Library of Clean Reads: Greece

A poignant and compelling first novel, Appointment with Yesterday tells the story of Yanni, a cheeky and delightful Greek boy growing up in a small town on an island in the eastern Aegean. It's a feel-good story and you could win your own copy, by entering the giveaway.

Book Details:

Book Title: Appointment with Yesterday: A Novel in Four Parts with a Prologue and an Epilogue
Author: Christopher Stratakis
Category: Adult Fiction, 334 pages
Genre: coming-of-age / WWII / immigrant experience
Publisher: IndieReader
Release date: January 2017
Tour dates: July 3 to 14, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There is no bad language or violence, but there are references to sex and sexual situations (including between a pre-teen and teen)

Book Description:

A poignant and compelling first novel, Appointment with Yesterday tells the story of Yanni, a cheeky and delightful Greek boy growing up in a small town on an island in the eastern Aegean.

Left in the care of his loving grandparents, Yanni endures the deprivation and terror of the German occupation during World War II and finally leaves his beloved homeland and family to rejoin the parents who had left him behind to make a better life for themselves in America.

Filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of love, devotion, disenchantment, and dashed dreams, Appointment with Yesterday is, ultimately, the story of hardships overcome and a determined boy’s journey toward finding his destiny.

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My Review:

Reviewed by Sandra Olshaski

Readers will be charmed by this memoir/historical fiction. It begins with an old man, Yanni, sitting on the veranda of his country home on a Greek island, reminiscing about his life on Erytha where "the sun-dappled Aegean waters glistened – the wonderfully azure Aegean, his faithful companion filling his eyes and his senses."

Yanni is a likeable Greek boy who lives with his grandparents in Greece while at the same time wondering about his parents in America. Family life for Yanni in Greece is warm and tender. I could almost smell the almond cookies baked by his grandmother and feel her tender affection for him. As was often the case, parents travelled to the "new world" in search of jobs and security, leaving their children in the care of grandparents.

Soon Yanni is on his way to his parents in America. The author aptly describes the challenges, heartbreak, fears and tears facing immigrants. It resonates in the current immigrant situation. But this is a success story. Like many immigrants, Yanni not only succeeds but thrives as he eventually completes his education, begins a professional career and assumes the responsibilities of marriage and family life in America.

This is a history book and a memoir and a coming-of-age story. The book is filled with challenges, turmoil, determination to succeed, and poignant family moments and above all love – for the author's homeland, his family, and his friends. It's a feel-good story enjoyable for all!

To read more reviews, please visit Christopher Stratakis' page on iRead Book Tours.

Sandra's disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

Meet the Author:

Christopher Stratakis was born and raised in Greece. After moving to America, he graduated from Drexel University in 1951 and New York University School of Law in 1955. Shortly after joining the law firm of Poles, Tublin & Patestides in 1960, he became a partner, specializing in admiralty and corporate law.

He has written and published several articles, lectured on professional and historical subjects, served as Legal Advisor to several non-profits (pro bono), and was an arbitrator in maritime disputes. He is the author of Mnimes “Memories” (2010), a book of essays, short stories, and poems that he wrote as a teenager. In 2015, he co-edited Chains on Parallel Roads, a book published by Panchiaki “Korais” Society of New York. In recognition of his extensive community involvement, he has been the recipient of several awards from religious, governmental, and educational institutions.

Mr. Stratakis lives with his wife in New York City. He is the proud father of three and grandfather of three. This is his first novel.

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends July 22

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Affair in Athens by Matina Nicholas
Oaklight Publishing
ISBN: 9781613920008
Published April 1, 2014
Trade Paperback, 338 pages

Beautiful, educated, Greek-American Athena travels to Greece to research the story of her grandfather’s past. As a Greek Orthodox priest he heroically saved Jews in Greece during World War II. While there, she discovers family members that she didn't know existed. She soon meets rich, handsome, masterful, kind, Greek-American Luke who dazzles her and seems to offer a fabulous future. Throw in a band of gypsies, a kidnapping and you have all the elements of a fast-paced story of international intrigue and romance.

I learned a few interesting facts about Greece in this book, apart from the obvious cultural heritage. I wasn't aware, for example, that there has been a Jewish population in Salonika since 140 B.C. nor those Nazi forces had occupied Greece and met such strong resistance. Who could have imagined the swastika flying from the Acropolis, that symbol of civilization? Thousands of Greeks died in direct combat, concentration camps or of starvation during World War II.

The book is very readable with its short 2-page chapters and quick-moving pace. The author captures the passion, love of family and love of life enjoyed by Greeks as they gather to enjoy delicious foods together. Descriptions of the country are inviting, from the red bougainvillea flowers to the tiny enclave of Plaka, the heart of ancient Athens, to the beautiful seaside villages that Athena visits with Luke, to the scent of lemon blossoms.

Don’t miss the recipes for delicious Greek food that are provided.

I usually try to identify how the title fits into a story. There is the obvious one, of course. But as Athena herself describes it, “she’d had an affair in Athens all right – an affair with history, her heritage, happiness and sadness.” And that pretty much sums up the book.

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Sandra

Disclosure: Thanks to Rosa Sophia from Oaklight Publishing for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.