Holiday Reads......

We never seem to have time for books at home, there always seems to be more pressing matters which need attention. So holidays provide valuable uninterrupted time for reading - a  really enjoyable indulgence.

Here are my recent eclectic reads in the Med.......

The Girl in the Spider's Web 

David Lagercrantz, George Goulding

a really gripping read which is written in the style of the late author Stieg Larsson who wrote the fantastic Girl with Dragon Tattoo trilogy. Lisbeth Salander is again brought to life with sinister twists and turns.  I don't think this will be the last offering as the ending allows for much speculation.

The Shape of Water: The Inspector Montalbano Mysteries - Book 1

Andrea Camilleri

having watched and enjoyed the Montalbano series on TV I was encouraged to read the books to see how they compare.  I wasn't disappointed.  Clearly more detail is evident in the books and the mixture of fiction and farce is amusing and chaotic at times. I have downloaded the second of these and look forward to the next holiday......

Go Set a Watchman

Harper Lee

As a schoolgirl I read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and also saw the film starring Gregory Peck.  As with many other people you could not help but be moved by the story and take away a lasting impression of the injustices which exist and that there are people who are willing to stand up and be counted.

So when this sequel came out I was fascinated to see what happening next. I read many reviews including those on Amazon which on the whole were quite negative and so my expectations were not very high as a consequence. 
I was disappointed overall but it is still worth a read. I understand that Harper Lee wrote this before Mocking Bird which I find puzzling in terms of the character of Atticus and what he stands for......don't want to give the game away so read and judge for yourself....

The Fatherland

Richard Harris

I downloaded this quite a while ago and was looking forward to this book on holiday.  I have read many of Robert Harris's novels and find them quite compelling.  His research and thoroughness provides a sound foundation for the narrative. If the Germans had won the war is this how the future would be........? Fascinating, thought provoking and disturbing.  Excellent!

I am pleased I am a convert to "Kindle".  It took a little time to get used to using it and like many other people I used to say that you couldn't replace the enjoyment of holding a book.  Well I now wouldn't dream of buying a book unless it contained many photos, diagrams and illustrations.
It is like carrying around  your own personal library which is discrete and compact.  No longer have to worry about the weight allowance on the plane and another bonus is the low cost......no brainer!

This is your reward..........

On our last holiday I observed a woman who seemed to hardly move from her sun lounger.  She read and read and read. I marvelled at the way she gave way to total relaxation. She was so still it was easy to sketch her. 

The only time I really read books is on holiday. The rest of the time I have always felt guilty reading  as there was always something that needed to be done.  At least on holiday my self imposed demands disappear.

With the fantastic heat wave I decided to break the habit of a lifetime and dug out the sun lounger and quite decadently gave way to laziness - well at least for an hour or two.  I am not a natural sun worshipper and am very conscious of the damage which this can cause to the skin. It is so uncomfortable no matter how much shade you import or arrange the seating and coverings, the feeling of overheating and stickiness prevails.  Trying to put these thoughts aside - I revisited "The Great Gatsby". I have taken to downloading several books on to my Kindle - "just in case" and fortunately this was one of the books in my menu. It is a few years since I last read it and so it was almost like starting anew.  I thoroughly enjoyed being whisked back in time and being confronted with the complexity of relationships and the frailty of human beings and the consequence of their actions. 

My husband commented that in all the years he has known me - this was probably the first time he had seen me indulge in this way and thought it was a healthy sign.......as he quoted from a recent TV ad.....something along the lines of.....this is your reward for having had to attend all those meetings, all the juggling of work and home............

I smiled at this ......and then mowed the lawn........

Resisting Change!

It has been a strange week - I have had a few exchanges with people who want to stick to the status quo.  As you enter retirement you have more time to think about things and to look more carefully at options before deciding on the right path.  All this may sound obtuse and I am afraid must remain so otherwise I will offend the parties concerned.  So I am going to outline in a general way some of my thoughts about change and our attitude towards this particularly in later life.

Lets take technology. So often I hear people say

"I know nothing about technology"
"It frightens me"
"I wouldn't know where to start"
"Why can't we just stick to what we know - it works"
"Its too late to start now"
"I leave this to my grandchildren they are much better than me"

Now I can understand some people who have reservations if the new and unfamiliar provide a perceived challenge but this is no reason for not considering it or embracing it.

I suppose I have been fortunate that in my business life that technology has always been an integral part of the way I had to operate.  I have always been aware of the benefits and the opportunities of using whatever is available to remain effective and current.

I am so conscious of our older brethren who talk themselves and others out of taking advantage of what is available. Some are happy to portray an image of being old fashioned and even worse incapable.  With so many lines of support available to educate and instruct at a basic level and beyond it is clear that the older brain can take on board new skills and stimulate a more enquiring mind. Prevents seizing up!!

Whether is is using laptops, tablets, Kindle, email, twitter or Facebook - there is plenty out there to find something that suits!

Life expectancy is increasing so why live in the dark ages and miss out for a long period of time. So what are you waiting for - it doesn't bite!!