Around the World in Books discussion

Hi, Everyone,
In prep for April, while I had time, I thought I would summarize where we have traveled!

Afghanistan - The Swallows of Kabul
Algeria - The Last Life
Antarctica - Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage
Argentina- Kiss of the Spider Woman
Australia - True History of the Kelly Gang
Austria - The Loser
Azerbaijan - Ali and Niño: A Love Story
and. The Orientalist: Solving the Mystery of a Strange and Dangerous Life
Bahamas - Islands in the Sun
Cambodia - When Broken Glass Floats
and. The Disappeared
Canada - Fifth Business
and. Alice Munro's Best
Denmark - The Keeper of Lost Causes (also published as Mercy)
Estonia - Purge
England - Notes from a Small Island

Hello, Again,

I promised to list those major countries (those with population around or over 5 M per the CIA Fact Book) we skipped over up to "F". We actually hit all the "A"s. So here's the rest of the list - I forgot there were so many countries and all of them with fascinating stories to tell!

Bangladesh
Belgium
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma
Burundi
Cameroon
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Congo (both combined)
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Eritrea (not many books,but a fascinating story not often told because overshadowed by Ethiopia)
Ethiopia

Then there is F through Z!

Laureen

Mar wrote: "Thanks Laureen, this is excellent! It is really amazing how far we have travelled since you started this group. It's been a real pleasure reading with you and others and exploring all these differe..."

I second this post completely!

Okay. Interesting. Are you the moderator for the next three months? Maybe Mar has one more month?

Thank you Lauren. I have only just finished Ali and Nino which was brilliant and would never have known about had it not been for the group. The only library copy was in a stack and had to wash the cover before reading. What a waste of a wonderful story.

What have been your favourite books so far?

I have two clear favourites, Endurance and Ali and Nino. If I had to choose one it would be Endurance - I was completely astounded by it.

Who would have thought that Antartica and Azerbaijan would throw up such gems?!

As for next month's country ... I'd like to read something from an African country, personally.

There looks to be a good selection from the Congos. Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart is something I wanted to read a while ago but, until now, completely forgot its existence. Anyway, I'm getting too far ahead of myself - we haven't even decided on a country yet!

I think Africa would be good. The only African country we've read so far has been Algeria so it would be good to get some feel for more of Africa especially further in central or south. Let's see!

My favorite was Endurance. I missed Ali and Niño, but after hearing so many comments I need to go back and read it now that I have time.

I am also amazed at how many books I have also discovered through our monthly polls. There are books that I never would have heard of if others in the group hadn't suggested. Some are now on my to-read. Have any of you read any good books through our polls that didn't make it to our bookshelf? Mine was the Shipping News.

Endurance and then The Disappeared. A country in Africa sounds like a good choice.

Looking over the list again Swallows of Kabul, True History of the Kelly Gang and The Last Life were all interesting as well.

I need to read Swallows of Kabul - I think I joined the group after its time had passed. Glad you enjoyed Purge, especially as you are going there soon. Or have you been now?

I am the author of a series, three books thus far, of mystery novels set in South America. These books have detailed locales, food, history, and customs in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay thus far. Book #3, the surreal killer, ranked last week (the last time I checked) in the top 30 travel books on Peru and the top 100 on South America on Amazon. If and when this group decides to return to South America I'd love to participate in the discussion.
For Africa (Botswana, not one of the Congos) there's a great, and thoroughly charming, mystery series by Alexander McCall Smith---for example The Number One Ladies Detective Agency Volume 6--that might be a pleasant and fast moving selection to read.

On the off chance that you're looking for a book about Haiti, I have written a non-fiction called Tears for the Mountain, about a medical mission trip to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake there. It chronicles a team tasked with the delivery of 20,000 pounds of medical supplies to area hospitals who encounters gangs of roving bandits, heart wrenching stories of survival, and a notorious Haitian warlord. A portion of the proceeds goes to benefit the orphanage in Port-au-Prince where the team was based.

Watch the trailer for the book here.

Sign up for the book giveaway here.

Watch a CBS news report about the book here.

My first novel, The 8th Doll, will be released 31 July. Pulling together elements from Mayan architecture and culture, it is a fast paced story of a murder investigation that is tied to the 2012 Mayan apocalyptic prophecy. It should cover Mexico for you as well.

You can follow me here on Facebook.