Around the World discussion

Previous 2023 Topic closed due to major Goodreads technical issue.

On a new literary journey? Share a bit about what you’re reading - title of the book, author, which part of the world it’s set in or maybe where the author is from. How are you enjoying it (or not!) so far.

This discussion thread is a great resource for ideas for our reading journeys!

I am in Japan with True Crime Japan: Thieves, Rascals, Killers and Dope Heads: True Stories from a Japanese Courtroom by Paul Murphy; and

in the US with Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot.

Both are fantastic! If you're interested in Black AF History, the audible is narrated by the author and is excellent, but also check a physical copy out of the library, because the book book has all sorts of artwork, supplements, book lists and other resources. Now that I think about it, I remember them saying at the beginning of the audio book that there's a .pdf you can download, but I didn't do that so I'm unsure what's in it.

I'm back on my African Read after taking a break. I have read Mema (Gabon), Michael the Giant/An African in Greenland (Togo), and am currently reading Housebot (Cameroon) and Voices (Seyshelles). Next will be Co-Wives Co-Widows (CAR) and The Kaffir of Kathala (Comoros).

I’m in Venezuela with a new release memoir, Motherland by expat journalist Paula Ramón. So far it’s great as a potted recent political and economic history of the country (one I didn’t know a great deal about) but I wish there was just a little bit more of the personal/family to warrant the memoir categorisation.

I’m in Ireland with The Queen of Dirt Island, getting to know 4 generations of incredible women in the same family.

Now I’m in Central African Republic with a new release, No Good Deed. I don’t know much about it but it’s good so far.

I'm in the Congo (DRC) late 1880's with The Rescue of Emin Pasha by Roger Jones about Henry Mortan Stanley ill-conceived expedition to rescue Emin Pasha. in the end Emin rescued him. A true story and this is one of the better retellings of the tale. Enjoy.

ANGUILLA
Blue Beans is the debut novel by Anguillan author Patricia J. Adams. It explores the relationship between a boy growing up and his father. It also sheds light on many of the traditional customs of the island. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

BERMUDA
The History of Mary Prince: A West Indian Slave Narrative is a short memoir written by Mary Prince, a slave born in 1788 in Bermuda. Her memoir was published in 1831 (the first black woman's story to be published in England) and was influential in the battle to abolish slavery. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

SOUTH AFRICA
Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood is a memoir by South African comedian Trevor Noah about growing up as a mixed race child under apartheid and in the turbulent years afterwards. Here is ⭐⭐⭐ my review

CABO VERDE
The Madwoman of Serrano by Dina Salústio is the first novel by a woman published in Cabo Verde and the first novel translated to English from that country. It is a novel of love and loss, magical realism and mystery. Here is my review

I'll be reading that one too!

EGYPT
Woman at Point Zero is a powerful yet sad feminist story by award-winning Egyptian author and activist Nawal El Saadawi ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

BANGLADESH
Black Ice by Bengali author Mahmudul Haque tells the story of a man’s childhood before the Partition in 1947 and his life and relationship issues as an adult in independent Bangladesh. Here is my review

I’m in the snowbound Scottish Highlands for New Year with The Hunting Party, a spontaneous audiobook choice for my final read of 2023. I started a few Xmas novels this year, and didn’t manage to stick with any of them, but I think this NYE-themed story would be a good read at any time of year. Enjoying it so far.