The County Library discussion

Hello all,

It's Summer Reading time! The official Summer Reading Challenge runs June and July. You can learn more here:
thecountylibrary.org/Summer. When you sign up, you get access to a $5 fine waiver, and if you finish the challenge, you get a free book and a ticket to the Natural History Museum of Utah, among other prizes.

The Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge is June, July AND August. So, you will have three months to read 5 books that fit the Summer Reading Theme: All Together Now.

Your challenge is to read 5 books that take place in 5 different countries around the world. You can read nonfiction or fictional titles, just make sure the settings are all countries that are different from each other. Make sure you tell me the names of the books you've finished reading and what country they take place in.

Good luck!

This challenge looks so fun! I can't wait! Thank you for posting it early Elizabeth :)

Brittany wrote: "This challenge looks so fun! I can't wait! Thank you for posting it early Elizabeth :)"

You're welcome.

I can't wait to see which countries everyone chooses.

Here are some ideas I have so far:

England: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Russia: The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischwili

Vietnam: Bronze Drum by Phong Nguyen

Syria: As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

Italy/Scotland: The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani

Japan: The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa

France: The Porcelain Moon by Janie Chang

Mexico: The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Ireland: Foster by Claire Keegan

India: Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie

Iceland: All the Horses of Iceland by Sarah Tolmie

Nigeria: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Spain: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Last summer I read a long book for the challenge (The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, which could be used for France) and loved having the motivation to get through a big book, but still giving myself more than one month to do it in. I wanted to do that again which is one of the reasons why I have The Pillars of the Earth and The Eighth Life on my list. I'll definitely pick one of those, just not sure which one yet.

This is going to be a fun challenge. I have several on my TBR list that fit into this challenge. The books I am planning on reading are
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint which takes place in Greece.
The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry which takes place in England
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab which takes place in France
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty which takes place in India
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute which takes place in Australia

Brittany wrote: "Here are some ideas I have so far:

England: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Russia: The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischwili

Vietn..."

Pillars of the Earth is a book that has been on my TBR list for a while. I am a bit overwhelmed by its size though. I love how you're going to use the challenge to help motivate you to finish a really long book.

I’m excited for this challenge!

This one's going to be fun!

I am part way through The Secret Book of Flora Lea so that will probably be one of mine as well. Unless I start reading faster than I have been lately, I think it will last until the challenge actually starts. Then I will branch out from England and choose where else to travel on the page.

This is a fun challenge. I decided to take it a step further (because I could, and because I'm a bit of a masochist). I read 5 books, set in different countries, written by authors from 5 different countries. All were scifi.

The Fat Years by Chan Koonchung
......Setting - China
......Author - China
......Status - Complete - 6/1/23 - ***
Roadside Picnic by Arkady & Boris Strugatsky
......Setting - Harmont (fiction) Canada
......Author - Republic of Georgia
......Status - Complete - 6/2/23 - **
Metro 2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky
......Setting - Russia
......Author - Russia
......Status - Complete - 6/4/23 - **
War With the Newts by Karel Čapek
......Setting - Pacific Island (unspecified)
......Author - Czech Republic
......Status - Complete - 6/4/23 - ****
Empire of the Ants by Bernard Werber
......Setting - France
......Author - France
......Status - Complete - 6/5/23 - ****

Summer challenge complete.
6/6 or 10/10 or 10/14 for 2023

Greg wrote: "This is a fun challenge. I decided to take it a step further (because I can, and because I'm a bit of a masochist).

I'll be reading 5 books, set in different countries, written by authors from 5 d..."

Overachiever.
😂

So Far what I am planning to read:

France: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandere Dumas -I am a quarter of the way through already, I think I can definitely get it done by the end of August.

England/Wales: Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper

Some Ideas that I might read, but I haven't decided yet:

India: The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Italy: The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Bulgaria: Dobry by Monica Shannon

Hungary: The White Stag by Kate Seredy

Egypt: The Golden Goblet by Elois Jarvis McGraw

Germany: The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Peru: Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark

Saudi Arabia: Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia by Jean Sasson

Mozambique/Zimbabwe: A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer

Mexico (sort of...takes place in a dystopian future of what used to be Mexico): The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Vietnam/Ireland/Italy: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Australia: The Postmistress by Alison Stuart

Wow...looking through my TBR list I could keep going...but I think I will stop here.

