Keli’s Comments (group member since Mar 04, 2018)

Keli’s comments from the Around the World in 80 Books group.

I’m apparently going to Antarctica with The Magicians. I’m so far behind, but I’m going to work backwards and catch up!

Summary so far:
2025 numbers
January: 4 - Grey Bees
February: 16 - The Mistletoe Bride
March: 1 - America is not the Heart
April: 24 - SA country
May: 11 - The Blind Assassin
June: 7 - The Minaturist
July: 18 - Velvet was the Night

As per usual, I am behind on this challenge by most of the books. I have read our January pick thus far. I have, however, managed to read two books not yet chosen off my list. So even though it is not exactly how this is played, it’s still a win seeing as this is a tbr takedown. In one sense then, I’m only 1 + current behind. 😅

March 1.America Is Not the Heart - US
January 4.Grey Bees - Ukraine
5.The Angels Die - Algeria
6. Carpentaria - Australia
7. The Miniaturist - Netherlands
8.The Widows of Malabar Hill - India
9.Splinters of Scarlet - Denmark
10. The Night Tiger - Malaysia
May - 11. The Blind Assassin - Canada
12. A Disappearance in Fiji - Fiji
13.King Leopold's Ghost - Democratic Republic of Congo
14.The Magicians - Antarctica
15.Don't Look Now and Other Stories - Israel
February 16. The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales- France
17. Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog - Russia
18. Velvet Was the Night- Mexico
19. Night Train to Lisbon - Portugal
20. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope - Malawi
21. South American country selection
22. Rosewater - Nigeria
23.These Violent Delights - China
April -24. South American Country selection

Finally finished my first book! So many books to read, so little time.

I still have to finish my Ukraine book, but once that is done I'll be travelling to Russia with Pelagia and the White Bulldog

Shall we comment here or on the old page?

I'll do both for now.
I'm heading to Ukraine with Grey Bees. This book has been patiently sitting on a bookshelf for over three years waiting for me to pick it up.

I'll be heading to Ukraine with Grey Bees. January in Ukraine sounds cold.

Hi, Sophie. I think Jacque picked it for Jan. Linda wrote it on my individual thread. Sandra, who took over for Diane last year, is not moderating this challenge for 2025. So Linda, Shahar and Jacque have sort of taken it on.

Sorry my notifications weren't on.

Thanks for the friend Jacque and keeping this going.

Unfortunately, I still have not read all of these! Let's do it in 2025
N Amer - USA, Canada, Mexico
S Amer -
Asia - Japan, India, Malaysia, Israel, China
Africa - Algeria, DRC, Malawi, Nigeria
Europe - Sweden, Ukraine, Netherlands, Denmark, France, Russia, Portugal
Pacific - Australia, Fiji, Antarctica

1.America Is Not the Heart - USA
2. Handling the Undead - Sweden
3. Strangers - Japan
4.Grey Bees - Ukraine
5.The Angels Die - Algeria
6. Carpentaria - Australia
7. The Miniaturist - Netherlands
8.The Widows of Malabar Hill - India
9.Splinters of Scarlet - Denmark
10. The Night Tiger - Malaysia
11. The Blind Assassin - Canada
12. A Disappearance in Fiji - Fiji
13.King Leopold's Ghost - Democratic Republic of Congo
14.The Magicians - Antarctica
15.Don't Look Now and Other Stories - Israel
16. The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales- France
17. Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog - Russia
18. Velvet Was the Night- Mexico
19. Night Train to Lisbon - Portugal
20. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope - Malawi
21. South American country selection
22. Rosewater - Nigeria
23.These Violent Delights - China
24. South American Country selection

Completion

Location 1
Urban Shaman
C.E. Murphy
02/01/24

Location 2
Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus
04/01/24

Location 3
Black Hat, White Witch
Hailey Edwards
08/01/24

Welcome, Traveller. We're so happy to have you back exploring places and times with us again. As you asked that your Around the World journey start in your country of origin, we are kicking things off in the USA.

Location 1 - Seattle, Washington, USA

You will begin in Seattle, Washington. You wil meet your local guide, Joanne Walker, who will take you to some of the most hip coffee shops and foodie locations in town. Jo is a local police office, so you should also feel safe in her hands.

Accommodation- Hotel Andra (Belltown)
2 nights
No rental as our guide is providing transportation. She is also a mechanic and her Mustang is her pride and joy.
Jo has the itinerary for your three days and two nights in Seattle. A cab will pick you up from the hotel at 8am on day three and drop you at the airport for an 11am flight to Commons, California

Location 2 - Commons, California, USA
One of our representatives will meet you at the airport. Do not be alarmed if their appearance or manners seems otherworldly. We've crossed time and space (literally) to get the best agents. As this will be the first of your journeys in time, it's vital that we get you to the right moment to meet your next guide, and with as little time travel sickness as possible. Please follow our representative's instructions exactly. If all goes according to plan you should arrive in sunny 1960s California where Elizabeth Zott, your guide, will meet you. Do not be alarmed that you arrive in a field. The airport was not built until 1982. However, Ms Zott has the coordinates.
Again, our guide has your detailed itinerary. But we specifically asked her to include a tour of her tv studio and home laboratory. Ms Zott was very keen on choosing the restaurants, and with her reputation, we couldn't deny her. So bon apetit.
Accommodation - Howard Johnsons (sorry boutique hotels do not exist here yet)
2 nights
Rental - none. Though Ms Zott says you can borrow her car if needed.
One of our representatives will meet you at 7am in the lobby to assist you to your next location

Location 3 - Samford, Alabama, USA

You'll return to the present and fly from California to Alabama. Here you will be met by your guide, Rue Hollis. She is the owner of the local magic and occult goods shop. She will take you around the town to sample some local Bbq and hopes to teach you a few handy spells.
Accommodation- It's a small town so we've rented out the room above downtown pharmacist.
1 night
Rental -Our guide will pick you up and drop you back off at the airport

numbers
January: 12
February: 2
March: 1
April: 9
May: 18
June: 5
July: 20
August: 3

I'm in the US with America Is Not the Heart

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May I have three countries, please?

I'm off to Sweden with Let the Right One In