Caribbean Books

Read this book, when I was too young to understand the real meaning... Then, after feeling nostalgic towards my childhood, I ran into it again. Changed (or maybe reminded me) some paradigms in life. Must read it to understand in a simple description: love, death, eternity, peace, friendship and inmensity. The small things that turn life into something whole.

If you must read only one book from the Modern Latin American Literature (and this certainly would be a great mistake, if not a crime), then it should be this one. Canto General is a single poem, and yet it is a collection of poems. It is a historical epic, a social analysis, a political pamphlet, and a love sonnet. It is a song of Love and a song of Revolt, a personal song as well as a universal one; a song which whispers tenderly in your ear, and a song that screams against injustice with a loud forceful voice. It is Pablo Neruda's song and it is Chile's song, but it is truly America's song, North and South.

Written in Neruda's lyrical and mellifluous style, Canto General speaks with passion, lucidity, and even premonition of the heavy burden of social injustice and the brutality of tyrannical rule. But it also speaks with overflowing sensuality of love (for women, for the people, for his country). It would be unconscionable not to absorb and understand this book in its social and historical context, yet it would be a great mistake to view it uniquely as a political work of expression.

Read it to understand the Americas. Read it to revel in the beauty of its language. Read it to feel proud and to feel ashamed, to laugh and to cry. Read it in English (good), in Spanish (much better), or even in French (why not?)

I first read Canto General in French at the age of 15. I may since have forgotten some of the words in this book, but its impact and its spirit will probably remain with me for the rest of my life....

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R8HTS5RF5YF7T 4 1/2 Lips from Two Lips Reviews!

"Captain Devlin's Captive by Susanne Saville is a delectable tale that keeps you riveted to your seat with plenty of high seas adventure, swashbuckling, and hot romance." - Susan, Two Lips Reviews

As well as saying Captain Devlin's Captive is a "beautifully-written love story" and a "fast-paced, suspenseful novel," Brenda Talley of The Romance Studio writes, "This book...grabbed my attention and would not let go. I highly recommend that you read this book which includes, not only some "robin hood" like activities on the high seas, but also a charming romance."

"Susanne Saville combines extremely rich detail with exotic locations ... It made me feel as if I was right there in the story. ... Captain Devlin and Jasabel form a dynamic duo that sizzle when they are together." - Dawnie, Fallen Angel Reviews

"...the captor/captive romance works because of the heartfelt interaction between the protagonists. Realistic details draw the reader into the story and provide a historic context for themes that still resonate with readers." - Jennifer R. Wells-Marani, Romantic Times

"...the story line and dialogue flow with ease making it stand out over most. Many times Captain Devlin expresses his interest in the Countess and treats her as such, a very admirable quality to write into the story. The characters are likable and the settings are exquisitely drawn for the reader's imagination." - Dee, Night Owl Romance Book Reviews

A reprint of the novel Bloody Bay or currently Sisters of the Sea, this is one of the best pirate novels (in print or no). The story of notorious women, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, The Captain's Ladies (such an inaccurate title) is full of cursing, gambling, drinking, thieving, and love. I have heard it described as having "Johnny Depp style humor," and "hilarious pirate antidotes." (Reviewer "Raven," from Seattle, Washington posted review for Sisters of the Sea, May 29, 2005.) For those unfamiliar with the storyline, one synopsis reads, "Women of uncommon courage and uncompromising integrity, Anne Bonny and Mary Read defy the hypocrisy of the Great Age of Piracy. Their enduring friendship conquers even death." Of course, further details include Mary disguising herself as a man, joining the army, hitching a ride with a pirate brig, meeting Anne who had previously married some feckless pig to get to the Caribbean, dropped him and moved in with a gay man with extraordinary taste in fashion, and fell in love with Jack Rackham. And those wouldn't even count as spoilers. You'll fall in love with how damn cocky all the characters are, and you'll learn to love the sisters for their crazy plans, audacious actions, troubles with love, joyous friendships, and salty language. I admire the boldness of this novel of which the first lines read, "Molly twisted; ale splashed. `Bloody hell! If ye pinch me arse once more, ye bastard, I'll fetch my husband to slit yer throat.'"

This is a thoughtful and insightful anthology, as essential to pack as your sunscreen, serving as an antidote to the superficial "sun and fun" approach of the commercial Caribbean vacation. The booklists themselves are a treasure chest for those who want to dig deeper, or just fill a valise with books that illuminate their destination.

Sandra Paquet offers a detailed an informative analysis of Caribbean literature. Her study explores a range of authors and texts, focusing on the difficulties of self-definition.

J. D. Gordon had his thinking cap on when he wrote Caribbean Calling. Or maybe it was his fireman's hat for the ex-firefighter, paramedic-turned-author has worn them all. Caribbean Calling is a gem of an adventure, with the Caribbean as the playground. Eddie Gilbert wants to change jobs and latches onto an outfit where wearing a weapon is not optional. First assignment: Find Dr. Elaine Keller, a recent medical school graduate, hoping to earn her stethoscope in a small island in the Caribbean. Instead, she finds herself held against her will, then sold to a drug lord. Eddie and his new buddy Mario are sent to bring her out of her hell. This they do, with some of the finest action-packed pages I have read recently. I wholeheartedly recommend Caribbean Calling to those looking to escape into a good book.

Cassy Aden's parents died when she was quite young and she'd been taken in by her uncle, who had a daughter named Sylvia who was Cassy's age. Now the girls are 22 and Sylvia has gone off on a Caribbean vacation and refuses to come back and Cassy's uncle persuades Cassy to go and fetch her.

When Cassy arrives in the Bahamas she finds Sylvia having cocktails with a man named Justin. A man who reminds her of a soldier of fortune. After Justin leaves, Sylvia tells Cassy that she's told Justin that her best friend, Cassy, is after her father for his money. Cassy is stunned. Why would Sylvia be telling anybody that she was a gold digger? Well, to get sympathy from Justin, that's why. Sylvia needs Justin's help to get a job working as a caddy on the local golf course.

So you see how this romance is going to go. Cassy falls for Justin, Justin thinks she's a gold digger. She thinks Justin is just an ordinary guy, but is he?

This one was written back in 1978, the year I was born. I think I first read it when I was ten. I liked then, I still do and I think you will too.

Caribbean Cocktails is filled with tropical drink recipes that will have you smelling the ocean and feeling the warm breezes no matter where you may be located. They are done with fresh juices and easy to find ingredients. There are sections on eats and even one for your non-alcohol drinking guests. The added bonuses are the bits of triva placed thoughout the book as well as the "recommended listening" for each drink. I was very impressed with the book when I received it. It will be one I grab often thoughout the summer, winter, spring, and fall to entertain and to just fix something to relax and take me to that little tropical place in my mind. Well, any season is a good season to escape into one of these drinks.

This book remains a good 'Who', 'What', 'When', 'How' and 'Where' reference to have, when studying the Caribbean region (including the South American Atlantic countries).