The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

10.10 - Soviet Bloc Crumbles

1989 saw the end of the Cold War as the old Soviet Bloc crumbled. Read a book set in at least 50% in one or more Soviet Bloc countries or other aligned states: Eastern Bloc Countries. A list of qualifying countries can also be found in post 2 of the Help Thread.
Required: If the setting is not evident on the GR main book page include a reference when you post.

Qualifying Countries

Afghanistan
Albania
Angola
Benin
Bulgaria
China
Congo
Cuba
Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic; Slovakia)
Germany
Ethiopia
Grenada
Hungary
Kampuchea (Cambodia)
Laos
Mongolia
Mozambique
Nicaragua
North Korea
Poland
Romania
Somalia
Yemen
*Soviet Union
Vietnam
Yugoslavia (Bosnia & Herzegovina; Croatia; Kosovo; Montenegro; Macedonia; Serbia; Slovenia)

*Post-Soviet States:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Estonia
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lithuania
Moldova
Russia
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Ukraine
Uzbekistan

*

This thread is now open!

Would the Katherine Arden series set in pre-Soviet Russia be acceptable? I loved the group read last season and want to read the other two.

Aprilleigh wrote: "Would the Katherine Arden series set in pre-Soviet Russia be acceptable? I loved the group read last season and want to read the other two."

Russia is on the list. So as long as it's at least 50% Russia and/or one of the other countries listed it'll work. Any time period is OK.

I'm thinking of reading Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice by Bill Browder for this. Is it obvious enough from the main page that this is set in/about Russia? Its non-fiction so I wasn't sure if that was okay for this task? Thanks!

Amy wrote: "I'm thinking of reading Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice by Bill Browder for this. Is it obvious enough from the ma..."

Nonfiction is fine. And, as long as at least 50% of the book is set in Russia (it sounds like it is from the description) then it will work.

Would Invisible Planets work? All the authors live in China, write in Chinese, and the book is speculative fiction related to China. (I can put the book elsewhere if it doesn't work for here.)

Deedee wrote: "Would Invisible Planets work? All the authors live in China, write in Chinese, and the book is speculative fiction related to China. (I can put the book elsewhere if it doesn't work..."

As long as at least 50% of the stories are set in China, yes. From the reviews, it sounds like they are. Since the setting isn't easily discernible on the book's main page, include a link to a reference when you post to verify the setting. The review by Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽, for example, seems to include the setting for many of the stories.

The list just says 'Germany' and not East Germany. Is that accurate? I have read Our Endless Numbered Days and the 'Cabin in the Woods' is in a very remote place in Germany but it doesn't actually say where. Would this qualify?

Nicola wrote: "The list just says 'Germany' and not East Germany. Is that accurate? I have read Our Endless Numbered Days and the 'Cabin in the Woods' is in a very remote place in Germany but it d..."

Yes, Germany, not just East Germany.

The book's main book doesn't mention Germany. You'll need to include a link to a reference establishing the setting when you post.