The wonder of public libraries was not lost on Jack Kerouac, who wrote gorgeously about the NYPL in his journals—which, incidentally, I read in the NYPL. And, okay, yes, he was also writing about the Boston Public Library, which is lovely too.

ON BIG CITY LIBRARIES

The two big city libraries that I’ve had occasion to frequent, the one in Boston and

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“Imagine visiting an old, indie bookshop nestled in a quiet corner of the town square. The smell of aged paper, the creak of wooden floors, and the personalised recommendations from the owner create an atmosphere that feels intimate and real. This bookshop seems authentic and personal, in contrast to a charmless chain bookstore in a commercial

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When the traveler wants a big experience, he goes to a big city to see big things. But when he wants an “ authentic” experience, he must eschew the most well-trodden places, possibly the cities themselves, to find it. He must seek out places that have not yet been touched by “tourism”, he must find the people and places that still have remoteness —... See more