Buyers' Choice

This issue - March 2004.

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Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

	Athens : a new guide, by Elizabeth Speller. (2004) This guide celebrates Athens as it really is: a wonderful, complex city which has lived with the contradictions of its extraordinary heritage for 2500 years. Athens, invigorated by the prospect of hosting the Olympics, has never looked better; its spirits have never been higher. This guide explores the pleasures and curiosities of this most fascinating of destinations: the courtyards and lanes of Plaka and old Anafiotika and the bazaars and food markets of Monastiraki; tiny tucked-away Byzantine churches and unfamiliar gems of antiquity; and the peaceful cemetery at Keramikos and converted warehouses in increasingly fashionable Psirri and Thisio. (Amazon synopsis)
	Remarkable reads : 34 writers and their adventures in reading, by J. Peder Zane. (2004) Can [books] compel you to hitchhike to the middle of Mexico, fall in love with snakes, or question your sanity? Of course they can. Writers including Jonathan Lethem, Haven Kimmel, Charles Frazier, and Bebe Moore Campbell tell us why in this eye-opening anthology. Tapping classic works such as The Catcher in the Rye and The Cat in the Hat as well as obscure novels such as Karel Capek's The War of the Newts, they reveal how literature tempts, enchants, and changes us. Each of these essays reminds us that reading is not a passive pastime but an action sport that seizes and shapes, renews and remakes us. Insightful and heartfelt, humorous and accessible, Remarkable Reads will delight anyone who has ever loved a book. (Amazon UK)
	Mao's last dancer, by Li Cunxin. (2003) Li Cunxin grew up in a remote commune village in China. His life was one of daily hardships - there was never enough food for him or his six brothers and his only entertainment, especially during the harsh winters, was being told Chinese fables by his father. His life seemed mapped out - he was "the frog at the bottom of the well" who would have to be content with being able to see only a small patch of sky. Then in 1971, at the age of 10, Li was chosen to train as a ballet dancer at Madam Mao's Peking Dance Academy. (Amazon synopsis)
	Ideas that changed the world, by Felipe Fernandez-Armesto. (2003) A collection of 175 ideas which have changed the world are presented in this volume - from time to evolution, and anarchy to Zen. Using illustrations to bring the concepts to life, this thought-provoking book could be great for dinner party conversations.
	Art : a new history, by Paul Johnson. (2003) Johnson, who is an 'eminent, versatile and opinionated historian', is also a successful painter, and he has now turned his talents to writing a history of Western art from pre-historic times up to the present day. While for an authoritative history it cannot compete with the great standard texts of Gombrich and Janson, he has written an entertaining , readable and provocative text which includes his opinions on painting, sculpture, architecture, gardening and modern commercial art. (Amazon)

Gardens without boundaries, by Paul Cooper. (2003)
One of the most important aspects of garden design has always been the relationship between a garden and its surrounding landscape. This book looks at the way in which today's leading garden and landscape designers have concealed boundaries, disguised edges or brought "nature" up to the house, in order to link private gardens to the landscape beyond; while with small urban gardens, designers have invented trompe l'oeil effects to make cramped spaces look larger. Including examples of gardens from all over the world, this book challenges preconceptions of contemporary garden design as well as providing ideas and inspiration for any gardener. (Amazon synopsis)

Ant egg soup : the adventures of a food tourist in Laos, by Natacha du Pont de Bie. (2004)
Natacha Du Pont De Bie is no ordinary tourist. She'll trek for hours or even days in search of a good lunch. She is a self-proclaimed food tourist - she can't think of a better way to experience a country and its culture than through its cuisine. And the more obscure the better. 'Ant Egg Soup' is the result of her adventures in Laos, the stories of the people she met, the places she visited and, of course, the food she tasted. Funny and refreshing, fascinating and enlightening (Amazon synopsis)

Nest for two : creating a harmonious home, by Allison Serrell, Thayer Allison Gowdy, photographer. (2004)
She loves her antiques. He's a modern minimalist. Bringing the best of both worlds together is a labor of love made easier with a little expert guidance. 'Nest for Two' celebrates the shared dwelling with 225 inspiring color photographs showcasing the cozy corners, romantic details, and practical solutions that help couples savor the pleasures of home life together. From mingling disparate collections of art and ephemera in the living room, to organizing kitchen work areas to make room for two, the advice in 'Nest for Two' spans a variety of sensible topics. A joyful primer for settling into a sublime shared space, 'Nest for Two' is rich with ideas for creating a well-organized, beautiful setting where everyone feels at home. (Amazon book description)

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