Around the World in 80 Books discussion

I just finished by Stephen King earlier today. Now I'm about to start by Shirley Jackson.

Hi guys,

Great to meet you all!

I love reading books set in different parts of the world so I can learn more about various cultures. Right now I'm reading a book set in Senegal - it's Scarlet Skies of Savannah, a novel written by a Russian volunteer doctor in Africa. She spends pages describing details of Senegalese culture and customs, both good and bad ones. While not a romance per se, it has a wonderful love story in it, too.

Next on my list are rereading Wide Sargasso Sea. Oh, and I have a question! I'd love to read the English translation of one of my most favorite Georges Simenon's novels which in French is called Quartier Nègre (1935). I knew I saw the English title somewhere online - I distinctly remember the title is translated differently, but now I can't remember it,therefore can't locate the book! Any ideas? I looked through Simenon's bibliographies but couldn't find it :(

It's so great to meet you guys!

Earlier, I finished reading by Shirley Jackson. Next I'm going to read by Anne Rice.

I'm currently reading The Time Regulation Institute by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar. It's really a very interesting and historical book.

I'm currently reading Les Misérables at a slow leisurely pace (although I'm about 65% done now, which is about 1000 pages in!!!) - I'm reading it slowly to really take it in.

I've also just started A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, which I'll read at a faster pace than Les Mis.

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness

I'm reading THE BETWEEN by TANANARRIVE DUE. I'm in Florida.

I'm almost halfway done with Quo Vadis

and I'm just starting Atlas Shrugged: Part II was just released in theaters, so I'm going to set a goal for myself to finish the book while the movie is still in theaters so I can see how they compare.

Tavie wrote: "Hi guys,

Great to meet you all!

I love reading books set in different parts of the world so I can learn more about various cultures. Right now I'm reading a book set in Senegal - it's Scarlet Ski..."

Welcome to the group, Tavie! Your book from Senegal sounds very good. Georges Simenon has written so many books and many of the titles translate differently. Could the title you are looking for be
Black rain or Dirty Snow?

Tavie wrote: "Hi guys,

Great to meet you all!

I love reading books set in different parts of the world so I can learn more about various cultures. Right now I'm reading a book set in Senegal - it's Scarlet Ski..."

hi Tavie
I just tried to find the book you listed for Senegal and it doesn't seem to be available any more - do you happen to know why? It sounded interesting

hey everyone!
Im reading "looking for alaska" by john green and "Dracula" by bram stoker :)

Reading - set in Barcelona and just brilliant.

I have finished in these days two short reads: Memoirs of a Madman by Gustave Flaubert and Sarrasine by Honoré de Balzac but only because I hadn't the book I really wanted to read. Now I have it (went to the library) and so I will start Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman. Yes, I am again in Russia!

I'm reading American Dervish by Ayad Akhlar.American Dervish

I've never read Honore de Balzac. Have you read a lot of his books?

Hattie wrote: "I've never read Honore de Balzac. Have you read a lot of his books?"

No, not at all. I had read a lot of years ago Eugénie Grandet but I don't remember a lot about it; and now I have read Sarrasine and it was not bad though I prefer other French writers.

Hi! Just joined group.
I'm currently reading "The Nº. 1 Ladies Detective Agency", which takes place in Botswana.

Welcome to the group Pia. You will find yourself looking at books with a new eye .... where in the world will this book take me?

Shirley wrote: "Welcome to the group Pia. You will find yourself looking at books with a new eye .... where in the world will this book take me?"

Thanks! I'm taking note of all the new books I want to read. As soon as I finish a work project, in about 2 weeks I'll read the day out :D

Started this morning

Deadly Night



then for humor

the hundred year old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared



http://www.amazon.com/The-100-Year-Ol...

I picked up Lisa See's Shanghai Girls recently - what an incredible book. I've also been reading some 19th century seafaring accounts, like Frank Bullen's The Cruise of the "Cachalot": Around the Word After Sperm Whales.

Working on Jane Eyre so I can then read Wide Sargasso Sea. But also reading some shorter, lighter books so I don't fall too far behind in the challenge--Swede Dreams, The Fortunate Traveler, and listening to Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness.

