Showing posts with label spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spain. Show all posts

Saturday, 23 April 2022

World Book Day 2022

The original idea of World Book Day was conceived in 1922 by Spanish
writer Vicente Clavel Andrés as a way to honour the author
Miguel de Cervantes. It was first celebrated on 7 October 1926,
Cervantes' birthday, before being moved
to his death date, 23 April, in 1930.

An accident Don Quixote - Cervantes
source picture: Wikipedia


The celebration continued to enjoy great popularity in Spain, especially
in Catalonia, where it coincides with the Diada de Sant Jordi, the patron
saint of Catalonia. The Diada usually involves the exchange of gifts
between loved ones and, since the 1931 Book Fair in Barcelona,
the gifts are a book and a rose.

In 1995, UNESCO decided that the World Book and Copyright Day
would be celebrated on 23 April, as the date is also the anniversary of
the death of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, as well
as that of the birth or death of several other prominent authors.



Source picture: Wikipedia


Spain


In Spain, Book Day began to be celebrated since 1926 every October 7,
the date that Miguel de Cervantes was believed to have been born. But,
it was considered more appropriate to celebrate this day in a more pleasant
season for walking and browsing the books in the open-air.

Spring was much better than fall. So in 1930 King Alfonso XIII
approved the change of celebration of the Book Day on April 23,
the supposed date of the death of Cervantes.


United Kingdom and Ireland

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, World Book Day is a charity event
in March, held annually on the first Thursday and coinciding with the
release of special editions.

The annual celebration on 23 April is World Book Night, an event
organized by independent charity The Reading Agency.



a special book shop in Porto, Portugal



United States

In Kensington, Maryland, the International Day of the Book is celebrated
with a street festival on the Sunday closest to 26 April.


India

World Book Day is also celebrated in India on 23rd April every year.
It is commemorated in many parts of India to encourage & aware of
people for reading & publishing books.


Happy World Book Day!

Enjoy Reading!

Sunday, 19 December 2021

Bookreview: Two Old Fools in Spain Again

An amazing book!


Summary


When Victoria and Joe return to their Spanish mountain village, they are still
reeling from their year in the Middle East. Sighing with relief, they prepare
to settle down to a peaceful life with the familiar characters of the village.

But life refuses to stand still, even in tiny El Hoyo. Lola Ufarte’s behaviour
surprises nobody, but when a millionaire becomes a neighbour, the
village turns into a battleground.

Can Victoria and Joe help restore peace to the village?










My Review


Books about Spain always interest me very much, especially memoirs. 
This book certainly did not let me down! I enjoyed reading about Vicky
and Joe and about the events they have experienced in Spain. With 
some of them I was shocked others made me laugh.

I also enjoyed the recipes, Victoria Twead add to each chapter. The food
brought back nice memories to Spain. 

I really liked this amazing read and I want to recommend this book to 
all who loved to read fantastic travel memoirs.

Without no doubt, I want to give a 5 star rating to "Two Old Fools in Spain
Again".



The author

Victoria Twead is a New York Times bestselling author. In 2004 she
nagged poor, long-suffering Joe into leaving Britain and relocating to a
tiny, remote mountain village in Andalucía, where they became reluctant
chicken farmers and owned the most dangerous cockerel in Spain.

Village life inspired Victoria’s first book, Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools,
which was quickly followed by more in the Old Fools series, all of which fast
became Amazon bestsellers.




We Love Memoirs Group


I received a free copy via the We Love Memoirs Group, the most friendliest 
group on Facebook. Thank you so much for this amazing reading chance! 

Wednesday, 25 August 2021

Author in the picture: Elizabeth Moore

Thank you very much for participating in your author in the picture blogpost of
MyCrazyLifeWithBooks blog.

I ‘met’ you via the We Love Memoirs Group on Facebook and I read and
reviewed two books of you: From Moulin Rouge to Gaudi’s City and the
second one From Gaudi’s City toGranada’s Red Palace.

I immediately felt a connection because you told with lots of passion about
your travels and you even gave me some new travel ideas.

That’s why I asked you to participate in an author in the picture blogpost.
So here we go with the questions.





1/ Can you tell me more about Elizabeth Moore?

