Around the World discussion

I've been in Scotland in How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe's Poorest Nation Created Our World and Everything in It. It's entertaining and informative, but I wound up not trusting for reasons signaled right in the title--overreach. Full review linked below:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I have completed Travels with Charley: In Search of America. I highly recommend it but look at my review and see how I compare it with another author....
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
To be fair, two different books can have two completely different purposes.

I am now listening to Songdogs. I love how they add music to parts of an audiobook! WOW!

I am reading Mao's Last Dancer and like how the author, even when describing the horrible times of the "Big Leap Forward" and the "Cultural Revolution" and the "Great Famine", ALSO mentions the fun of Chinese New Year's celebrations and kite flying and.... It is a biography. So of course I like it. I cannot get through books that only point out the bad, with not a glance at happy events. I was talking about this with a friend. I NEED both; otherwise I fall apart.

I have already read books for China and the US so I have not counted them for this challenge. Maybe you are looking for a good book for these countries? I don't know yet where "Songdogs" is primarily set - Mexico, the US or Ireland!?

Here's my list for the first quarter of the year -- 12 books so far.

England -- http://www.epinions.com/review/A_Sudd... -- A Sudden Fearful Death by Anne Perry
France -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Caroli... -- A Train in Winter by Caroline Moorehead (nonfiction)
Israel -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Howard... -- My Glorious Brothers by Howard Fast (fiction)
New Zealand -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_C... -- Cleo: The Cat Who Mended a Family by Helen Brown (nonfiction)
Paraguay -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Travel... -- Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene (fiction)
Persia/Iran -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Joan_W... -- A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Queen Esther by Joan Wolf (fiction)
Portugal -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_T... -- The Taste of Conquest: The Rise and Fall of the Three Great Cities of Spice by Michael Krondl (nonfiction)
Russia --http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... -- Four Sisters by James Fritzhand (fiction) -- no epinions review
Scotland -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_T... -- Sins of the Wolf by Anne Perry (fiction)
United States -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_T... -- The Help by Kathryn Stockett (fiction)
Vatican City -- http://www.epinions.com/review/John_P... -- Heirs of the Fisherman: Behind the Scenes of Papal Death and Succession by John-Peter Pham (nonfiction)
Wales -- http://www.epinions.com/review/Merced... -- Home From the Sea by Mercedes Lackey (fiction)

Judy: nope, no free books. But Epinions gives me a pittance for posting on their site. It keeps me busy and my mind exercised.

It is. It's not a lot of money, but it does let me buy books.

I've finished Inside for Canada and my review can be found at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I finished Songdogsand b/c I loved it so much I will immediately start the only book I have left to read by Colum McCann: Fishing the Sloe-Black River.

My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Exquisite writing. Not a comfort read though, few of McCann's are, but they always include hope and show you what is beautiful if you just look. Songdogs takes you from Ireland to Spain to Mexico and across the US, California to Wyoming to the Bronx. It is an emotional trip.

I highly recommend that you listen to this book narrated by Paul Nugent. The Irish is just perfect.

I finished and found it to be fairly fast paced read on a subject that is pretty horrifying. Here is the link to my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


This book wasn't a part of my Books Around The World Challenge/List but I thought I would post my review for you all to see anyways, as maybe one of you may be interested in reading it.

Fishing the Sloe-Black River was the first of Colum McCann's books to disappoint me.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I have begun the audiobook version of The Book of Night Women, narrated by Robin Miles. After a chapter, the Jamaican patois is no problem. This too was available for me at Downpour, but not Audible. This audiobook was recommended to me by Gaeta particularly for its fabulous narration. So far I totally agree.

Judy wrote: "You learn so much about the culture, traditions and history of Jamaica all in one book."

Yeah, I am noticing this too. History and good story all rolled into one!

Gaeta1 wrote: "Glad you like Robin Miles. She is great."

I agree completely with your assessment of her narrating skills! I checked out if she had other interesting books; Gathering of Waters is tempting. Some Sing, Some Cry I have also heard to be good. Have you read these two? Or do you recommend another? She has narrated many books, but not that many draw me.

Barbara wrote: "I finished and found it to be fairly fast paced read on a subject that is pretty horrifying. Here is the link to my review: http://www.goodreads.com/rev..."

Glad you liked it Barbara. I read it last year and thought so as well. For a debut novel, it was a good read. I hope Judy enjoys it as well.

Finished The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. Wish I had been able to give it a higher rating than a 3. Was a bit disappointed as I expected more. My review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Lilisa wrote: "Finished The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. Wish I had been able to give it a higher rating than a 3. Was a bit disappointed as I expected more. "

Me too! There were definite problems with this book!

OK, I am the oddball, and although Mao's Last Dancer IS interesting, it is not engaging me as it should be. Why? Well, for me its prime audience is the YA group. The grim parts have been made palatable for sensitive people..... It is written to encourage and downplays all that is harsh and unpleasant, balancing the cheery with the rigors of real life. While optimism is good, I think it goes too far. I am not a big lover of YA literature!

Chrissie wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Finished The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. Wish I had been able to give it a higher rating than a 3. Was a bit disappointed as I expected more. "

Me too! There were definite problems w..."

