Laureen’s Comments (group member since Dec 12, 2010)

Laureen’s comments from the Around the World in Books group.

That's a difficult question because there have been so many good ones, but I would say eitherThe Book Thief or Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage.

Elizabeth wrote: "Add books set in Russia in this thread by January 25, 2016."

A few suggestions would be Petersburg, Omon Ra or A Hero of Our Time

I have so many books about India on my bookshelf I'm been wanting to read. So here are just a couple as suggestions:

Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
The Death of Vishnu by Manila Suri
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

I have many more on my shelf, but I'll give others a chance to suggest. There is so much great writing from India out there.

" Anielica put her hand on his cheek. 'Are you lying?'

'I lie,' he conceded, and searched her eyes for absolution. 'I have lied.'

'But are you lying now?'

He covered her hand with his and pressed it into his cheek so that he could feel the hardness of her fingers against the bone of his jaw. 'I don't know yet,' he said."

This is one of the best books I have ever read! Maybe it's because my father was from Poland and came to the US after the war and part of it takes place around that time or maybe it's because I have spent so much time in Krakow and can relate to the other parts of the book. I love how Pasulka weaves the two stories together and how you can see the subtle parallels between Poland coming out of the war and Poland changing after the fall of communism.

I also love the use of Polish words interspersed in the book as it added to the feeling of being there and drew you in to the story even more. The characters are developed well as is the setting (I had a very vivid picture of Krakow and as I have been there knew the places and feelings of modern day Krakow to be very true). Be prepared to be really moved by the characters and their circumstances!

Just got the book from the library and am going to start today!

E.V. wrote: "Hi guys! I’m new on this site and in this group. I’m from Russia and I’m happy that I found this group, I feel like I want to read all the books you have on the group bookshelf. I love non-fiction..."

Hi, E.V.,

Welcome and glad you joined! Is your book available as an e-book? I tried to find it on Barnes and Noble and Amazon, but could not. Where can I find it?
Also, if you have pictures of Russia when we read from there please post them.

Hope you enjoy our books and discussions.

Laureen
Moderator

Jane(Pixie) wrote: "I have introduced myself before. I recently discovered, 'Book Lust to Go'. This book is amazing. The book is specifically about travel books and is for us. It. also, made for a good read did what I..."

Thanks for the recommendation - I will look for it. Also, congratulations on your retirement and happy sailing!

Laureen

I am now finished with the book and really liked it. Although it is written in journal form, Guevara's writing is very descriptive(as is the translation). In brief passages he captures the poverty and discrimination of South America while painting a descriptive picture of beautiful countrysides. South America had been one continent that I have not travelled much in and Guevara's narratives made me want to explore it more!

Just started on Sunday and am enjoying it. A little different than I thought because it is truly written as a journal so you get bits and pieces of the journey - it is not like a novel where you get every detail. This is more highlights and thoughts.

I really enjoyed the prologue information in my translation. It gave a good overview of Che and how this molded his future life. I hate to admit that my knowledge of his life was very limited and really focused on his part in the Cuban revolution. Because of the forward, I have gone back to find out more about him from other sources. The prologue also got me interested in the covert operations relating to other governments that the CIA lead or was involved in. It makes me question how the US decides which governments to help and which not to. Also, would those countries be better off if we hadn't interfered? I plan to read more on these actions now.

Hi, Courtney,

Welcome to the group! It is great that you travel so much - did you notice that we have a section to post pictures from the country's we are reading about? It would be great if you could share some of your "travels" there. I actually live just west of Chicago now and will be very jealous of your new location around January. If you have any questions about the group let me know.

Happy Reading,
Laureen
Moderator

Biblionorth wrote: "Hello all,
Just recently joined Goodreads and came across this group by chance.
I live in a small town east of Montréal. I love travelling but must do it via books at times !
Most of the books on..."

Hi, Biblionorth,

Sorry for the late welcome! You came in at a slightly difficult time for me and probably think what a lame book club as we have not had a book for a while. I am working on fixing that now and hope you have not abandon us!

Hi, Everyone,

I apologize! The club is not disbanded. I got suddenly and severely sick and did not keep up! I am so sorry, but I am back and will try to get a book for July. Look for the poll today or tomorrow.

Laureen

I was counting Central America (not Mexico) as part of S. America and the Carribean as N. America per the Fact Book. Hope that clarifies things.

Please post your suggestions for the book and/or country you would like us to read in May.

Welcome, Jane!

Glad you joined us and hope you continue to join in on our posts. We have one poll running right now (at the bottom of our home page); and as you probably saw are reading which is a little different for us as we usually read something about or from a specific country.

Enjoy those grandchildren and happy reading!

BR,
Laureen (co-moderator)

Welcome, Kate!

Thanks for joining us. I hope you will have time to participate in our discussions about our next reads as it sounds like you will know some good books for us to explore.

Best Regards,
Laureen (one of the moderators)

The discussion for our April book, The International Bank of Bob: Connecting Our Worlds One $25 Kiva Loan at a Time, starts here.

Having finished the book, I have to say I really think it portrayed the Finnish way. The Finns are a people of few words and very deep thought. It has taken me years of being friends with them and working with them to begin to understand them. It is not unusual for a friend to invite me over and our whole conversation that night might be four sentences, but they are seeped in meaning. They love the outdoors even though to me their climate is less than favorable for that so as Alana said they are truly stepped in their environment.
I also liked the part on Midsummer night. It is such an important day to them, yet like everything else subtle - it is very hard to explain. Also, the party boat - for quiet people they love their parties especially the crayfish parties during crayfish season! Midsummer there is something to experience, if you can do so with those you know. If you are there on Midsummer and do not know any Finns to celebrate with, it will be a lonely time as everything is pretty much closed and the true celebrations are with close friends and family. Like in the book they go all night and are very specially planned.

Welcome Diane and Mairi! Hope you enjoy "traveling" with the group.