Around the World discussion

Around the World Book List

Posting books as I read:

Australia and New Zealand:
Australia-The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough

Asia:
Malaya-The Gift of Rain: A Novel, Tan Twan Eng

Europe:
France-Joan of Arc: In her own words, Joan of Arc
France-The Painted Girls

Great Britain-Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
Great Britain-The Forsyte Saga, John Galsworthy
Great Britain-The Remains of the Day, Kazuo Ishiguro
Great Britain-Mrs. Woolf and the Servants: An Intimate History of Domestic Life in Bloomsbury, Alison Light
Great Britain-Little Black Book of Stories, A.S. Byatt
Great Britain-Rebecca

Greece-The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller
Greece-The Oresteia: Agamemnon / The Libation Bearers / The Eumenides,Aeschylus

Ireland-Haunted Ground, Erin Hart
Ireland-The Misremembered Man, Christina McKenna

Italy-Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare

Norway-The Snowman

Middle East:
Canaan/Egypt: The Red Tent, Anita Diamant

Unites States:
USA-A Long Fatal Love Chase, Louisa May Alcott

That's a good place to start. :)

ROFL! At least it is a start! One book! haha! : ) I loved The Thorn Birds the last time I read it ages ago, so I thought it was time to give it a go again.

Judy, I have made a list of 75 books on my numbers page on my laptop, but I want to add as I go because I am certain I will find new books that I just HAVE to read! I thought this would get me started. I have never read many books about Australia or by Australian authors, so I am very interested in that area. Asia is always interesting to me. So many books...I just want to grab them all! Nothing changes! LOL

Connie wrote: "ROFL! At least it is a start! One book! haha! : ) I loved The Thorn Birds the last time I read it ages ago, so I thought it was time to give it a go again."

You've tricked us, Connie! There's more than one book there now. :)

She's a sneaky one, Judy!

Connie wrote: "So many books...I just want to grab them all!"

Me too! My TBR list never gets any smaller.

I just keep thinking of more and more books to add. It is an ever growing list; it reminds me of Jacob Marley's chain, never ending and wound around me in a mental way. My chain of books! lol

You two are so funny! I must sneak over to your threads and see what I can steal from your lists! LOL

I saw Bryce Courtenay interviewed about April Fool's Dayand that was when I decided to read the book. Courtenay was so amazingly tender in the interview; I wanted to reach out and hug him. The book has to be fantastic but heartbreaking.

But The Thorn Birds is such a beautiful book; don't you think it will read really fast?
I would love the company, and we could have so much fun discussing it. ; ) yes...oh, you want to say yes!
Oh, and I plan to take my time and enjoy every word of this book!

I am having a real love affair with Australia, too. I may camp there a while. I am looking for New Zealand books as well.

I read The Bone People for my New Zealand pick. I gave it 3 stars mainly because the writing style is so different. The story was haunting.

Oh, Judy, I thought you had already read The Thorn Birds once years ago like me. Honey, you MUST read this book! Send it to the very top of your list. And NO you will not slow me down! I can do any pace, but this is a book to be savored. No rushing allowed! : )

The first of the year is good for me. Does that work for you? I am very flexible once I get past Christmas Day. So just let me know what you prefer.
Chelsea, you are welcome to join us for a reread of The Thorn Birds. Janice, you, too!

Judy and Janice, thanks for the recommendations for New Zealand. I will check them out. They look tempting at first glance.
Is there a penalty if I never leave Australia and New Zealand in 2013? LOL!!! I am really feeling the Aussie, bug and hope you do stay awhile Judy. Let me know what goodies you find out there.

It is the nicest part of the world Connie. We'd happily keep you.

But it's good to get some Aussie writers read. There are some wonderful writers in this part of the world.

I read Thorn Birds years ago, and saw the mini series with Richard Chamberlain. I don't remember all that much about it. Maybe someday I'll re-read it, but I've got other books scheduled for the first part of the year.

