Symi Books (2)
Today’s books continue the living on Symi theme. ‘Symi 85600’ covers our first five years here, ‘Carry On’ covers the next year or so (see yesterday’s post), and ‘Village View’ takes us all the way through 2013. Symi, Stuff & Nonsense fills in some gaps, adds to ‘85600’, and contains some travel stories from my past.
A year living on Symi, a Greek island. James’ blog posts from 2013, edited and set out in printed form with images by Neil Gosling, take us through one whole year living on a small Greek island in southeast Greece. From winter storms to summer visitors, from photo walks to book signings, and from goats to shrimp festivals, Village View gives us an upfront, honest and mildly edited account of James and Neil’s eleventh year on Symi.
“Please read this book, it will give you a warm gooey feeling and make you laugh, and teach you SO much. His love of the Greek Island of Symi is immense and his concern for its future prosperity is humbling. We can all help these beautiful islands by continuing to visit and letting them know we really care.” Amazon review
Part memoir, part observation, this scrapbook of anecdotes and witty observations takes us from Romney Marsh to Greece via a graveyard campsite, an adult film festival, and some unusual wordplay. What to expect when dining with the Turin jet set, what to learn when moving to Symi, and how to behave when held at gunpoint in Egypt; it’s all here along with a few train journeys, some mountaineering, and Symi’s first civil partnership.
“The logophile James Collins gives us a generous and entertaining peep into his life through his travels, his wordsmithery, and at times a quirky look at the day to day happenings on the magical island of Symi where he and his husband now live. Perhaps Symi has found its own Bill Bryson.” Amazon review.
Another book tomorrow…
