How many countries are there in the world?

So, I'm going to read a book from every country in the world.

I thought that would be easy. You know, just get a list of countries and start reading.

Googling "how many countries are in the world?" reveals a number of complications.

According to the United Nations, they have 193 members. So, I should read a book from every one of them, right? Well, yes, but that would still mean I was missing out the following countries:

Vatican City
Kosovo
Taiwan

That would make it up to 196, the number of countries generally assumed there is in the world.

HOWEVER, that fails to include various colonies and territories like:

Puerto Rico
Greenland
Bermuda
Palestine
Western Sahara
Scotland
Ireland
Wales
South Sudan
and more

In fact, I'm so far from being a maphead, I'm not going to even venture any further with any pretense of beginning to understand the complexities of geopolitics, self-rule, country recognition, or any of the rest of it.

I don't want to leave any country out, whether it's an official country or not. I don't want any angry Scots coming after me. Would you want that?

What I'm going to do, with people's help, is read as many books from as many distinct places as possible. Any tips and hints appreciated. I also am grateful, in advance, for any bitter rants, sharp tweets, and shady in-box messages about my lack of world geography knowledge.

Hey, I am on Twitter @susmithjosephy

My next post, I will introduce the "rules" for my #EarthReading project.

Yes, that is the hashtag I've chosen. Feel free to love it, as I do.