Book reviews.

[That Darn Cat]

As our minds turn to holidays, there is always a question of what books do we take with us for reading material.

So what have you read recently and would recommend as excellent holiday reading material? This would be helpful to me as I am currently stocking the new online holiday store for the new web site. I think a book section would be a good idea.

Yes already got the sound track CD to Corelli's mandolin! Plus Zorba etc in the music section!

Also what unusual stuff do you buy just before going away on your hols?

TDC

[jed.w]

I love reading on holiday, it's the only chance I get.

I've read some brilliant books over the last couple of years but can't remember any of them, apart from 'No time for Goodbyes' which was really good, even Jack read it on the boat trip to Ithaka. He did in the day.

Jed

[Denise]

"No time for goodbye" is a fantastic book - I read it straight through in one day, couldn't put it down!

What about the Wallender books? Just about to start reading these, if they are anything like the TV series they will be good!

[That Darn Cat]

Just finished Simon Scarrow's "Gladiator" enjoyed that, but then I have followed Macro and Cato through the whole series!

Got "the burning land" in my basket at Amazon which is B. Cornwell's 5th in the "Alfred the Great" series, but for a pure gripping read "The Red Dahlia" by Lynda La Plante is hard to beat. I notice it was recently played out on on TV as well.

No time for Goodbye??? is this by Linwood Barclay?

TDC

[jed.w]

Yep, that's the one.

Read the latest one last year - equally as good.

[That Darn Cat]

Ah! "Too close to home" came out last summer, he or is that she? has another one coming out in February called "Fear the worst"

I feel a book review section coming on! Would folks find this handy?

TDC

[Dunnai]

I would really enjoy a book review section. I have enjoyed all of Lynda La Plant books. Gripping reads

[Sparrow]

A book forum is a good idea. In the meantime, can I recommend James Ellroy's "The Black Dahlia", from whence La Plante lifted the story. Also, don't give up on Louis De Bernieres, even though he flooded Kefalonia with day trippers, his "Birds Without Wings" is a staggering achievement and far superior to Corelli. For a few laughs, try anything by David Nobbs (he wrote the Reggie Perrin stories)except "Going Gently", which is sad (in the traditional meaning of the word). Last year I read ""Pratt a Manger" from the Henry Pratt series by Nobbs and burst my stiches. Just read "Blue Skies and Black Olives" by John and Christopher Humphrys, which isn't particularly well written but has one or two funny episodes centred around Greek bureaucracy as they attempt to build a house in Greece. Joseph Connolly's "Winter Breaks" and "Summer Things" are also very funny and good holiday reading. Plus, anything by David Lodge, Gerald Durrell's Corfu trilogy (always worth re-reading) and the fragrant Suzie reads stuff by Catherine Alliot, among others, who, she says, is always entertaining.
Happy hols,
Sparrow.

[jed.w]

Sparrow,

'My Family and Other Animals' is the book that turned me onto Greece in the mid seventies. Always wanted to go to Corfu to find the Yellow and Pink Villas, but found instead the Messonghi Beach Hotel. Looked like shit and smelt like shit!

Many adventures on a motorbike found some lovely places and equally lovely locals. A trip on local bar owners boat to Lefkimi with a young (well so were we) Swedish couple was a fantastic day out, no charge! Those were the days when we used to go out at nine in the morning and come back at 10in the evening, therefore spending les time in said shit smelling, mosquito infested hotel.

[That Darn Cat]

I must admit the triology sits in my bookshelf in the villa, I also used to buy all his books about his animal collecting days in the Cameroons and starting the Zoo on Jersey, used to have me in stitches in my teens. (Bafut Beagles and A Zoo in my Luggage to name two of his books)

Judi used to point out Durrel's homes when she worked in Corfu many many moons ago on her boat trips. You could see one of them from this little bay they went into, no doubt the same bay from which Durrel launched the "BOOTLEBUMTRINKET" which was his home made boat.

Still worth a re-read even after all these years!