I was born in country Queensland, Australia and moved to Brisbane
to attend high school and University. On graduating, I worked in a large hospital
in NSW, married and had two children. I was then employed for 20 years
at our local university before retiring in 2014. My travels started after cancer
treatment in 2011 and I began writing about my adventures in 2016 my
first book, From Moulin Rouge to Gaudi’s City, in my Someday Travels series,
was published in 2017; my second, From Gaudi’s City to Granada’s Red Palace in 2020.

2/ What is speech pathology exactly?

The term applies to the diagnosis and treatment of speech disorders in adults
and children. It’s probably better known as speech therapy but the name was
revised some years ago to better reflect the scope of the profession.





3/ I read in your books you were diagnosed with cancer.
I admired your strength and your will to live and to travel very much.
How do you feel today?

I’m fine now – aging but healthy. I am still very careful to attend my yearly
scans and medical assessments.






4/ What does the We Love Memoirs group on Facebook mean for you

We Love Memoirs is my happy place. When I first joined, I was delighted to
find many of the authors I had read and admired were already members and
the dynamic between readers and writers was wonderful. If I hadn’t been a
member, I doubt my travel memoirs would have been published.
I discovered Ant Press and with their professionalism and mentoring,
my first book was published.


5/ How did you find the name EJ Bauer?

Memoir authors are often advised to use a pseudonym when writing as it
offers a degree of anonymity for both the writer and people mentioned in
their books. I chose ‘EJ’, the initials of my first names, and ‘Bauer’ is a
family name from my mother’s side. It was also a name that didn’t
appear with any regularity when Googled. My real name, Elizabeth Moore,
is incredibly common and I wanted my author name to be more individual.






6/ Do you like other things than traveling and writing?

I read voraciously and since retiring, I have had time to rediscover the joys
of gardening. Our local birdlife also offers a never-ending passing parade of
antics. I also have 5 grandchildren and they are a joy. Life keeps me busy.


7/ Do you have new travel plans?

Travel plans for the world are on hold but it doesn’t stop me dreaming.
My daughter and her family relocated to Europe just two months before the
pandemic hit. My dream of having a base there and travelling to all sorts of
wonderful destinations has not been realised. When travel is safe, I have Greece,
Germany, Scotland and the USA on my ever expanding list.





8/ Which is your favourite country/place to visit?

That’s like asking about a favourite child. I love France and have visited there twice.
The fact that I sometimes fancifully check real estate listings in various departments
probably speaks to my enduring love of the country. It narrowly beats Italy and Spain
into equal second place. My love of all things French was inspired by my first language
teacher in early high school. I reveal this in some detail in the first chapter of
From Moulin Rouge to Gaudi’s City.





9/ Do you have new writing plans?

My third book on some travel exploits in Italy is well underway. I have book four
taking shape as well. This will cover more time in France and the UK. In both books,
there will be lots of sightseeing, some history, a few interesting encounters and of
course glasses of delicious bubbles.

10/ I always end with the same questions: What are your wishes
for yourself and the world?

It’s hard not to ignore the two large elephants in the room. Of course I want the
current pandemic to be reined in and controlled long term. I also want sensible
and effective worldwide cooperation on climate control. This planet is so precious.
For myself, I want family and friends to stay safe and healthy, but I really want a
transporter so I can see my three grandchildren and their parents who have been
overseas for over 18 months.




More about Elizabeth Moore 

Elizabeth Moore has a website under the name EJ Bauer on this link
You can find her on Facebook on this link

Sunday, 6 June 2021

Bookreviews: Life beyond the castanets

My love affair With Spain 



A memoir as a memoir should be! 

Summary

With their life in Spain established, Jean and Adrian look forward to an idyllic
retirement. But when Mother Nature throws up formidable fires, floods and flu,
their dreams, along with much of their house are shattered. 

Life Beyond the Castanets is the second instalment of Jean Roberts's lighthearted
and uplifting tale in her Moving to Spain series. 



My review

Spain and Portugal are absolutely without any doubt my favourite countries, so 
a memoir about Spain always is a special treat for me.

As soon as I started reading this book, I wanted to continue. I was curious to read
all the author's adventures while living abroad. 

I really enjoyed the book, as the author tells a very personally story. She also made
excellent descriptions of events, places and people. 