So I thought I'd look through what I have checked out in Libby.....
Why are all of my books set in the US, England, or fantasy worlds?
🤣
Sigh.

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "So I thought I'd look through what I have checked out in Libby.....
Why are all of my books set in the US, England, or fantasy worlds?
🤣
Sigh."

Sounds familiar. I read a lot in those settings, too and have the same problem. Definitely plenty of France also. I'll have to find some of the items on my TBR that aren't that.

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Overachiever.
😂"

Really, I do it because it helps me narrow the list a bit, and generally exposes me to books I never would have come across, otherwise. That's what I try to do with a challenge: find books I wouldn't have found without the challenge.

Deborah wrote: "Vietnam/Ireland/Italy: Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer"

Really fun series, particularly for children's books.

Greg wrote: "Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Overachiever.
😂"

Really, I do it because it helps me narrow the list a bit, and generally exposes me to books I never would have come across, otherwise. That's what I t..."

That's the main reason I do challenges and book clubs.

Greg wrote: "This is a fun challenge. I decided to take it a step further (because I can, and because I'm a bit of a masochist).

I'll be reading 5 books, set in different countries, written by authors from 5 d..."

Wow. Good luck!

Deborah wrote: "So Far what I am planning to read:

France: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandere Dumas -I am a quarter of the way through already, I think I can definitely get it done by the end of ..."

I love The Golden Goblet. McGraw also wrote Mara, Daughter of the Nile. I love that one too, if anyone wants to read a different book set in Egypt.

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "So I thought I'd look through what I have checked out in Libby.....
Why are all of my books set in the US, England, or fantasy worlds?
🤣
Sigh."

That's two different countries though, so that's almost half way there. :D

If anyone likes romance, Jackie Lau's books take place in Canada and they're really good.

Elizabeth wrote: "Wow. Good luck!"

Thanks! My on-hold book came through, last night, so I expect to be able to get through them quickly

Greg wrote: "Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Overachiever.
😂"

Really, I do it because it helps me narrow the list a bit, and generally exposes me to books I never would have come across, otherwise. That's what I t..."

That is why I like to do reading challenges. I have read a lot of books I otherwise would have never read and liked them.

I just finished The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer. I am not sure which country to choose since it involves events in the US, Germany, the USSR, and Iran as major places for events, with France and Egypt as more minor places.

Finished Death at Daisy's Folly which is set in England.

Running list:
England - Death at Daisy's Folly

I will also keep a running list here.

1. The Travelling Cat Chronicles--Japan
2. The Shipbuilder's Wife--USA
3. A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Mayhem--England
4. The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land: Stories--Israel
5. Summer at the Garden Cafe--Ireland
6. The Coroner's Lunch--Laos
7. The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog--France

JoAnn wrote: "I just finished The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer. I am not sure which country to choose since it involves events in the US, Germany, the USSR, and Iran as major places for events, with France an..."

The Challenge was to get five books from 5 countries, not one book from 5 countries!

In all seriousness, lots of books with international plots (even histories) end up with pieces from all over. I'd probably call it Germany, unless you have a good reason not to, and move onto book 2!

First book is done! I just finished Gay-Neck: the Story of Pigeon by Dhan Gopa Mukerji which is set for the most part in India.

Running list of completed books for the summer Challenge

1. India - Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji -Complete 6/4/2023

I have an additional challenge for anyone who wants to take it on. I need 5 international titles that are available in book, large print, and audiobook formats at the County Library. It is for three readers, each one with a different need, one of whom really likes historical fiction. They can be novels or YA titles. Thank you in advance.

Jai wrote: "I have an additional challenge for anyone who wants to take it on. I need 5 international titles that are available in book, large print, and audiobook formats at the County Library. It is for thre..."

