“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.
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?).
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.
In and amongst my reading itinerary, I didn’t really need to leave the hotel at all. There’s a restaurant, bar, gym and spa treatment rooms. So my routine basically involved breakfast at Parker’s Tavern (waffles, always), a stroll around town, a mooch in the charity shops and people-watching by the river. Then back to the Parker’s Tavern for dinner to try their summer menu (mac and cheese, always).
Of course, top of the agenda was the library. It was curated by England’s oldest bookstore and displays hundreds of books. Whether you’re into classics, or something romantic, there’s bound to be a book here you want to pick up. It’s impressive. The resident book butler, Margherita Zeviani, met me there and told me that newer titles are added often thanks to the visiting authors that the hotel invites in for talks, or who go to the Cambridge Literary Festival which the hotel is cultural partner of. We sat down and the main thing I have to know is how on earth she came to be the University Arms’ book butler. She told me that she realised they had this beautiful library that wasn’t really being utilised as much as it could be. A shame as books are seen through so much of the hotel’s personality. And books are something she loves. Margherita grew up in a family where everyone read, and she studied classics at school and English at uni. She also said that since moving from her role on the University Arms reception to something more commercial, she misses the day-to-day interactions with guests. And so she suggested she offer guests the opportunity to chat to her about books, or simply call down to reception and ask for a recommendation. And the book butler was a go.
Margherita had already picked a book for me which had been left in my room. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Set in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia at the heart of the opioid crisis. I had only got to page one before our meeting, but she told me it’s one of the best books she’s read this year. I reeled off a few of my own favourites. Nora Ephron’s Heartburn was a standout for me. Crudo by Olivia Laing. My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh. I joked that I like books where not a lot actually happens, it’s more about the characters. Margherita quickly asked me if I gravitate towards female writers. Funny, as I never realised but a lot of authors I read are women, so yes. They’re prominent in the writers she gravitates towards too, she loves the Brontë sisters and Jane Eyre is a book she recommends everyone read. I wonder if it’s because we’re more aware now of women’s stories, or more engaged in women's art in society today than we were a hundred years ago. Margherita pointed out that we didn’t always know historically if a book had been written by a woman. Just because the cover had a man’s name on, it could have been a female writer.
We go onto to discuss BookTok and whether it’s a hindrance or a positive outlet for readers. I’m on the fence. As mentioned, I blame it in part for my waning attention span, and struggle to stick with a book. I have a whole collection of videos saved, and I’ve only bought one book from them. Eileen, another Otessa Moshfegh, because a TikTokker said I would like it if I liked Saltburn. For the record, it’s nothing like Saltburn, but it is a great book. Margherita agreed that you don't always know how far you can trust the recommendations, but made the point that it makes talking about books much more accessible for people. She also shared that TikTok encouraged her to try a new genre. She had never been into fantasy but of course, ACOTOR (A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas) has been all over everyone’s FYPs and she was influenced. Whilst she didn’t rate the first one she still went on to read the whole series and her fantasy reading journey was consolidated. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a recent standout in her fantasy haul.
I asked Margherita for her tips on making reading a habit. That's what I need to know, stat. “Read everyday.” she told me. It's all about making ingraining it in your routine, but also making it something you enjoy. She starts every day reading with a coffee so it's become a ritual she loves, a part of her day just for her. But I'm relieved to hear as well that your first instinct is usually right. Just because you picked it up, doesn't mean you can't put it down. “If it's the right book, it's not a lot of effort.”
Find out more about University Arms Cambridge at UniversityArms.com.
For more from GLAMOUR UK's Associate Visuals Editor Hattie Cotmore, follow her on Instagram @hattiecotmore.
