a Pinch of Posh

I've had great sympathy for Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen for a while and was greatly surprised and amused with his (and his wife's) book: A Pinch of Posh. I confess I was expecting a "very serious" book on good manners but as it turns out this a well written, witty book, that will make a great Christmas gift... for the Posh Ones and well... for the not so Posh.

Christmas Catalogue

Our Christmas catalogue is now available. Don't forget to request your FREE copy.

The best choice of over 200 fabulous books for all the family....

IMPORTANT NOTICE

We'd like to inform our clients that Magna Carta will be closed from the 13th to the 16th October, as we'll be participating in BLIP (Better Living in Portugal) Exhibition.

You may visit us on the 14th & 15th October at stand A72 at ExpoArade in Portimão. Please call us if you need directions or check the Algarve Resident newspaper for more information on the exhibition.

In the meantime you may continue to browse and buy your books at our online shop.

Rhythm of the Dance at Fábrica do Inglês in Silves

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MAGNA CARTA BOOKSHOP

Cost 24 euros per person (50% discount for children 5 to 11 years old)

More information click here

INDULGENCE

29th July in Carvoeiro
4pm - 9pm

Beauty Therapy

Jewellry

Virgin Vie

Integrated Energy Therapy (Angel therapy)

Crystals

Books

Food

APAA stalls

Network, try new therapies, make friends.

For more information and bookings ring Séverine or Susana on: 962032311 & 961678870

carvoeiroindulgence@hotmail.co.uk

All proceedings will be donated to APAA
Entry fee €2, children up to 12 years free

Alentejo Blue by Monica Ali

Presents the story of the Portuguese village of Mamarrosa told through the lives of those who live there and those who are passing through - men and women, children and old people, locals, tourists and expatriates. For some, it is a place from which to escape; for others it is a way of running from trouble (but not eluding it).

Read an excerpt of "Alentejo Blue" in the Guardian newspaper.

ORDER THIS BOOK NOW:

PAPERBACK: 16,00€

HARDBACK: 18,00€ (normal price £14,99 or 22,50€)

Art at Magna Carta!

Artist William David John Haines has been in the Algarve just over eighteen months, but already his feel and interpretation of the region has inspired him to create some of the most striking works of Algarvean trademark-feature art, ever seen. An accomplished artist and sculptor, William has been involved in the world of art from a very young age, having produced his first wooden sculpture at the age of nine, and his first painting at thirteen.

During the 1970's, Haines ran his own studio in the Welsh town of Newport, his paintings even then reaching high demand and being featured around numerous Welsh galleries. His self-taught techniques have been honed into an unmistakable and captivating talent, his biggest inspiration and influence being the unique artist Van Goth, which he has studied intensely for over three decades.

Fluent in Algarvean commercial art, abstract, traditional, modern and fun art, colour plays a large part in Haines's art, using bold, captivating colours freely and on density, giving the pieces texture and life. Painting by means of acrylic and oils, his works are produced on both canvas and wood, following main techniques also favoured by Van Goth.

His work is now creating quite a stir in the Algarve, becoming highly acclaimed and widely sought after.Pieces may also be ordered on commission.

You may now admire and purchase the work of David Haines at Magna Carta Bookshop. Tel: 282 496 001.

Thanks to Judith Fulcher for sending us this.

Magna Carta tops British day poll (BBC News Online 30/05/06)

King John signed the Magna Carta on 15 June 1215The anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta has been chosen as the best date to celebrate Britishness.
The charter imposed on King John on 15 June 1215 by rebel barons limited the power of the monarch and gave ordinary people rights under common law.
Its anniversary was picked by 27% of the 5,002 people polled by BBC History magazine, with VE Day, 8 May, taking 21%, and D-Day, 6 June, attracting 14%.
Chancellor Gordon Brown recently called for a new day for national identity.
In an address to the Fabian Society in January, he suggested the UK needed a day to celebrate "who we are and what we stand for".
'Surprising choice'
BBC History magazine editor Dave Musgrove said the choice of the Magna Carta anniversary may indicate the UK is moving on from a "dependence on World War II as the critical point in our island story".
"It's fascinating, and surprising, that an event from medieval history has come out above VE Day, all the more so when you consider that it's a constitutional rather than a militaristic moment that's been chosen," he said.
Dan Snow, the presenter of BBC history programmes, described the Magna Carta as a worthy winner.

"The idea that the will of the king can be bound by law is as important today as it was 800 years ago," he added.

HOW PEOPLE VOTED

Magna Carta: 27%
VE Day: 21%
D-Day: 14%
Armistice Day: 11%
Trafalgar victory: 10%
Slave trade abolished: 6%
Napoleon's defeat: 4%
Churchill's birth: 3%
Cromwellian republic: 2%
Reform Act: 2%

SOURCE: BBC History magazine

"It didn't work in practice but it set a precedent. It advanced the cause of liberty, constitutionalism and parliamentarianism, which Britain in turn has passed on to the world."
But some historians pointed out that the Magna Carta took place before the union of Great Britain.
"The problem with a Magna Carta day is that this was originally very much an English, not a British significant event," said Linda Colley, Professor of history at Princeton University.
"Though to be sure, it acquired in the 18th and 19th centuries a resonance for radicals and constitutionalists across the islands."
Other dates considered in the poll were Armistice Day, 11 November; the abolition of the slave trade, 25 March; Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, 18 June, and Churchill's birth, 30 November.