For anyone that hasn't heard of this, yet, there's a Chrome extension that is super helpful in finding availability of library books, especially if you're looking for a particular format. I highly recommend it!

Jai, I think this could be very useful in your quest.

It's called Library Extension. I'd link to it, but it's not allowed here.

Greg wrote: "This is a fun challenge. I decided to take it a step further (because I could, and because I'm a bit of a masochist). I read 5 books, set in different countries, written by authors from 5 different..."

Wow that was fast!

A few books to add....

Running list:

England - Death at Daisy's Folly, The Mislaid Magician
USA - Henry and Beezus
100 Acre Wood* - The House at Pooh Corner


* no, I'm not actually counting imaginary countries in the 5, but it amuses me to list them.

Deborah wrote: "Greg wrote: "This is a fun challenge. I decided to take it a step further (because I could, and because I'm a bit of a masochist). I read 5 books, set in different countries, written by authors fro..."

I'm pursuing highly unreasonable goals, this year. Speed is of the essence.

I just happened to be reading a book when this was announced that fits the challenge - a good feeling!

1 - Olive, Mabel and Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs - Andrew Cotter - Scotland/England - 6/6/23
2 - The Patron Saint of Second Chances - Christine Simon - Italy - 6/30/23
3 - The Book of Longings - Sue Monk Kidd - Israel/Egypt - 6/19/23
4 - Jacqueline in Paris - Ann Mah - France - 7/6/23
5 - The Island of Missing Trees Elif Shafak - Cyprus/England - 7/14/23

Challenge completed!

Additional summer books that meet the challenge -
6 - The Collector’s Daughter: A gripping and sweeping tale of unforgettable discoveries and unforgiveable secrets for 2021 - Gill Paul - England/Egypt
7 - The Kitchen God's Wife - Amy Tan - China/US

Deborah wrote: "So Far what I am planning to read:

France: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandere Dumas -I am a quarter of the way through already, I think I can definitely get it done by the end of ..."

I recognize some of your titles - Newbury Medal winners. I particularly loved Secret of the Andes so if you can't read them all for the summer, I highly recommend it.

JoAnn wrote: "I just finished The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer. I am not sure which country to choose since it involves events in the US, Germany, the USSR, and Iran as major places for events, with France an..."

You have two choices, I would suggest. One is to see what else you read and plug it in wherever you have a hole or have it relate to all of those and have your other 4 books not cover any of them. There are, after all, lots and lots and lots of countries. I'm running into this with one of the books I'm reading that covers two countries. I've gone the path of chosing 4 other countries.

Finished my first book for this challenge: The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry. Country is England.

Greg, you disappoint me. I was expecting you to read 5 books from 5 countries on each of the separate continents except Antarctica because there are no countries there. Which would make 30 books total. I do like your modification though. I had not thought of considering the nationality of the author. Now I'm interested to see how authors of the books I'm reading pan out.

For everyone reading this with their mouths hanging open at my suggestion, there were years when Greg and I shared a similar overachiever reading pattern. Other things going on in my life prevent me doing that this year, at least. But Greg knows, I hope, that I laugh with delight of his ideas and plans and cheer him on all the way with great admiration.

I have chosen 5 books to read:
Ghana Going to Ghana by Christine Platt
Nepal I, Doko: The Tale of a Basket by Ed Young
Ethiopia and Somalia Spirit of the Cheetah: A Somali Tale by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
Bangladesh Yasmin's Hammer by Ann Malaspina
Jamaica Granny's Kitchen: A Jamaican Story of Food and Family by Sade Smith

Following Greg's lead, I learned all of my authors, but one, were from the US, although one was born in China. The other is Canadian. However, they are all children's picture books and two of the illustrators are from other countries -- Indonesia and Somalia.

This is my rough plan-

Afghanistan: A House Without Windows, fiction about a women's prison, the good and bad.

Russia: Baba Yaga's Assistant, a graphic novel; or Into The Forest: Tales Of The Baba Yaga, a horror anthology by women authors (I'm hesitant about horror).

