Some recommended books for you to read during your Thailand holiday:
Behind the Barbed Wire
By Gwendolyn Chabrier
Seventy years and at least three generations have passed since the Nazi’s inflicted the abomination of the Holocaust on the Jewish population of Eastern Europe. And yet the singular horror and monstrosity of those events does not fade with time, and nor should it ever. “Behind the Barbed Wire” vividly and eloquently records the memories of one who lived through, and miraculously survived, the Nazi atrocities inflicted on Latvian Jews during WWII. This graphic, at times harrowing and always mesmerizing true account should be required reading for all who hold hope that mankind will never again witness such depravity.
And The Mountains Echoed
By Khaled Hosseini
Afghanistan,1952. Abdullah and his sister Pari live with their father and stepmother in the small village of Shadbagh. Their father, Saboor, is constantly in search of work and they struggle together through poverty and brutal winters. To Adbullah, Pari — as beautiful and sweet natured as the fairy for which she was named, — is everything.
Romantic French Homes
By Lanie Goodman
A unique collection of timeless French houses featuring original photography makes this a book to treasure. From a chic and sophisticated Parisian pied-a-terre owned by an acclaimed musician to an authentically restored Alpine ski lodge, from a grand chateau filled with antiques collected by generations of the same family to writer Marcel Pagnol’s beach cottage in St Tropez, Romantic French Homes presents a stunning selection of homes, most of which have never been photographed before. Author Goodman gathered a collection of 14 amazing properties that sum up all that is French and romantic, from the city streets of Paris to Megeve in the French Alps, from the windswept coast of Normandy, to the heart of Provence and the sunbaked shores of the Riviera. There are classic country houses, which have been in the same family for generations, tiny boltholes, city apartments, quirky seaside homes, and more. Each home has its own individual character, reflecting the people who live there and their passions.
By Gwendolyn ChabrierSeventy years and at least three generations have passed since the Nazi’s inflicted the abomination of the Holocaust on the Jewish population of Eastern Europe. And yet the singular horror and monstrosity of those events does not fade with time, and nor should it ever. “Behind the Barbed Wire” vividly and eloquently records the memories of one who lived through, and miraculously survived, the Nazi atrocities inflicted on Latvian Jews during WWII. This graphic, at times harrowing and always mesmerizing true account should be required reading for all who hold hope that mankind will never again witness such depravity.
Price: US$25 (Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.)
By Khaled HosseiniAfghanistan,1952. Abdullah and his sister Pari live with their father and stepmother in the small village of Shadbagh. Their father, Saboor, is constantly in search of work and they struggle together through poverty and brutal winters. To Adbullah, Pari — as beautiful and sweet natured as the fairy for which she was named, — is everything.
More like a parent than a brother, Abdullah will do anything for her, even trading his only pair of shoes for a feather for her treasured collection. Each night they sleep together in their cot, their skulls touching, their limbs tangled. One day the siblings journey across the desert to Kabul with their father. Pari and Abdullah have no sense of the fate that awaits them there, for the event that unfolds will tear their lives apart; sometimes a finger must be cut to save the hand.
Crossing generations and continents, moving from Kabul, to Paris, to San Francisco, to the Greek island of Tinos, with profound wisdom, depth, insight and compassion, Hosseini writes about the bonds that define us and shape our lives, the ways that we help our loved ones in need, how the choices we make resonate through history, and how we are often surprised by the people closest to us.
Price: Bt612 (US$20.35) // Available at Asia Books
By Lanie GoodmanA unique collection of timeless French houses featuring original photography makes this a book to treasure. From a chic and sophisticated Parisian pied-a-terre owned by an acclaimed musician to an authentically restored Alpine ski lodge, from a grand chateau filled with antiques collected by generations of the same family to writer Marcel Pagnol’s beach cottage in St Tropez, Romantic French Homes presents a stunning selection of homes, most of which have never been photographed before. Author Goodman gathered a collection of 14 amazing properties that sum up all that is French and romantic, from the city streets of Paris to Megeve in the French Alps, from the windswept coast of Normandy, to the heart of Provence and the sunbaked shores of the Riviera. There are classic country houses, which have been in the same family for generations, tiny boltholes, city apartments, quirky seaside homes, and more. Each home has its own individual character, reflecting the people who live there and their passions.
Price: Bt1,215 (US$40.40) // Available at Asia Books
Stylish new stuff that makes you look cool during your trip – check them out!
Laptop Bags
Crave II Backpack For Macbook
Inspired by outdoor apparel, the Targus Crave™ II Backpack is designed to protect up to 15″ MacBook® Pro and MacBook® Pro with Retina Display. The outer part of the case is made of durable nylon material that repels most accidental water and oil spills. The foam padding and sling MacBook® compartment system provides extra layers of cushioning for shock absorbency while the soft, scratch-resistant interior lining keeps the MacBook® free from dust or scratches. The stylish case is designed with contrast lining and trimming, and offers plenty of storage options, including dual side zippered pockets, an advanced workstation and a zippered stash pocket on the front panel. There is an iPad®-dedicated compartment, also made of scratch-resistant interior. The Crave™ II Backpack is a comfortable, lightweight, and durable option for work, leisure, and travel.
