks Said! I appreciate that!
Loved this podcast. I worked with Christine when she was a public librarian. She was fun to work with and a very knowledgeable librarian. So happy she’s following her passions online. Great interview Sara and Christine. What I found interesting was some of Christine’s favorite books are also mine (Walk in the Woods, Eat, Pray, Love, Wild) and as a former children’s librarian, going to the Eric Carle Museum is on my bucket list. Thank you for an enjoyable listen!