Spain: Ayesha Dean - The Seville Secret, a cozy mystery about an Australian- Indonesian Muslim YA woman and her friends vacationing in Spain.

France: Have Mercy On Us All, a not-cozy mystery featuring "bumbling but brilliant Chief Inspector Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg".

Singapore: Precious Dragon, Detective Inspector Chen is assigned to escort an emissary from Heaven on a diplomatic mission to Hell.

UK: Underdogs by Chris Bonnello, a dystopian with Neurodivergent teen survivors/fighters; or Dark Witch and Creamy, a cozy mystery set in the Cotswolds (so far it's boring).

Book Two done.

Running list of completed books for the summer Challenge

1. India - Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji -Complete 6/4/2023
2. England - Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper - Complete 6/7/23

Debbie wrote: "Greg, you disappoint me. I was expecting you to read 5 books from 5 countries on each of the separate continents except Antarctica because there are no countries there. Which would make 30 books to..."

I appreciate that. I should have gone with different continents...even more diversity!

I've got another 25 books to clear off of my TBR list for another 'challenge' I set for myself this year...but maybe later this summer, I can run this challenge again!

Updating the list.... No new countries, sadly.😅

Running list:

England - Death at Daisy's Folly, The Mislaid Magician
England, alternate history*- A Symphony of Echoes
USA - Henry and Beezus, Donut Disturb, Under Lock and Skeleton Key
100 Acre Wood* - The House at Pooh Corner


* no, I'm not actually counting imaginary countries in the 5, but it amuses me to list them.

Book Three Takes place in Austria.

Running list of completed books for the summer Challenge

1. India - Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon by Dhan Gopal Mukerji -Complete 6/4/2023
2. England - Silver on the Tree by Susan Cooper - Complete 6/7/23
3. Austria - The Danger with Diamonds by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessy - Complete 6/9/23

Got my second book finished. Evil Genius by Chris Grabenstein (book 3 in his "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" series). Country: USA.

Are we counting Scotland as separate from England?
Is the ocean its own country?
Am I severely sleep deprived?
(The answer to the third question is yes. It's also the explanation for the first two questions😂)

Running list:

England - Death at Daisy's Folly, The Mislaid Magician
England, alternate history*- A Symphony of Echoes
USA - Henry and Beezus, Donut Disturb, Under Lock and Skeleton Key, Iggie's House
100 Acre Wood* - The House at Pooh Corner
Scotland - Fateful Words
Atlantic Ocean - Dead Wake


* no, I'm not actually counting imaginary countries in the 5, but it amuses me to list them.

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Are we counting Scotland as separate from England?
Is the ocean its own country?
Am I severely sleep deprived?
(The answer to the third question is yes. It's also the explanation for the first two ..."

Personally, I'd consider Scotland separate. For the ocean, I was going to say Oceanica (Pacific Ocean) is considered a continent which includes Australia, New Zealand and all the Pacific Island nations. Then I saw you said Atlantic. Ummm. But what would you consider the Lusitania? British? It was travelling from New York to Britain when it sunk. So .... Yeah, I'd say separate.

As Elizabeth often says, if you think it fits, it fits. And we're pretty open.

I have chosen 5 books to read:
✅ Ghana Going to Ghana by Christine Platt
✅ Ethiopia and Somalia Spirit of the Cheetah: A Somali Tale by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
✅ Bangladesh Yasmin's Hammer by Ann Malaspina
Nepal I, Doko: The Tale of a Basket by Ed Young
Jamaica Granny's Kitchen: A Jamaican Story of Food and Family by Sade Smith+

I have finished 3 of the 5.

I have changed two of the 5 books:
✅ USA Hot Six by Janet Evanovich
✅ Australia Death Down Under by Samantha Silver
✅ Ghana Going to Ghana by Christine Platt
✅ Ethiopia and Somalia Spirit of the Cheetah: A Somali Tale by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
✅ Bangladesh Yasmin's Hammer by Ann Malaspina

I have finished the challenge.

This is a fun challenge! So far I've read two books that qualify:

1. England— The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander
2. Sweden— The Winners by Fredrik Backman