For the past several years, in an effort to promote cultural diversity and understanding, Amazon has offered free books on Kindle to celebrate World Book Day. I usually participate by getting several of the free offerings but forget to share the information with our (the Mustache and the Beard) audience.
I acquired eight of the ten free offerings last night and realized that I should share the opportunity to grab some of these with you. Even though I have not read all of these, I will tell you about some of the ones I acquired and why. If you own a Kindle or have the Kindle app on your phone or tablet, you can grab these ten free international offerings that are available until April 27, 2022.
The Caiman by Maria Eugenia Manrique is not just a children’s book offering for ten-year-old’s and older, but it also comes from Venezuela. Thematically the book revolves around the lived experience of a Venezuelan clockmaker named Faoro. The children find a freshwater caiman and gift it to Faoro who decides to take care of the reptile, even building a pond to house the beast.
He names it Negro and allows it free range through the house. There is some drama that occurs when Faoro gets a girlfriend who is not completely comfortable living with Negro, but the issues get resolved relatively well and quickly. The story is not particularly involved, but certainly a cute story. A perfect children’s offering for World Book Day.
What should not be understated is that the art is well-drawn by Ramon Paris. Overall, a quick, fun read of 40 pages.
The Ardent Swarm is an allegorical story from Tunisia written by Yamen Manai. Curious to understand the significance drawn from the harvesting of honey from bees and the quest undertaken by one man, I started reading this book last night and find that I’m more than halfway through today.
I cannot tell you how it turns out, because I do not know and of course, I never spoil. However, the fact that I’m more than halfway through should tell you something about my enthusiasm.
The Puma Years is a book from Bolivia written by Laura Coleman who was aimless in her twenties (a lot of us are). She quit her job to hike through the Amazon jungle. When she arrived at a wildlife sanctuary, she connected with a puma. That’s just part of the story. The preserve had other animals that equally required attention.
Cast the story with the added drama of the threat of forest fires, and deforestation, poachers and illegal pet traders, and how could I not be interested in the memoir. This is recommended by Jane Goodall, you know, the monkey lady. Sounds like a steal.
From the Netherlands comes a home invasion thriller by Nova Lee Maier. Amazon teases this as a mother who is happy with her career and teenage daughters but disenchanted with her husband. When she arrives home from work one day, she is surprised by what awaits her, but even more so by what she is prepared to do to protect her family.
Oh, yeah! Nightmarish true-to-life, real horror and you know that I am there for it. Even though home invasion is not my horror bent, this sounds extremely provocative. Check this out. This is a direct quote from the Blurb. “There’s only one thing worse than doing the unthinkable: what you’re willing to do to hide it.”
To the Sky Kingdom is an epic book written by Tang Qi from China. It is mythological in its expanse, incorporating gods and mortals entangled in the dramas of existence. It involves love, jealousy, war, passion, evil, and magic.
The book spans thousands of years, across multiple worlds in time. It explores the motivations that cause both mortal and immortal to seek those forces which bind us together most powerfully: friendship, loyalty, hope, and love. It also opposes those forces which separate — envy, fear, hate, and revenge.
I have only talked to you about half of the Amazon offerings, but I would urge you to check out these books for yourself. Each one is free for your Kindle or if you don’t have a Kindle, you can download the Kindle app for free on your phone or tablet. Ten books from around the world to expand your intellectual horizons is a good deal at almost any price. Here it is free until the 27th of this month.
I grabbed eight of the ten, and you all know that I will eventually read them. I did not grab two. Can you guess which two? Check these out. I love when people allow themselves to check out something I have recommended and they say, “Good call.”
Well, you loveable Geeks. I’m done for the night and hope you have enjoyed spending a little time together. Same Bat-time. Same Bat-channel. [I’m watching the (Adam West) Batman TV show on Tubi and I love its campy gloriousness.] See Ya later! Take it easy! and Peace!
The Mustache and The Beard 