[Stardust]

Aside from being a Flamenco addict, I am also an avid reader. I am currently reading the Twilight series (I was quite intrigued by its popularity). So far, I can say that it's pretty good. It has a quiet pull to its reader (despite it being a young adult novel) How about you?

[Chiste de Gales]

'Babbitt' by Sinclair Lewis. Its really funny, and although its set in the
1920's, I see tons of parallels to the annoying behaviors of people
today.

Also-

Just to add, Before Babbitt I read 'The Flamenco Academy' by Sarah Bird.
It's a very entertaining novel about two girls who go to the flamenco
school at UNM to study dance. The author did tons of research on el arte
to ensure accuracy. I loved this book!

[Popz]

hi there! right now I'm reading Nora Robert's Book 1 of her Circle Trilogy: Morrigan's Cross. It's a really good novel and I can't wait to finish it and start on the second and third novels! Lol! I really recommend that you guys try to read it!

Ciao!~

Popz

[Stardust]

hey, I already have a copy of that trilogy, it's a really fantastic book (all three of them). Nice choice..

[The Duchess]

You should also try reading Nora Robert's Irish Trilogy. The stories are so charming. Right now I am reading Paolo Coehlo's "Veronica Decides To Die". Chillingly exciting, this is really one great read.

[Aurelio]

I recently finished David Levering Lewis' God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215. This is a fascinating and wide-ranging history of the Near East and Mediterranean Europe and Africa, with special emphasis on Spain. Lewis sets the stage with an account of the pre-Islamic power struggle between Persia and the Byzantine Empire, resulting in the mutual exhaustion of both which allowed the explosive growth of the Arab Empire to fill the vacuum. He gives us the life of Muhammad, the birth of Islam, the carrying of Islam throughout the Mediterranean, and then its long history in Spain, with the cultural flowering there that transmitted much of the knowledge of the Classical world into an awaking Europe.

I loved this book. It is one of those big-picture overviews that allow one to get a real feel for what was going on at the time. For anybody interested in the history of Spain, it's a Must Read.

aurelio

[falseta]

Thank aurelio! I put in on my amazon wishlist!

[Aurelio]

More reading suggestions. These are flamenco books, so book-lovers have a double reason to be pleased.

Paco Sevilla is a professional flamenco guitarist and an author of books about flamenco. I've read two of his books and have been well-rewarded by the experience. You can get his books at Sevilla Press - flamenco books and CDs -

Most recently read is Seeking Silverio: The Birth of Flamenco. Paco calls this book a flamenco historical novel; it is what I would call an "enhanced biography" of Don Antonio Chacón, acclaimed as one of the most influential cantaors of all time. Sevilla uses the early life of Chacón, the years 1878-1889, as a central pillar around which to tell the story of the blossoming of flamenco during the café cantante period of the second half of the 19th century. Aficionados will really like this book, as it presents essential flamenco history and key flamenco personalities in an engaging format.

The second book is Sevilla's biography of legendary bailaora Carmen Amaya, Queen of the Gypsies. Unlike Silverio, this is a straight biography, but it is also a thorough history of flamenco in the first half of the 20th century, until the death of Carmen Amaya in 1963, with special emphasis on the traveling troupes of flamenco and Spanish Dance performers that brought flamenco to large audiences outside of Spain, and thus began the ongoing worldwide interest in flamenco. Essential reading for aficionados.

aurelio

[Aurelio]

I must be slow, but I have no idea of what kinkPOP's last two posts are about. Can anybody help? kinkPOP?

aurelio

[tocador]

Wow i need to start reading more Great suggestions so far I will have to visit my local bookstore.

Aurelio I am also confused by kinkPOP, maybe a forum admin should follow up?