My perfect literary getaway in NYC

Plus an ideal book club book and the problem with anticipated books lists

Hi readers!

I have been trying to attend the Aspen Words Prize Ceremony for years, and every year something has kept me from being able to make the trek to New York City for the event. Thankfully, the wonderful folks at Aspen Words have kept telling me that I’m welcome any time and when the stars aligned this year, I went for it. Because this was something I’d been dreaming of for awhile, I knew I wanted to do it right and make another of my book travel dreams come true with a stay at Library Hotel. I had literally never done this before but since I needed a suite to stay in with my mom and Louise, I reached out to Library Hotel to see if they’d be willing to offer me a discount in exchange for sharing about my experience there…and they said yes!!

Ok I need to start with something non-bookish because one of the best things about Library Hotel is the location at 41st and Madison, one block from the main branch of the New York Public Library. I’ve stayed in various parts of NYC over the years and this was the best in terms of access to everything we wanted to do. To be honest, I was a little skeptical that the location would be so great. I once chaperoned a NYC trip with high school students where we stayed in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and it was not my favorite. But just a few blocks away. this was an entirely different story. Library Hotel is within walking distance of Central Park, Rockefeller Center (there’s a McNally Jackson there now!), the Empire State Building, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Madison Square Park, and MOMA. It’s only four blocks from the Morgan Library and Museum, which is where the Prize event was held and where Louise entered full toddler mode in the middle of a Beatrix Potter exhibit. It’s a must see for readers old and young! Best for us, it was one block away from NYPL and Bryant Park, where we spent most mornings eating pastries, drinking coffee, and watching construction vehicles. There’s also a Whole Foods right on Bryant Park, which is wonderful for anyone traveling with kids. As an added bonus, because 41st Street is divided by Bryant Park, it feels like a slightly quieter street, and I loved that.

As for the hotel itself, it is so lovely!! Themed hotels have the potential to be a little too much, but that is not the case here at all. When you walk into the quaint little lobby, you’re greeted by floor to ceiling bookshelves and a wall of card catalogue drawers behind the front desk. Louise immediately asked, “Mama, this the bookstore?” And it really feels like one! The rooms are numbered in the fashion of the Dewey Decimal System and each is given a theme. Ours was 800.006 Mystery. I wasn’t sure if I should expect full-on Sherlock Holmes decor upon hearing our room assignment, but no! The theme is an indicator of the type of books you’ll find in your room and ours was stocked with everything from classic Agatha Christie novels to buzzy popcorn thrillers.

And if your room doesn’t come stocked with your favorite genre, it’s not a problem because Library Hotel also boasts a stunning Reading Room that’s open 24 hours a day and includes over 6,000 books that can be taken out by guests. The Reading Room also offers complementary coffee, tea, refreshments, granola bars, and fruit, which we took full advantage of—I think Louise probably ate 10 bananas herself during our three night stay.

The Reading Room is one lovely spot to read, but my favorite place to hangout was Bookmarks Lounge—the rooftop bar. Bookmarks offers both indoor and outdoor seating with stunning views of NYPL and a literary themes drinks menu. I tried the Tequila Mockingbird and the Pulitzer—both were excellent.

Because Library Hotel is the spot for book lovers visiting NYC, they also offer a few literary packages you can add onto your stay:

• Reading & Rosé (April through Labor Day) – Guests receive a bottle of Proverb Rosé, our signature Library Hotel tote bag, and a classic novel upon arrival

• Novel Tea (Labor Day through March) – Guests receive two packages of NovelTeas (English Breakfast Tea with literary quotes), a Library Hotel tote bag, and a classic novel upon arrival

• Guilty Pleasure Package (can be added to any reservation) – Our honorary Librarians at The Strand bookstore help curate a foot-long worth of books catered to the guests favorite genres, 2 tickets to the Morgan Library & Museum, a Library Hotel tote bag, and 2 drink tickets to our literary themed cocktail bar, Bookmarks Lounge

While this trip was discounted, I will absolutely pay full price to stay here again—my mom was also blown away saying she’s going to recommend it to any friends traveling to NYC. And if you’re looking to book, the Library Hotel team told me that January/February and July/August are when they offer their most affordable rates.

I had an incredible time on this trip, and now my new literary travel dream is to visit Library Hotel for a solo vacation and treat myself to the Guilty Pleasure Package. I envision days of reading my personal stack of books in bed, strolling to my favorite NYC bookstores and parks, and ending my evening with a visit to Bookmarks to enjoy my book with a view.

This week in books.

This week I read…

• Paradise by Abdulrazak Gurnah. To me, this book really encapsulates what I love about running my online book club. Nobel in Literature winner Abdulrazak Gurnah is an author I’ve been curious to read, but also intimidated by. Selecting Paradise for the FictionMatters Book Club was the perfect way to begin my journey into his work because my understand of the novel was infinitely enhanced by our discussion. The novel follows Yusuf whose story largely follows that of Yusuf in the Quran (Joseph in the Bible) after he’s sold to pay his family’s debts. In many ways, Yusuf’s beauty and passiveness are his most defining characteristics and yet his story is compelling, tender, and rich. I adored Gurnah’s writing style which really feels like being told a story in the best way, and I appreciated the way he explored the brink of colonialism not just with the story and setting, but through themes of commerce, language, and religion. I’m eager to read more of his work, and will likely start with Afterlives, which sounds like something of a companion novel to this earlier work. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm

Now I’m reading…

• ALL THE BOOKS THAT I WANT TO FIT INTO MY PAPERBACK SUMMER READING GUIDE AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

Links I love.

I love a big giant anticipated books list and I knew that many of the books had yet to be read, but this peek behind the curtain was still illuminating. (Lit Hub)

Eight must-read new books in translation. (Book Riot)

What Mary Shelley knew about human nature. (Atlantic)

I loved this conversation about Dolly Alderton’s Good Material. (NYT Book Review Podcast)

23 Indie presses to support after the closing of Small Distribution Press. (Electric Lit)

I’m very interested in this collection of Emily Dickinson’s letters. (NPR)

Nine great works of historical fantasy from book queen Liberty Hardy. (Book Riot)

End notes.

This week in views, listens, eats, and moments of joy.

• I had the best time in New York celebrating the power of books with the Aspen Words Prize. I was so thrilled for Isabella Hammad and hope that even more readers pick up Enter Ghost.

• If you’re looking to do a bit more shopping for Independent Bookstore Day, be sure to check out the sales at Libro.fm and the free shipping offer at Bookshop.org.

• I love it when a conversation helps me see a book in a new light. Hearing Andrew Boryga on The Stacks and Sarah’s Bookshelves allowed me to see new angles of his book Victim.

• We took Louise to the American Girl Doll store which was so fun. She was delighted and I loved the nostalgia factor.

• Lou’s current favorite book is Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb and it is wonderful to read! She keeps going around saying “I’ve had enuffalo!”

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Happy reading!

Sara