Good afternoon bookworms!
This coming Tuesday, it’s the beautiful celebration of Sant Jordi (St George) here in Barcelona, where couples give each other gifts of books and roses – a far cry from the questionably nationalistic tone it has in the UK. Breaking from my usual themes, this week I thought I’d share 5 books from 5 places that make you fall in love with the world’s richness and with life itself. Please also share with my your favourite reads too and I’ll add them to a book list in my next email!
1. Greece: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières – I read this long before I ended up in Greece, but this gorgeous story of war, love and Corfu is a rich and heart-wrenching tale that left me in tears, sitting at home picking up our mandolin to intone that equally moving theme tune from the film. (Out of interest, I have never been a fan of de Bernière’s other books!)
2. Barcelona: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – This entrancing mystery set in Barcelona in the last century is a tale that conjures up a bygone era and is stepped in nostalgia. Another beautiful tale of love, complete with a gothic magnificence. Be warned that reading this might just make you want to move here!
3. England: The Prelude by William Wordsworth – Reading a long-form poem may seem daunting and less than appealing after a long day of work, but this is a lyrical feast for the senses taking you on a rustic trip through forests and fields. It is as compelling as the greatest of novels. The ultimate read for some nature-based therapy!
4. England and Spain: Red Sky at Sunrise by Laurie Lee – These three books are a snapshot of youth, taking the reader on a journey through slow villages and archaic communities across England and down through Spain. One day, I hope I’ll also leave home with nothing but a violin in my hand!
5. Macondo: One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel GarcÃa Marquez – Having just turned the last page of this book, I can’t not include this enchanting tale of the ethereal Macondo. The remorse of time and degradation combined with intergenerational love and familiarity have taken root in my heart. A real bath of prose that, as the back cover says, should be compulsory reading for all.
That’s it for this fortnight! As ever, please let me know your thoughts, feedback and your own favourite books – and send anything you’d like me to include in upcoming editions this way.
