jackytoo

Maybe it's just me but I find those Driving over lemon book type a complete turnoff. His was ok. but seems everyone thought they could do the same. Most come across as totally false. I won two in a quiz written by someone in Mallorca. Arrived in December speaking no Spanish and within 3 weeks he was having deep meaningful conversations with the locals

I thought the New Spaniards was good. If you want to know what life was like in andalucian villages read Lorca. One of my favourite authors is Miguel Delibes, his book El camino is my choice. Easy to understand too, although I am sure most will be available in English. Ana Matute is another good writer. Spanish writers give a much better insight into Spanish life, thinking etc. than a pretend spaniard.

spainrico

[QUOTE=mogsmum;10562398]I have recently read

Hand of Fatima by Ildefonso Falcones ( Spanish writer ) recommended by a Spanish Colleague It is based in the 15th century and based in the Kingdom of Granada. Now reading Cathedral of the Sea. by the same author.

Found a good review of that book here
http://books4spain.com/blog/hand-of-...onso-falcones/

agoreira

Just seen a few more, hidden in amongst the Spanish one's, Laurie Lee, A Moment of War, Michael Jacobs, In the Glow of the Phantom Palace and Nicholas Rankin, Telegram from Guernica. Happy reading!

spainrico

Now you are starting to cost me money!!

I bought the Ted Walker and Robert Elms books online yesterday.

Yes I have read the Laurie Lee book (and his As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning - also mentioned my home town which was interesting, before he reached Spain)

BTW I also loved Robert Wilson's 'Javier Falcon' series (fiction) based in Seville.

Pocaloca

El Camino is a truly beautiful little book - also check out his Los Santos Inocentes if you haven't already.

I will now go hunting for Ana Matute ...

casa del sol

Iberia by James A Michener.

Retired in Euskadi

Have been away in England this last week & only just returned to Euskadi.

I have a list of books worth considering:
HISTORY
"The Spanish labyrinth" by Gerald Brenan; a must for understanding the causes & background to the civil war.
"The reconquest of Spain" by Derek W Lomax
"Blood & Faith, the purging of muslim Spain", by Matthew Carr
"The Catholic church in Spain" by WJ Callahan (quite expensive 2nd hand)
"Islamic Spain" by Godfrey Goodwin
"Opus Dei" by John Allen
"Inquisition" by Toby Green
"The transformation of Spain" by David Gilmour
"Fire in the blood" by Ian Gibson + his biography of Lorca
"Juan Carlos" by Paul Preston, which for me sets the record straighter than his merely being dismissed as a corrupt playboy that seems to be the opinion of many here!
"Ornament of the world" by Maria Rosa Menocal, about how muslims, Jews & Christians lived together!
"Spanish journeys", by Adam Hopkins, a detailed travelogue/historical account of Spain

TRAVEL
"Spain" by Jan Morris. Excellent writing & thin!
"A pilgrim in Spain" by Christopher Howse
"Walking through Spain" excellent description of the late Robin Neillands's walk from Santander to Algeciras
" A guide to Andalusia" by Michael Jacobs (who has written other books on Spain too).
"The Sierras of the south" by the late Alastair Boyd ( and also one on "Central Spain & Madrid")

FOOD
"A late dinner" by Paul Richardson

There are others of course, such as Giles Tremlett's "Catherine of Aragon" & countless others that I'd like to buy but would need to justify to my wife!

Maybe you're more blessed with 2nd hand bookshops than here in the north.
best wishes

agoreira

If you are interested in Lorca and Gibson, saw this a couple of weeks ago, worth watching.
http://www.rtve.es/television/201002...a/315517.shtml

agoreira

Several of those appeared in my list, but not the religious ones! My Spanish teacher went to an Opus Dei school, weird lot!
I think he has only himself to blame for that, he loves the jetset lifestyle, the company of other women, the famous elephant shoot etc, all helped to foster the playboy image.

spainrico

That's a comprehensive list - although I don't think the religious ones are for me.

I think ""Spain" by Jan Morris. Excellent writing & thin!" might be James Morris and that is on my shelf.

""The Spanish labyrinth" by Gerald Brenan; a must for understanding the causes & background to the civil war."
Is a well respected book and of course Brenan had a lot of 1st hand experience of Spain.

2nd hand bookshops are virtually non existent even down south (I am excluding the tatty paperbacks in old boxes stuck outside Brits bars and cafes etc.)

BTW here is a great site for bookshops around Europe - but be careful some on the list have gone I know from exploring Madrid and Barcelona.
http://www.bookstoreguide.org/

I am lucky I volunteer in our local Alzheimer Charity shop and I look after the book department and sometimes a few 'classics' come in but I usually buy online now and have never been disappointed - lots more suppliers than Amazon and cheaper too.

Pocaloca

If you want second-hand books try Awesomebooks.com. They deliver free anywhere in Europe if you order two or more. They have Paul Preston's Spanish Civil War book for €2.98!

http://www.awesomebooks.com/author/748/Paul%20Preston

agoreira

Both right! Born James Morris, got married, had a sex change and became Jan!

spainrico

That would explain it! You live and learn. Thanks.

Retired in Euskadi

Yes, it will be. He changed sex many years ago. Has written some good travelogues, such as the trilogy about the British Empire, Pax Britannica, as James/Jan, depending on which edition; travels in Europe & Venice as Jan.
He also wrote 2 good travelogues as James about the Middle East; the Hashemite kings & The markets of Seleukia.
She lives near Macynlleth I believe.

Retired in Euskadi

True, much like "The book Depository", for which one can pay in €, but they do tend to cost more than those on Amazon UK. I wish I could support more independent booksellers since I'd hate to see them die away.
Amazon.es prices seem to be the same as the shops, plus you often have to pay the postage.