Bone People was a long read because the style was difficult to adjust to. I seemed to take forever to finish it.

@ Rusalka: If you have any recommendations for writers or books, I'd love to hear them!

My husband went to Australia when he was in his early 20s for a vacation, and he declares that it is beautiful, clean, and amazing! It made a very powerful impact on him...for sure!

@ Janice: I do understand about limited time. I'll think about Bone People. Maybe our library could get a copy through interloan. Hmmmm...thinking...
But I do not need a book that takes forever to finish since we are starting Ulysses in February. I must be insane to think I'm going to read Ulysses AND my other books! ROFL!

@Judy: I have started an Australia shelf so it is more convenient to see what Aussie books I am considering. I am always open to suggestions, of course.

I have a bookshelf labelled Aussie for some of the reads I remember or have read since signing up to goodreads. Otherwise Tim Winton is mentioned over and over again as the best Aussie writer in... well, depending on sources, ever. Cloudstreet is the first book I plan to read after finishing this around the world adventure.

Actually, tying in to Chelsea's question, for the National Year of Reading this year, they polled Aussies on their favourite Australian books. Ignoring the fact their website is very badly set up, the list is here http://www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday/

Picnic at Hanging Rock came in at 10. Another I haven't read, mainly because there was a 80s movie made of it that I saw the first 20 mins over and over again. But now it seems I should get over it and read it too.

Judy wrote: "Okay, I wrote an entire epistle here. lol."

Welcome to my world! lol Will do. I'm interested!

Sounds like a leisurely (for Yertle :P) buddy read sometime this year is in order.

Pretty comprehensive list Judy. Few personal suggestions. The book that is still making a huge impact over here at the moment is The Slap. It did when it was published, and last year they made a tv series on it. Apparently you will love it or hate it, so a bit bipolar.

I recommend reading something by Ruth Park. The Harp In The South made everyone uncomfortable when it was first published, as they didn't like a woman talking about things that everyone pretended didn't happen. I read Playing Beatie Bow at school and remember loving it. I have to reread now.

I have The Happiest Refugee: A Memoir on my list to read this year. A now comedian who was a Vietnamese boat refugee who tells his story about growing up in Aus in the 70s-80s as a refugee. Very topical for Australians at the moment too.

Melina Marchetta, I have heard nothing about Jellico Road, but Looking for Alibrandi was my favourite book as a 14-15 year old. I had never read a book that talked about things I knew and thought as an Aussie teenager. And I never had read a book that made me sob before.

And lastly. The Magic Pudding. Brilliant absurd poetry and prose. Aus has one of the earliest children fiction traditions with this book, The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, The Muddle-Headed Wombat, etc. I love love love the Magic Pudding.

There are lots of interesting books on that list, Rusalka! True History of the Kelly Gang looks interesting too.

Lol Sorry Chelsea. Always the danger with goodreads. I'm actually pretty appalled by my Aussie shelf. I feel like there is a lot missing from it that I have read. I'm going to have to go revise it.

True History of the Kelly Gang has been on my bookshelf for years to read. I always meant to, to see what he does with it. Ned Kelly is a bit of a folk hero here, although people tend to mix him up as a bit of a Robin Hood char. He wasn't, he was stealing for personal gain. However, he was an oppressed Irishman in Aus who stood up to the Brits, which became an important difference in Aus to where they came from.

Nice haul Judy! Always great when the bookshop gods smile on you.

Janice wrote: "I read The Bone People for my New Zealand pick. I gave it 3 stars mainly because the writing style is so different. The story was haunting."

I read The Bone People some time ago. I've also read the historical novel, Maori by Alan Dean Foster a number of years ago and liked it very much. This year I've tried to find another Maori centered book for New Zealand that I want to read. Once Were Warriors does not qualify for me. I've seen the movie and found it immensely depressing. I don't want to read the novel. Is there anything else someone can recommend?

