There are some inspiring books from local and international writers about Solomon Islands. These are just some of the few books that I have been inspired by while reading. International best seller books have always occupied our eyes but these ones have their own local and unique style that can only be found in this part of th world.
5. The Tambu Ground by Barry Hayes
Although this book is not really my cup of tea, it does have a certain touch that stepped away from the boundary that plagued many fiction writing in the Pacific region, especially about intricate human, social and spiritual relationships in Solomon Islands society that the rest of the world are still unexposed to. I read this book while in senior form in high school. I was only into the third page when I put it down. Years later I took it up again ( thinking maybe I have developed some taste in literature) and was impressed.
4. Grassroots Art of the Solomons: Images and Islands
Produced by Adrian Allen, then Director of the University of the South Pacific’s Solomon Islands Centre, in collaboration with Barbara House of the Solomon Islands Teachers College, Sister Claire O-Brien of Tenaru Catholic Secondary School and Les Tickle of King George VI Secondary School, Honiara.
I got a little interested in drawing art growing up and the first time I actually really read this book is when I took up Arts class in high school as well. This book has ever since been seen as a very important art and design book for post independence Solomon Islands not only because it is the first book( I think) to make waves in preservation and development of local and traditional arts, design and craft, but is also a book that many local artist, although not too thin to contain the rich ancient and historical art and design of Solomon Islands it has opened doors for local art movements who strive for own unique sense of creativity and to step away from the hype of Western dominance ideas of art and designing. I must find my copy again.
3. Raetemaot: Creative Writing from Solomon Islands edited by Julian Maka’a, Hilda Kii and Linda Crowl.
If you want to see the pattern of contemporary writing or just want to read a interesting book, this is one for ideas and inspiration. Its not that bad.
2. Civilized Girl by Jully Sipolo
If poetry is your thing than one must never overlook Jully Sipolo ‘Civilised Girl. There was a copy of the book lying around the childhood house growing up and I never really got into poetry but accidently read an exerpt of her poems somewhere and remembered the book. The poems are just too true for me. There is the sense of timelessness. As if the poet had just published the book yesterday most of what she wrote still echoes in todays generation.
1. Guardians of Marovo Lagoon: Practice, Place and Politics in Maritime Melanesia by Edvard Hviding.
Okay this is not for leisure reading but to me is one of the most vital books apart from Judith Bennets Wealth of Solomons to be ever published. Academically oriented this book contains enormous amount of research and facts about one of the most interesting part of this country: Marovo Lagoon. Maybe I just find this book inspriring becasue it is based on my home islands or probably beause it took in a different in reflecting the Marovoans angle in telling the stories and lives of dwellers so well not like the passing wave of a tourist in a boat.
Alright so here is my small list. There are hundreds of books written by local writers or a written about Solomon Island out there. Will be happy to hear from others about books that inspire them written by Solomon Islander or about Solomon Islands.