I still can't figure out what triggered Tin Win's sudden decision to up and leave his family in New York without a word and return to Burma after 30 years. Don't tell me it was hearing Mi Mi's heartbeat grow increasingly faint. Maybe the author mentions it but I missed it but I don't think so. Anyone know. It's really bugging me!

Re: MLD, Chrissie, are you reading theYA version? Yes, the book is written simplistically and in a matter-of-fact way - I think that's the heavy vs. fast read (can't remember the exact word we used) discussion that occurred awhile ago with Judy. He described the poverty, challenges and hardship as is, but doesn't dwell on it. I think it's the stoicism that he showed in the first half of the book - attributed I thought to Asian culture and the Mao regime. For me, it worked for the story, Li Cuxin and the setting. Character-wise I viewed him as a straightforward, simple (in a good way) and "on the table" type of person, not a highly complex or complicated personality. But I noticed that as he moved to the US, his acceptance level of life changed as he experienced what he could have. I'd better stop here - I'm probably spoiling it for others!

Judy and Lilisa, I am reading the adult version of Mao's Last Dancer. Although I see even this as being written for young adults, I still find the content interesting.Weird how the book hits me differently!

Judy wrote: "But the differences in how people see things make the discussion better. :-)"

Absolutely!

Chrissie wrote: "Judy wrote: "But the differences in how people see things make the discussion better. :-)"

Absolutely!"

:-) I love the discussion!

Lilisa and Judy, you guys, I have finished the book and I actually thought that it improved. I felt that by the end it was, as you said, just his way of expressing himself. I admire the guy; what he did with his life! What hard work and determination he had! I have huge admiration for his teacher Xiao. His teachings about the mango were a high point of the book, at least for me!

I am talking about Mao's Last Dancer and Li Cunxin!

Judy wrote: "
Just wanted to tell you, Chrissie, that I picked My Family and Other Animals at the used bookstore today. It made my day!"

Judy, I am jealous. I can get it at Audible, but it is abridged and THAT I cannot accept. I HATE abridged books, cause it is how a writer writes and the language he uses that most draws me.

Chrissie wrote: "Lilisa and Judy, you guys, I have finished the book and I actually thought that it improved. I felt that by the end it was, as you said, just his way of expressing himself. I admire the guy; what h..."

Great Chrissie - glad it got better for you! And agree - he truly is an inspiration.

I finished Mao's Last Dancer
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I have started The Places in Between. The author walked across Afghanistan, from Herat to Kabul. He began in January 2002. He walked over the mountains, in the winter, six weeks after the fall of the Taliban.

I was in Indonesia (and Italy and India) with Eat, Pray, Love--a book I wound up liking much more than I thought I would a third way through. Full review linked below:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I finished The Book of Night Women.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

A word of warning: it is graphic and has violence, but I am very glad I read it. No, listened to it. This is my 17th book for the challenge, set in Jamaica.

I have begun John Steinbeck's The Moon is Down. I love listening to Steinbeck. The books are humorous and dark and so easy to follow. Contemporary literature is so often "complicated" with numerous threads and different time-periods. The dam thing is so short! That I dislike.

Just finished Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn for my entry for Italy. (I figure Ancient Rome counts)

Here's the long review:
http://www.epinions.com/review/kate-q...

Finished The Moon is Down
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
This is probably set in Norway. I will not count it for the challenge. You do learn about Norwegian (or at least Nordic) culture, but this is not the central focus of the book. It was written by Steinbeck in 1942 as propaganda against the Germans (WW2). Through ironical humor it achieves its purpose magnificently.

I have begun The Man in the Wooden Hat. It grabs you immediately. Full of action and great writing. It is important to have read Old Filth first. I hope I remember enough about the first book. My review of Old Filth: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... Betty and Eddie are married. The first book gives you Eddie's perspective, the second Betty's! The first book came out in 2004, the second in 2009.

Lisa (Harmonybites) wrote: "I was in Indonesia (and Italy and India) with Eat, Pray, Love--a book I wound up liking much more than I thought I would a third way through. Full review linked below:

http://www.goodreads.com/rev..."

I really liked Eat, Pray, Love, too when I read it. Wasn't sure why she seems to always get heaps of hate from women.

Judy wrote: "It is, Chrissie. But the differences in how people see things make the discussion better. :-)

I'm off to India where you can find me [bookcover:Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in..."
Judy, I really loved that book. I have several of her cookbooks so it was fun to hear about her life growing up.

Lisa (Harmonybites) wrote: "I was in Indonesia (and Italy and India) with Eat, Pray, Love--a book I wound up liking much more than I thought I would a third way through. Full review linked below:

http://www.goodreads.com/rev..."

Lisa (Harmonybites) wrote: "I was in Indonesia (and Italy and India) with Eat, Pray, Love--a book I wound up liking much more than I thought I would a third way through. Full review linked below:

http://www.goodreads.com/rev..."

I'm one of the few who disliked the book - I agree with the first sentence of your review and that view didn't change for me :-) but glad you enjoyed it.

