travel – Alison Doherty

Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop 9: New York City

Posted on August 28, 2014August 28, 2014 by Alison Doherty in literary roadtrip

It’s almost Labor Day Weekend and my classes have started so I think this will be the last virtual road trip stop of the summer. Thank you so much to everyone who’s been reading along or writing posts themselves. Virtually we’ve been up and down the California coast, to the home of Anne of Green Gables, through Chicago, and even to Edinburgh. For the last stop I thought I’d pick New York City, where I moved about a week and a half ago. There are an unending number of literarily significant places in this city, but here are a few favorites of mine mixed with spots I hope to visit soon.

Continue reading “Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop 9: New York City” →

Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop 8: Prince Edward Island

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Alison Doherty in Guest Post, literary roadtrip

Huge thanks to Crystal for this lovely guest post. I am beyond excited to share her post with you and beyond jealous of Crystal for going to the home of Anne with an E. Enjoy!

When Alison asked me if was interested in contributing to her virtual literary road trip with a post featuring Prince Edward Island – I was over the moon. You see, I grew up just an hour away from the island of red shores and home to the magic of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beloved Anne of Green Gables, and while it’s not summer without a visit to the Island — it’s been ages since I’ve done the Anne of Green Gables experience. Continue reading “Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop 8: Prince Edward Island” →

Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop 5: The Chicagoland Area

Posted on July 10, 2014July 10, 2014 by Alison Doherty in literary roadtrip

Taking us on our next virtual stop on the blog’s literary road trip is one of my long time favorite bloggers L. Marie. I’m super excited she’s going to be breaking down the different bookish hot spots around Chicago, since one of my best friends lives in the city. Also, I can definitely echo L. Marie’s suggestions to hit up Gino’s East for deep dish and grab some Garrett’s Popcorn. So delicious! Here is L. Marie:

Hi. I’m L. Marie. My blog is El Space: The Blog of L. Marie. I was born in Chicago, which boasts such illustrious writers as Blue Balliett, Audrey Niffenegger, Sara Paretsky, Lorraine Hansberry, Samuel Park, Carol Brendler, Studs Terkel, Leon Forrest, Luis Alberto Urrea, Gwendolyn Brooks, and many others. Some weren’t born in Chicago, but they made Chicago their home. The Chicagoland area is well-known for books. Check out the Printers Row Lit Festival, which happens in June (so you just missed it!).

There is so much to see and do in this area. But since this post is about books, let’s get to those! Continue reading “Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop 5: The Chicagoland Area” →

Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop 1 1/2: Big Sur, Carmel, & Monterey

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Alison Doherty in literary roadtrip

Hi friends. If you have an extra day or so going between Los Angeles and Northern California you definitely should drive up route one (most beautiful high way in the world) and take a look at literary landmarks around Central California. I might be biased because I lived in Big Sur for almost nine months last year, but it really is a beautiful and inspirational place to be. Don’t just take my word for it. Authors like Henry Miller, Jack Kerouac, and poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti agree. Here are some don’t-miss literary spots along the way through this beautiful coast line. Continue reading “Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop 1 1/2: Big Sur, Carmel, & Monterey” →

Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop Two: Northern California

Posted on June 19, 2014June 20, 2014 by Alison Doherty in literary roadtrip

Hi everyone! My name’s Alyssa, but you can call me Book Club Babe. I live in the California Bay Area, and you can read my blog at bookclubbabe.net and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google Plus.

If you’re traveling through Northern California on a literary road trip, it’s imperative that you stop at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas. Learn about one of California’s most renowned authors right in his hometown. 2014 is an especially important year, as it marks the 75^th anniversary of “The Grapes of Wrath.” Continue reading “Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop Two: Northern California” →

Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop One: Los Angeles

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Alison Doherty in literary roadtrip

Since I went to LA last week to visit my sister, I thought I would start the blog’s virtual summer road trip there. You might think Los Angeles is all about the movies, but there is plenty of literary culture and history to experience. Many novelists like Raymond Chandler, Bret Easton Ellis, Evelyn Waugh, Bukowski, and Ray Bradbury lived and/or set novels in LA. And many literary greats like Fitzgerald, Huxley, Tennessee Williams, and Faulkner moved to the city to work for Hollywood later in their careers. Also there isn’t a better place to buy a fish taco … which can be a nice snack when you need a reading break. Continue reading “Virtual Literary Road Trip Stop One: Los Angeles” →

Help Me With My Virtual Literary Road Trip This Summer

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Alison Doherty in Uncategorized

Hi friends and readers! I am posting today to tell you about a project I want your help with this summer. I thought it would be a fun idea for everyone on the blog to go on a virtual road trip together to literary cities and landmarks across the country (or from other countries if you want … I’m all for taking Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on our road trip). I’m going to visit my sister in LA in a few weeks so I thought I would start with a post from there, but after that I’d love if some of you want to write guest posts about places to visit. It could be a place you’re visiting this summer, somewhere you travelled to before, your hometown, or a place that you’ve never been to before but have always wanted to see. Anywhere you want to write about. Continue reading “Help Me With My Virtual Literary Road Trip This Summer” →

Prague, Vienna and Budapest … and Somnus

Posted on August 3, 2013August 3, 2013 by Alison Doherty in Uncategorized

When I travel I usually keep am constantly taking notes. I want to have everything from the street names to the tablecloth colors right in case I someday write a story set in one of the places I’ve been lucky enough to visit.

On my recent trip, with my father, his wife, and my sister, I did not take these kinds of notes. You might think that I’m going say that I didn’t do this because I was finally able to travel in the moment or I was too busy enjoying family time. Or you might think that I was too tired. To be honest the idea that anyone is reading this post and thinking anything is a huge presumption on my part. Continue reading “Prague, Vienna and Budapest … and Somnus” →

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith: Changing the Way I Think Of Airports Forever

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Alison Doherty in Book Reviews

I am not the kind of person who gets dressed up to go on a plane. I flew enough as a bicoastal kid to know the key to a happy plane ride is a comfy plane ride. When I was at Smith College (an all women’s school) the airport became the place to meet guys. Suddenly, instead of wearing leggings and avoiding eye contact I was supposed to wear eyeliner and be flirtatious. The goal was no longer an empty middle seat on the plane: it was a boyfriend. I resisted this trend and continued to wear my Ugg boots and unapproachable expression, but reading The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith, kind of made me regret that decision. Continue reading “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith: Changing the Way I Think Of Airports Forever” →

Books While Travelling

Posted on June 14, 2013June 14, 2013 by Alison Doherty in Uncategorized

When you go on a trip do you like to read books set in the location you are visiting? I know I do. I’ve been lucky enough to go to some great places around the world and as a consequence discover some of my favorite books. I read Nicholas and Alexandra in Russia. I read Romola in Florence. I read Ladder of Years, by Anne Tyler, while sitting on Bethany Beach and proceeded to become convinced my mother was going to abandon me there. Don’t worry. She didn’t. So now that I’m preparing for a new trip, I’m looking for new books to bring along and enhance the experience. Continue reading “Books While Travelling” →