Around the World in 80 Books discussion

I'm starting this challenge really late. But I've just moved to USA in September and me and my family are going to stay here until the end of August 2020. So there is full tvelve months of me reading through America only it does not match regular calendar :)

I'm going to read books set in all 50 states and in Washington DC.

September summary:

1. Missouri
Stoner John Williams - a moving classic about a simple man who discovered literature and it changed his life completely.
Read it in Polish as na ebook.

2. Vermont
The Secret History Donna Tartt - in America this book is so popular, but in Poland where I'm from not many are familiar with it. I wanted to know what the hype is about - and though I have some issues with this book it was definately a fascinating read.
I've listened to it on audio in English

3. Massachusetts
The Idiot Elif Batuman - this was brilliant, funny and thought provoking. Although not much plot so may not be for everyone.
Read in English as an ebook.

4. Texas
Death row Dollies Linda Polman - fascinating non-fiction about women who fall in love with prisoners and also about death penalty on general.
Read in Polish as an ebook.

5. Oklahoma
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI David Grann - this book has a title that I always forget but the text itself is unforgettable. Devastating story.
Read it as text and audio combo.

6. Rhode Island
The Lowland Jhumpa Lahiri - parts of this novel are set in India but most of the time we are in Rhode Island. Complicated tale about relationships with family, with traditions, with our past. I especially liked how it told the story about motherhood, very unique and important perspective.
Read it in English as a text and audio combo.

Kasia wrote: "I'm starting this challenge really late. But I've just moved to USA in September and me and my family are going to stay here until the end of August 2020. So there is full tvelve months of me readi..."

Hi, Kasia! I hope your stay in the US is pleasant. I visited Poland over the summer. It is a beautiful place (great food, too!).

Diane wrote: "Kasia wrote: "I'm starting this challenge really late. But I've just moved to USA in September and me and my family are going to stay here until the end of August 2020. So there is full tvelve mont..."

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip to Poland! Being away from home I really appreciate how tasty our polish food is. I especially miss polish bread,i t's the best in the world :)

7. Wisconsin
Blankets Craig Thompson - graphic memoir about growing up in very religious family. It describes the struggles with faith and how it influenced other ordinary teenage experiences. I mostly enjoyed how Craig Thompson portrayed his relationship with younger brother.

8. North Dakota
Stephen Florida Gabe Habash - this book is something else! I don't care much for sports but this novel about young wrestler who is focused solely on winning was impossible to put down. Stephen Florida is weird and is behavior is sometimes very disturbing. He is very unreliable narrator so even after I'm finished reading I am still wondering what really happened and what he maybe omitted in his storytelling. I highly recommend to give this book a try!

9. Florida
The Nickel Boys Colson Whitehead - this is one of the most beautiful abd devastating novel I have ever read. A must!

10. Arizona
A Death on Diamond Mountain: A True Story of Obsession, Madness, and the Path to Enlightenment Scott Carney - a nonfiction about darker side of meditation and western approach to Buddhism. It shows how obsession can twist even the most innocent of ideas.

11. Washington D. C.
Red, White & Royal Blue Casey McQuiston - after reading some rather heavy stories I wanted something nice and optimistic and this was just that. This book has some flaws but it sure is entertaining.

12. Tennessee
Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin Hampton Sides - the story of tragic death of Martin Luther King Jr. In a book we follow his last days as well as his killer.

13. New York
After Birth Elisa Albert - there is not many novels dealing with the beginning of motherhood and challenges it brings. It's a must read for new mothers so they would not feel so alone in their struggles and vulnerabilities.

14. Maine
The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit Michael Finkel - this is fascinating story about a man who lived in the woods of Maine for over twenty years. It tries to answer the question why some people have a strong need to be alone? Very good book.

15. New Hampshire
The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood Sy Montgomery - people can have unique friendships not only with dogs or cats but with most unusual animals. Here ia a memoir about a pig who made friends and became important to many people. Heartwarming story set in rural New Hampshire.

16. Idaho
Idaho Emily Ruskovich - this is beautifully written, poetic novel. But I'm conflicted about the story it tells. It focuses on family who got destroyed and the aftermath of that. I've read it some weeks ago and still thinking about it though there were parts of it I didn't like. It's worth a try but not for someone who expects all the questions answered and all secrets explained in the end.

17. Alabama
A Redbird Christmas Fannie Flagg - it's a simple story, happy and sweet. It's like a Hallmark Christmas movie in a book form. Don't expect greatness, but it's a fast read that leaves you feeling good about people and the world.

18. Ohio (and Washington)
I started reading this book for Ohio not realizing that it changes setting near the middle mark to Seattle, Washington. I'm still counting it as Ohio, but it could be read for Washington as well)

Dog Medicine Julie Barton - a memoir about struggling with depression and childhood trauma. The author went back to her parents house in Ohio after living in New York for a year. As a way to deal with her suffering she adopts a puppy. By caring for him she learns also how to care for herself. IThe book also deals with problem of sibling violence which is not mentioned very often as a possible cause for emotional struggles in adult life. Very interesting memoir, not only for dog lovers.

19.Connecticut
The Stepford Wives Ira Levin

20. California
The Manson Women and Me: Monsters, Morality, and Murder Nikki Meredith

21. Louisiana
The Yellow House Sarah M. Broom

22. Washington
Where'd You Go, Bernadette Maria Semple

23. Illinois
The Dangerous Art of Blending In Angelo Surmelis

24. Georgia
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil John Berendt

25. Colorado
Sadie Courtney Summers

26. Wyoming
Any Other Name Craig Johnson

27. North Carolina
Where the Crawdads Sing Delia Owens

28. Hawaii
Unfamiliar Fishes Sarah Vowell
The Descendants Kaui Hart Hemmings

29. Pennsylvania
Wolf Hollow Lauren Wolk

30. Montana
A River Runs Through It Norman Maclean

31. Virginia
To All the Boys I've Loved Before Jenny Han

32. Arkansas
Reading with Patrick: A Teacher, a Student, and a Life-Changing Friendship Michelle Kuo

33. South Carolina
Brown Girl Dreaming Jacqueline Woodson

34. Alaska
Legend of a Suicide David Vann

35. Minnesota
If You Lived Here You'd Be Home By Now: Why We Traded the Commuting Life for a Little House on the Prairie Christopher Ingraham

36. Iowa
Home Marilynne Robinson

37. Michigan
We Need New Names NoViolet Bulawayo

38. Maryland
Clock Dance Anne Tyler

39. Delaware
The Book of Unknown Americans Cristina Henriquez

40. Utah
When the Emperor Was Divine Julie Otsuka

41. New Jersey
Born to Run Bruce Springsteen

42. Oregon
All You Can Ever Know Nicole Chung

43. Nebraska
Attachement Rainbow Rowell

44. Kansas
The Persian Pickle Club Sandra Dallas

45. Kentucky
Beloved Toni Morrison

46. Mississippi
Men We Reaped Jesmyn Ward

47. South Dakota
Dakota: A Spiritual Geography Kathleen Norris

48. New Mexico
Eyes Bottle Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers: Poems Jake Skeets

49. Indiana
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves Karen Joy Fowler

50. West Virginia
Shiloh Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

51. Nevada
Play It As It Lays Joan Didion

Yay, I did it! I was frustrated with this project at times but I'm proud to finish it. I was surprised how many books are set in New York (city) or California and then maybe Texas and New England. The rest of the county seems to be wildly unrepresented which I have never noticed before.

All in all, it was an interesting ride :)