Sara Alexi's Blog - Posts Tagged "beach-reads"

Anyone who knows my books won't need me to tell them that my stories are not only set in Greece, but the Greek village I write about could almost be described as a character in it's own right.

And with the summer months upon us I know many of you will be heading for Greece and it's jewel-like islands to indulge in the unique culture, perfect beaches, turquoise seas and incredible food.

Through writing my books I have come to realise how important Greece is as a story setting for many readers (and can I blame you?), so I thought I would compile my own book shelf here on Goodreads for books based in, or inspired by Greece, of which you can have a nose through for yourselves here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I have selected eight of these books to recommend to you, which I would most certainly take to the beach to read as the sea lapped at my toes. Some are recent releases, some are well known and some maybe not so known.

It was a difficult choice, I could have taken them all but I somehow don't think over 80 books would fit in my case!

So here goes:

The Magus
by John Fowles
An intriguing story that become a page turner. As reality and illusion intertwine, Urfe is caught up in the darkest of psychological games. John Fowles expertly unfolds a tale that is lush with over-powering imagery in a spellbinding exploration of human complexities. By turns disturbing, thrilling and seductive, one of my favourites.

Falconera
by Alexis Ladas
This is not the sort of thing I usually like. It is about a guerrilla fleet that was based on the Turkish coast in the second world war. They disguised their boats as Greek fishing boats and, during the night, they would attack German war ships. So beautifully written.

Zorba the Greek
by Nikos Kazantzakis
Most people have heard of this and maybe seen the film, but, for me, the book is richer and more evocative of human nature. Definitely worth reading even if you have seen the film.

Eleni
by Nicholas Gage
Quite a hard read at times due to what is being described. But over all this book takes you on a journey in which I found myself completely absorbed.

Captain Corelli's Mandolin
by Louis de Bernieres.
I saw the film, but again the book is so much richer. There are sections in the book that are missed out of the film entirely which I think gives great depth to the main character.

My Family and Other Animals
by Gerald Durrell
A delight. Wonderful storytelling following a family who relocate from a grey damp UK to Corfu. Light, fun, one you can dip in and dip out of.

The Odyssey
by Homer
This one needs no introduction. It reads like it is an adventure but it is more a reflection on the human condition. A timeless classic and of course if you like this The Illiad is a good book too.

Crete – A Notebook
by Richard Clarke
This is such a personal view of a personal journey. If you like history it is packed to the gills. I, however, like the intimate description of the writer as he makes his travels, bobs on boats and drinks Cretan wine. Clark has a gist with words.

Nights of Rain and Stars
by Maeve Binchy
This is a story of one summer when a group of people all have to face the particular life crisis which first made them leave their homes and end up in Greece. I love Maeve Binchy. You cant go wrong with this book. Perfect for the beach.

I hope you've enjoyed this brief nose through my Greece bookshelf. Please do take a look at all the books on there and let me know if there are any you think I should add.

Happy reading!

Sara

Last week I posted a blog in which I was recommending eight Greece inspired holiday reads from my Greece bookshelf here on Goodreads.

You can see the Greece bookshelf here https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

But I have also had lots of books from the same genre recommended to me over the last few weeks, be it direct recommendations made from you to me, from book reviewer's blog posts or people's twitter feeds.

So I have made a second list of books I haven't actually read yet, but are definitely amongst some I want to read thanks to you lot!

Have you read any of these? If so let me know your thoughts!


When the Cypress Whispers
by Yvette Manessis Corporon
A contemporary fictional story where we follow the soul searching of a successful young lady who is called back to her traditional Greek roots from her 'dream' life in America.


Evanthia's Gift
by Effie Kammenou
Described as heartwarming and mesmerising, EVANTHIA’S GIFT is a multigenerational love story spanning fifty years and crossing two continents, chronicling the lives that unify two families.


My Map Of You
by Isabelle Broom
Who doesn't love a bit of romance whilst reading on beaches? My Map of You looks like a nice easy read to help ease you in to that holiday mood.


The Girl Under the Olive Tree
by Leah Fleming
This book is coming with me because we get to learn about the island of Crete during WW2. I enjoy learning about the place I am in while I am there, it helps me to feel more involved somehow. It looks set to be a touching and emotional contemporary story.


The House of Dust and Dreams
by Brenda Reid
Another story inspired by Greece and WW2, although this book begins before the war has started. But the style of writing should make sure it's not too challenging while relaxation is on the cards! As one reviewer says 'It's not great literature, but anyone with a tender heart and love of Greece will adore it.'


Those Summer Nights
by Mandy Baggot
This one looks like great fun and a light hearted read and has been described as 'a funny tale of self discovery and new beginnings'.


Ithaka on the Horizon: A Greek-American Journey
by Stavro Nashi
Most of my books so far have female leads, so I thought I throw a male protagonist in there too! The story is about Stavros and his Greek American immigrant family and is described as delightful, emotional and funny.


An Octopus in My Ouzo: Loving Life on a Greek Island
by Jennifer Barclay
This is a story of an English woman who moves to the tiny Greek island of Tilos. We follow Jennifer as she learns about and indulges in the local traditions and culture whilst discovering love along the way. Sounds like a perfect feel good beach story to me!


The Beachside Guest House
by Vanessa Greene
The book's synopsis says it all! 'Full of romance and friendship, love and life, laughter and tears, The Beachside Guest House is an uplifting novel about the magic of starting over with friends by your side.'


The Island
by Victoria Hislop
Set on the island of Crete, this is a historical fiction. The protagonist is on holiday there and begins to explore her mothers mysterious past. As well as looking at Greek history and a families history over four generations, the book also deals with prejudice.