Pia wrote: "Hi! Just joined group.
I'm currently reading "The Nº. 1 Ladies Detective Agency", which takes place in Botswana."

Welcome to the group, Pia! I have enjoyed the books I've read from that series.

Courtney wrote: "Working on Jane Eyre so I can then read Wide Sargasso Sea. But also reading some shorter, lighter books so I don't fall too far behind in the challenge--Swede Dreams, The Fortunate Traveler, and l..."

I loooved Wide Sargasso Sea much more than I liked Jane Eyre actually!

G.L. wrote: "I picked up Lisa See's Shanghai Girls recently - what an incredible book. I've also been reading some 19th century seafaring accounts, like Frank Bullen's The Cruise of the "Cachalot": Around the W..."

I really liked Shanghai Girls and everything else I have read by Lisa See. Your book about the sperm whales sounds fascinating.

Earlier today, I finished reading by Anne Rice.

Now, I'm about to start by Washington Irving and by Mary Shelley.

I'm reading Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda which is set in India and California.

Reckless Night in Rome by CC MacKenzie

I'mma sucker for classic romance.

Reading "The Book Thief" which takes place in Germany and "The Elegance of the Hedgehog", set in Paris. Liking both of them a lot

A Thousand Lives: The Untold Story of Hope, Deception, and Survival at Jonestown for Guyana - its about Jim Jones and the cult massacre from the 1970's that occurred down there

I want to try Anne Rice.

Finished set in Cambodia, for Hungary and now in Burma with .

ohh I haven't hit Burma yet - checks it out

You could also look at Dee.

thanks! I love how many ppl have shelved The Glass Palace as Indian fiction...

Dee wrote: "thanks! I love how many ppl have shelved The Glass Palace as Indian fiction..."

The author is from India. I shelve my books by the setting since I am doing this challenge, but I have noticed that some people shelve the books by where the author lives.

Earlier I finished reading by Mary Shelley. This novel turned out to be nothing like what I was expecting. I was expecting a generic horror story about a monster but what I got was so much more complex, it's actually quite a philosophical story really. I was extremely surprised and impressed by the actual story itself. I really enjoyed this book and I'm happy I finally got around to reading this classic. My full review is here.

I'm planning to read by Janet Evanovich next.

I recently finished Secret Daughter (India), and The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (Mexico and Albania).

I finished reading by Janet Evanovich this morning. Stephanie's adventures still make me laugh after 11 novels. There are so many hilarious and witty scenes in this book. But I have to admit I was a bit annoyed by Stephanie in this book. I just wish she'd finally choose between Joe Morelli and Ranger!

Now I'm reading by Kate Morton.

I'm currently reading House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. This is definetely the strangest novel I've ever read. It can be very exhausting at times.
I'm also reading Murder Unleashed: A Novel by Rita Mae Brown which is a quick read and alway a nice break from House of Leaves.

Am now reading it's a bit slow going, but is riveting enough to keep me interested (still)

almost done with The Meeting Point (Bahrain) - like the descriptions of the country and they are what I remember of it - the story is only ehhh

I just finished The Feast Of The Goat for Dominican Republic and now I'm starting Wide Sargasso Sea. It's been a while since I read Jane Eyre.

And I'm reading The Awakening, but not for this challenge.

once I finish up Bahrain - I have Soul of a Lion: One Woman's Quest to Rescue Africa's Wildlife Refugees (Namibia) and The Art of Hearing Heartbeats (Burma)

Will be finishing up The White Giraffe for South Africa this evening and then I think on to the Andaman Islands with Island's End.

I've finished reading by Kate Morton today. Now I'm a couple of chapters into by Karen Kingsbury.

I just started Paper Towns by John Green.

I finished reading by Karen Kingsbury last night and today I've started reading by Stef Penney.

Ellinor wrote: "I just started Paper Towns by John Green."

I just finished his book The Fault in Our Stars recently and love it. I hope to read this one next.

I am again in Russia with Goodnight, Mr. Lenin: A Journey Through the End of the Soviet Empire. It's non fiction and talks about the year 1991 and the end of the Communist empire in Russia.