This or That Reading Challenge discussion

This: Read a book centered around a Victorian Romance
Or
That: Read a book that is written by an author in a different country than yours.

OK, so it would have been the norm for me to read an author from a different country, but seeing as how this is a reading challenge, I chose to challenge myself by reading what I never-ever read: a romance novel - in this case a Victorian Romance. I read Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas. I found it near the top of a GoodReads romance novel list, and confirmed it was set near the start of the Victorian Age in 1843.

Since when I hear romance novel I inevitably think bodice-ripping bedroom shenanigans, I was surprised to discover that the first actual sex-scene wasn't until 70% through the book, and it was between characters recently wed. It was much more about the morals of the day, with blushing girls and scandalous views of ankles. I found it predictable, and along the lines of Jane Austin but with more explicit scenes. It was fine - I gave it 3 stars. Didn't encourage me to read more in the series or genre, but glad I dipped my toe in the waters.

I missed January, but for February, I went with “that.” I read “In Every Mirror She’s Black.” The author loves in Sweden, and the book is focused on 3 black women who live very different lives in Sweden. I didn’t expect it to be as emotional as it was…the ending of this book gutted me, but I agree that if the author had wrapped it all up in a happy ending it would have felt cliched and wrong.

In January I read Hidden in the Snow by Viveca Sten which was translated from the Swedish.
In February, I read Impossible to Forget by an English author.

That: I read The Au Pair by Emma Rous. The author not only grew up in England but also in Indonesia, Kuwait, Portugal and Fiji. I randomly picked this book at my local thrift store, and I think my best friend would enjoy it. It's more her style of book than mine but no less interesting however I had the book figured out by chapter 10, lol.

That: I read The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. The author grew up in England, lived in Japan, and now resides in Ireland. I really enjoyed this book and the style of writing, especially with the clash of cultures between the locals and the Dutch East Indies Company.

THAT: Back in February I read The Book Thief by Australian writer Markus Zusak.

I have been working on many challenges and just entering them into my Journal. I worked my way through either this or that for every month, I then found myself working through this AND that for every month.

February: This: Immortality That: A Fatal Grace