I really, really did like The Man in the Wooden Hat. Was Old Filth this good?
My review of TMITWH: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... It is set in Britain and Hong Kong but really is speaks more about British behavior.

Now I am trying a Victorian/Edwardian novel. I want a long book. It is very long. I want a good narrator, and I have heard the Rosalyn Landor is excellent. I have to try the author A.S. Byatt, so I will begin: The Children's Book. Will this work for me?

Neither am I counting for the challenge!

I've just finished "The Druze of Belgrade/دروز بلغراد حكاية حنا يعقوب and here is my review.

Chrissie wrote: "I really, really did like The Man in the Wooden Hat. Was Old Filth this good?
My review of TMITWH: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... It is set in Britain and Hong Kong but really is spe..."

I've been wanting to read the Old Filth books; and I've heard that there's to be a third one published soon. I tried and tried with The Children's Book, and bailed about a third of a way through, I was bogged down so badly.

Rebecca, Last Friends is the third of the series and it will come out April 2nd. I highly recommend the first two. Do read Old Filth first, although I think I preferred the second.

I AM enjoying The Children's Book? I like all the information about the English Fabian socialists and the Arts and Craft Movement at the end of the 1800s. I was amazed to read about how these people raised children and how modern their thinking was. It seems that Olive Wellwood is based loosely on Edith Nesbit. Did you like another or none by the author? The writing is crammed with information!

Chrissie wrote: "I AM enjoying The Children's Book? I like all the information about the English Fabian socialists and the Arts and Craft Movement at the end of the 1800s. I was amazed to read about how these people raised children and how modern their thinking was. It seems that Olive Wellwood is based loosely on Edith Nesbit. Did you like another or none by the author? The writing is crammed with information! "

Chrissie, I'm a fan of the Arts and Crafts movement too along with all the architectural movements that originated around the turn of the 20th century. I didn't know that any of these movements were discussed in a historical novel which made The children's Book hit my to-read list right away. I couldn't resist adding some of Byatt's title to the list too.

Marwa, I just read through one long chapter that was a recounting of a Mother Goose tale and that did kind of bore me, but generally I find it very interesting. I think it is important to mention what is bad along with what is good! The way the potters design and how the pottery was produced is all discussed through the characters in the novel that are potters.

Chrissie wrote: "Marwa, I just read through one long chapter that was a recounting of a Mother Goose tale and that did kind of bore me, but generally I find it very interesting. I think it is important to mention w..."

I'll be looking forward to reading your review about it, Chrissie. Let me know how it turns out.

Marwa wrote: "Let me know how it turns out. "

Sure! I will post a review.

Marwa wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I AM enjoying The Children's Book? I like all the information about the English Fabian socialists and the Arts and Craft Movement at the end of the 1800s. I was amazed to read abou..."

I learned so much from that novel

Jenny wrote: "I learned so much from that novel."

That's what makes it fun. I have learned a lot and have only listened to a third.

Gaeta, Rosalyn Landor is fantastic. I too have thought that perhaps she makes the "a little bit uninteresting parts" not so difficult to get through. Didn't you think the retelling of that long Mother Goose tale could have been edited? I think Byatt's language in describing the art and glazes and forming of pottery quite beautiful. She is good at expressing artistry, both in describing the art piece visually and in the emotions of the artist.

Add to that once trying Possession because my friend said it was her favorite, and not getting into it very well, I almost didn't try The Children's Book. So those of you that liked it, have you also read Possession and should I try it again (this was 15 years ago when I discarded it, and I am a different reader now.)

I am also curious about Jenny's question! So far I do like "The Children's Book". Should I try "Possession" too?

I loved my return to Italy with Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy. Every once in a while, you need a good travel book! My review is here:
http://coldread.wordpress.com/2013/04...

Possession is my favourite of Byatt's works, so I say certainly! And the more that you know of Arthurian poetry the better.

Gaeta, I am very much enjoying learning about Fabian socialism and the Arts and Craft Movement, but some sections are less interesting. They could simply have been removed; they are not at all necessary for the story. Some authors throw in too much, maybe in an effort to satisfy a wide range of readers.

Rebecca, I don't know much about Arthurian poetry. Does that mean I should avoid the book? Some books are written to teach new subjects; others require previous knowledge. Rarely does romance attract me. Isn't Possession filled with characters that behave in the typical Victorian manner, staid and proper and fussy and following all the rules (at least publicly)?!

I have left Senegal or somewhere in West Africa and France reading Marie NDiaye's Trois femmes puissantes. My review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Rebecca wrote: "Possession is my favourite of Byatt's works, so I say certainly! And the more that you know of Arthurian poetry the better."

Thanks, this helps!

Gaeta, we agree on The Children's Book. I like that, it s almost quotable your depiction: "an overstuffed, lumpy mattress" but quite comfortable in the good spots.

I have left Korea, still feeling like I wasn't exposed to the Korean culture. I read The Calligrapher's Daughter and gave it a lack luster 2 stars.

My review.

Janice, I gave TCD only two also. Why do so many people like that one?!Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea is a very good book for Korea.The Surrendered is one I want to read. Have you read that?