Around the World in 80 Books discussion

Time to set this year's reading goal. Once again, I'm aiming for 52 different countries by the end of the year; let the journey begin!

1. Barbados; Region: Caribbean (North America)

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

I really enjoyed this tale, though I found it to be a very strong indictment on taking responsibility for those you choose to help, and for seeing them as people, not projects. The tale in some ways reminded me of Pygmalion, but with much more serious consequences.

2. Canada; Region: North America

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

After a slow and awkward start, this book settled into an amusing tale of an American who finds his way with his family in their ancestral home in Newfoundland. Having traveled to Newfoundland a little over a decade ago, I couldn't quite figure out her geography, but I was still amused by the eccentricities of her characters.

3. Australia; Region: Oceania

Remembering Babylon by David Malouf

What a beautiful little book -- not just a story of Australian colonists shocked by the arrival of an Englishman raised by indigenous peoples, but a character study of the reactions and repercussions, and really, of human nature itself.

4. Uganda; Region: Africa

Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

This is a rather quick read for its length, and I found many of the stories compelling -- particularly the original tale of the family that started the curse. That said, I was not a fan of the resolution of said curse, nor of the contempt for Christianity.

5. Poland; Region: Europe

Flights by Olga Tokarczuk

It took a bit of time to get into, and not all stories were equally interesting to me, but I round myself increasingly drawn into this anthology on travel and the meaning of life the more I read; definitely some observations that will stick.

BONUS: Canada; Region: North America

A Better Man by Louise Penny

Another excellent mystery with Gamache, his colleagues, and the denizens of Three Pines. For a while I thought this book would be anchored to the theme of justice denied, but it did hit some familiar territory at the end. Still very enjoyable.

6. South Korea; Region: Asia

Please Look After Mom by Shin Kyung-sook

I may be a bit late in getting to this book, but I loved the perspective on a mother's selfless love for her family, even as they didn't realize it at the time. Very impactful. Call your mom if you still can.

7. Lebanon; Region: Middle East (Asia)

A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return: Expanded Edition by Zeina Abirached

Such an unimaginably tough life for children growing up in a war zone, but the author of this graphic novel has some warm memories of her apartment family neighbors who became a family during the tragic strife of Beirut in the Lebanese Civil War.

8. Liberia; Region: Africa

Murder in the Cassava Patch by Bai T. Moore

New country, but this was quite a dark novella. Lots of incidental details about Liberian customs and life, but a tragic story of a toxic infatuation by a lovestruck man and the young girl he wants to make his wife.

9. United States; Region: North America

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

I may not subscribe to all the philosophical musings of this classic, but I loved watching Celie succeed despite all the setbacks she faced throughout life. I don't read many epistolary novels, but this was a great way to propel the story forward.

10. Nigeria; Region: Africa

Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor

It's interesting to read science fiction from other parts of the world, but this was a bit unfocused. The premise has potential, and it was interesting to see parts of Nigerian and African folklore and culture woven in, as well as some oblique references to other Nigerian writers.

Time to start updating this, since I have still been reading over this past month.

11. China; Region: Asia

Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos

This is a pretty thorough and nuanced overview of life in China in the early 2000s and 2010s, with profiles of different people who have tried to effect change in China, either from within the system, or through challenging it. The book ends too early to address some significant recent activity in China, to include the Hong Kong protests and crackdown, as well as the impact of Covid.

12. Burkina Faso; Region: Asia

The Parachute Drop by Norbert Zongo

An ambitious book by a journalist who ended up being killed for his writings. Decently written tale (if a bit polemic at times) of an African dictator overthrown in a coup, and too caught up in pride and presumptions of privilege to hear what he needs to from the citizens of his country.

13. Italy; Region: Europe

Voice of the Violin by Andrea Camilleri

Another enjoyable Montalbano mystery, though his inconsistent devotion to his girlfriend Livia and his fear of settling down is really starting to wear thin. Camilleri's Sicily is intoxicating.

14. Wales (United Kingdom); Region: Europe

The Matter of Wales: Epic Views of a Small Country by Jan Morris

What a delightful ethnography! Morris' anecdotes about this humble (yet proud) country in the shadow of its dominant neighbor are quite amusing. I loved the essays on how geography, history, faith, markets, and politics shaped Wales and its influence on the world.

15. Lithuania; Region: Europe

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

The events this book commemorates are sadly being repeated today, as Russia has killed or relocated many people from a neighboring country, all in the name of nationalism. Most galling is how long the Baltic descendents of those sent to exile had to remain silent in the days of the Soviet Union because no one was allowed to speak truth to history. Freedom must never be taken for granted.

16. Nicaragua; Region: Latin America (North America)

Azul by Rubén Darío

I wanted to like this more than I did, but the romanticism of his short stories was tiresome. Dario has a great way with words (though many were arcane), but I prefer his poetry to his prose.

17. Antarctica; Region: Antarctica

Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night by Julian Sancton

This historical study of a doomed Belgian expedition is a nice juxtaposition to the Shackleton's failed expedition several years later. Having traveled to the Antarctic peninsula a few years ago, I appreciated learning more about the namesakes for the Gerlache Strait, Danco Island, and Weincke Island.

18. Denmark; Region: Europe

The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking

I did not read this book in a darkened room surrounded by lit candles, but I did read it under a blanket in my bay window reading nook, so I suppose I had a half-hygge experience. Short but charming book.

19. Montenegro; Region: Europe

The Son by Andrej Nikolaidis

Yup, I'd say the protagonist has some father issues to deal with as evidenced by the tales of his youth and his encounters with fellow hurting citizens during his overnight foray in his Montegrin hometown. Not my favorite book, but it did have a strong theme.

20. Portugal; Region: Europe

The Maias by Eça de Queirós

This book certainly captured a time and place in 19th century Lisbon, filled with affable but aimless youths (likable save for their rather despicable habit of cuckoldry). This book meandered through soirees and jaunts to the countryside before picking up with an unfortunate conflict near the end. Quite enjoyable.

21. Egypt; Region: Middle East (Africa)

Beer in the Snooker Club by Waguih Ghali

It’s about time Ram grew up. You can have opinions about politics and injustice for hours, but at some point you have to stop mooching off others and settle down and earn a living and contribute to society. Forward progress was made.

22. India; Region: Asia

The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan

Pretty enjoyable mystery, although the inspector would do better to communicate a bit more with his wife; I'm not sure the surprise restaurant grand gesture at the end is really as self-sustainable as the inspector thinks. At least Baby Ganesh found a home.

BONUS: Italy; Region: Europe

Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions by Mario Giordano

Despite a couple plot holes and a main character who seems to swing a bit wildly from agile to tottering, this was a rather enjoyable mystery. I had no idea that Torre Archirafi is a real place; I thought it would be more along the lines of Camilleri's Vigàta.

23. Sweden; Region: Europe

The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg

Well this book unapologetically pulls at the heart strings, but I'll allow it. Between Lundberg and Shin Kyung-Sook, I'm very much feeling the reminders to spend time with my elders while there is still time.

24. North Macedonia; Region: Europe

My Father's Books by Luan Starova

I loved the use of family vignettes centered around Starova's father's love for books and his mother's protection of the family that highlighted the peculiar position his family had between East and West, Islam and Christianity, communism and Western ideals over the course of many decades in the Balkans.

25. Tanzania; Region: Africa

Paradise by Abdulrazak Gurnah

This was a gem of a book; a bit of an adventure as a young boy from central Tanzania is sold into indentured servitude in the early 20th century. Like his namesake Joseph, Yusuf dreams, suceeds despite jealousies, and is hit upon by his master's wife, all against the backdrop of East Africa on the cusp of German colonization.

26. Pitcairn Islands; Region: Oceania

Lost Paradise by Kathy Marks

Shut the place down. If a community is unwilling to face up to the evil within it that has been passed down from generation to generation, then justice must be firmly applied to save the next generations. That was not the case in the mid-2000s, to all accounts, and many offenders and their families do not seem to have shown any remorse for past actions. For that, I say, shut the island down.

27. Estonia; Region: Europe

The Conspiracy & Other Stories by Jaan Kross

These short stories based on the author's life make him seem as safe to live around as Jessica Fletcher! But on a serious note, everyone suffers in many of the stories that deal with the trials of German, then Soviet occupation of Estonia.

28. South Africa; Region: Africa

A Dry White Season by André Brink

This is the type of book I respect -- one that unflinchingly takes on a (fictional, but representative) just cause and challenges an immoral and unjust system. Well-written, and full of righteous anger at the system of apartheid that lasted for far too long.

BONUS: Denmark; Region: Europe

The Boys From St. Petri by Bjarne Reuter

Although the author sometimes economized through telling rather than showing in his character development, this was still a very readable and recommendable tale based on a true-life group of teens in the Danish resistance during World War II.

29. Sri Lanka; Region: Asia

Offstage in Nuala by Harriet Steel

I wonder if the author intended to evoke Ngaio Marsh or whether she just enjoys the theater. At any rate, this was an enjoyable visit to British-occupied Ceylon, even if the mystery's answer revealed itself rather than being officially solved.

