There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a good book. And travelling away from home is the perfect time to do it. Whether you’re visiting The Athenaeum for business or pleasure, spending time away from your usual routine brings with it an opportunity to indulge in a little ‘you time’. In the age of digital technology, there’s something even more magical about picking up a book and soaking up the touch, smell and sound of its pages. And that’s exactly why we’ve partnered with Pan Macmillan to launch our new Book Butler service.

“A house without books is like a room without windows.” – Horace Mann

Pan Macmillan

The book publishers, Pan Macmillan, have become synonymous with book publishing in the UK. Founded by brothers and a pair of book lovers, Daniel and Alexander Macmillan started the publishing house in Scotland in 1843. They published many of the world’s great authors, including Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Hardy and H.G. Wells. The Macmillan brothers kept publishing in the family in the generations that followed too. Harold Macmillan – Daniel Macmillan’s grandson – became Prime Minister of the UK during the 1950s and 60s, but became Chairman of the publishing house after he retired from politics. Pan Macmillan now operates in more than 70 countries worldwide.

“Books are the treasured wealth of the world.” – Henry David Thoreau

Publishing house – binding The Athenaeum

Book Butler at The Athenaeum

Our partnership with Pan Macmillan brings the world of books to guests at The Athenaeum. Each month, our Book Butler will work with Pan Macmillan to bring one of the latest books to the hotel. We’ll have several copies of the book available for guests to read free of charge. And if you haven’t finished reading it by the time you leave, you’re welcome to take it away with you and return it to The Athenaeum next time you visit.

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

Book for June: The Clockmaker’s Daughter

Our Book Butler’s book choice for June is The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton. Set near London on the banks of the River Thames in the 1860s, the book sees a group of young artists arrive at Birchwood Manor. Their plan is to spend an idyllic summer in a creative setting feeling inspired and honing their art. Yet by the end of the summer, someone has been shot and another has disappeared.

Fast forward 150 years and Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, discovers a leather satchel with a photo of a beautiful woman in Victorian clothing and an artist’s sketchbook with a drawing of an enchanting house on the bend of a river. Elodie feels compelled to find out more and becomes entwined in a story that spans time and art, murder and mystery, love and loss.

Call on our Book Butler when you visit The Athenaeum and get lost with us in the world of books!

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss