Around the World discussion

Welcome to Around the World! Whether you're new or have been with us for while, please feel free to introduce yourself and share some details of your reading habits. What type of books do you like to read? Do you gravitate to books set in particular countries? Have your reading habits changed during the pandemic? What's one book that you love? And one that you loathed?

Hi, I'm Andrea from Melbourne, Australia. I'm a planner, and an ambitious but slow reader. I think the planning is a double-edged sword; it equally excites me to think of what I could read, but also fills me with regret that I can't get through the books quick enough to read all that I want. My Read list is over-represented with books set in France, Ireland, India and to some extent Afghanistan, and it's only going to get worse in 2021 as I once again take a deep dive into the Indian subcontinent. But for this, no regrets!

My reading habits have changed as I get older, and I hope just temporarily changed further during the pandemic. I used to have this thing where I'd try to read one non-fiction for every two fiction books, but for the past few years the gap has grown (a lot). I want to steer this back on course and read more travelogues and memoirs. In 2020 my concentration deserted me, so I didn't want to risk reading any of my highly anticipated long/literary reads in case it resulted in a poor reading experience. Hopefully in 2021 I'll be able to focus better and finally discover what Hilary Mantel's been up to these past few years!

A book that I loathed was Freycinet, which is set in Tasmania, where I was born and grew up (so it was never going to be a contender for my ATW list). It was actually quite strong on location, but the story was ridiculous and the book itself rather over-written. One thing that really annoyed me was that it was marketed as a kind of Tasmanian Twin Peaks (which had me salivating), and it wasn't until towards the end that I realised it was the author herself who promoted that connection. And it may even have been self-published, from memory. Anyway, TripFiction.com rated it 4 stars, which is rather generous in my opinion, but it goes to show we are all different.

Hiya! I'm Rusalka, and I live in Canberra, Australia.

I'm a chronic over-thinker when it comes to my reading, but really noticed many years ago that all I read was US, UK, and sometimes some Aussie authors. This was the first group on goodreads I joined, trying to overcome this bias in my reading.

I've had a couple of abysmal years of reading in this group, particularly 2020 which just sucked all my energy from my being. I am hoping 2021 is a turn around year, looking forward to being more active in this group and snaffling all your ideas ;)

Hi! I'm Catherine in Melbourne and during 2020, my reading slowed. Even though I went to part time and worked from home for a lot of the year, I read less than I usually do. Part of the reason is because I was catching up on professional reading during work days - I have such a backlog!

There was only one book that I read in 2020 that I thought was boring - that was 6 Minutes set in Canberra. I read it on my iPad which I loathe doing - ugh! Much prefer my kindle. The one I recently really enjoyed was The Fortunes of Wangrin, set in what we now know as Mali and Amid the Chaos, set in Eritrea. This year I intent to keep on with my trip through Africa and get back into reading from the 1001 Boxall list (which I originally joined to try to escape my police procedural and detective stories rut).

Hah! Fair enough! Never heard of that book and am now checking it out as there are very very rarely books based in Canberra.

HI, I'm Claire in Aix en Provence, France.

I read more than ever in 2020 despite coming out of a 6 month hiatus in March. With a big curb on social and leisure activities, I've had a wonderful reading year, through books by authors from 34 countries, a third of them in translation.

I read more fiction, but this year I managed 30% nonfiction and my favourite book of 2020 was a narrative nonfiction book. I love reading across different cultures and countries and books by women in translation. You can see my Best Reads of 2020 here (8 fiction, 6 nonfiction)

I'm particularly fond of female voices from the Caribbean, Maryse Condé is one of my favourite authors and Simone Schwartz Bart's The Bridge of Beyond is one of my all time favourite books.

A book I love - well the two I was giving everyone for Christmas this year were my outstanding read of the year A Ghost In The Throat by Doreann Ni Ghriofa (Ireland) and Atlantis: A Journey in Search of Beauty by Carlo & Renzo Piano (Italy), both narrative nonfiction titles.

A book I loathed - The Narrow Road to the Deep North - I persevered and restarted and tried to read this and ultimately abandoned it, but did review it and enjoyed the conversation that review provoked, though never again will I continue to venture into this kind of terrain. Lesson learned.

