For the new breed of vacationer who craves meaningful trips and unusual locales, the combination of reading and travel can be a heady mix—especially if you happen to be checking into Hemingway's favorite hotel in Sun Valley, or strolling about Bath's Royal Crescent while entertaining fantasies of Lizzie Bennett and her Mr. Darcy. Cue National Geographic's Novel Destinations—a new offering that guides bibliophiles to more than 500 literary sites across the United States and Europe.

From the moody, windswept moors that inspired the Brontës to the Old Courthouse immortalized by Harper Lee, the authors create a veritable life-list of must-see sites from literary history—and tell travelers how to visit on your own. The book begins with thematic chapters covering author houses and museums; literary festivals and walking tours; and hotels, bars, and restaurants. Then, in-depth explorations of author and place take readers roaming Franz Kafka's Prague, James Joyce's Dublin, Louisa May Alcott's New England, and other locales. Peppered with great reading suggestions and little-known tales of literary gossip, Novel Destinations will appeal as a unique travel guide, an attractive gift book, and the ultimate browser's delight.

• Listen to the Girlfriendology interview with the book's authors (requires Real Player)
• 320 pages
• 48 black and white illustrations
• Hardcover
• 6 1/2'' x 8 1/4''
• © 2008