“They have a ‘book butler’ at the University Arms in Cambridge,” A PR pal advised me over lunch sooner or later when she was updating me on her shopper checklist. “A ‘book butler’?! Oh my god, ” I lit up. “I would love to talk to her.”
My good friend fills me in on the concept between forkfuls of spaghetti. “The book butler sits down with hotel guests so they can ask for recommendations on what to read during their stay.” I’m already picturing myself sitting on the resort bar with a Penguin basic in a single hand and a martini within the different.
I used to be a eager reader as a child. I’d inhale books. I had probably the most vivid creativeness, but in addition cherished the accomplishment of turning the ultimate web page. At A Degree after which college I discovered my reading-heavy programs deterred me from studying in my downtime. My relationship with studying has ebbed and flowed ever since. As an grownup I’ve tried documenting on Good Reads, I’ve checklist upon checklist in my cellphone notes, I’ve a Kindle and I’ve Audible. However my relationship with books continues to fracture. Partly, I blame the ‘Covid years’, through which my purpose of twelve books a yr (straightforward certainly as I used to be caught at dwelling?) utterly misplaced its method. It wasn’t lengthy after this I joined TikTok and let’s BFFR, scrolling might be accountable for my low consideration span. I’m both studying each single day, or I received’t decide one up for months at a time. So, see a e book butler? Sure, completely, depend me in.
@lydiacotmore
A few months later I’m leaping on the practice to Cambridge. It’s solely an hour from London so it is nice staycation territory in the event you’re based mostly within the capital. I’d been to Cambridge a few occasions earlier than however that fairly structure will get me each time. From the station it’s a twenty-minute stroll to the College Arms, straightforward, even trundling together with my impractically-packed weekend bag (a pair of ballet flats, good pyjamas – resort robes needs to be worn over your favorite set IMO – and a few summer season attire. Cue ‘girl packing’ changing into a factor?).
@hattiecotmore
@hattiecotmore
The resort itself overlooks Parker’s Piece within the metropolis’s historic centre and makes for gorgeous inexperienced views within the resort’s restaurant and a number of the rooms. The resort first opened in 1834 and has completely saved its heritage really feel, like stepping right into a storybook. “Apt.” I assumed. Checking in I used to be fortunate sufficient to be given a set, which in case your price range stretches to, wow what a deal with. The suites are named after Cambridge alumni and are full with a mini library, simply so as to add to the principle character second. I stayed in Darwin and the books mirrored themes of biology and naturalism. There’s additionally Virginia which homes feminist texts, and Marlowe the place you would possibly discover a shelf of playwrights. The suite was break up into two with the bookshelf appearing as a divider between bed room and dwelling house, full with a settee and a small desk, the best studying nook. I threw myself on the mattress, felt just like the movie-of-the-book factor to do, and Facetimed my mum as a result of this wanted to be shared, instantly.
