Every other year we find ourselves heading to Massachusetts to visit my baby sister, Kristen, her wife, Elizabeth and their little one, Harper. All are lovely hosts, and we adore visiting with them, but another reason we make the long drive is the simple fact that New England is brimming with fantastic literary history. This year we arrived during unseasonably hot weather, so we took our adventures a little more slowly than usual. We traipsed about Boston for a few days then escaped the heat by heading to Cape Cod. 

While exploring Cambridge, I was delighted to find that the interior of Memorial Hall at Harvard looks and FEELS like Hogwarts. The imposing, High Victorian Gothic building captured my imagination. Freshmen actually dine in this room.

Once in Cape Cod, we cautiously investigated the unsettling Edward Gorey House. Also known as The Elephant House, this 200 year-old sea captain’s home at 8 Strawberry Lane, Yarmouth Port Common was the home of Edward Gorey. It's now a quirky museum and if you're a Gorey fan, we highly recommend the Gashlycrumb Tinies scavenger hunt.

Close up of the huge magnolia tree on the Gorey House lawn.

Cape Cod is littered with amazing local book stores. I don't think chain stores exist on the Cape. Parnassus Book Service in Yarmouth Port has been comfortably settled in the former Knowles General Store since 1959. The family run store sells new, old and some amazing rare books.

My sister Kristen found Tim's Used Books, a small hidden gem on Commercial Street in Provincetown. The clerk was incredibly warm and knowledgable.

R.M. Titcomb in East Sandwich is larger than it appears. New books, cards and gifts are on the first floor. The used and rare books are in the basement and on the second floor. The staff was friendly and we loved searching for their resident kitty.

Main Street books sits exactly where it should on Main Street in Orleans. The staff was welcoming and knew their stuff.

Our perfect vacation includes reading and tea in big cups. I read INK AND BONE (THE GREAT LIBRARY) by Rachel Caine. An intense, fast paced, alternate reality, bibliophile's dream featuring a beautifully diverse cast of strong young characters. My tea...Mighty Leaf Vanilla.

And of course a big jig saw puzzle. Kristen, Piper and I finished this Gorey puzzle in a record three days.

Oh and we can't forget the beaches. Cape Cod has gorgeous beaches. Our visit to Coastguard Beach in Eastham was perfect in every way.