My reading habits tend towards the very serious non-fiction side…always having to learn new stuff…
But you can often get just as much knowledge through a well-told tale and that’s what I found in my choice for Tahiti.

(image by p.lenedic via Flickr)
A novel published in 2004, Frangipani by Célestine Hitiura Vaite, is a lovely and lively read. I did know that at the very least I wanted to learn something solid about life in Tahiti – so often with places that are so beautiful (and not English-speaking), you can’t find much outside of travel guides and/or writing that tips towards the “exotic”. The latter…not too interested in that.
Family, friends, school, work, annoying neighbors, money problems, the weather, what’s for dinner; when you come down to it, that’s the raw material of existence no matter where you hang your hat. And this book does a great job of letting you in on that side of life in Tahiti. The characters are all well-developed and likable; I totally want to get invited to one of the family get-togethers! I got a great sense of place from this story, and enjoyed it very much. I also read it on the beach, which never hurts…

(image by By Renesis (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons)
The story sounds interesting. That landscape photo is Amazing!!! Do not have words to describe how beautiful I think it is!!! wow!!
Hi Patricia – thanks so much for checking out my blog; I really appreciate it!
Isn’t that photo amazing? I don’t personally know the photographer, but his Flickr photostreams are great – check out this one for more awesome South Pacific sunsets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/philenedic/sets/72157604644200714/