Urso de Óculos

Spring has arrived – one of the loveliest times of year in Itacaré.

And if you like the idea of having space to read, springtime here is ideal, as the town is uncrowded, and the climate is perfect for taking a good book to the beach.

But which book to choose?

Here are our recommendations for  5  ecelectic  beach reads for springtime reading in Itacaré. And of course these books, and many more, are available right here in Itacaré, at Urso de Óculos bookshop:

1. THE BRAZILIAN CLASSIC NOVEL:

Tieta – Jorge Amado – (Translated by Barbara Shelby Merello)

Jorge Amado (1912 – 2001) was one of Brazil’s most popular writers, and certainly the most translated and internationally  acclaimed. He was born near Ilhéus (close to Itacaré) and many of his novels reflect Bahia’s colourful past. His most known novel, Gabriela, clove and cinnamon, is highly recommended and described in the Portuguese version of this post. Indeed, anything written by Jorge Amado is a top tip for beach reading in Bahia. But here we especially recommend the less well-known Tieta.

Described by the New York Times as Lusty, Tieta certainly does have the Amado trademark sexiness and vigour.

**It is the story of Tieta, who returns to her seaside village on the northeast coast of Brazil, after being banished for promiscuity twenty-six years earlier. Thinking she is now a rich, respectable widow, her family welcomes her with open arms. But Tieta is forced to reveal her true identity in order to save the town’s beautiful beaches from ugly development. For the only way she can stop the factory is to call upon her close connections in São Paulo’s highest political and financial circles – as only the Madam of the city’s ritziest bordello can.**

2. THE MUSICAL READ:

Tropical Truth – A story of music & revolution in Brazil – Caetano Veloso (translated by Isabel de Sena/Barbara Einzig)

Caetano Veloso is one of the most important songwriters in Brazil. In Tropical Truth he tells the story of his part in Tropicalismo, the revolutionary musical movement that rocked Brazilian culture in the 1960’s. As well as giving an insight into recent history, music, culture and politics in Brazil, it is also a background to the art and ideas shaping Caetano Veloso himself.

From his childhood and early influences in Bahia, to his exile in London and his connnections with Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Tom Zé and other great figures in Brazilian culture, this is a fascinating memoir.

Ideal for reading in a beach hut in Itacaré with Tropicalia playing in the background!

3. SPORT + GREAT WRITING:

Futebol – The Brazilian way of life – Alex Bellos

Ths book is so well written that even I – who cannot abide football – loved it. The thing is that as well as being totally about football it is also totally about Brazil.

Fascinating stories about Pelé, Garrincha, Ronaldoa and other “stars”, and some great observations  about Brazilian culture by this talented British writer.

This is an English book which has now been translated into Portuguese, and copies in  both languages are among our best sellers here at Urso de Óculos since we opened.

Buy this book and you can read it in the Urso de Óculos café, right in front of the local Itacaré football teams practice on Coroinha beach.

4. CLASSIC BRAZILIAN POETRY

Death and Life of Severino – João Cabral de Melo Neto – Translated by John Milton

**One of the most important Brazilian classics of the 20th century, Death and Life of Severino shows us the hardship of the rural migrants in the Northeast of Brazil. Severino, a farm labourer, leaves his drought-stricken region to seek his fortune. Throughout his journey along the River Capibaribe, he finds more drought, death and hunger. On reaching Recife, the capital of the state of Pernambuco, he thinks about drowning himself, but is prevented from doing so by his meeting with the carpenter José.

This translation, by John Milton, Professor of English Literature and Translation Studies at the University of São Paulo, is the first complete translation of this classic verse published in English.**

5. BREATHTAKING PHOTOS

Brazilian Nature in Detail – Photography by  Fabio Colombini and text by Evaristo Eduardo de Miranda

After all that drought in the book above, this beautiful book may just be the perfect chaser. This incredible work of macrophotography is one to apreciate aprés-beach, sipping a glass of cocoa juice and gazing at Itacaré’s exhuberant nature.

This title contains spectacular photos by Fabio Colombini with texts by scientist, agronomist and ecologist Evaristo Eduardo. It’s a bilingual edition in Portuguese and English, and one of various truly beautiful books available at Urso de Óculos bookshop.

Get your copies at Urso de Óculos while stocks last!

Plus…over on the Portuguese side of this site is a review of 5 more excellent titles, so if you read both posts you get an amazing 10 top springtime tips.

*Tieta is published by The University of Wisconsin Press.
Tropical Truth is from Da Capo Press.
Futebol is published by Bloomsbury.
Death and Life of Severino is published by Editora Plêdade.
Brazilian Nature in Detail is from Metalivros.
** Adapted from the publisher's description.