Around the World discussion

placeholder for 2014. I didn't make 52 last year, and there was a lot of fluff in my list, so I'm aiming at 52 again, with a higher proportion of solid, non- fluffy reads.

1. Israel Disappearance 2.1.14
Girl goes missing from a Kibbutz,. Story turns into political thriller. A little long and drawn out, but OK.

2. Bosnia and Herzegovina The Cellist of Sarajevo 20.1.14
A series of interrelated stories of how residents cope with the siege of Sarajevo. Short, and easy to read.

3. Cuba In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd 20.1.14
Short stories exploring the Cuban exile experience in the States. Beautifully written. I will be looking for more of her writing.

4. Dominican Republic In the Time of the Butterflies 21.1.14
Fictionalized account of the Mirabal sisters who were legendary political dissidents in Trujillo's dictatorship. This is the second Dominican book I've read set in this time frame. This one stands out as it provided enough historical context for someone unfamiliar with Dominican history to get a good picture, even though the characters fell a little flat, but definitely worth reading.

5. Sweden Shadow 30.1.14
Rather depressing mystery set in Stockholm. Not my favourite.

6. Saudi Arabia In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom 5.2.14
Account of a British (ethnically Pakistani) doctor's years in Saudi Arabia. Interesting, and sometimes surprising subject matter about women in Saudi society, and her own journey in her faith as she performs the Hajj. I enjoyed this, even though it would have benefited greatly by a good editor.

7. India The Inheritance of Loss 18.2.14

Beautiful writing, but rather drab story set in Darjeeling during the 'Gurkha troubles'. Another Booker winner that failed to grab me totally.

Tanya wrote: "7. India The Inheritance of Loss 18.2.14

Beautiful writing, but rather drab story set in Darjeeling during the 'Gurkha troubles'. Another Booker winner that failed to grab me totally."

Yep, likewise for me - gave it 2 stars.

8. Nigeria Foreign Gods, Inc. 23.2.14

Nigerian living in New York, sees an opportunity to make some money by stealing and selling his village's God to an upscale art gallery.

9. Pakistan Moth Smoke26.2.14

A life spiraling out of control, drugs, affairs, crime and betrayal set in Lahore. This started off a little slowly, but really got me in. Mohsin Hamid is now on my must read list.

I like your little wrap up comments about your books, Tanya. I have added your #2 and #3 books to my reading list. I cannot quit looking at what is available out there.

Cherie wrote: "I like your little wrap up comments about your books, Tanya. I have added your #2 and #3 books to my reading list. I cannot quit looking at what is available out there."
Thanks Cherie - I can recommend both, and I know what you mean about ever expanding reading lists - I've given up feeling guilty about my ridiculously high piles of unread books. I'll get to them one day (assuming they haven't been eaten by moths).

10. Romania No One is Here Except All of Us 7.3.14
I struggled to finish this one. It is the story of a small Jewish community in Romania during WW2 that decide that the outside world doesn't exist and they start over. To the extent that wives and children are swapped. Despite their efforts, the war does intrude. This was an interesting premise, but it just didn't connect for me.


11. Ecuador The Amnesia Clinic 7.3.14
I really enjoyed this. A young British expat and his Ecuadorean school friend set off to find answers about the dissappearance of his friends mother, and search for a mythical Amnesia clinic. Full of wonderful characters and entertaining stories. Worth reading.

The Amnesia Clinic sounds really interesting. Been looking for a good book for Ecuador, something besides the usual political or Peace Corps memoirs. Me thinks this is worth a try!

Amanda wrote: "The Amnesia Clinic sounds really interesting. ... Me thinks this is worth a try!"
Hi Amanda - as noted, I enjoyed this. An entertaining, easy to read story with a real feeling of place. You definitly knew it was in Ecuador. Give it a go.

12. Kenya Bingo's Run 27.3.14
Young drug runner from Nairobi slums is adopted by an American woman but has to extricate himself from his life. Lots of interesting characters, including a kingpin Priest and a crooked police minister. Entertaining story.

13.Vanuatu Man Belong Mrs Queen: Adventures with the Philip Worshipers. 30.3.14
Well written, entertaining account of the Tanaa Island cult of Prince Phillip.

14. England Wolf Hall 16.4.14
I haven't always loved Booker winners, but this one was good. It has been a while since I've read any English historical fiction and I've got over my lack of interest in the subject matter (Cromwell, the Boleyns and Henry) caused by previously overdosing on British royalty. This was well written, full of historical detail, and not overly sentimental.

Tanya wrote: "14. England Wolf Hall 16.4.14
I haven't always loved Booker winners, but this one was good. It has been a while since I've read any English historical fiction and I've got over my la..."

Glad you enjoyed it, Tanya! I just finished the sequel, Bring Up the Bodies and thought it was every bit as good.

15. Botswana Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide 5.5.14
Pleasant, and reasonably entertaining set of essays exploring the life of a safari guide in Botswana, with the writer's obvious love of the animals being the highlight.

16. Tanzania By The Sea 17.6.14
Immigrant story of man from Zanzibar moving to England. I enjoyed this, but it took me forever to finish as I kept putting it down in random places ...

17. Sierra Leone Radiance of Tomorrow 04/8/14
I have been very distracted by alt history series and fluff lately, so haven't made much progress on my ATW list ... anyway, this is Ishmael Beah's, (A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier first book. Its the story of village life after war and the problems that are presented. Reads as a fable. Good

18. Jamacia Small Island 21/10/14
I enjoyed this story of a freed slave set during the ending of slavery in Jamacia.

Thanks Tanya - sounds interesting. Just added it to my TBR list.