Hello there, bookworms. Long time, no see! I hope you’re all well and enjoying tons of books! I’m just now starting to get back to my growing TBR pile after not only finishing a series of five very thick books, but also a little weekend getaway. This trip was slightly spontaneous for the long weekend, but part of the itinerary is something I’ve had on my bucket list since I was about 10 years old and I finally got to check it off. Now, I get to share that with you and I’m SO excited about it!
So, with Memorial Day comes not only remembering those who died protecting our freedoms here in the U.S., but it also meant a long weekend. Early Friday morning, one of my oldest friends and I hopped in my car and took off for Boston a.k.a. Beantown, for a little R&R.. which, for us, meant lots of history, literature (for me), and exploring one of our favorite cities.
Aside from good food, shopping, trekking the streets that birthed the Revolution, reading some books before bed, and even catching up on some sleep, I also managed to find a few cool literary spots.
Stop one happened late Saturday afternoon on a walk back to the hotel to get changed for dinner after a full day of touring. My friend and I had just left King’s Chapel when I found a little Diagon Alley of sorts and a black awning sporting a sign for books. Naturally, I gravitated towards it and immediately stepped inside to shop. Commonwealth Books is an absolute treasure trove of old and new novels and antique prints, and if I had the time, I probably would’ve spent the day in there among the cluttered shelves. Instead, I left with interesting-looking copies of Wuthering Heights (I blame my After craze), and an old copy of Little Men which I don’t actually own. I told the gentleman at the register that I wished my future home would look like his store and he laughed and said he was, “glad to help” in adding to my collection.
Wuthering Heights 
Little Men 
shelfie love 
I adore a good, messy stack 
swoon 
shelves upon shelves 
quotes about literature, writing, and loving books 
Shelves that continue for ages 
Looks can be deceiving 
Commonwealth Books
After an eventful Saturday, my friend and I spent Sunday just slightly farther north before heading back to New Jersey. I could barely contain myself when I knew Concord was mere minutes away. Just a bit of a scenic drive, and I was in the neighborhood of the transcendentalists, one of my favorite literary movements that I spent hours studying in college. As we sat at one of the most delicious breakfasts I had ever eaten, I knew that I was currently dining among giants. Some, I believe, I had even found in distant branches of my family tree. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far, does it? The weather was ridiculously hot, and we did have to get on the road, so I didn’t get to visit Walden Pond, nor Emerson’s abode (the road was closed), but I have plans to go back soon and they’re both still on my list of must-sees. I did, however, get to visit a place I’ve wanted to live in since I saw it depicted on screen back in 1994 when I was just 9 years old. Twenty-five years after watching Little Women for the first time, and having since read the book at least twice, I had finally made it to Orchard House!
There weren’t any pictures allowed during the tour, but I was honestly fine with that. I got to just spend time listening to the guide and being present within the walls of a house that still has so much spirit even though its lively owners have long since departed. Once sheltered among 80% of the original Alcott family possessions including Louisa’s (Jo’s) real writing desk and books, Anna (Meg’s) real wedding dress, Elizabeth (Lizzie/Beth’s) real piano (it actually has another name starting with ‘M’ that I can’t remember for the life of me), and Abigail/May (Amy’s) wall sketches and oil paintings, I couldn’t help but feel like I was at home with the beloved March family I had grown up loving.
I couldn’t help but stroll through the gift shop wanting everything they had, but I left with yet another copy of Little Women I’ve had my eye on for awhile, but couldn’t ever seem to find at my local Barnes & Noble. We spent over an hour here learning about the house, its origins, and the impact the Alcott family and their famous neighbors like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson had on Concord and literature in general. Thinking back on it now, I still get teary-eyed.
It’s just so pretty 
Sitting on the porch of Orchard House with my latest copy of Little Women 
the Little Women Garden 
Mr. Alcott’s school house or meeting place to discuss education and philosophy 
The home of Little Women 
The Colonial Inn where Thoreau used to rent a room while he was studying at Harvard 
Orchard House
Needless to say, it was a short but wonderful stay in Boston, even if Ryan Reynolds was filming a movie a block from my hotel and the closed streets caused me to detour every now and again.
I can’t stress enough that if you’re a lover of literature, writing, history, and more, there’s plenty there to keep you busy and swooning endlessly. I’m not sure when I’ll make it back, but I know I’m already counting the days.
I’ll be back soon with more book reviews, but until then, happy reading and happy travels!
