"Don't Stop The Carnival"

On another note, does anyone have any suggestions for continued reading regarding the islands? Fiction or Non-ficion (no travel guides though) and other than the ones advertised on this board please.

I very much enjoyed this book by Herman Wouk and will probably also check out Marjorie Morningstar. Thanks for the insights everyone. I enjoyed reading the responses as well 🙂

Hey Mell,

yeah what a disappointment that ending was. Argh. I do appreciate real-life slants, but adore happy endings!

Hope all is well!

-Jen

PS- I meant this for a PM but accidentally hit reply to post and can't save it blank...oops

After reading your post on how much everyone liked this book. I ordered on Amazon.com. I haven't received it yet, but when you proceed to the check-out they give a list of other books that are related, or that people who purchased this book, what else they bought.

If you're looking for other 'island' books check out An Embarrassment of Mangoes by Ann Vanderhoof and A Trip to the Beach by Melinda Blanchard . . . neither are about the USVI but they both are pretty good books with plenty of stories of the 'special' way of doing things down in the Caribbean

Ummm, there are a few books on the top of this page.

Yes, I said "other than those advertised on this board"

Thanks for the suggestions, GoalUSVI,I will certainly check them out!

Good idea, Molly. Let us know how you like the book!

I second "An Embarrassment of Mangoes." Great read. The couple does briefly mention STJ, if I remember correctly. There are a couple more but I can't come up with the names. I'll be back when my 2 brain cells fire up again.

"A Pirate looks at 50" by Jimmy Buffett. There's a mystery set on STT from several years ago but I can't remember the name or auther. Check out Dockside Books. It may still be carried there. It was written by someone here on STT. There is also Willie Wilson's book too. Dockside will probably definitely have it.

"Sex Lives of Cannibals", it's set in the South Pacific but island living has it's similarities. It makes our little inconveniences seem insignificant.

"Night of the Silent Drums" on the 1733 uprising on St John, You will never be able to sail by the Durloughs again and look at them the same way. Nor will you be able to visit Caneel without thinking of the events that occurred there.

A wonderful book about growing up on St Kitts, "Sonny Jim of Sandy Point," that will give you some background on what the Caribbean was like 40 years ago and why people migrated to St Thomas in the 70s.

I agree with Trade (AGAIN! ;)) look at the Caribbean writers section at Dockside. While he is not from the VI, V.S. Naipaul is a Caribbean Nobel Laureate. Also Gabriel Garcia Marquez, from the Columbian Caribbean!

Soap box: There are people who seek to divide the Caribbean ("I like that island, but I don't like this island"), but there really is (or was) a Caribbean way of life. Many more similarities than differences, IMHO.

James Michener's "Caribbean"
Novelized history of the Caribbean with good storylines. Nice and thick too!

And if you're into history with a mixture of anthro/socio/archaeo/natural .... "1491" by Charles Mann is amazing.
The true story of the Americas just before Columbus. Some amazing conclusions and little known history.

Thanks, where is Dockside Books?

Weekend at Bernies.

I re read Don't Stop The Carnival about once a year. After stopping at the 4th or 5th place trying to find something I usually think of Norman Paperman. It's kind of like my mantra when things get frustrating. Another "must read is Caribbean By James Mitchner. and Ismael, the story of Fountain Valley.

Hi Jen,

Thanks for the post up above!

Dockside Books is at Havensight right next to Gourmet Gallery. It's small, but they have a decent selection and they are really nice. Make sure you sign up for their book club -- after you spend a certain dollar amount they will give you a discount off of your next purchase.

Happy Reading!

Best,
🙂 Mell

PS To Bombi, Neil, Trade, East Ender, Goalusvi, Cathy, wonderful reccomendations -- Thanks!!!

There are several paperbacks by Kate Grilley (all are available on Amazon):

Death Dances to a Reggae Beat
Death Lurks in the Bush
Death Rides an Ill Wind

All are set on St. Christopher (St. Croix). They are easy, fun reads (much like Murder She Wrote) and you will recognize places (although names have been changed, and stuff has been borrowed from other islands).

This is not "literature", but they are perfect for the beach - especially on St. Croix.

Promoguy, that was a true story. 😉

The Blanchards book was good.. I liked it... especially if you have any interest in starting a business on island. As said in a previous post, it is not set in the USVI, but the similarities will have you laughing or grimacing in empathy.

Joanne: St Christopher is St Kitts, or is it a fictional St Christopher?? Inquiring minds, y'know! 🙂

A good book that I recently read was "SLICE OF HEAVEN, a family on the move". Although it is not set in the USVI it is centered around a family from New Zealand who purchase a private island off the coast of Nicaragua and build their dream home. It reads like the autobiography that it is, but it does give insights for families that travel the world and how to bring their things with them.

Maybe we should start a book club?

I would love to start a book club. I bet Beth and Tabra would be on board. Anyone else?

I think there are actually several book clubs on island in various locations. I met a lady named Mona back when I had the store who went to a rather big book club and said it was a lot of fun. They had to order the books pretty far in advance, though.

Actually, I'm in error - her fictional island is St. Chris. On her website http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Kate_Grilley/ she has pictures of "St. Chris" and it is obviously St. Croix.

When she's not writing she works at the Gallows Bay marina - we've tried to meet up several times but keep getting our wires crossed. As I said, her books are very light reads and easily available from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Death-Lurks-Bush-Kate-Borden/dp/0425185494/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-0375009-5216637?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179410628&sr=8-1

Since she also uses the nom de plume of Kate Borden when writing her series about New England (I told you it was similar to "Murder She Wrote") I notice that they sometimes confuse which name she uses as author of the "St. Chris" series.

Okay - I know that's way more than most wanted to know.