Around the World discussion

Tell us about a new release you're keen to read. Where is it set? Why are you looking forward to it? When will it be published?

I’m looking forward to The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi set in India scheduled for publication June 2021. I enjoyed The Henna Artist, which was the author’s debut novel. The second book is about one of the characters in the first book.

The other book I’m looking forward to reading is The Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Richard Flanagan, which is available elsewhere, but not until May in the U.S. It’s set in Australia.

I love the sound of Edward Rutherfurd's new release China (due May 2021), but I'm also kind of apprehensive because he writes such doorstoppers and I'm yet to finish one. But I'll give this one a go because it's about the Opium Wars and I really want to understand that period of China's history better.

Andrea wrote: "I love the sound of Edward Rutherfurd's new release China (due May 2021), but I'm also kind of apprehensive because he writes such doorstoppers and I'm yet to finish ..."

The only one I've finished is Sarum: The Novel of England, but that was enjoyable. I wonder if the enjoyment wears off once you get the idea.... it's very similar to what James Michener does (at least from what I understand; he's another person I haven't read.)

Out next month is A Recipe for Daphne, set in the Rum (Greek Orthodox Christian) community of Istanbul. I’m taking a chance and adding it to my food shelf, as one of the characters is a master pastry chef (not to mention the clue in the title). I was reading an author Q&A and she said an early inspiration for the story was learning about a forgotten pastry, a type of eclair with different flavoured creme fillings, symbolising the harmonious coexistence of the different Balkan peoples.

Lilisa, this one might appeal to you too!

One list I always look to every year is the Millions Most Anticipated Books, they do 6 months at a time. The first half of this year came out today, and there are several translated or otherwise international titles - Kuwait (very few options for this country), Cameroon, Barbados, Colombia, and more.

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "One list I always look to every year is the Millions Most Anticipated Books, they do 6 months at a time. The first half of this year came out today, and there are several translated or otherwise in..."

I was just settling in to take a look at the list and realised the link doesn't work. Jenny, could you please take a look at that?

https://themillions.com/2021/01/most-...

Is this it, Andrea?

(I do not know how to do anything but a straight copy/paste.)

Karen wrote: "https://themillions.com/2021/01/most-...

Is this it, Andrea?

Looks like it must be! Thanks Karen. Wow, big list.

Sorry about that!

Andrea wrote: "Out next month is A Recipe for Daphne, set in the Rum (Greek Orthodox Christian) community of Istanbul. I’m taking a chance and adding it to my food shelf, as one of the characters ..."

How’d you guess, Andrea? 😉 - yes, thanks a ton! Adding and hopefully it’ll be available here.

Andrea wrote: "Karen wrote: "https://themillions.com/2021/01/most-...

Is this it, Andrea?

Looks like it must be! Thanks Karen. Wow, big list."

Great list - thanks Jenny/Karen - going to have to invest some good browsing.

I’m still making my way through the Millions list, but I passed it on to a friend and he returned the favour with another 4-5 different lists! I guess it’s that time of year.

But here’s another one of solely translated works that includes a lot of interesting titles. I’ve added a few, but had to limit myself. I picked China, Romania, Chile and Russia.

https://bookriot.com/2021-books-in-tr...

I see that Tahmima Anam has a new book out soon - The Startup Wife. Looks like something very different for her. It might be stretch for ATW for some, but with a mixed race marriage at its heart, although it’s set in the UK, I’d still include it. The reason I’m looking forward to it is that I read an interview with the author where she talks about how much fun she had writing it, reveling in how different she is from her character, Asha (while acknowledging some parallels).

Andrea mentioned Edward Rutherford’s new book “China”, it is a large tome like many of his other books, several of which I’ve read. He is somewhat similar to James Michener who I’ve also read a lot. I won’t get started on “China” for a good while yet, too many others in piles about the house. Perhaps I’ll save it for darker Autumn and Winter evenings.

Ooh! Another one coming out in July (UK) and a little later in other markets is The Snow Line: a novel, set in northern India. Sounds right up my alley. Four mismatched wedding guests thrown together, all searching for something, plus mountains!!

Carol wrote: "Andrea mentioned Edward Rutherford’s new book “China”, it is a large tome like many of his other books, several of which I’ve read. He is somewhat similar to James Michener who I’ve also read a lot..."

Sounds like a good plan Carol. When I saw your post I realised I hadn’t seen it yet, but when I think about it, I’m not really back in the habit of bookshop browsing again.

All My Mothers by Joanna Glen, set in Spain, is beginning to create a bit of excitement leading up to its publication in August. I like the sound of it because 1) I’m going through a phase of being drawn to stories about non-traditional families and 2) Spain!

Andrea wrote: "I see that Tahmima Anam has a new book out soon - The Startup Wife. Looks like something very different for her. It might be stretch for ATW for some, but with a mix..."

Just finished this one - won't be adding it to my list for this year, after all. BTW it was set mainly in New York, not the UK as I'd originally thought.

Have you noticed all the lists lately? New releases for 2022. I can’t help but scour them, looking for gems. One I am very keen on is Breathless by Amy McCulloch, set in Nepal - specifically Manaslu peak. It’s a thriller and I can barely wait to read it. Out in February, I think, but hoping NetGalley will come through for me sooner.

Andrea wrote: "Have you noticed all the lists lately? New releases for 2022. I can’t help but scour them, looking for gems. One I am very keen on is Breathless by Amy McCulloch, s..."

Thanks for the heads up on this one, Andrea - NG came through so now on my TBR list!

One that’s already available in Europe, but I’m not sure about other markets, is The Book of Perilous Dishes set in Romania. I’ll definitely be looking out for this one as I’ve yet to read any fiction set in Romania, and it has a focus on food!

As a lover of history and especially exploration history I'm currently reading, again, the Rescue of Emin Pasha by Roger Jones. This is set in the late 19th century in the Congo (now DRC) and South Sudan. one the most appalling expeditions of all times led by the infamous Henry Morton Stanley, who, by that stage in his life, thought he was a god. Great adventure. Great political twists. Great stupidity. I guess thats what makes a great yarn.

....and I just finished reading, (I read it at least every 24 months), Alfred Lansing's, ENDURANCE: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage. The title says it all but if you are lover of thrillers and great stories, none better than this real-life survival story. Always amazing. A story of leadership, belief, survival in the most extreme conditions, not for months, but years! At 275 pages (paperback) its a great read.

Thanks Paul. These books remind me of another title I intended to post. It’s already published in Australia, but maybe not in other markets yet. Thaw is a fictional account of Scott’s expedition to Antarctica, and if the sample chapters are any indication, it’s going to be a great read.

I very rarely get tempted by the GR Banners promoting new or popular books, but I'm glad I looked at the current one. The Great Divide (Panama) sounds like it's going to be good, and I haven't read Panama before.

Andrea wrote: "I very rarely get tempted by the GR Banners promoting new or popular books, but I'm glad I looked at the current one. The Great Divide (Panama) sounds like it's going to be good, a..."

Looks like an interesting one for sure.

Last year I read two excellent books set in Georgia, and now I’m getting quietly excited for another that will be published in September. It’s The First Friend by Australian author Malcolm Knox. It’s a black comedy about two notorious historical figures, Lavrentiy Beria and … Joseph Stalin.

” Even the worst person has a best friend.”