Editorial’s Book Nook: Four fantastic books to bring on vacation
Photos: forlagid.is og amazon.co.uk
Translation: Hallberg Brynjar Guðmundsson
Icelandic books:
If one is going to Þingvellir then Blóðberg by Þóra Karítas Árnadóttir is the ideal book for the trip. In Blóðberg the author writes about Þórdís Halldórsdóttur, the first woman to be sentenced to drowning in Drekkingarhyl. Þóra succeeded admirably to tell Þórdís’s story as there is not a lot known about her. Þóra used church books and court documents to paint a poetic picture of Þórdís’s life, thoughts and dreams as the story follows Þórdís from childhood to her last moments in life. Blóðberg is a short book, 174 pages, and is therefore the ideal book to read if one wants to learn more about Icelandic society in the 17th century with little effort.
On the other hand, if one is going to the Westfjörds or the northern part of Iceland then the books of Kristín Marja Baldursdóttir about the artist Karitas; Karitas án titils and Óreiði á striga, are the ideal book travel partner. The books, set in the early 20th century, tell the story of a strong young woman and follow her struggles through life. Furthermore, the books tackle the themes of art, love, and nature and got glowing reviews and widespread attention when they were first published. The Karítas stories should suit everyone who appreciates good writing and remarkable characters.
Foreign books:
The title of Tove’s Jansson book, the Summer Book, says it all really. Jansson is most famous for being the creator of the Moomin. The Summer Book is a mix between a novel and short stories as it tells the story of a small family and their life on a Finnish island. Jansson has the ability to make her readers think while she puts them in a good mood as well. The Summer Book is an ideal read after work, on the beach, in Tenerife and everywhere in between. The fans of the Moomins will not be disappointed.
Love, loss, financial difficulties, creativity, and the summer in the big city are the subject of the great novel Writers & Lovers written by Lily King. The story follows a young poetess, Casey, a clever but tragic protagonist at a turning point in her life. Casey is not as young as she used to be and she finds herself in a crisis as she falls for two different people at the same time. Writers & Lovers is a heartwarming and a funny novel that pulls on one’s heartstrings through the journey. Perfect for the summer holidays.