5 Books to Read in the Autumn
Books are always good company, but it is in the autumn when the temperatures drop and rainy days compromise walks down the street, they take on added significance and become the best companions for moments of peace. If you are planning on taking a holiday at this time of year, enjoy the tranquillity of the shorter days in Estrela da Luz. Find a quiet spot in our apartments, enjoy a hot tea and read some of our suggestions.
We have put together some reading suggestions for your autumn holidays. The titles presented are varied to suit the different tastes of our guests. Select one or more books and allow yourself to travel through new stories during your holiday.
The Richest Man in Babylon - George S. Clason
It is a book considered a modern classic, in which some secrets of personal financial development are taught using parables from ancient Babylon. Personal finance is a subject that affects people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, and as such, this book's straightforward language will captivate any reader looking for new ways to manage their money. This 1926 bestseller tells the story of a man who wanted to become wealthy through the five golden laws, so he was later invited by the king to teach these educational principles at court. The five golden laws are valid for all times, and this book challenges you to follow them. Learn about these teachings and put them into practice after your well-deserved holiday.
Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind - Yuval Noah Harari
Take a 360º turn into the brief history of humanity with this book by the Israeli author, historian, researcher, and professor. The author has drawn on the ideas of paleontology, anthropology, and sociology to tell the story of mankind and its most remarkable deeds in the world. From the Stone Age to the present day, the book recounts the beginnings of our history to the current technological and political revolution we are experiencing as we move through the 21st century. This stimulates our perception of the world, a plausible framework for man's still brief presence on Earth, and how we have evolved into gods capable of elevating and destroying everything around us. This book promises to challenge the reader's perspective with intelligent writing on a subject that is so personal to them. A book to read, keep and re-read as often as possible.
The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
We recommend reading it again if you've already read it because it's a timeless classic. The story of a good man who is ridiculed by his peers is told in this novel. Prince Myshkin, the main character, lives in naivety and considers it a way of life. His actions in the company of the wealthy and young anarchists from the underprivileged classes cause him to be misunderstood. These two social groups harbour resentment and vent it on Myshkin. With this book, the author wanted to show the case of a positive-minded person and what can happen when he comes into contact with the harsh reality of the time. This work deals with moral, social and philosophical issues when someone decides to live parallel to his reality. This plot makes the book timeless.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - William Kambwamba and Bryan Mealer
If you don't know this title yet, find the best seat on the apartment's sofa in Estrela da Luz and start one of the most passionate stories told in a book today. Foremost, the book author is also the protagonist: William, a boy from Malawi who lived in extreme poverty. Although he loved learning new subjects, he dropped out of school at the age of 13 because he lacked the means. The only means he had to keep up with schooling was a small library where he acquired knowledge. Something was shown to him in one of the books available in the library that would make a difference in his village. A simple dynamo would bring electricity and water back to the village, which had no livelihood due to the extreme drought and political instability at the time. When he saw this device on his teacher's bicycle, he decided to study wind energy and put his knowledge into practise by building two windmills to save the village. A story about a tenacious young man who shows us how difficult things are for him, things that many of us take for granted.
Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi
Set in 18th century Ghana, Africa, the plot of this book tells the story of two half-sisters born in different villages. One of the sisters, Effia, lives comfortably in a castle with her English husband. Esi, the other sister, is not as fortunate. She is being held captive in the dungeons of the same castle, without her sister's knowledge. Esi's fate leads her to America, where she is sold as a slave. As time passes, the reader learns about the two realities of the subsequent generations of these two families, right up to our own time. Each family on a different continent shows the history of slavery and African American culture. Yaa Gyasi, who was born in 1989, published this book, which established her as one of North America's most promising writers.
Holidays can be hectic and full of activities, but a day to relax and read a good book should be on your list. Choose one of these or another book of your choice, relax on our apartment terraces, and read a good story.