Friday Favourites- Birds without Wings

As this is my last week in Turkey, I thought I would have my Friday favourite be about one of my favourite books, which happens to be set in Turkey. Birds Without Wings by Louis de Bernieres, is truly one of the best books that I have ever read. I recommend it to everyone, and they all seem to love it.

This book is set in a small village, with different groups of people (Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Kurdish, women, men, children, Muslim, Christian, Jewish etc.) at the end of the Ottoman Empire. It tells the story of the last days of the Ottomans and the beginning of the Turkish Republic.

The story is told through a variety of characters' different points of view. It explains to the reader how this time in history was seen through the eyes of the different groups who were experiencing it.

I think that the reason I loved the book was because it was such a clear, honest look into village life in Turkey. It never tried on group better or worse than another, it gave a very balanced account of the times, of people who had once lived together harmoniously, sharing everything, to people who did not feel that way anymore.

This book is a wonderful story about a time in Ottoman history that is often portrayed very harshly. It brings respect and honor to all those involved. I recommend this book to anyone looking to laugh and to cry, to feel and to learn.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Friday Favourites- Philippa Gregory

I have always had a fasination with the British history, specifically the reigns of certain kings and queens. I love reading books about this period, and there is an author, Philippa Gregory, who writes historical fiction set in my favourite period- during the reign of the Tudors.

Gregory wrote six books set during the Tudor Period (The Other Boleyn Girl, The Other Queen, The Virgin's Lover, The Constant Princess, The Boleyn Inheritance and The Other Queen). Each of these books looks at the women in this time period, and shows what happened historically, but through the eyes of these women.

I love reading these books. Gregory gives glimpses into the period without boring the story with too many details. However, there is such a richness to her descriptions that when I am reading the books, I feel like I am being transported back in time, I even have dreams about the characters and the settings.

According to her website, she has started writing a new series, of which I have read the first book. The series, The Cousins' War is about the Plantagenet reign, before the Tudors.

The first book of the series, The White Queen, was very good, and I am lookind forward to her next book in the series.

Have you ever read any of her books?

Friday Favourites- To kill a Mockingbird

In honor of its fiftith anniversary, this week I am going to write about one of my favourites, the Puliter Prize classic, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. This book also went on to be the fantastic, Oscar winning movie starring Gregory Peck.

The story centres around the Finch family, Atticus, Jem and Scout, and the people in their small southern town during the Depression. More specifically during a race trail in which the father, Atticus, is defending a black man.

I first read the book when I was in high school, and loved it. I think that it is a story about children learning what the world around them is really like. About stepping out of the world of imagination and into the world of reality. The role that each of the character plays, shows how truly intertwined everyone within a community is.

So, on its fiftith anniversary I am suggesting that you read, or re-read To Kill a Mockingbird.