“They have a ‘book butler’ at the University Arms in Cambridge,” A PR pal told me over lunch one day when she was updating me on her client list. “A ‘book butler’?! Oh my god, ” I lit up. “I would love to talk to her.”
My friend fills me in on the idea 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 at the hotel bar with a Penguin classic in one hand and a martini in the other.
I was a keen reader as a kid. I’d inhale books. I had the most vivid imagination, but also loved the accomplishment of turning the final page. At A Level and then university I found my reading-heavy courses deterred me from reading in my downtime. My relationship with reading has ebbed and flowed ever since. As an adult I’ve tried documenting on Good Reads, I have list upon list in my phone notes, I have a Kindle and I have Audible. But my relationship with books continues to fracture. In part, I blame the ‘Covid years’, in which my goal of twelve books a year (easy surely as I was stuck at home?) completely lost its way. It wasn’t long after this I joined TikTok and let’s BFFR, scrolling is probably to blame for my low attention span. I’m either reading every single day, or I won’t pick one up for months at a time. So, see a book butler? Yes, absolutely, count me in.
@lydiacotmore
A couple of months later I’m jumping on the train to Cambridge. It’s only an hour from London so it’s great staycation territory if you’re based in the capital. I’d been to Cambridge a couple of times before but that pretty architecture gets me every time. From the station it’s a twenty-minute walk to the University Arms, easy, even trundling along with my impractically-packed weekend bag (a pair of ballet flats, nice pyjamas – hotel robes should be worn over your favourite set IMO – and a couple of summer dresses. Cue ‘girl packing’ becoming a thing?).
@hattiecotmore
@hattiecotmore
The hotel itself overlooks Parker’s Piece in the city’s historic centre and makes for stunning green views in the hotel’s restaurant and some of the rooms. The hotel first opened in 1834 and has totally kept its heritage feel, like stepping into a storybook. “Apt.” I thought. Checking in I was lucky enough to be given a suite, which if your budget stretches to, wow what a treat. The suites are named after Cambridge alumni and are complete with a mini library, just to add to the main character moment. I stayed in Darwin and the books mirrored themes of biology and naturalism. There’s also Virginia which houses feminist texts, and Marlowe where you might find a shelf of playwrights. The suite was split into two with the bookshelf acting as a divider between bedroom and living space, complete with a sofa and a small desk, the ideal reading nook. I threw myself on the bed, felt like the movie-of-the-book thing to do, and Facetimed my mum because this needed to be shared, immediately.