One for the Road (04/06/07)

by Kelly Amabile on

In honor of Tartan Week, a Scottish selection for our book of the day:

Over 60 years ago, George Orwell came to the Isle of Jura to write 1984. He left crowded London for the remote Scottish island, remaining there until 1950, when illness forced him to return to mainland Britain. Could a stay at this secluded place prove successful for other writers?

The Scottish Trust seems to think so. In late 2006 it launched the Isle of Jura Retreat program, a unique opportunity for three writers per year to spend a month on the idyllic island off the west coast of Scotland.

To celebrate the kickoff of this program, the Trust, along with Jura Whiskey, has produced Jura: Taste Island Life, a collection of stunning photography and works inspired by time spent on the writers haven. It includes a foreword from Alexander McCall Smith and an essay on Orwell on Jura by his biographer Sir Bernard Crick. The featured writing is all a direct response to having spent time on the island, is only available from the Scottish Book Trust or Jura Whiskey.

One for the Road (04/05/07)

by Kelly Amabile on

You may not have even filed your taxes yet, but it’s never too early in the season to begin thinking seriously about your tan. This book is just perfect for all you bathers looking to get rid of unsightly tan lines once and for all. Bare Beaches is your go-to-guide for a list of more than 200 of the world’s best nude beaches.

Destinations covered include Spain and the Spanish islands, France and Corsica, the Greek islands, Portugal, the Caribbean, Croatia, Bahamas, Mexico, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The book was released in the UK in 2004, so it’s nice to see this related blog that continues to add and update the list. There are also all-important-updates about celebrities and travel writers who like to bare all in the sand. Who knew?

Authors Mike Charles and Nick Mayhew-Smith are also behind Bare Britian, your exclusive guide to bum-friendly beaches throughout the UK. The book (and related update blog) contains information on 50 beaches in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, as well as full listings of more than 100 naturist clubs and naturist-friendly venues and travel agents.

Have fun, just don’t forget your SPF.

One for the Road (04/04/07)

by Kelly Amabile on

Alfredo Estrada’s personal tribute to Havana was released last month. Havana: Autobiography of a City tells the story of Estrada’s hometown from its’ 1519 founding to present day, covering such topics as cigars, slavery, gambling, rhumba, Hemingway and baseball. Publisher’s Weekely says “Estrada is at his best chronicling Castro’s revolution…and pays particular attention to…Che Guevara’s authoritarian streak and talent for guerilla warfare.” PW does note that the book is a bit too fact-heavy to make it an enjoyable read for some, but history buffs should find it a useful primer on this fascinating place.

And again (I’m three for three this week!), it just so happens that we’ve got information on an appearance by the author, taking place tonight at 7 pm, deep in the heart of Texas. Austin folks, head over to Bookpeople on North Lamar to see Estrada for yourself.

One for the Road (04/03/07)

by Kelly Amabile on

A collection of “intimate essays and prose poetry” about life as a female climber — sounds like an interesting combo for the memoir of an adventurous athlete, no? But that is exactly how Steph Davis’ new book is described by her publisher. High Infatuation: A Climber’s Guide to Love and Gravity gathers new and previously released material that touches on “universal themes of life, love, friendship and personal empowerment” all told through the lens of an expert climber.

This concert pianist turned risk-taking rock climber is now respected as one of the world’s most accomplished in her sport. Davis has been profiled in publications including Outside, Men’s Journal, W Magazine, and Sports Illustrated and is sponsored by brands like Mammut, Patagonia and Clif Bar.

And lucky Gadling readers near Bellingham, WA can head over to Village books where Davis will be appearing this evening.

One for the Road (04/02/07)

by Kelly Amabile on
We’ll waste no time kicking off the revived book feature with this one: What I love about this book is that the completed product is both a creative work of fiction and a messenger that helps spread the word about real life happenings and how we can help. The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton, although a fictional tale, is based on the real camel-borne library that has operated in Kenya’s northeastern province since 1996.

Hamilton’s third novel tells the story of an American woman who brings a traveling library to African villages, and addresses important issues of cultural conflict in the process. The actual library operates from the city of Garissa, using 12 camels to visit four settlements per day, four days per week. The traveling library brings books to a semi-nomadic people along the unstable Somalian border who live with drought, famine and chronic poverty.

Hamilton started a book donation project in February 2007 that has already inspired over 150 authors to donate copies of five of their favorite books to be shipped to Kenya. You can read more about the novel, issues surrounding African literacy, and how to make a book donation of your own at the Camel Bookmobile Blog. Hamilton’s website has additional info about the story behind the book.

And a special bonus for NYC Gadling readers: Masha will be at McNally Robinson Booksellers tonight at 7 pm. There will be a reading, discussion and slide show of Hamilton’s time spent with the Camel Bookmobile in 2006. (I’ll be dropping by myself, so see ya there!)