I certainly would recommend "Life beyond the castanets" to everyone who is
interested in traveling or moving to Spain. 

With lots of pleasure I want to give a 5 star rating to "Life beyond the castanets". 



The Author


Jean Roberts is a reitred social worker and a cautiously negative optimist. She is 
married with two grown-up children and a small tribe of grandchildren. She spends
her time between her home in Essex and her happy place in Spain.


We love memoirs


I received "Life beyond the castanets" as a free copy from the We love memoirs
group, the most friendliest group on Facebook. 

Sunday, 2 May 2021

Bookreview: From Gaudi's City to Granada's Red Place

 "What an amazing travel memoir"


Summary

Undeterred by a serious health scare, the incorrigible Elizabeth, her sister and a close
friend have already ventured to Europe. When their trip ended in Barcelona, the 
sisters vowed to return and resume their adventures, inviting a mutual friend to 
complete the trio. Now their travel wish-list includes some of Spain's major cities
and a little slice of Portugal. Once again you are invited on their journey and raise
a glass or two as they sample the tastes, sights and sounds that the Iberian 
Peninsula offers.

My Review

Reading a book from EJ Bauer always is a fantastic way to spend some time and
dream away about sunny holiday destinations. Again it gave me new travel inspiration
which I'm going to explore in the next years. 

The book is a fantastic mix of storytelling and dialogues. I really enjoyed the
adventures she and two companions had on such amazing places. I also liked her 
writing style very much. It's clear, easy reading and relaxing. 

I would recommend without no doubt From Gaudi's city to Granada's Red Place to
anyone who likes to travel to Spain. 

I would like to give this fantastic travel memoir a 5*rating! Hopefully EJ Bauer will
write more travel memoirs!





The author


EJ Bauer, Elizabeth was born in Queensland, Australia and she lived her first 12
years in the country. Her family moved to Brisbane and she graduated from university
with a degree in speech pathology. She accepted a position at a large regional
hospital in New South Wales and she is still living in the area over 40 years later.

She is married, has two children and five grandchildren. She has a cat named Lucy. 
EJ Bauer was diagnosed with cancer. After her treatment, she started to travel to 
Europe and North America. 

We Love Memoirs


I received a free copy of this amazing memoir from the We love Memoirs Group,
the friendliest group of Facebook!

Wednesday, 17 March 2021

Bookreview: Summer of 77

What a wonderful memoir!


Summary

A holiday can change everything ...
... it did for Fred.

He went on a two-week break with three friends to the Spanish island of Ibiza in 
July 1976. It was so enjoyable they all vowed to come back for the following
season.

In April 1977, Fred returned to Ibiza, alone, in pursuit of his dream.

Behind him, he left his family, his girlfriend, and a promising career in banking.

Challenges lay ahead.

He needed a place to stay and to find work that would sustain him through the
next six months. 

This true to life memoir follows the 21-year-old Fred's adventures as he acclimatises
to living abroad. In a time before instant communication, he keeps in touch with his
family and friends by letter. They are his lifeline to home. 


My review

Spain and Portugal always are my two favourite holiday countries, so any memoirs
about them always attracts me very much. The 'Summer of 77' written by Robert
'Fred' Fear absolutely didn't let me down.

I loved the short, clear and chronological chapters and the lovely old pictures as 
well. It was written very fluently and I read it easily because the story could interest
me from the beginning until the end. It was so wonderful to learn about his 
adventures in Ibiza.

Of course, I want to give this amazing book a 5 * rating. I highly recommend
'Summer of 77' to all readers who like memoirs about Spain and especially about
Ibiza!





The author

I think every reader of this blog knows already Robert 'Fred' Fear who was the
author in the picture in the blogpost of 3 March 2021 on this link

He really is an amazing author and person! 


We love Memoirs


I received a free copy via the We Love Memoirs group, which really is the most
friendliest and interesting group on Facebook! 

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Bookreview: From Moulin Rouge To Gaudi's City

"A wonderful memoir with surprising travel ideas"


Summary


When Elizabeth (EJ Bauer) receives a diagnosis of breast cancer, she
reassesses her life's to-do-list. Having always suppressed her travel longings,
she opens her neglected 'someday' ledger and takes a much closer look at the
contents.

