I bought a few books today to take with me. I loved the film Atonement so I thought I'd give the book a go, I've never read any of Ian McEwen's books so I'll let you know if it's any good. My favourite summer read last year was 'The Island' by Victoria Hislop. It's such a beautiful heart warming story, it might not be a literary masterpiece but it's good old fashioned story telling at its best and funnily enough it's about Crete.
On the brink of a life-changing decision, Alexis Fielding longs to find out about her mother's past. But Sofia has never spoken of it. All she admits to is growing up in a small Cretan village before moving to London. When Alexis decides to visit Crete, however, Sofia gives her daughter a letter to take to an old friend, and promises that through her she will learn more.
Arriving in Plaka, Alexis is astonished to see that it lies a stone's throw from the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece's former leper colony. Then she finds Fortini, and at last hears the story that Sofia has buried all her life: the tale of her great-grandmother Eleni and her daughters and a family rent by tragedy, war and passion. She discovers how intimately she is connected with the island, and how secrecy holds them all in its powerful grip...
Another book that made me laugh and cry is 'The Life of Pi' by Yann Martel.