For Widescreen Laptops and Tablets
Protect your 15.6” widescreen laptops and tablets with the Targus Dash II Backpack. The protective cradle features anti-scratch material to safeguard the surface of your valuable device. The backpack features a built-in hidden rain cover and a water-resistant bottom to cater various weather conditions, including extreme humidity and rain. Its extra large compartment design provides all the storage space you will need. The front quick-access pocket is ideal to quickly grab the most needed items. The functional organizer will neatly store your pens, business cards, and more. The backpack comes with the comfortable shoulder straps and the ergonomic back panel which provide you with maximum comfort.
Soft Messenger Bag
The practical and spacious Kobe soft messenger bag is made from luxuriously smooth full grain leather teamed with lightweight fabric made from recycled bottles. The Kobe has a soft construction that moulds to your body, making it very comfortable to carry. It holds up to a 15” laptop within its quilted laptop protection pouch with shockproof protection, has folders and files fit easily inside, has interchangeable elastic pockets can hold your mobile, PDA, keys or iPod; has external back pocket is handy for your newspaper or book; and with magnetic tabs fasten the front flap. There is under flap that lies open pouch on left with organizer pocket, and zipped compartment on right, adjustable shoulder strap, slip pocket at the back for placing bag over a trolley handle when traveling, and unique ‘If Lost’ ID number to reunite you with your knomo.
Slim Laptop Pouch
The unique design of Knomo London Slim laptop pouch stands out from the crowd, and is super-practical too. The ultra-light laptop pouch is made from durable nylon quilting, for the ultimate protection against knocks or bumps. It can hold up to a 13” laptop within quilted laptop pouch and can carry three ways: via the detachable, adjustable strap, top retractable handle, or inside another bag. There’s a retractable top handle, external large pocket at back for cables/paperwork or to keep keys or mobile phone handy, knomo signature front pocket with zipped section for coins. It can hold an A4 pad. The quilted exterior is soft and protective.
Inspired by outdoor apparel, the Targus Crave™ II Backpack is designed to protect up to 15″ MacBook® Pro and MacBook® Pro with Retina Display. The outer part of the case is made of durable nylon material that repels most accidental water and oil spills. The foam padding and sling MacBook® compartment system provides extra layers of cushioning for shock absorbency while the soft, scratch-resistant interior lining keeps the MacBook® free from dust or scratches. The stylish case is designed with contrast lining and trimming, and offers plenty of storage options, including dual side zippered pockets, an advanced workstation and a zippered stash pocket on the front panel. There is an iPad®-dedicated compartment, also made of scratch-resistant interior. The Crave™ II Backpack is a comfortable, lightweight, and durable option for work, leisure, and travel.
Price: Bt2,320
Protect your 15.6” widescreen laptops and tablets with the Targus Dash II Backpack. The protective cradle features anti-scratch material to safeguard the surface of your valuable device. The backpack features a built-in hidden rain cover and a water-resistant bottom to cater various weather conditions, including extreme humidity and rain. Its extra large compartment design provides all the storage space you will need. The front quick-access pocket is ideal to quickly grab the most needed items. The functional organizer will neatly store your pens, business cards, and more. The backpack comes with the comfortable shoulder straps and the ergonomic back panel which provide you with maximum comfort.
Price: Bt 2,990
The practical and spacious Kobe soft messenger bag is made from luxuriously smooth full grain leather teamed with lightweight fabric made from recycled bottles. The Kobe has a soft construction that moulds to your body, making it very comfortable to carry. It holds up to a 15” laptop within its quilted laptop protection pouch with shockproof protection, has folders and files fit easily inside, has interchangeable elastic pockets can hold your mobile, PDA, keys or iPod; has external back pocket is handy for your newspaper or book; and with magnetic tabs fasten the front flap. There is under flap that lies open pouch on left with organizer pocket, and zipped compartment on right, adjustable shoulder strap, slip pocket at the back for placing bag over a trolley handle when traveling, and unique ‘If Lost’ ID number to reunite you with your knomo.
Price: Bt 7,180
The unique design of Knomo London Slim laptop pouch stands out from the crowd, and is super-practical too. The ultra-light laptop pouch is made from durable nylon quilting, for the ultimate protection against knocks or bumps. It can hold up to a 13” laptop within quilted laptop pouch and can carry three ways: via the detachable, adjustable strap, top retractable handle, or inside another bag. There’s a retractable top handle, external large pocket at back for cables/paperwork or to keep keys or mobile phone handy, knomo signature front pocket with zipped section for coins. It can hold an A4 pad. The quilted exterior is soft and protective.
Price: Bt4,600
