Literary Adventures to Celebrate National Book Month
Throughout the month of October, the United States celebrates National Book Month. The changing autumnal weather creates the perfect atmosphere to curl up in a cozy corner with a good novel. Therefore, we have rounded up a host of literary-inspired experiences and adventures that can be enjoyed in various locations around the world.
Take part in Bloomsday, Ireland
Every year on 16 June, literary fans globally celebrate Bloomsday, the day depicted in James Joyce’s seminal novel Ulysses. The day takes its name from the character of Leopold Bloom, whose journey unfolds from 8 am on 16 June 1904 to the following morning. The celebration features festivals, readings, and workshops worldwide; however, the central hub for authentic events is Dublin. During this time, fans of Joyce dress in period costumes and travel to significant locations from the novel.
If you’re a fan planning to visit Ireland but cannot make the date work, don’t worry. Many key sites can be visited year-round, such as Nassau Street, where Joyce first met Nora Barnacle, his future wife and lifelong muse.
Another significant location is the Martello Tower at Sandycove, where the novel begins. The James Joyce Tower and Museum is easily accessible, about 30 minutes from the city center by train and open daily with free admission. Established in 1962 by Sylvia Beach, the museum showcases photographs, letters, documents, various editions of Joyce’s work, and even two death masks of Joyce on display.
Additionally, a bus ride of approximately 30 minutes along the coast takes you to Sandymount Strand, a beach set in two episodes of the novel. Other must-see locations include Glasnevin Cemetery, Ireland’s largest and most historically significant burial site (consider visiting the adjacent National Botanical Gardens while you’re there) and the James Joyce Centre, where visitors can see the original door of 7 Eccles St, the home of Leopold and Molly Bloom that was unfortunately demolished to make way for a private hospital.
Visit Mark Twain’s Study, Elmira, NY
In 1874, Susan and Theodore Crane gifted their brother-in-law Samuel L. Clemens, known by his pen name Mark Twain, a study in Elmira near the main house at Quarry Farm on the Chemung River Valley. It is here that Mark Twain wrote significant portions of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Life on the Mississippi, and many other works.
In 1952, the Mark Twain Study was relocated to the nearby Elmira College campus. The study welcomes visitors during the summer months with student guides on duty and can be visited by appointment in the off-season. Moreover, during July and August, the study is featured in a narrated trolley tour of historic Elmira, which includes several stops at Victorian-era homes, Dunn Field (home of the Elmira Pioneers baseball team), the Chemung Valley History Museum, the Civil War Prison Camp, and Woodlawn National Cemetery.
Enter a magical world with the Potter Trail, Edinburgh
Join your guide on a special tour through Edinburgh designed for Harry Potter fans. This hour-and-a-half donation-based tour leads guests to locations that inspired characters and scenes from the beloved series. If you prefer to explore independently, track down sites such as The Elephant House and Spoon Café, where J.K. Rowling began writing.
Nearby, Greyfriar’s Kirkyard cemetery features a gravestone with the name Tom Riddell. Additional notable locations include The Balmoral Hotel, which boasts a luxury JK Rowling Suite with a marble bust of Hermes, signed by Rowling when she completed Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows there. Also, Victoria Street and the Grassmarket Area are believed to have inspired Diagon Alley in the series.
Step inside the Oz Parlour, Fayetteville, New York
Lyman Frank Baum’s mother-in-law, Matilda Joslyn Gage, was a notable suffragist who encouraged him to write and document the stories he shared with his children. In 1900, his children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz achieved tremendous success. Baum married Maud Gage Baum in the front parlour of the Gage Home (now known as the Oz Parlour) in 1882.
L. Frank Baum’s photographs helped pave the way for the building’s 2009 rehabilitation. The house is now operated by the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation. Visitors can view a large version of Frank’s photograph of the front parlor, which shows Matilda painting. The house features a local history room, a women’s rights room, and the Ruth Potter Welcome Center, where guests are encouraged to write on the walls.
Kick the hornet’s nest with the Millennium Walking Tour, Stockholm
Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy, including The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, has captivated over 80 million readers. Consequently, the Stockholm City Museum has developed a walking tour that lets visitors follow in the footsteps of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist. The primary characters work and live in the island of Södermalm in Stockholm, and guests can experience these exact locations firsthand, beginning at Bellmansgatan, Mikael Blomkvist’s residence.
The tour continues to highlight important locations such as the Millennium editorial office and Lisbeth Salander’s apartment, showcasing additional sites mentioned throughout the books and films. Participants also learn about the history of Stockholm. These two-hour guided tours are available in English every Saturday at 11:30 am from July to September and Thursdays at 6 pm.