Hi - I’m Lilisa in the U.S. and love all things “around the world,” whether it’s books, travel, food, shows, etc. I generally have three books going at any given time - audio, ebook, and print. 2020 was a fairly decent reading year for me although strangely I read fewer books in 2020 than in 2019 - go figure. India and Turkey are my favorite country settings. Favorite books - so many, so tough - I’ve selected five:
Portrait of a Turkish Family - Turkey
Glimpses of Bengal - India
The Gift of Rain - Malaysia
The Luminaries - New Zealand, and
The Travelling Cat Chronicles - Japan
Claire - I’m one of those who has The Narrow Road to the Deep North on my favorites list :-) and like Rusalka, this was the first group I joined on Goodreads. I’m looking forward to a good reading year in 2021!

Hello - I am Karen, sixtyish and living in New England, USA - though originally from the Southern states of Florida and Georgia. I rejoined this group last year to save myself from reading only US and UK books. I am calling it a 10 Year Plan to read my way around the world and to each of the 50 states of the US. I have brought my list forward to the 2021 thread and will update. As is now well known, I am terrible at any sort of Group Reads. Outline of my general reading life is as follows:

1. Literary Canon - Antiquity to 1960
2. Contemporary/ Post-Colonial/Women 1960 - Present
3. Nonfiction - Science and Social Sciences, Travel, Biography, Memoir
4. Prizes: Women's Prize, Booker International - Previous, Current, Upcoming
5. Challenges: Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2021 (and previous years)
Reading Women Challenge 2021 (and previous years)
6. Children/Juvenile
7. Cookery and Food Writing/Memoir
8. Around the World - reading based in 25 different countries per year
9. Lists: 1001 Books ....Before You Die (Boxall)
1000 Books to Read Before You Die (James Mustich)
1001 Children's Books (Boxall)
(less)

Here's to new beginnings. Although, I have been almost completely locked down during the Covid 19 Pandemic here in the US, I am fortunate to be able to work from home. Goodreads has been a lifeline, though I haven't read nearly as much as you would think under the circumstances. Thank you for having me here. Looking forward to your 2021 adventures.

My favorite books from 2020 were : Women Talking by Miriam Toews nominally set in Bolivia - but really within the confines of an Old German speaking Mennonite colony.

Actress by Anne Enright set in Ireland

Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk set in Poland

Really hated:

Normal People by Sally Rooney set in Ireland

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia supposedly set in Mexico {sorry}

Hi, my name is Diane (pronounced Djienne) and I live in Atlanta, GA. I am the opposite of Karen in that I am originally from New England and now live in the South. Not being able to get up North this year really makes me sad. Not being able to go anywhere, makes me sad. My bucket list of traveling to 5 new countries each year is seriously on hold.

Anyway, I joined this group several years ago when I noticed this group had a similar name to another group I am in. I have been reading around the world officially since 2009, and read around the entire world in 2012. I also read the US that year, as well. The entire list of where I have been is listed here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/.... I have always had an obsession with anything outside of the US. This started at age 8 when I came across a World Almanac and decided to memorize all the countries of the world, their capitals, etc. and put up a map that took up an entire wall. Besides reading around the world, I have also cooked around the world. I actually begin that before reading around the world (while in a reading slump). It really helped my children become adventurous eaters!

Reading is the most structured part of my life. I make lists and I plan. I still deviate off course on a regular basis, though. In addition to reading the world, I am also actively reading from the following lists:
1001 Books to Read Before You Die (within 2 years of finishing)
NYRB Classics
Bloom's Western Canon
50 African Women Writers
and dabbling haphazardly into a few other book lists.
I am also trying to incorporate more women and more marginalized groups into my reading. I am also trying to read new-to-me authors whenever possible.

2020 was a banner reading year for me. I am amazed that I read as many books as I did. I was able to work out of home and rarely left my house, so I was able to read like a madwoman. It was my escape from what was going on outside my four walls. Now, unfortunately, I am back to real work during the height of the pandemic and wish I could go back into hiding. I still read every chance I get, though. So, reading was definitely a bright spot during 2020. The other super cool positive thing to come out of 2020 is that I found out that I have a brother. After so many years of being the only child, niece, grandchild, and having the world's smallest extended family, this is HUGE!

My favorite country settings are, well, everywhere. While I read some countries more than others, it has more to do with availability of books rather than an preference for the location. I do tend to gravitate more toward translated literature, which is a bit odd. In terms of writing, I have a heavy preference toward French and Russian literature.

My favorite world books are many. A few off the top of my head include:
Les Misérables
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Book of Disquiet
The Leopard
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The House of the Spirits
Island Beneath the Sea
Palace Walk
Like Water for Chocolate
A Thousand Splendid Suns
War and Peace
Crime and Punishment
Q&A
Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture: A Novel of Mathematical Obsession
Chess Story
Growth of the Soil
Zorba the Greek
All the Light We Cannot See
Eugénie Grandet
The Phantom of the Opera
Madonna in a Fur Coat
A Ballad for Georg Henig
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
Kokoro
The Bridge of Beyond
Life Is a Caravanserai
Epitaph of a Small Winner
Anna Karenina
The Shadow of the Wind
Cutting for Stone
A Suitable Boy

Okay, I got a little carried away. There are far more than that, too.

