If you were picking your holiday spot on the basis of its literary connections, where would you go?

San Francisco, New York, Florence, Paris, St. Petersburg?

U.S.–based company Literary Traveler caters to bibliophiles looking to travel into the world of books.

Literary tours include Montreal, (Mordecai Richler), Florence (Dante Alighieri), and London (Charles Dickens). Or meet Sick Boy on the Trainspotting tour of Leith and Edinburgh. "If it’s a really bad day Sick Boy himself will be behind the bar, serving with a snarl."

At the other end of the world, follow in the footsteps of Gauguin with exotic idylls in French Polynesia.

“Life is like a song. You have to enjoy it while it plays because you never know if it will come on again,” Paul Gauguin.

www.literarytraveler.com

Tara’s pick (Publisher)
Bringing Home the Birkin, Michael Tonello

We loved this heartfelt memoir by a New York make-up artist, which takes the reader inside the world’s most illustrious luxury brand—Hermès. From beautiful Barcelona, Tonello recounts how one simple eBay sale of an Hermès scarf sets him off on an international search for the most sought after, wait-listed arm candy of them all: The Birkin bag. Tonello plays part travel writer, part food critic and part fashionista in this genuinely pleasurable read that you’ll devour in one sitting.

Athena’s pick (Toronto editor)
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

Not exactly a frivolous beach read, but a short and thought-provoking memoir from one of the world's most celebrated authors. Through a series of reflections, Murakami reveals the impact both running and writing have had on his life.

Joy’s pick (Promotions coordinator)
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris

Having recently finished his Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, I'm immersed in Sedaris’ latest offering of personal essays, which includes the author's account of attempting to kick his nasty nicotine habit. Beware not to choke on your iced tea whilst chortling.

Sarah’s pick (Editor-in-chief)
Run by Ann Patchett

“Patchet’s style is more hammer and nails than lace and thread” starts a jacket review on this new paperback release, and if you love a brilliant writer as much as a brilliant read, Patchett’s tool kit will suit you perfectly. But if you’ve read her Truth and Beauty, I’m preaching to the choir.

Nothing spells summertime leisure better than a beach blanket and a juicy novel we can't put down. Herewith, our Top 5 Summer Reads.

Sarah's pick: The Secret Life Of A Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill
For all the times you a) stalked someone else's nanny b) had too much wine and Googled your exes c) fed your children potato chips for dinner, this funny British book vindicates: you are an angel. Find it at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Maria's pick: Maneater by Gigi Levangie Grazer
Everything I need to know about the L.A. dating scene, I learned from Maneater. Penned by the one-time wife of Hollywood uber-producer Brian Grazer, the story follows anti-hero Clarissa Alpert as she aggressively tries to bag a Mr. Rich. But in image-is-everything L.A., even the shrewd Clarissa has trouble separating the (poor) boys from the (loaded) men. Find it at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Tara's pick: Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger
Hot off the press from the gal who brought us The Devil Wears Prada comes another guilty pleasure filled with the dating dilemmas of today's twenty-something Manhattan beauties. There's plenty of hot-spot name dropping, plus we couldn't get enough of the Brazilian socialite whose "Rules" are sure to add more than a little spice to your summer escapades. Find it at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Julie's pick: Love Is Not Enough: A Smart Woman's Guide to Making (and Keeping) Money by Merryn Somerset Webb
Before Whelan heads off to York's MBA program this September, she's putting money before men. Webb's sharp and brutally honest book is as entertaining as it is understandable. Feminism, finances and chapters like "Prince Charming Isn't Coming," urge ladies to take notice of their phone bill and dismiss the "boots are an investment!" mentality. Makes cents to us. Find it at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Marianne's pick: How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo
Written by He's Just Not That Into You co-author and Sex in the City writer Liz Tuccillo, you'll laugh and cry as an ever-single gal travels the world interviewing women like herself. But don't let the boyfriend see it, he'll start to worry. Find it at www.chapters.indigo.ca

You can only read The Hungry Caterpillar so many times before you start bellyaching too.

Canadian website Enfant Terrible has just received a shipment of gorgeous Japanese kids books that aim to inspire and surprise with their unusual themes (following the journey of a tear) and unique lessons (a book about birth from the baby’s perspective).

Created by designer Katsumi Komagata, their interactive forms and pop-ups will have you intrigued too—at least until the 100th reading.

www.enfantterribleshop.com

Herewith, our top for the Pops, from $20 to $200.

5. For the danger dad, this year’s James Bond book by Brit Sebastian Faulks called Devil May Care (from $16.47 at www.chapters.indigo.ca).

