Novels & Holidays

This book definitely makes me want to go to Malta. I read a book many years ago set in wartime (WW2) Malta and was intrigued. I know ancient monuments in Malta changed archaeological thinking as to when and how civilisations began. But I never really wanted to go there. The Information Officer brings fairly recent history to life, reminding us that people we know lived through incredible and unbearable situations. Mark Mills describes the island sympathetically and discreetly. Is it still the same? I want to know. Sixty plus years later things will have changed, but the island has such a long history. This book hints at this without labouring the fact.

I read this book back before the turn of the century... and loved it. I realised a few weeks back that there were two more books with Javier Falcon (with an accent) as the main character and have bought and read both. This first Javier book is based in Seville but has strong links to Tangier and Morocco. The story is intense and personal and much bigger than its setting. At the same time, I really would like to visit Seville, and especially for the Semana Santa celebrations. Wouldn't mind a trip to Morocco either. Excellent book!

A book about three young lads inter-rail experience in the 1980's. Very funny travelogue, with lots of amusing tales of their travels around as many european cities/countries as they could get.

A book that might put you off backpacking around India but if you've already been it will certainly bring back memories and make you laugh (or cry!).

A great book about a Peace Corps Volunteer who spends two years in Nepal as a teacher in a remore Himalayan village. I read it after my visit to Nepal and it certainly gives a true reflection of many aspects of the life there. A great read!

'This book is dedicated to Route 66, the Mother Road.' Carol O'Connell's book begins in New York but is always centred on what is left of Route 66. To someone who's never been to America, it certainly inspired curiousity.

I've read this book to children for the past ten years. It's not immediately accessible to less able young readers, but after the first two chapters all of my classes were completely hooked! It wasn't till a friend mentioned visiting the Scilly Isles that I realised how much I knew (or thought I did) about Bryher and Samson - and more to the point, how much I'd like to visit! Michael Morpurgo writes excellent children's stories. His love of the Isles of Scilly is evident without in any way overwhelming fundamental story lines.

Michael Connelly is one of my favourite authors. I am in love with Harry Bosch and have been for many years. Unfortunately I do not fit the profile of the women in his life (attractive, slim, brilliant card player...). Bum! I've held back from putting Mr Connelly on this site because I have read so many books set in Los Angeles that it's become almost too familiar without standing out as somewhere I MUST VISIT. This isn't a criticism. I suspect most of the western world feels the same. It's partly thanks to Michael and Harry that when I read other books in the same setting I think, 'Oh, yes, Van Nuys'. Other 'must read' writers set in Los Angeles include the Kellermans and Robert Crais.