I'm reading Pounamu Pounamu at the moment which is a book of short stories my Mum brought back last time she was over in NZ. It's by the guy who wrote The Whale Rider if you guys have heard of it / seen the movie.

I'm laughing and laughing through it. It's such a famliar voice as there are so many Kiwis and Maoris around. I actually got really ill yesterday so spent several hours curled up in bed reading it giggling at the descriptions of these Maori matriarchs in the 70s.

Yes, I've read The Whale Riderand seen the movie, but I was unaware of this anthology. Thank you, Rusalka. I've just requested it through interlibrary loan.

I am only halfway through, so can't whole heartedly recommend it yet. But I will let you know if it goes pear-shaped towards the end. So far though, so good!

Oh, my goodness! I have been busy in the real world with Christmas entertaing and when I get back to Goodreads, I am delighted to find all these delightful books recommened by our very own resident Aussie! Rus, you are devine! Xx!
Now, I must scurry off and rearrange my tbr shelf and Australian shelf! Thanks a million!

Judy, don't you love it when you find just what you are looking for at the second hand shop!? I am so happy for you! I knew The Thorn Birdswas in your destiny! haha

msg # 50 @ Chelsea:
Oh, my! Won't Judy have lots to say about Father Ralph and Old Lady Moneybags? (I have forgotten the elderly lady's name who has all the money, I think it is Mary, but I'm not certain.) Ohhhh! Secrets. Sh!

What a book!

@ Judy: I certainly agree with you about the excitement of a used bookstore. I am glad you discovered wonderful treasures on your last trip.

Scratched eyes are the worst!

Two years ago I sat down at my computer for an exam (yay for online exams). It had been postponed for 2 months as my Dad passed away the day before the actual exam, so I had studied up again, got all settled and in the zone, already to kick its arse and finally get it the hell out of the way.

However, we had just bought a baby chick (the big black chook who likes to read along with me). She was sitting on my shoulder, and as soon as I hit the "Start" button (no stopping, no pausing, no restarting, 1 hour to go) she pecked me in the eye, scratching my eye so very badly. I spent the first 10 mins of the exam almost throwing the baby chicken (I didn't) and dealing with my eye. It hurt like ... hell, lets go with that... for the next 5 days.

I must have done alright because I got a 79 (1 point off HD, grr) for the course. But I don't like them. And I understand. And this was ridiculous and it's 2.30am.

>.>
<.<
Stop judging me.

We don't judge you Rusalka. We just laugh. :) Love ya!

Oh, Rusalka, how in the world would you ever think we would judge you?! You keep me laughing with your lovely off the wall stories, and I love you more every time you tell another one. lol

Love the baby chick story...glad everything worked out ok! ; )

My eye is much better...seems to be responding to meds. I am so glad because I thought I was going to have to see my doc. It was driving me nuts! Now, it is just a mild nuisance. Keeping the prescription drops in, so I think it is going to be fine. I just have to be patient. Oh my, not my best virtue. lol

Judy, I will be ready for Thorn Birds when you are. Should be healed enough to read a bit when you are ready. : )
Looking forward to jumping in with both feet. Australia, here we come!

Judy, I haven't tried an audio book yet, but I am going to try one this year. Hearing all of you sing the praises of audio books has convinced me to give them another shot. I am going to the library to see what kind of selection they have.

Tomorrow is super for the Thorn Birds. I am cutting back on challenges this year, too. I love them; however, I have decided to pull back on the challenges if they require me to read books I am not really interested in and read more of what I want to read. This challenge and Across Canada allow me to select what I want to read, and I love that!

I am excited about The Thorn Birds! I hope you enjoy it. : )

I have just finished The Gift of Rain, and I have fallen in love with this author! I just picked this book up randomly because it sounded like something I might like, and BAM! the first sentence grabbed me! It is a subtle book; the language is lovely and lyrical. Just my kind of book!

Well, now you know it is a winner! So dust it off and move it to the top of the stack. It had been languishing at the bottom of my stack, too. The cover just wasn't too inviting.