4. For the fashion-forward dad, Comme des Garçons 2 Man fragrance ($108) in this great bottle exclusive in Western Canada, or Tanner leather belts (from $88) that get better with age at Roden Gray.

3. For the rad dad, some locally-made and -designed duds by Wings + Horns, like high-end hoodies ($195) and reversed twill cotton shorts ($175) at Holt Renfrew.

2. For the retro-rock dad, the new Eagles album The Long Road Out of Eden along with this month’s Rolling Stone. $19.99 (exclusively online) at Chapters.

1. For dapper dad, a gift certificate for a straight edge shave, hot towel treatment and scalp massage ($25) from retro-chic Farzad’s Barber Shop in Yaletown. #126-1208 Homer St., 604-408-0060.

Fresh off the heels of her first book, former model and denim maven Paige Adams-Geller shares her jean tips with Vitamin V:

Hang dry or air dry?
Definitely hang dry. If you put your jeans into the dryer too often the heat will blow out the lycra and they won’t have any recovery.

How often do you wash your jeans?
Every three to five wears. If they have a lot of sanding or distressing I’d suggest washing less frequently though.

Low rise or high rise?
Typically, the most ideal rise for most bodies is one and half inches bellow the bellybutton.

How many pairs do you own?
One hundred and fifty pairs, at least. My friends are dying to come over to raid my closet.

Do you remember your first pair?
I was a real girlie-girl and all I wanted to wear were sundresses and pantsuits.

What about your worst pair?
A pair of red and charcoal grey thick striped skinnies with zippers at the ankle. Hideous.

A favourite pair?
My black Paige Blue Heights skinny jeans.

Your Perfect Fit ($14.40) is available at Chapters.

Three magic words: “It’s all Rachel.” (Jennifer Garner, red carpet, the Oscars.)

When celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe’s hardcover Style A to Zoe landed on our coffee table, everyone snuck a read.

The travel chapter addresses overpackers and germ-o-phobes (Neosporin around your nostrils!) and the simple tip to always organize your outfit around your coat has lots of mileage.

There is lots of funny—head-to-toe denim is “a huge lapse of judgment” and her take on sneakers? “I’d rather light myself on fire.”

The chapter called “Lip Gloss and Hair Toss” says it all.

Style A to Zoe, from $19 at Chapters.

Forget "Cashmere Mafia" and "Lipstick Jungle," today's modern woman would do best to skip the glitzy Prada-power lunches and hit the history books.

We learned more about feminine prowess in the first few lines of Mademoiselle Boleyn than any Patricia Field-styled prime-time hit. The oeuvre tells the tale of the Boleyn sisters growing up in the French court through the eyes of the youngest and most famous sibling, Anne. Filled with racy romps, unrequited love and sisterly rivalry, author Robin Maxwell weaves an intriguing explanation of how young Anne overcomes the odds to be Queen of England.

It's the perfect pre-Valentine's Day read so you can brush up on your womanly charms and he can brush up on you!

Read more at www.robinmaxwell.com, buy online ($12.54) at www.chapters.indigo.ca

While we love browsing dust jackets of newbie authors hoping to discover the next Nicole Krauss, sometimes it’s just easier to let someone else do the discovering for you.

That’s why we love the Literature Chick blog written by a New York woman who manages to devour several books a month, posting  reviews of  enticing titles like The Woman Who is Always Tan and Has a Flat Stomach,  The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls and Grub. She even gives a nod of approval to Canada’s own Leah McLaren (The Continuity Girl) and interviews authors we might never get to meet.  

Read up at http://literaturechickarchives.blogspot.com/

Our stylishly bookish Toronto editor Athena Tsavliris offers up her hit list of good winter reads.

The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono
A touching and poignant fable about a selfless shepherd who devotes his life to planting acorns.
$8.95 at www.amazon.ca

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel threads nine stories that span topics from war to domestic discord in India and the U.S. $11.64 at www.amazon.ca

D V by Diana Vreeland
Diana Vreeland’s autobiography chronicles her 50 years of trendsetting as fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar, editor-in-chief of Vogue and creator of dozens of famous exhibits. $91.16 at www.amazon.ca

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Written as a children’s book, this classic 1943 novella (one of the 50 bestselling books of all time) about a pilot downed in the Sahara Desert is a philosophical exploration of sadness, solitude and adulthood. The restored illustrations are a charm. $10.76 at www.amazon.ca

All My Friends Are Superheroes by Andrew Kaufman
Hilarious debut novel by Canadian author Kaufman follows protagonist Tom as he navigates a world where everyone is a superhero–except for him. $14.82 at www.amazon.ca