Happy reading!

Sara

I am excited to let you all know that the 18th book in The Greek Village Series will be launched on 9th July 2016.

A Stranger in the Village is now available for pre-order here http://snig.gr/m and to celebrate I am letting you all have a sneak preview of the opening chapter of the story.

Chapter 1

The corner shop in the Greek village

Those present –

Marina, the village shop owner

Stella, who runs the hotel and local eatery

Juliet, an English woman who moved to the village

Frona, an older woman of the village who has lived in both Australia and America

Vasso, who runs the kiosk in the village square

Marina holds court in her corner shop. Stella, Frona and Juliet have all found somewhere to sit.


‘It’s like buying a pig in a sack. We don’t know what we get till we open the sack.’ Marina laughs.

‘I got lucky with my “pig”,’ Frona says, her shapeless black cardigan quivering as she giggles.

‘Thank God I got lucky second time around!’ Stella says, crossing herself three times and kissing her thumbnail as she shifts her slight frame, tucking one leg under her on the wooden chair. She is hemmed in by barrels of rice, lentils, pasta and dried beans, and by the komboloi hanging from a nail on the edge of a shelf, by her head.

‘Ah, but he wasn’t in a sack then, was he, your second pig?’ Marina’s face is red with laughing. ‘He was out in the daylight. You could see all of what you were getting!’ She dabs at the corners of her eyes with a tissue from up her sleeve.

‘My piglet was running around for all to see, so cute then, but I didn’t know he was going to grow to be a boar,’ Juliet says, but the joke does not translate well – it would have sounded so much better in her mother tongue.

But Marina, Stella and Frona howl with laughter anyway, the sound muffled only by the plethoric jumble of goods and produce that lines the walls of Marina’s shop. Fly swats, shepherds’ crooks, balls in plastic string bags and a variety of other items hang from the ceiling. The shelves on the three back walls sag with the weight of jars of honey, tins of dolmades, packets of tights, bottles of chlorine, and countless other things. The counter extends from under the window at the front of the shop, at right angles to anyone coming in through the door, its top overflowing with sweets, cigarette lighters, kolourakia, packets of nuts in colourful wrappers and a shiny set of scales at one end. The door, which is permanently open, leads out to the village square. On the pavement outside there is just enough space for a couple of drinks cabinets and a wire rack of locally grown produce.

At this time of year the sun does not have the intensity it will later in the year, but it is warm enough to lure Juliet out daily. She will step out for something as simple as a bottle of milk and then linger for hours simply because the sun makes everything delightful and the world has transformed from the grey of winter into a wonderful place promising the excitement of summer.

This morning she loitered to admire the yellow flowers blooming along the roadside, and the almond and cherry blossom creating splashes of white and pink in the gardens, announcing the arrival of spring. The whitewashed walls and houses reflected the bright blossoms that are appearing in their gardens. The sudden warmth makes everything happen more slowly: the household chores, the shopping for the evening meal, even the conversations. There is no rushing to get out of the cold, there are no clipped exchanges to limit the minutes spent with frozen fingers away from the fire. Instead she has the luxury of being able to take her time. She has been in the corner shop half an hour already and she only came in for one item. Her chair is beside a barrel of rice. Stella is behind her, near the back shelf, which is loaded with cleaning products.

‘And what are you girls gossiping about?’ Vasso stoops slightly, protective of her lacquered hair, as she steps in through the door, eager to join her friends. The shop is almost in darkness for a moment as she fills the door frame.

‘Pigs in sacks.’ Frona giggles, her eyes bright in the gloom. Her soft old skin pleats all the way up her cheeks as she smiles.

Vasso frowns slightly and looks at Frona. She is sitting under the television, which is permanently on with the sound turned down, and she is separated from Juliet and Stella by a set of low shelves piled high with bars of chocolate and packets of biscuits and crisps, set centrally down the length of the shop.

Marina pulls out empty wrappers from the box of sweets she keeps on the counter for children sent to buy things for their parents.

‘Husbands,’ she clarifies, not even looking up.

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Happy reading!
Sara

For those who don't know, I have been writing a trilogy of novella's called The Village Idiots. As you can tell from the title, you can expect lots of Laurel and Hardy-esque shenanigans all set against the beautiful back drop of our much loved Greek Village. I hope you'll find it a winning combination!

There are, as ever, some slightly more serious undertones. But I'm hoping this late summer read will help keep your mind in the sunny climes of Greece that little bit longer.

Here is the synopsis for Part 1 'Inheritance':

First in a trilogy of novellas, The Village Idiots sets the scene for a comedy of errors in a sleepy Greek Village, as two friends find themselves sinking deeper in to trouble with each bad decision they make.

Spiros is a simple man who is easily led astray, but who has rarely wandered further than the village and its surrounds. Older, slightly more wayward and most definitely not wiser, Takis has spent his years taking Spiros under his wing, whilst taking advantage of his younger friends naivety.

When the duo, who often scrape by in life to make a living, discover they are heirs to an estate, they mistakenly believe that their ship has come in!

As they discover their inheritance is not all as it seems, Takis begins to plot their way out, dragging poor Spiros with him. As one escapade spirals in to another, Takis is easily lured by the money signs while Spiros finds his eyes are being opened to a wider world.

Amidst the ouzo and the scheming, this charming and comical tale will leave you eagerly awaiting the next instalment!

I have also put a tester chapter up on Goodreads for you here https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...

Happy reading :)

Sara

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