Around the World discussion

I'm in the U.K. with Me Before You.

Lilisa wrote: "I am also in Hungary with The Invisible Bridge - not sure why I'm reading this along with the other weighty one The Luminaries but one reason might be because I don't..."

But you will love The Invisible Bridge when you get to it.

Daisy wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "I am also in Hungary with The Invisible Bridge - not sure why I'm reading this along with the other weighty one The Luminaries but one reason might be ..."

Daisy - you are absolutely right. I really, really enjoyed it - gave it 5 stars!

Suzanne wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "I am also in Hungary with The Invisible Bridge - not sure why I'm reading this along with the other weighty one The Luminaries but one reason might be ..."

Suzanne - wanted to get back to you. I really enjoyed The Invisible Bridge. My review here. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Sounds like Sara and Daisy enjoyed it too. You'll have to let us know what you think when you read it in March - no pressure! :-)

Lilisa wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "I am also in Hungary with The Invisible Bridge - not sure why I'm reading this along with the other weighty one The Luminaries but one ..."

Thanks, Lilisa! I'm really looking forward to it!

Headed to the Czech Republic with The Lost Wife.

I'm currently reading Short Walks from Bogota: Journeys in the New Colombia in Colombia!

I am enjoying "the Seamstress" very much. It's the story of two sisters in reveloutionary Brazil of 1930's.

I am in the Kingdom of Swaziland with Weeding the Flowerbeds. It is a memoir of the author's schooldays. It is not really grabbing me to be honest, as it is quite slow moving, not a lot happens told in a lot of detail. I am hoping it will pick up more as the girls mature.

Judy wrote: "Chad wrote: "I'm currently reading Short Walks from Bogota: Journeys in the New Colombia in Colombia!"

This looks interesting, Chad, but there isn't much of a description of the bo..."

It is very interesting. The author returns to Colombia after being away for a while and he sets out to explore how it has changed, for the good and bad. I am enjoying it so far.

In Bulgaria with Under the Yoke.

Diane wrote: "In Bulgaria with Under the Yoke."

Sounds interesting Diane - I've added it to my TBR list.

In Russia with Child 44.

I'm in Guyana (South America) with Seductive Poison: A Jonestown Survivor's Story of Life and Death in the People's Temple. Listening to the audio.

Decided to also visit India with The Sleeping Dictionary.

Making an unscheduled stop in Nicaragua with The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War.

Taking a EuroTrip with Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe. Love this man's writing.

I'm heading to Turkey and reading: Anatolian Days and Nights: A Love Affair with Turkey, Land of Dervishes, Goddesses, and Saints.

You all are doing some interesting reading!

Just left Greece with Zorba the Greek and have crossed over the border into Macedonia with Contemporary Macedonian Poetry.

I am reading "Burial Rites" by Hannag Kent, a great historical fiction set in Iceland/ Denmark.

Still reading Anatolian Days and Nights but started an audio that is really interesting. So I'm hopping over to Paris off and on: Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of Mona Lisa.

Jan wrote: "Still reading Anatolian Days and Nights but started an audio that is really interesting. So I'm hopping over to Paris off and on: Vanished Smile: The Mysterious Theft of Mona Lisa."

Oh, VANISHED SMILE looks right up my alley! I'll have to add it to me TBR list!

I'm reading "Dreams of Trespass" of Fatima mernissi

Sara wrote: "I am reading "Burial Rites" by Hannag Kent, a great historical fiction set in Iceland/ Denmark."

Sara - I really enjoyed Burial Rites. Sounds like you are too.

Amine wrote: "I'm reading "Dreams of Trespass" of Fatima mernissi"

Amine - sounds like a book I would enjoy. I've added it to my TBR list. Let us know what you think of the book when you're done.

Suzanne wrote: Oh, VANISHED SMILE looks right up my alley! I'll have to add it to me TBR list!


Hope you like it Suzanne. I'm about half way done and am surprised how much I'm enjoying it!!

In various countries with Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story - an anthology of short stories.

In Australia for my next read Remembering Babylon for March. I am waiting for it from my library.

Also in Afghanistan with A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story.

Judy wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Also in Afghanistan with A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story."


I've never seen this book before, it sounds like it will be a good one."

It's a memoir written by an Afghan who lives in Kabul - I'm about 50 pages into it and enjoying it so far.

I'm reading How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia but I'm not really sure where it's set!

The couple of reviews I read mentioned Pakistan as the inspiration, although it seems to be unnamed.

Although don't read them, as you don't want spoilers but the setting is usually discussed in the third-ish para.
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

Yes, that's right - the book is set in an unnamed country in Asia. I guess folks point to Pakistan since Mohsin Hamid was born there and has lived in Lahore off and on. But the book could just as well be set in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc. it is a rather uniquely written book - kudos to Hamid. Hope you're enjoying it Jenny.

My book club is reading The Reluctant Fundamentalist later this year so I'll get to Pakistan regardless! Some of the descriptions in the beginning sound like Nairobi slums but I know slums may be pretty universal.

I'm in India and America with The Lowland which I am really enjoying.

I have arrived in Iceland and am listening to the audio of: Burial Rites

Abandoned Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story - proved to myself again that I'm not a short story fan. Life's too short. Going to focus on my Afghanistan book.

Jan wrote: "I have arrived in Iceland and am listening to the audio of: Burial Rites"

Hope you're enjoying it Jan.

I am, Lilisa! I'm liking the slow pace of the audio. It totally adds to the story.

took a few weeks off travelling but now I'm back in India with

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm reading How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia but I'm not really sure where it's set!"
It could be set in almost any developing nation, which is part of the point of it as Judy suggests. It makes it easier to identify with the story. I think that I would count it for Pakistan if I was putting it towards the challenge, as the author was born and lived there for part of his life. It is an excellent book and worth reading, even if it can't be tied to one country.

I have just started A Watermelon, a Fish and a Bible for Cyprus.

The book (or part of it) is set during the Turkish invasion of northern Cyprus which eventually led to the island being partitioned. Many Greek Cypriots fled and the title is the only three things one couple take from their house when they leave (they were about to cook). I think it is a symbol of the panic and chaos of the time.
I will write a review when I have finished the book and I will probably include that bit. It is at the start of the book, so is not a spoiler.

Since it's Mardi Gras, I've decided to revisit one of my favorite books, The Dream of Heroes it takes place in Buenos Aires, and centers around events that took place during carnival 1927.

Australia. I am reading Remembering Babylon and listening to The Secret River narrated by Simon Vance. Both have been quite interesting right from the start.

I am almost done with "Tomorrow there will be Apricots" part of which takes place in Iraq. And I just started reading "Dreams of my Russian Summer" which takes place both in Russia and France.

I've got one foot in India with Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India (which is making me hungry for Indian food), and the other foot in Russia with City of Thieves, which is about the seige of Leningrad, which, I suspect, will also make me hungry, but for different reasons!

Suzanne wrote: "...and the other foot in Russia with City of Thieves which is about the seige of Leningrad, which, I suspect, will also make me hungry, but for different reasons!..."

LOL! Yes, you will! A caution - there is one really awful scene in this book, but after it is over that will be all. It is a very good read. The back and forth between the two main characters is great.

I'm heading to Hungary and starting Elza's Kitchen: A Novel.