The worst book I have read in recent history is 120 Days of Sodom. I only read it because it was on the 1001 list. I would not recommend it to anyone, anywhere.

Hi all! I'm Jenny and live in upstate South Carolina in the USA, in the reddest part of the reddest state, something that has become true not only of politics but of COVID cases. I've spent most of the year in my house, working from home. I grew up in the northwest but have been out here 14 years.

I've been a part of this group since 2012 (I think) when I first had the idea of reading around the world. I have since realized that this is something I will do my entire life, so instead of just trying to check each country off the list, which I'm still working on, I have found great pleasure in making a general regional goal each year and letting my whims dictate how it goes. One year I spent four months reading books from Papua New Guinea!

Last year I focused on the Middle East, and have now read a book in every country there except Bahrain, which is a challenge to find a translated book from an author actually from there. I had a few frustrating reads in that project - The Blind Owl by Sadegh Hedayat - I couldn't make heads or tales of it! And then I read a book from the Tournament of Books longlist that referenced it heavily - Untold Night and Day by Bae Suah (it didn't help.)

Probably my favorite translated, international book I read last year was The Eighth Life by Nino Harataschwili, set in the country of Georgia. It looks daunting but reads quickly and I was hooked the entire way through.

In general I try to read books that are both set in a country and written by an author living in or from that country, but sometimes that isn't possible. I've heavily increased the number of translated books I read.

This year my focus is Europe and I'll post more about that in my thread.

Diane wrote: "Hi, my name is Diane (pronounced Djienne) and I live in Atlanta, GA. I am the opposite of Karen in that I am originally from New England and now live in the South. Not being able to get up North th..."

Diane, you are my Reading idol! I will never catch up!

I do have The Leopard and Life Is a Caravanserai on my list of hopefuls for 2021.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Hi all! I'm Jenny and live in upstate South Carolina in the USA, in the reddest part of the reddest state, something that has become true not only of politics but of COVID cases. I've spent most of..."

@Jenny (ReadingEnvy) --- thanks for word of that interesting connection between The Blind Owl and Untold Night and Day. Filed away now in the Card Catalog of my mind.

Thanks for not holding Normal People against me!

Hi! I'm Molly and I live in VT, USA. I have been logging books on Goodreads for years, but this is my first discussion group/challenge other than the # of books challenges I set myself each year. I love historical fiction, YA, middle grades, biographies, general fiction. The pandemic has allowed me to read more, both at home, and via audio books while I'm spending nearly an hour a day cleaning and sanitizing in my classroom.

A colleague recommended Akata Witch and I'm calling that my first Around the World book this year. It is a lovely story (with a female protagonist) of a young Nigerian/American girl who learns she has supernatural powers and works to save the world from evil.

Madmollyann wrote: "A colleague recommended Akata Witch and I'm calling that my first Around the World book this year. It is a lovely story (with a female protagonist) of a young Nigerian/American girl who learns she has supernatural powers and works to save the world from evil. "

Welcome Molly! An hour a day cleaning and sanitizing is reading time well spent, I guess. I loved Akata Witch!

Madmollyann wrote: "The pandemic has allowed me to read more, both at home, and via audio books while I'm spending nearly an hour a day cleaning and sanitizing in my classroom..."

The pandemic, and specifically all those long months of the Melbourne lockdown, helped convert me to audiobooks too. Making the most of my precious time outdoors, on solitary walks, they became my constant companion. It’s a habit that’s here to stay, I think.

Sheila- joining for the first time since I’ve always loved to read. After 60+ years of books, I’m excited to have 2-3 reading challenges to get me out of my comfort zones .

Sheila wrote: "Sheila- joining for the first time since I’ve always loved to read. After 60+ years of books, I’m excited to have 2-3 reading challenges to get me out of my comfort zones ."

Welcome Sheila! Looking forward to seeing where your journey takes you.

Sheila wrote: "Sheila- joining for the first time since I’ve always loved to read. After 60+ years of books, I’m excited to have 2-3 reading challenges to get me out of my comfort zones ."

Welcome Sheila - glad to have you traveling around the world with us reading-wise! Any particular spots you’re planning to visit this year?

