What are you Reading?
Book Lovers
Great topic! After reviewing all of the suggestions, I've ordered Don Quijote (intro by Vargas-Llosa!) and A Song of Ice and Fire, Books 1-4 (I hope to get to book 5, Tatiana 
.
_______________
I just finished reading two books. The first is "As barbas do imperador: D. Pedro II, um monarca nos trpicos" in Portuguese. The English version is called "T he Emperor's Beard: Dom Pedro II and His Tropical Monarchy in Brazil " and is available on Amazon .
It is an interesting and fascinating biography of the Pedro II, the second emperor of Brazil: the Braganza/Hapsburg monarch of the only independent monarchy in the Americas. It is a remarkable story of a boy who became emperor and his strong sense of duty and devotion toward his country and his people. The book is very well written and illustrated, and gives an in-depth look into his life, rule and legacy. His 58 year-reign led Brazil into a golden-age, as he developed his country into an emerging power, fought several successful wars, expanded and consolidated the country's borders and abolished slavery. His reputation has lasted to the present day and he is usually ranked as the greatest Brazilian (even after 122 years of republican rule).
_______________
The second book I have just finished reading is called: "1808: Como Uma Rainha Louca, Um Prncipe Medroso E Uma Corte Corrupta Enganaram Napoleo E Mudaram A Histria De Portugal E Do Brasil ", lit. "1808: How a crazy Queen, a coward Prince and a corrupt Court fooled Napoleon and changed the histories of Portugal and Brazil". I'm not sure there is an English version of this one, although it would be worth looking. Laurentino Gomes, one of the greatest historians in Brazil, managed to give a comic, yet true, account of the transfer of the Portuguese court to Brazil in 1808, and the bizarre life of the Portuguese royal family. A very light read.