After an opportune invitation from a friend to meet in Paris, and her sister's
enthusiastic agreement to be part of the adventure, a plan begins to take shape. 

Join the Australian trio as they savour the sights of France and Spain, where no
trip is complete without a morsel of local cuisine and a sip of something
sparkling. 






My Review

Paris and Barcelona are two of my favourite cities, so I was very keen to read 
From Moulin Rouge To Gaudi's City. It didn't let me down!

I was surprised by the author's eye for detail. The book is written very clear,
structured and easy to read. 

This was not just a story about Paris and Barcelona. It even gave me
some new travel ideas, which I hope to complete as soon
as it is possible to travel again.

I recommend this book to all people who like to read memoirs about Paris 
and Barcelona. I really enjoyed reading. Therefore I would like to give this
book a 5 star rating. Can I give more?! 


The author

Elizabeth (EJ Bauer)  has lived in Australia all her life. Her working career
began as a speech pathologist and subsequently morphed into the unrelated
field of retail management in a university science centre and planetarium. 

Her passion for travel was brought into stark focus when she was diagnosed
with breast cancer and, following her treatment, a travel plan formed. 

Guam was first, followed quickly by European and North American adventures.
Her illness nudged another long-held interest to the fore and Elizabeth began
chronicling her trips with extensive photography, promising herself she would also 
write about her exploits.

She is happily married, a mother of two, grandmother of five and devoted assistant
to Lucy, a bossy tortoiseshell cat. 


We love memoirs


I received a free copy from the We love memoirs group.
I leave this honest review voluntarily and honestly. 




Source picture: Bookcover 

Monday, 18 January 2021

Bookreview: The Serpent and the Eagle

"Wonderful historical fiction"  


Summary

Tenochtitlan, 1519, pale -skinned people have arrived on the coast of
One World. They hail from a far away land called Spain and fight for
the mysterious Hernando Cortés. To confront Cortés' army would be
dangerous, but inaction may be even more dangerous. 

The Mexica are the most powerful people in all the One World and
regard the uncouth interlopers with a mixture of curiosity and 
distrust....






My Review

History, especially royal history, always has fascinated me.
This book is about the Spanish conquest of native Mexica, mostly
known as the Aztecs.

The writing of this book is clear, structured and the characters are
detailed as well. 

It also must be clear that the author knows a lot about this subject
which is interesting to read.

I would recommend this book to people who love historical fiction.
Therefore I would like to give a five star rating. 


The Author

Ever since Edward Rickford was young, he has enjoyed writing. 
College gave him the chance to combine his interest in history with his
passion for storytelling and he mainly writes historical fiction now.

He won several Prizes for his writings. More interested, check his
site on this link


BookSirens

I've received a free copy from BookSirens to make an honest review of
the book. Thank you very much for this great opportunity. 




Source picture: Book cover 

Sunday, 25 October 2020

Bookreview: Spain: A history

Spain: A History

Written by Malveena McKendrick


An excellent history book of Spain


Summary


Out of the division and strife of the Middle Ages, Spain emerged from behind the massive Pyrenees to straddle the stage of European politics like some new colossus. Discoverer of a New World, it became the greatest power on earth and created a Golden Age of culture quite breathtaking in the quality of its achievement. Within 150 years, Spain was in a state of decay and fast being left behind by more progressive European nations.

Here, from award-winning historian Malveena McKendrick, is the dramatic story of the rise and fall of the Spanish empire





Review

Every year, I like to travel to Spain. This country has lots of sunshine, food, drinks and history as well. Unfortunately in 2020, we will not travel to this wonderful country. So, I decided to read a book about the Spanish history. I was happy that I made this splendid decision. Reading books about beautiful destinations is almost as good as traveling in my mind.

The writing style is nice and clear. It also is written very chronological which I really like in history books. The facts and the most important events are told in a pleasant way. 

Even though I know already much about the history of Spain, I still learned many things from this book: "Spain: A History". 







The Author


Malveena McKendrick is an amazing author and historian as well. She also wrote a book about Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. 

Conclusion


If you want to read more about the history of Spain, don't hesitate to buy this book or to read it on Kobo as I did. I give it a 5 star rating! 




1st. Picture: Book Cover 
2nd. Picture: taken in 2018 in the hinterland of the Costa Blanca in Spain