1st Language and Culture Fair

Centro Cultural de Línguas, Cultura e Comunicação

Saturday - 27th May

From 3pm to 9pm

www.clcc.pt

7TH INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY FAYRE

27th & 28th May

FATACIL - LAGOA

Books for all the family!

VISIT US: STAND 67

© SuperStock, Inc.

BookTime Magazine

The new consumer magazine is out and is free to all our clients. It contains book reviews, interviews, crosswords and much more. We have a limited number of copies so collect yours from our shop as soon as possible or e-mail us to reserve or post* one for you.

If you'd like it posted please send us 1.50€ for post & packaging costs. You may wish to send us payment for more than one month and guarantee that you always get your copy.

BARLAVENTO ENGLISH SCHOOL

ESPICHE

EASTER FAYRE

Saturday 1st April

2pm - 5pm

Lots of fun for the whole family

Also: Bouncy Castle, Quad Bikes, Pony Rides, Tombola, Raffle, Games, Craft Stalls

BAR

B-B-Q

Easter Bonnet

Parade 4pm

FREE ENTRANCE

Books in Luz

Choose from a selection of books for all the family.

Hugo Beaty Bar (Estrela da Luz Resort)

Next Fair: Saturday 15th April

10am - 1pm

For book orders ring Susana on 282 496 001

Everyone welcome

Children of The Tsunami

On 26th December 2004 a massive tsunami struck Khao Lak in Thailand as well as Indonesia, Sri-Lanka, the Maldives, Malaysia, India and many other coastal and island countries around the Indian Ocean. The Tsunami washed away people’s lives, their hopes and dreams.
This book is about how the children (many of whom were orphaned by the Tsunami) coped with their loss. It is a beautiful and sometimes heart wrenching collection of stories, poems, and pictures by the children of Khao Lak, illustrating how they are dealing with their loss and grief. It is also a story of hope, humanity and triumph over despair.The material for the book was compiled by the students of Bangkok Patana School, the British International School in Thailand.All profits from this book go directly to the education of the children of Khao Lak – the "Children of the Tsunami".

Price: 22,50€

Valentine's Cards

Beautiful Valentine's Cards now in stock!

And the winner is...

The Whitbread book awards caused the first stir of the literary year today with their announcement of the five winners of their category awards for best novel, best first novel, poetry collection, biography and children's book. More information here...

Whitbread Novel Award

The Accidental by Ali Smith (0241141907, 22.50€, Hamish Hamilton)
The Accidental pans in on the Norfolk holiday home of the Smart family one hot summer. There, a beguiling stranger called Amber appears at the door bearing all sorts of unexpected gifts, trampling over family boundaries and sending each of the Smarts scurrying from the dark into the light.

Whitbread First Novel Award

Harmony Silk Factory by Tash Aw (0007204515, 12.00€, Harper Perennial)
A brilliant new novel from a genuinely exciting new voice in British fiction. Set in
Malaysia in the 1930s and 40s, with the rumbling of the Second World War in the
background and the Japanese about the invade.

Whitbread Biography Award

Matisse The Master by Hilary Spurling (0241133394, 35.00€, Hamish Hamilton)
This is the second and final volume of the first true biography of Henri Matisse. Hilary
Spurling's biography investigates the secret life of Matisse, whose painting shocked and infuriated his contemporaries while paving the way for modern art. Here she looks at his glory years between 1909 and 1954.

Whitbread Children’s Book Award

The New Policeman by Kate Thompson (037032823X, 16.50€, Random House Children’)

A wonderfully intriguing story going right to the heart of Irish magic, folklore and
music. Readership level: 12+.

Whitbread Poetry Award
Logue’s Homer Cold Calls by Christopher Logue (0571202772, 13.50€, Faber)

The fifth, and penultimate, instalment of Logue's Homeric masterpiece.

Order these books from Magna Carta Bookshop until the 20th January and get 20% off.

Books at Hotel Garbe

Every saturday starting on the 7th January between 3,30pm - 4.30pm our shop will be taking books to Hotel Garbe in Armação de Pêra. We are also quite happy to bring orders in or to deliver to your door if you live in area.

New Web Site

New year...new web site! We have decided to use the journal mainly for updates and reviews about books and the web site is now focused mainly on providing information on our shop, its location and contacts.

We welcome book reviews, information about events, jokes, recipes, ANYTHING, that might be of interest to our clients that visit our web site regularly!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

New year starts with mega sales!

From the 2nd of January until the 20th new books are on sale at our shop!

****Limited to existent stock****

Fiction Books & Biographies

30% off when you purchase the book + 20% money back when you return book to the shop.

Mind, Body & Spirit, Cooking Books, Gardening, Golf, Children Books

20% off

Calendars and Diaries

30% off

*Books not covered by the sales are: "Algarve Shorts" by Ellie Bowdery and "Algarve Now and Then" by Jenny Grainer.

Market

Don't forget Alvor's market on the 13/12/2005. It's the last market before Xmas so it's usually very popular for last minute stock fillers!