Lifestyle Monthly Favourites

May Favourites 2023

Music

Ena Vrady – Saske & Sidarta

When Saske and Sidarta make a musical cooperation it is certain that an amazing single will follow…

Saturn – Sleeping At Last

This was my first introduction to the modern miracle we call ”Sleeping At Last”. A captivating interpretation of ove and the pain of losing a beloved to death…

Venus – Sleeping At Last

Venus is an ode to stars and the universe. Such beauty can only be witnessed at night through a veil of magic and wonder…

French Restaurant – Lana Del Rey

French restaurant is one of Lana Del Rey’s songs that did not get included in the final album. A shame really, as it is an amazing piece of music full of emotion…

Honeymoon – Lana Del Rey

Another amazing song by Lana Del Rey that could easily be the theme of a James Bond film…

Agapi (Remix) – Sigma & Light

Agapi is another song that strays pleasantly from the typical formula of trap singles.

Books

24 Hours in Ancient Athens: A Day in the Life of the People Who Lived There by Philip Matyszak

Athens, 416 BC: A tenuous peace holds. The city-state’s political and military might are feared throughout the ancient world; it pushes the boundaries of social, literary and philosophical experimentation in an era when it has a greater concentration of geniuses per capita than at any other time in human history. Yet even geniuses go to the bathroom, argue with their spouse and enjoy a drink with friends.

During the course of a day we meet 24 Athenians from all strata of society – from the slave-girl to the councilman, the vase painter to the naval commander, the housewife to the hoplite – and get to know what the real Athens was like by spending an hour in their company. We encounter a different one of these characters every chapter, with each chapter forming an hour in the life of the ancient city. We also get to spy on the daily doings of notable Athenians through the eyes of regular people as the city hovers on the brink of the fateful war that will destroy its golden age.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

12 year-old Meggie lives with her father, Mortimer, a bookbinder. Mo never reads stories aloud to Meggie because he has a special gift: when he reads a book aloud, the characters come out of the book and into the real world.

One night, when Meggie was a small child, Mortimer was reading aloud from a book named Inkheart when an evil villain named Capricorn, his aide Basta, and a fire-eater named Dustfinger escape from the book and into their living room. At the same time, Mo’s wife Resa gets trapped within the book.

Twelve years later, Capricorn is on a hunt to find and destroy all copies of Inkheart and use Mo’s abilities to gain more power for himself in the real world. Meggie discovers her father’s secret and, along with the help of Dustfinger and Meggie’s eccentric aunt Elinor, fights to free her father and destroy Capricorn.

The Chinese Gold Murders by Robert van Gulik

A.D. 663: In this book in Robert van Gulik’s classic mystery series of ancient China, Judge Dee must look into the murder of his predecessor. His job is complicated by the simultaneous disappearance of his chief clerk and the new bride of a wealthy local shipowner.

Meanwhile, a tiger is terrorizing the district, the ghost of the murdered magistrate stalks the tribunal, a prostitute has a secret message for Dee and the body of a murdered monk is discovered to be in the wrong grave.

In the end, the judge, with his deft powers of deduction, uncovers the one cause for all of these seemingly unrelated events.

The Lacquer Screen by Robert van Gulik

Early in his career, Judge Dee visits a senior magistrate who shows him a beautiful lacquer screen on which a scene of lovers has been mysteriously altered to show the man stabbing his lover. The magistrate fears he is losing his mind and will murder his own wife. Meanwhile, a banker has inexplicably killed himself, and a lovely lady has allowed Dee’s lieutenant, Chiao Tai, to believe she is a courtesan. Dee and Chiao Tai go incognito among a gang of robbers to solve this mystery, and find the leader of the robbers is more honorable than the magistrate.

Ancient Egypt by Georg Hart

Ancient Egypt is a dynamic reference book for children. Detailed, atmospheric illustrations, revealing photographs and lively descriptions engage and encourage readers to discover for themselves a part of the world’s exciting history. Every page is designed to capture the imagination and stimulate curiosity. A dramatic four-page foldout scene and vivid drawings take young readers into the heart of the topic.

Movies

Malèna (2000)

Amidst the war climate, a teenage boy discovering himself becomes love-stricken by Malèna, a sensual woman living in a small, narrow-minded Italian town.

Shops

Su Casa

?Kyprou 82, Glyfada, Greece

A cute shop in a very sophisticated neighborhood with a versatile menu…

Piu Verde

?Papagou Forest, Athens, Greece

Piu Verde is a breath of fresh air in the center of Athens. Located in a little forest area it is the perfect weekend getaway for a cup of coffee in the company of trees and birds.

Dos Gardenias

?Ivis 21, Psyrri, Athens, Greece

Dos Gardenias is a Latin quarter in one of the most popular tourist areas of Athens. It’s distinct style and aesthetic make it a favourite among tourists and locals alike…

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