TDC

[Sparrow]

Yo Jed. Strange, but the first place I ever stayed in Greece was Messonghi on Corfu! Must have been drawn by the sweet aroma from the hotel. Didn't stay there as I was skint, but had a room in a villa. Like you, I travelled all over the island and found some fabulous little places. The last time I went there, around 10 years ago, I stayed in Kalami where Lawrence Durrell lived and wrote lots of his stuff. His place, the "White House", is now a taverna. The power of books, eh? I must have given copies of "My Family" etc to dozens of people over the years. I also found it inspirational and was somewhat jealous that a childhood could be so idyllic. The Durrells have left such a legacy of writing in completely contrasting ways, essential for any Grecophile. Back to reviews; just finished "Three Ways to Capsize a Boat" by Chris Stewart, which I got from Santa. Not read anything by him before but it's an easy, funny read with a Greek angle, at least for the first half of the book. People tend to buy me books that have some Greek element to them. Speaking of which, it's almost the time of year to re-read "The Magus". Always fascinates me and drives me nuts in equal measure!
Happy reading,
Sparrow

[That Darn Cat]

Sparrow,

i will move your post to it's own thread. But meantime do you not think it is time you reset the date and time on your computer? or are you in a time warp/tardis or similar?

TDC

[Sparrow]

I thought it was you lot that had the wrong time! Anyway, I'm trying to maintain perpetual August, like Jed. He has the right idea - this bloody winter has gone on long enough.
Sparrow Posted at 13.07 hours, August 28th 2010.

[That Darn Cat]

The board over all should be set to Greek time, however it takes the clock date and time from the computer of the person posting.

TDC

[Sparrow]

Is there any way of saving all the hours I'm accruing by being in the wrong time-zone? There's a character in "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller (My all-time favourite book) who extends his life by cultivating boredom. You know how the hours drag when you've sod-all to do? No? Me neither, but you get the idea. I like the idea of "saving" time better. They do call it "daylight saving" don't they? I could do with some saved daylight as it has been perpetually dark in this neck of the woods for about three days. Can we have a smiley wearing sunglasses for when(if) the sun does come out?
Sparrow

[Sparrow]

Just re-read The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell. Bit of a slog but I found it more interesting than when I first read Justine etc as a callow youth. What is particularly fascinating are the allusions to the situation in the Middle East which are as pertinent today as when the books were written (1950's). Not exactly holiday reading, unless you're away for about three months! While I'm on, has anyone read the Alexander series by Valerio Massimo Manfredi? I just picked the three volumes up from the local supermarket for a quid each! Not sure whether to save them for hols or dig in now.
Cheers,
Sparrow

[argo]

Good holiday read is 'The Girl with the dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson.The heroine is something else!!if you like a thriller that keeps you on your toes to the end!! It is the first of a trilogy, just read the first and have bought the next 2 for my holiday ,if I get there,what with trouble with a certain volcano and dodgy Viking airline. might be reading my book on Bournemouth beach!!!

[Dunnai]

Good holiday read is 'The Girl with the dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson.The heroine is something else!!if you like a thriller that keeps you on your toes to the end!! It is the first of a trilogy, just read the first and have bought the next 2 for my holiday ,if I get there,what with trouble with a certain volcano and dodgy Viking airline. might be reading my book on Bournemouth beach!!!

Hi , I bought the trilogy and have just read them whilst on holiday. Fantastic books , would recommend to all.

[jed.w]

Managed to get my hands on a shiney new hardback version of 'Fear the Worst' by Linwood Barclay.

Jack nicked it immediately and sat on the settee on the landing and read it straight through. Just about to start it and Sue grabbed it for reading on the exercise bike!

When I eventually get hold of my own book, I will let you all know how it was.

Jed.w

[That Darn Cat]

Just about to start it and Sue grabbed it for reading on the exercise bike!

When I eventually get hold of my own book, I will let you all know how it was.

Jed.w

Suggest lots of exercise then Jed, that way she will finish the book faster. Of course the female of the species always looks at things differently and she will get angry and accuse you of calling her fat........

Second thoughts, be patient Jed, Just be patient

TDC