Around the World in 80 Books discussion

We will continue traveling to new countries in 2019, but what other themes do you want to explore in our monthly books?

It might be challenging, but I like to read through the Dewey Decimal System each year. It would take up ten months, but there are certainly options from different countries for each of the sections.

Memoirs /Biographies
Mysteries /Crime / Thrillers
Travel
Translated Fiction, focused on a continent or 50-year period, or both
Women authors in translation
MENA (Middle East / North Africa) fiction
Authors of Color from [Canada, UK, Australia/New Zealand]

I wonder if we could focus on exophonic writers - those who write in a language different to their mother-tongue, e.g. Joseph Conrad, Vladimir Nabokov, Elif Shafak. Wikipedia has a list of exophonic writers to give you some ideas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...

How about something like this? Modify as you like, I won't be offended.


7 Wonders of the Ancient World

Great Pyramid of Giza
Read a book that takes place in Egypt or is about pyramids.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Read a book whose mc is a gardener or that takes place in Iraq.

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Read a book about animals or whose mc is a twin.

Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Read a book with a statue on the cover.

Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
Read a book that takes place in Turkey or refers to a mausoleum.

Colossus of Rhodes
Read a book about a giant or about ancient Greece.

Lighthouse of Alexandria
Read a book that takes place on/around a lighthouse.

==============================================

7 Wonders of the Modern World

Great Pyramid of Giza
Read a book about ancient Egypt or about pyramids.

Great Wall of China
Read a book about building something or an invasion or China.

Petra
Read a book about an archaeologist.

The Colosseum
Read a book about a gladiator or people fighting (not a war).

Chichen Itza
Read a book about the Mayans or that takes place in Mexico.

Machu Picchu
Read a book about the Aztecs or conquistadores.

Taj Mahal
Read a book that takes place in India.

Or this one? Modify as you wish, won't be offended.

Historical Figures

1. Alexander the Great - Macedonia and Greece
Read a book that features a great warrior/soldier or a main character named Alexander.

2. Augustus - Rome, Italy
Read a book that has an emperor in it or that takes place in Rome.

3. King Arthur - mythical king of the Britons
Read a book about King Arthur or ancient Britain.

4. Napoleon Bonaparte - France
Read a book whose title begins with N or was originally written in French.

5. Catherine the Great - Russia
Read a book about a queen or historical non-fiction or that takes place in Russia.

6. Cleopatra - Egypt
Read a book about Egypt or about mummies.

7. Leonardo di Vinci - Italy
Read a book with art on the cover or who's mc is an artist.

8. Hernando Cortes - Spain
Read a book about exploration or or about Aztecs.

9. Albert Einstein - Germany
Read a book with an mc who is a genius or that has a number on the cover.

10. Leif Erikson - Iceland
Read a book about vikings or Iceland.

11. Galileo Galilei - Italy
Read a book with the moon on the cover or that takes place in outer space.

12. Adolf Hitler - Austria/Germany
Read a book set during the holocaust or about a psychopath.

13. Nelson Mandela - South Africa
Read a book about racial discrimination or prison or aprtheid.

14. Spartacus - Rome
Read a book about a gladiator or rebellion or that takes place in Rome

15. Mahatma Gandhi - India
Read a book that takes place in India or about someone who is a pacifist.

How about travelling to countries that spell your name?

Read a book from a country that starts with a letter in your name, until you've spelled your name. If there's a letter in your name that has no corresponding country, then use a city instead.

Great ideas. Keep them coming.

Carol wrote: "Memoirs /Biographies
Mysteries /Crime / Thrillers
Travel
Translated Fiction, focused on a continent or 50-year period, or both
Women authors in translation
MENA (Middle East / North Africa) ficti..."

I love the translated fiction, MENA and authors of colour ideas!

A mini tour of the world in history or other non-fiction books - one country a month for a total of 12.

Reading a book that takes place in each country along the route of the Amazon River

Brazil
Peru
Colombia
Ecuador
Bolivia
Venezuela

===================

Books taking place in or about the cities along the route of the Orient Express (original line)

Paris
Strasbourg
Munich
Vienna
Budapest
Bucarest
Istanbul

========================

A book that takes place in each US State along the Appalachian Trail (longest hiking trail in the world)

Georgia
North Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
Maryland
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
New York
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maine

Sherri wrote: "Reading a book that takes place in each country along the route of the Amazon River

Brazil
Peru
Colombia
Ecuador
Bolivia
Venezuela

===================

Books taking place in or about the cities a..."

These are fascinating, Sherri. I'm a big fan of the Orient Express and Amazon River concepts.

These are all great suggestions!

I love Sherri's idea of books that somehow relate to the 7 ancient or 7 modern wonders of the world.

Sherri wrote:

7 Wonders of the Ancient World - and 7 Wonders of the Modern World

Great Pyramid of Giza
Read a book that takes place in Egypt or is about pyramids.

Hanging ..."

Sherri wrote: "Or this one? Modify as you wish, won't be offended.

I have created a poll for you to vote for your favorite theme:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

Sherri wrote: "How about travelling to countries that spell your name?

Read a book from a country that starts with a letter in your name, until you've spelled your name. If there's a letter in your name that has..."

You are great at this, Sherri! I'm going to try at least 3 of your challenge ideas next year, even if they aren't official. Thanks!

Is the list of the countries we will visit in 2019 already out yet?

Missy J wrote: "Is the list of the countries we will visit in 2019 already out yet?"

They are posted here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...