Around the World discussion

Val and Rusalka - will have to check all these out.

I've finished it, Judy and thought it was a very insightful look at what gold fever can do to a man. I like that it was very character driven and enjoyed seeing Harriet - the main female character - develop and decide what she truly wanted in life. It was rather somber at times but I felt that added to the realistic portrayal of the time and situation. the narrator of the audio did an outstanding job. It was a 4* read for me. I would highly recommend it.

But Facing the Son, A Novel of Africa was a big disappointment. It read like a B movie and was often hard to believe. Glad it was free.

I'm still in Japan with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle but did put it aside for Seven Houses: A Novel, and then again for my last book in my original 52 books list I made in 2012, From the Land of Green Ghosts: A Burmese Odyssey for Burma/Myanmar. Really enjoying it so far.

I finished The Pearl that Broke Its Shell which took place in Afghanistan last week. This week choice is Vaclav and Lena
which takes place in NY, but its actually of Russian immigrants experiences in US.

In Yemen with Henna House - 50 pages into it and liking it so far.

Sara - The Pearl that Broke Its Shell sounds interesting.

I just started and actually the book is set in Ireland, but about and Iranian immigrant family, so I hope to learn about both places in a fun way.

I'm in Ukraine and I'm almost done with The Sky Unwashed by Irene Zabytko. It's the story of a family that lived in a small town right outside Chernobyl and worked in the nuclear power plant during the nuclear "accident". I'm finding it fascinating - and it has really opened up my eyes to what they experienced. It's certainly not a happy book but well written and researched. Very glad I picked it up!

Bonnie - I have Pomegranate Soup on my shelf. I picked it up at the Shannon Airport a few years ago, started it and didn't get very far before I was distracted and haven't picked it up again. How are you liking it?

Lilisa wrote: "Bonnie - I have Pomegranate Soup on my shelf. I picked it up at the Shannon Airport a few years ago, started it and didn't get very far before I was distracted and haven't picked it u..."

Pomegranate Soup looks wonderful - Ireland, Iranian immigrants and food. I just added it to my wish list!

I have several books and ebooks which I read part of, then moved on to something more appealing (or due to be returned to the library). I will go back and finish them some time, but they are ones Stelleri aptly described as 'books of necessity', chosen because they were associated with a country more than because I really wanted to read them.
This is a good one however:
The Book of Ebenezer Le Page for the Channel Islands (Guernsey).

Thanks for the recommendation.

Yes Val - thanks - adding it to my list too.

Dhon Hiyala aai Alifulhu (Maldives). Available in English as Dhon Hiyala and Ali Fulhu http://www.maldivesroyalfamily.com/pd... or via http://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/201...

I am in a few different places at the moment:

Eritrea:

Zimbabwe: and

the UK (specifically Liverpool!):

Getting close to finishing the Eritrea one - review to follow (in short - it's good!)

Those look interesting. I'll watch for your reviews.

It might be difficult to find a better book for Eritrea, although I would not count it among my favourites.

Senait Mehari's Heart of Fire: One Girl's Extraordinary Journey from Child Soldier to Soul Singer was okay, but your read sounds better.

You could give it a try Stelleri, it is not badly written and has a good outsider's view of the culture from someone who would like to understand it, but I found it a bit too teenage emo for my taste.
PS Do you have emo kids there? They tend to be middle class teenagers who exaggerate problems with their upbringing and get a bit obsessive about them.

In the midst of Russian Winter.

Basque country: Obabakoak: Stories from a Village.

ETA: Val, yes, we have emo kids here, too.

Hi all - Val, how interesting that you had that reaction about My Fathers' Daughter. I didn't get that at all, although there was a bit in the middle (which I mentioned in my review) which I thought could have been shortened a bit. I've never heard of Emos but I completely recognise the type - just hadn't heard the word. I love that they have actually got a name and will use that word now!!