30. Argentina; Region: Latin America (South America)

The Scent of Buenos Aires by Hebe Uhart

The first few short stories were all right, but as I continued through, I really felt like Uhart found her voice. I really appreciated her tales of sojourners in the countryside and cities of Argentina, her observations of family dynamics, and her reminiscence of life in a small town.

31. Mauritius; Region: Africa

The Last Brother by Nathacha Appanah

This is a touching fictional story of a bright moment in the life of a sensitive child suffering from more than a fair share of grief and loss. The friendship Raj makes with a unjustly imprisoned Jewish boy during World War II is recalled with great affection, but from the perspective of a now adult Raj who realizes there was so much he didn't understand about the days of that brief friendship.

32. Ghana; Region: Africa

Abina and the Important Men by Trevor R. Getz

More than just a graphic novel providing rare insight into a woman's voice almost lost in history, this edition also provides useful critiques for those seeking to deepen critical thinking skills when evaluating written history.

33. Latvia; Region: Europe

Bearslayer by Andrejs Pumpurs

Latvia's national epic provides a grim view of the German knights who came to their land on behalf of Christianity and the Pope in the 12th and 13 centuries. I was fascinated in further reading to see how the epic was used as recently as the 1980's to inspire the independence movement from the Soviet Union.

34. Russia; Region: Europe

The Big Green Tent by Lyudmila Ulitskaya

This was quite a ride through several decades of dissidence in the former Soviet Union, starting with the death of Stalin and continuing through the 1980s. This fictional tale of three friends and those they encounter throughout their lives wove in rich details of literature, art, culture, class, religion, and ethnic minorities; I savored all the stories.

35. Tunisia; Region: Africa

The Ardent Swarm: A Novel by Yamen Manai

Well this allegory wasn't tough to follow at all! I loved the tale of a good-hearted beekeeper fighting to protect his bees from invading hornets, and the titular ardent swarm is quite an image to convey for staving off evil.

I really enjoyed The Big Green Tent.

It was amazing — I took my time with it since I was enjoying it so much. Ulitskaya had just the right amount of humor to leaven out what could have been some very sad, tragic tales. I also appreciated all the different viewpoints displayed through all her characters.

36. France; Region: Europe

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

Yup -- this was as overwrought and over-descriptive as I might expect from 19th century fiction, but there was a solid enough narrative that I can see how this was popular in the day, and eventually inspired film and theater. I have actually never seen the musical, so I have no idea what is similar and what was changed.

37. Iran; Region: Middle East (Asia)

Seasons of Purgatory by Shahriar Mandanipour

This was an eclectic collection of short stories; some I enjoyed, but others fell flat for me. Beyond the second story, the last few stories in the book were the ones that interested me most. I'm unsure whether I'll read more from this author, though.

38. Bangladesh; Region: Asia

I Remember Abbu by Humayun Azad

This was an utterly charming book for most of the first half, as the narrator relived her childhood through her father's eyes. Unfortunately when historical events intervened, the narrative took a bit of a dry turn, but it did provide a good overview of the early fight for independence.

BONUS: Canada; Region: North America

Paying the Land by Joe Sacco

Excellent overview of some of the challenges facing the Dene people of the Northwest Territories. Very timely, as the Pope very recently apologized for abuses in the forced residential school system, a system which seems to have had long-lasting impacts on the community and their ties to the land.

39. Japan; Region: Asia

Silence by Shūsaku Endō

This was a sad book, both for the persecution of Christians in 16th century Japan, and for the loss of faith by priests who went to serve the people and chose to apostasize rather than cause more suffering.

40. Mexico; Region: Latin America (North America)

Home Reading Service by Fabio Morábito

I was fascinated by this short tale of a driftless middle-aged man whose world is opened up through his assigned community service of reading to seniors and disabled persons. A little bit of humor, a little bit of angst, and a very sudden climax.

BONUS: Mauritius; Region: Africa

Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons by Gerald Durrell

Some amusing anecdotes of efforts to save endangered species in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Rather dry British humor, and some attitudes may seem a bit dated, but the conservation efforts seem worthwhile.

BONUS: Canada; Region: North America

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede

In the early months of Covid, actor John Krasinski unexpectedly created a heartwarming web-series of hope called Some Good News. That series came to mind with this book, which serves as a catharsis to the memory of 9/11. I traveled to Gander, Newfoundland, in 2005, and I knew of their hospitality from both news articles and their museum in town. This book expanded my knowledge through 200-some pages of grace and hope, unity and courage, and overall love for others in the midst of a dark time.

BONUS: United States; Region: North America

The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

A lovely and melancholy tale of loners, each with their own distinct outlook on life, trying to find their place in the world. I would have liked to have known more of the personality behind John Singer, since he mostly existed as a soundboard for the disparate cast of characters in a small southern town.