I apparently have been avoiding this thread since my last late night storytelling session (really, notifications are borked).

So glad you liked Tan Twan Eng, Connie. I have him for my Malaysian/G read.

And Judy, if you wanted to read it so badly, fruit cake would have spited you. The 3 books I really want to read for challenges as they are under 200pp, it ignored. *shakes fist*

I agree with Rusalka, Judy. The Fruity Fortune-telling Ball is jinxed. It doesn't want you to have a book you REALLY want. I put in three choices I am eager to read-nada! Maybe you have better luck than Rusalka and I do though. : )

Judy, Monaco looks very interesting. You are jumping from one chunky book to another. Look at you go! ; )

Great Expectations is not my favorite Dickens book, but I do like it a lot. I am a huge Dickens fan. I'll be eager to get your take on it. Everyone should read it at least once.

I need to have a Year-of-the-Chunkster soon. Too many large books are piling up. I did purposely not put any big books on the list, after trying to read Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China in 2.5 weeks.

And I never say things are impossible. I am sure I will find a writer worse than him. Because even though he is an egotistical jerk, at least he can write.

I have to admit, I haven't ever read Dickens. I really mean to. I did try to read A Christmas Carol at just turned 12, and got bored with the over description of all the furnishings. I just haven't picked him back up again.

Blasphemy!

I don't know about page lengths, but the fruit machine does seem to spit out a lot of first picks.

Princess Grace did publish a nice book about her garden, so it's not particularly about her.

That sounds like an interesting book. I wonder if she enjoyed gardening. Have you read this book, Osho?


Janice, I am certain the fruity crystal ball has been very kind to many people; however, I have never been what you call a lucky person. If I was in a drawing for $20 with just one other person, I would not win! EVER! I have a very good friend who is so LUCKY. She won a trip to Spain out of all the gifted teachers in Mississippi one year, and the next year she won a trip to Russia out of the same pool of teachers! At my school we had drawings for door prizes every week, and I never won until my principal felt sorry for me and rigged the contest. haha!

So the crystal ball is just one more in a long line of jinxed luck! ; )

I'm sorry you didn't get one of the books you really wanted to read. :(

Oh, Janice, I am fine with the book I got. I think I will end up loving it more than any of the others once I get into it. I needed a little push to read it. Don't worry about it! : )

After thinking about it, I am really happy the crystal ball chose this one for me. I think it will be perfect for the toppler! : ) so, good luck after all!

Just finished The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy.
I love this book! Well, it is actually three books in one. Galsworthy can write a whopper of a story!

Oh, Chelsea, I think you will love it. Soames Forsyte, who has new money, is determined to own things, including his wife Irene. She is one of my favorite characters in the book as she struggles to find her own identity. The women are deeply characterized and really make the book.

You definitely sound better, Connie. I hope the migraine is gone.

Yes, Janice and Judy, I am in great shape today. I go to Memphis to see my neurologist Thursday. ; ) Thank you for asking.

The Forsyte Saga is actually three books and can be read separately if you don't want to commit to that many pages at the beginning.
Just read A Man of Property to begin with since it is book 1.

Yes, My Book of Flowers clearly shows her interest in the gardens. Here's my review (which is the only one on GR):

A commonplace book on the theme of flowers, this oversized volume by Princess Grace is conversational but erudite. She describes her own garden and interests in flower arranging and dried flower compositions (with photos), then moves on to flowers in history, poetry, and the like. Enjoyable for browsing or a straight read-through.

Thanks, Osho. It sounds interesting. : ) I may have to check this one out.

Just finished The Song of Achillesby Madeline Miller. I was hesitant when I bought this book, but I truly enjoyed it and gave it 5 stars.

I want to read The Forsyte Saga at some point. Seems to me I may have read a little many many years ago but that may be imagination.

I love it! Of course, I love books set in that era. ; )
And a big, long book is wonderful, too.

completed The Remains of the Day Kazuo Ishiguro