Before the pandemic, travel was a big part of my life, including a year spent living in Europe. It was magical. When not traveling in person, armchair travel is the no fuss no muss alternative. I really prefer travel memoirs and love reading about the ups and downs of how people make travel happen in their lives. Favorites? Under the Tuscan Sun A classic. Anything by Peter Mayle . The books of Judy Leigh are usually funny Judy Leigh. I seem to read a lot about France and Italy!
I'd love to hear anyone's travel stories or book recommendations.

Lilisa wrote: "Hi - I’m Lilisa in the U.S. and love all things “around the world,” whether it’s books, travel, food, shows, etc. I generally have three books going at any given time - audio, ebook, and print. 202..."
Hi Lilisa, since you love all things around the world you might want to follow the blog of Travels with Kevin and Ruth. They are currently in Albania but spend months in Turkey. Reading their on-the-ground adventures is truly the highlight of some of my days!

https://www.travelwithkevinandruth.com/

Pam wrote: "Before the pandemic, travel was a big part of my life, including a year spent living in Europe. It was magical. When not traveling in person, armchair travel is the no fuss no muss alternative. I r..."

Hi Pam and a big welcome! It must have been a great experience spending a year in a Europe. The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca, The Spice Necklace: A Food-Lover's Caribbean Adventure, Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World, and Tea & Bee's Milk are a few travel books I’ve enjoyed. Happy armchair traveling and hopefully we’ll be able to real-time travel in the near future.

Pam wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Hi - I’m Lilisa in the U.S. and love all things “around the world,” whether it’s books, travel, food, shows, etc. I generally have three books going at any given time - audio, ebook,..."

Oh, and thank you Pam for the blog link - I will have to check it out!

Pam wrote: "Before the pandemic, travel was a big part of my life ... armchair travel is the no fuss no muss alternative. I r..."

Hi Pam! I am really enjoying reading Unsuitable for Ladies: An Anthology of Women Travellers - Jane Robinson. The cover of the book I have is a '20s photo of a woman in riding costume on a zebra. There have been some great stories in it!

Pam wrote: "Before the pandemic, travel was a big part of my life, including a year spent living in Europe. It was magical. When not traveling in person, armchair travel is the no fuss no muss alternative. I r..."

Hi Pam! I recently read 'Home Sweet Anywhere: How We Sold Our House, Created a New Life, and Saw the World' by Lyn Martin and I LOVED it. I'm also a fan of some of the books you mentioned so you might want to check it out!

Hello everyone! My name is Krystal- I'm from the Midwest in the US and currently live in the South. My favorite type of literature is travel lit- both fiction and nonfiction.

Favorite books:

1. Home Sweet Anywhere: How We Sold Our House, Created a New Life, and Saw the World' by Lyn Martin
2. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
3. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
3. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
(^^ most my faves are well-known titles so looking forward to adding to my list with new authors)

Love any and all recommendations (also planning a trip to Turkey so if you know anything with that setting). I'm excited to join this community of intrepid sojourners!

Krystal wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Krystal- I'm from the Midwest in the US and currently live in the South. My favorite type of literature is travel lit- both fiction and nonfiction.

Favorite books:

1...."

Welcome Krystal - you’ve come to the right place - we love to travel around the world too! Some of us also love to sample the food. Nice list of fav books there. Good luck with planning your trip to Turkey - lovely country. I’m hoping to take another trip there sometime as I want to see more. I’m read quite a few books set in Turkey. Here’s my list: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

Welcome Krystal!

A relation that my sister and I visited in 2019 has written a travel account to Peru with his daughter, tracing the journey of a shared ancestor. We met him after his trip. It is now published and he sent a copy to my sister (I've yet to get mine).
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Hi Krystal! Lovely to have you join us :D

Lilisa wrote: "Krystal wrote: "Hello everyone! My name is Krystal- I'm from the Midwest in the US and currently live in the South. My favorite type of literature is travel lit- both fiction and nonfiction.

Favo..."

Thank you so much! Wow- what an impressive list. I added a few to my 'to be read' list!

Iris wrote: "Hi! New to the group, from Sweden. I'm looking forward to expand my bookish geography in 2022. :)"

Welcome aboard, Iris! Do you have any favourite authors?

Welcome Iris!!

Welcome Iris - great to have you traveling with us! Looking forward to seeing what’s on your list for 2022.

Iris wrote: "Thank you for the welcomes! :)

Favorites, yes, many. For traveling-by-book to Sweden, I might recommend the titans August Strindberg and Selma Lagerlöf. Other Swedish ..."

Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll enjoy researching these writers, who are all new to me.