Around the World in 80 Books discussion

It's been a while since I focused on world lit. This looks fun.

Jan - 1 - China - The Three-Body Problem 3/2/21
Jun - 2 - Sweden - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Sept - 3 - India - Family Matters 12/28/21
Nov - 4 - Pakistan - City of Spies
5 - Chile/USA - Daughter of Fortune
Feb - 6 - Spain - Cathedral of the Sea 8/2/21
7 - Afghanistan - The Swallows of Kabul 10/20/21
8 - Japan - Pachinko
9 - Bosnia and Herzegovina - The Cellist of Sarajevo
Mar - 10 - Russia - The Bear and the Nightingale 4/6/21
11 - Palestine - Mornings in Jenin
Aug - 12 - Malaysia - The Gift of Rain
13 - Iran - The Septembers of Shiraz
Dec - 14 - Dominican Republic - In the Time of the Butterflies
Jul - 15 - Turkey - Birds Without Wings
16 - France - The Three Musketeers
17 - Italy - The Prague Cemetery
Apr - 18 - Columbia - Love in the Time of Cholera 9/19/21
19 - South Africa - Cry, the Beloved Country
20 - Brazil - The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon 6/12/21
21 - Germany - Half-Blood Blues
Oct - 22 - Mexico - The Savage Detectives
23 - Nigeria - Stay with Me 7/30/21
May - 24 - Sri Lanka - Anil's Ghost

Good luck! I loved In the Time of Butterfies.

sssnoo wrote: "Good luck! I loved In the Time of Butterfies."

Thanks! I guess I have a 50% chance of reading it this year if I stick with it.

I read Cathedral of the Sea a few years ago and enjoyed it, despite its length. I have its sequel Los herederos de la tierra on my list for 2021. Love in the Time of Cholera is one of my favourite books, I hope it comes up for you.

Ruth wrote: "I read Cathedral of the Sea a few years ago and enjoyed it, despite its length. I have its sequel Los herederos de la tierra on my list for 2021. Love in the Time of Cholera"

I've heard good things about Cathedral of the Sea from others as well. Love in the Time of Cholera is one I'm really hoping gets picked. I don't know why I've stayed away from Gabriel García Márquez but I suddenly have a strong desire to read this.

Fantastic list! I've read a bunch of these and enjoyed them. My favorite is In the Time of Butterflies.

Diane wrote: "Fantastic list! I've read a bunch of these and enjoyed them. My favorite is In the Time of Butterflies."

I think I'm going to have to read it even if the number isn't drawn!

January finished! 3/2/21

The Three-Body Problem I gave it 3 stars. I liked it but a lot of the scientific explanations dragged for me. Probably going to pass on the rest of the series.

I finished my March pick on 4/6/21

The Bear and the Nightingale for Russia. This was a good pick for Russia. Lots of folklore and a great sense of place. I found it a bit tedious/repetitive in parts but I look forward to the next one. 3.5⭐️

Finally finished February on 8/2/21!

Cathedral of the Sea The building of this church for the people by the people of Barcelona is the backdrop for the epic story of a humble man's life. Politics, religion, money, and vengeance in medieval Spain.

Vicki wrote: "January finished! 3/2/21

The Three-Body Problem I gave it 3 stars. I liked it but a lot of the scientific explanations dragged for me. P..."


Same, although I think I rated it even lower. I’m a scientist and the science dragged.

Read the April # 9/19/21

Love in the Time of Cholera I didn't like this one too much. One of the Mc's really creeped me out and I didn't find his persistent obsession at all virtuous.

Vicki wrote: "Read the April # 9/19/21

Love in the Time of Cholera I didn't like this one too much. One of the Mc's really creeped me out and I didn't fi..."

I agree with your opinion. I read this last year and I didn't see a love story at all. I saw a stalker who was also a pedophile.

Laurie wrote: "I agree with your opinion. I read this last year and I didn't see a love story at all. I saw a stalker who was also a pedophile."

Yes, throughout the reading I kept wondering if it was meant to be a love story or if the author meant to say something more cynical. I believe now that it was a love story that just hasn't held up well.

I finished my September pick on 12/28/21

India - Family Matters
I gave it 4 stars. I thought it was a lovely story of a family, their bright spots and their bitternesses. A crazy cast of characters kept it interesting.

I completely failed the challenge part this year. I read 5 of the numbers selected but never finished them on time. I also read 3 that were not drawn but I read them anyway.
0 points :)

Carrying over most to next year, hopefully, I will do better staying on track