Re other Eritrea options, I have had I Didn't Do It for You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation on my TBR list for a while. I'm a bit nervous about it as an Ethiopian, but it has had very good reviews (including from my wife) so if non-fiction is your thing, it might be a good option.

I read more fiction than non-fiction overall Nabse, but for this group I have found several memoirs and histories which give me a better insight into the country than a novel could.
My Fathers' Daughter is worth reading, but I will look at your other option as well.

In Bhutan with Married to Bhutan. I think someone in this group recommends it but I can't recall who did, but thanks. I'm 27 percent into it and it's interesting.

I'm in Australia reading Gifts of the Peramangk.

Started The Golem and the Jinni - in Germany (Prussia) and the U.S., with a minor trek to Syria so far. Enjoying it - a very different read for me but it's captured my attention.

Judy wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "In Bhutan with Married to Bhutan. I think someone in this group recommends it but I can't recall who did, but thanks. I'm 27 percent into it and it's interesting."

Th..."
I did Judy - very interesting glimpse into Bhutan. I think you'll enjoy this one.

I'm in South Africa reading about the uprising of apartheid: The Housemaid's Daughter by Barbara Mutch.

I'm almost done with - it's been a poignant well written story yet a very sad read.

I have it on my TBR list Jan - looking forward to reading it some time in the near future.

I'm a few chapters into Memed, My Hawk and enjoying it so far.

I'm now in Tibet reading and loving it! Beautifully written love story and look at the nomadic life in Tibet.

I'm in The Netherlands with the The Miniaturist - it is different and interesting.

Jan wrote: "I'm now in Tibet reading and loving it! Beautifully written love story and look at the nomadic life in Tibet."

Jan - good to know - it's on my TBR list.

Lilisa wrote: "I'm in The Netherlands with the The Miniaturist - it is different and interesting."

That on is on my TBR list (although not for the challenge).

Finished Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet - a 5* read!

Going to China and listening to The Painted Veil.

I'm in Korea with what is starting out as a quiet story about a student.

I'll Be Right There

I am in rural France in 1917 with By a Slow River

I am in the Solomon Islands with One Blood, the second in a mystery series that takes place in the Solomon Islands by Graeme Kent.

I'm in France with Julia Child in My Life in France.

I'm in Vienna with an old ornithologist in Who Is Martha?.

I have finished plundering my bookshelves, my Dad's bookshelves and every library in the county for any book which fits the challenge.
Second hand booksellers have come up with a few more and I am now ploughing through Founded Upon the Seas: A History of the Cayman Islands and Their People by Michael Craton.

I started Eleni today - it's been on my TBR list for a while and hoping I will love it. I've heard it's great.

I'm in East Germany with The Valley of Unknowing. I really like it so far. Also, I think I know what is going to happen but I hope I'm wrong. It might ruin it if it were predictable. I'll let you know.

Daisy wrote: "I'm in East Germany with The Valley of Unknowing. I really like it so far. Also, I think I know what is going to happen but I hope I'm wrong. It might ruin it if it were predicta..."

Sounds like an interesting one Daisy and iit's received some pretty good reviews - another add to my list - thanks.

Lilisa wrote: "Daisy wrote: "I'm in East Germany with The Valley of Unknowing. I really like it so far. Also, I think I know what is going to happen but I hope I'm wrong. It might ruin it if it..."

Oh good.

Also reading Letters from Skye alongside Eleni which I started a bit ago.

Heading to Lebanon with An Unnecessary Woman

Listening to another "whydunit" in Japan. These are so good. It's my second one, not in order: Malice: A Mystery.

United States (with characters from Australia!) - reading The Rosie Effect

I was in Germany with Stones from the River and now I am heading to Haiti with The Dew Breaker

I'm reading Aaron's Leap which takes place in Czecholslovakia and Austria so far.

...Actually this didn't hold my interest. Maybe another day I'll pick it back up.

Valery wrote: "United States (with characters from Australia!) - reading The Rosie Effect"

How are you liking it so far Valery? I read the first one and really enjoyed it.