Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Writing Workshops

New for Alvor!

Monthly Writing Workshops in the western Algarve

All welcome

Alvor – Magna Carta

Sat 2.30 – 4.30 pm

Writing Short Fiction (Feb 6, March 6)

Writing Fiction

Striving to tell the truth is one thing, but writing fiction is a legitimate form of making things up! Of course, it must be believable and in these workshops we will look at how to make fiction convincing, how to create three-dimensional characters, how to plot without it seeming contrived, the importance of research, how to use the senses in order to create a place the reader can visualise, and how to narrate. We will also consider sources of inspiration, starting points for writing, the importance of observing and listening, and practise narrative techniques such as ‘show’ not ‘tell’. In each workshop we will look at short extracts of fiction, do short writing exercises and discuss the craft of writing fiction. At the end of each workshop you will be welcome to submit up to 500 words for some feedback for the next time.

About the tutor:

Lisa Selvidge has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and has been teaching creative writing for thirteen years at both the Norwich School of Art & Design and the UEA. She currently teaches online courses for several universities in the UK. She has published the Writing Fiction Workbook and edited an anthology of writings called Summer Times in the Algarve, as well as fiction.

Writing Workshops are open to all nationalities but will be conducted in English. Please note that these are not courses as such and you are welcome to attend as many or as few workshops as you wish. To reserve a place, please contact Lisa lisa.selvidge@clix.pt or 962887680. Minimum 5 people, maximum 8 .

( Cost €10 each workshop.

www.lisaselvidge.com

Tarot Readings at Magna Carta

Jamina's aim is to help you "Now", in the Present, because that is where you can make your changes, so that you can influence your Future in a positive way.

If you need guidance and wish to become clearer about any issue that concerns you, maybe a reading is just what you need.

Jamina is an Intuitive Tarot Reader and Holistic Therapist since 2002. She has worked in the UK and now in Portugal.

35€: 1 hour by appointment only.

Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful

An insider's portrait of Bon Jovi, one of America's best-loved rock bands. It captures the musicians of the band - Jon, Richie, Dave, and Tico - at both intimate moments and under the limelight in various aspects of their lives, from the private moments backstage, on the road, or at home, to their live performances under the limelight.

Price: 24euros (free p&p for Portugal)

Winter Opening Times

Please note our winter opening times

Mon - Sat: 9am until 5pm
(closed for lunch between 1pm - 2pm).

Sunday: Closed

My Path by Carolien van Leusden

In this inspiring emotional account Carolien tells how, with conventional medicine backed by alternative therapies and spiritual guidance, she has chosen a path through the cancer nightmare - and is still here to enjoy the Now!

She takes us on her special journey in which adapting her diet, spring cleaning the clutter from her life and "awareness transformation" have all played their part.

Available to buy here at 15€

FREE LIFE CHANGING BOOKS

Is there such thing as life changing books? We believe there are and we believe such books should be available for free for they are… priceless.

With this initiative it is our intention to offer free access to books that someone, for some reason, considered life changing. In the process we hope to help anyone, who may be going through personal challenges of any kind, to transform their own lives.

There is a box available at the bookshop where the books can be left and collected from.

If you have a book that changed your life please deposit it in our “BOOKS FOR FREE” basket, perhaps with a note explaining how important that book was to you. (If you’d like to hear from whoever takes your book home please include your contact details inside). It doesn’t matter if the book is about spirituality, health or a fiction book. Anything that helped YOU.

If for some reason a book you choose disappoints you please return it to the shop as it may be the right book for someone else.

In order to keep this going please pass the word round, so that life changing FREE books are available at all times for those who may require them. If you can’t get to the shop you may still donate your book by sending it to:

Magna Carta Bookshop

Urb. Quinta da Praia

Lote 4 – Loja 10

8500 – 013 Alvor

Thank you for your support.

Susana Parker

the other hand by Chris Cleave

I'm lost for words with this one.
Beautifully written.

Easter Promotion

During the month of April you can buy "A Year in Monchique" by Paul Mckay, currently one of our top sellers books at the shop, for only 8€. Click here to buy.

The Portuguese Bear

Ideal as a gift for children and grown ups alike, this top quality bear produced by Keel Toys, is a great souvenir to remember the good times spent in Portugal.

Size: 12cm (approx)

Available to buy here

Marley & Me

I never wanted to read the book because I figured that a book about someone's life with a dog had probably to end, well...with the dog's final moments. Having a Labrador myself and being a hyper-sensitive dog lover I chose not to read the book. I did give a copy to my mum as a gift when it came out in Portuguese and she absolutely loved it.

Now, if I didn't read the book why would I go and see the movie? Well, one part of me cannot resist dogs, full stop. The other part told herself it'd be fine if I stopped watching when he gets old and all that. I did...I focused on this blue light on the cinema's floor, closed my eyes, sang a song in my head, swore when I heard snippets of what was being said, etc. My mum on the other hand said how silly of me not to want to watch the end, it was only a movie, death was part of life and all that. So I was a little surprised when I heard this sobbing by my side. Everyone in the cinema is getting up and she's sitting there sobbing blocking everyone's way for a few embarrassing moments.

I do want to read the book now because I want to read things that John Grogan said or thought that could not be shown in the film. I look forward to that.

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his."

The Portuguese Water Dog

This is Bica, the Portuguese Water Dog, one of our bestseller books at the shop. This story, which young children will enjoy reading or having read to them, is about a Portuguese Water Dog who lives by the sea on the south coast of Portugal...

Available to buy here

Summer Times in the Algarve

The Algarve is the source of inspiration for this exciting new collection of short stories, memoirs and poetry. Seventeen contemporary writers both recollect and recreate the lives of people along the Algarve coast from Tavira to Sagres and up into the mountains. They takes us on a journey back in time to the Moors, through the Revolution of April 1974, and into the twenty-first century. Some mourn the vanishing years of the simple pastoral life, impoverished though it was, some celebrate it. Others on short visits have been enchanted or amused by an event with one of its inhabitants, and somehow, when they left a bit of their heart has stayed behind. All of them are united by their fondness of Portugal and its serene and laid-back southern province.

Available to buy here

Handcrafted Valentine's Cards

Just like last year we have a beautiful range of handcrafted cards for Valentine's Day. These are unique cards (no two cards are exactly the same) and they're a great way to show your loved one how much they mean to you.

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

Paperback edition of the book which sets out presidential Barack Obama's political vision for the future of America. With intimacy and self-deprecating humour, Obama describes his experiences as a politician, about balancing his family life and his public vocation. His search for consensus and his respect for the democratic process inform every sentence, as he discusses the importance of empathy in politics, and how the ideals of democracy can be renewed. Click here to buy

A Year in Monchique by Paul McKay

A Year in Monchique tells the story of a couple of London escapees getting to grips with life in rural Portugal. The challenging move from city living in politically correct Newham to the agricultural nightmares of bean eating bees, escaping goats and an amorous, sexed-up sow is made more difficult by their woeful endeavours at becoming fluent in the language.

On their journey, they meet a diverse group of people: new age eco-warriors, seed munching fruitarians, crystal swinging diviners and an octogenarian widow farming an acre of land unaided.

As well as immersing us in the comic side of daily life, the diary revelas a rapidly changing community who share a love and respect for the Portuguese countryside.

Price: 10€ (click here to buy)