Getting the flavor of ... Faulkner’s hometown, and more

Faulkner’s hometown

“There’s an old saying that Ole Miss isn’t just a school, it’s a lifestyle,” said Nancy Trejos in The Washington Post. Something similar could be said about the charming city of Oxford, where the University of Mississippi is located. “There’s a lot more to hit there than just the books.” Founded in 1835, Oxford possesses a rich musical and literary tradition. The J.D. Williams Library houses one of the world’s largest collections of materials related to the blues—including 20,000 photographs, 60,000 recordings, and B.B. King’s personal record collection. No visit to Oxford would be complete, though, without a stop at Rowan Oak, home of “native son” William Faulkner. The Nobel Prize–winning novelist’s first typewriter, among other belongings, is on permanent display. Literary pilgrims can then pick up one of his novels at Square Books, an independent bookstore that opened in 1979 and regularly hosts author readings. Contact: Oxfordcvb.com

Venice Beach’s bustle

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Abbot Kinney Boulevard has long drawn shoppers to California’s Venice Beach, said Keith Mulvihill in The New York Times. “High- and low-end stores mix easily” on the sun-filled strip. Though “the street’s spark never seems to dim,” its appearance does constantly change, as new stores and restaurants keep popping up. The past year, in particular, has brought a “fresh crop of worth-a-visit places.” Feeling like a “1970s surfer pad,” the clothing store Aviator Nation “channels old-school” Venice Beach, while Mona Moore sells designer duds, such as gladiator-style peep-toe boots by Ann Demeulemeester. Lemonade, a cheery cafe decorated in green and yellow, is a “punchy take on a grade-school cafeteria,” serving up ginger-peach lemonade and watermelon-radish salads. On the first Friday of every month, stores stay open until 10 p.m., bands play free shows, and Abbot Kinney turns into a “real street party.”

Contact: Abbotkinneyonline.com