Laureen’s Comments (group member since Dec 12, 2010)

Laureen’s comments from the Around the World in Books group.

Has anyone started Kiss of the Spider Woman yet? I am only about 20 pages in, but hooked! The writing style is so dofferent from anything else I've read so I wasn't sure I would like it or be able to follow it. I hope I am hope to find time to read this weekend!

I am just starting April's book- behind once again! Read a couple "vacation" books in-between as I was on vacation. If you have not had a chance to see New Mexico, you should. It was one of the few states i had not seen yet so went there with my kids for spring break. It is beautiful and fascinating. Drove 1300 mile though the state - did anyone know the state was formed by over 40 volcano? It has a lava field from 10,000 years ago that is over 25 miles long and looks like it could have happened a 100 years ago. Not to mention the desert, mountains, Carlsbad Caverns, the archealogy, etc. It is amazing! Well back to the point - Happy Reading!

I have finally finished Endurance and although I read it before in high school (long enough ago to have forgotten many details or maybe as a teenager you don't pay attention to those things), I loved the way the author introduces us to the characters, let's us understand how Shackleton picked them and all the details. I think Shackleton's leadership is such an example - how he chose his crew alone. He picked the key people that needed technical skills, but also saw that what was most important was those skills that could not be taught - things that in the end saved the whole crew: perseverance, intelligence, logic, creativity, a strong work ethic and the ability to work in a team. Additionally, he could have left the ship early on before it got stuck, but knew his place as a leader was with his team and ship. He continued to demonstrate his leadership throughout this ordeal and his men showed there trust and faith in him. Too bad today's leaders in business have not all learned these lessons. They worry too much about their bonuses and glory and less about their teams and the overall long term results and effects their actions will have.

Thanks - that will be a good resource. I had no idea that existed. Another place I just found when looking for an English translation of Ru by Kim Thuy which was recommend to me by Elizabeth is www.wordswithoutborder.org. It is a great site for new and old older books from around the world. Some are not yet in English, but others are or there are partial translations on the site. It is very interesting.

Yes - vey good idea! Sorry I have probably not been as active a moderator as I should. I started this idea as the exploration of cultures, times, and places along with travel all are hobbies of mine - not to mention reading ( I am so envious of you Mar as I wanted to be an archealogist, but my path diverted). I work for a paper/ biofuels company headquarters in Finland and am currently in Barcelona for business, but have squeezed in a free day. The Gothic quarter reminds me so of The Shadow of the Wind. I love it here! Other items about me, I live outside Chicago and am the mother of 3.

Thanks for the suggestion - I will added it to our poll which I will post on Tuesday, 15 March.

Now taking suggestions for April's book which will be about/from Argentina. Current suggestions are:Kiss of the Spider Woman; Hopscotch and The Event. We welcome more!

I am finally starting our March book! This one seems like it will go faster than last month's so I hope to catch up a little.

I am much farther behind so don't feel bad! I haven't made it past page 10 yet!!!! I hope to make some serious progress this weekend. Work has been hectic and I have not done any international travel - nothing like a 9 hour plane trip to get cought up on your reading :) Unfortunately, for my reading no trips planned for 2 weeks.

This is also listed on Amazon's list of Most Exciting Antartica books- http://www.amazon.com/Most-Exciting-A....

I've had a couple members ask me what our group's picture is of. It is one I took last year at the Berlin Wall of a little girl about 4 years old who was speaking an East Asian language going along studying the painting restoration on the Wall. I thought it was so symbolic of a new generation and a new time and a good representation for our group.

Our country for March is Antartica. Now talking suggestions and really looking forward to them!

I will post the next country in general. I apologize for being so late in February - I was traveling for work and lost track of time. Let's try to vote on the next month's book around the 15th of the previous month. How does that sound? I am just starting the Last Life this weekend too! Elizabeth's last comment really makes hope I find time to start tonight!

Discussion on The Last Life should thread here

I really like the idea of the map. I do the same thing (except by hard copy) for my travels. This is great!

Hello,
I am looking for suggestions for February's reading. This will be open until 25 January at which time I will send out a poll to chose the book(s). It has already suggested a book about Morrocco: The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca. If we want to continue in alph order, the next major country would be Algeria. Some suggestions from there have been: The Last Life by Messud; So Vast the Prison by Djebar and Lovers of Algeria by Benmalek. Open for more for the poll. Thanks!

I agree after I read the book and now am thinking I would like to read the Bookseller of Kabul or Lipstick in Afghanistan now to get a true non-fiction look inside. Although written by Westerners,they are at least first hand accounts. Too bad I have so many books on my to read list!

I think the first real shocking point in the novel for me occurs when Mohsen participates in stoning the accused women (pg 14 in my book). It seems so out of character for him, especially when he experiences joy in it. Is he swept up by the crowd, is it just a natural instinct to participate even though he is initially revulsed, or is it a way for him to express his deep frustrations at the expense of someone else? I think the latter - he has so much pent up frustration and anger at the Taliban that he lashes out in this way. Would I lash out like this? More fundementally could I live under Taliban rule?

Our read for January will start with a book about Afghanistan written by an Algerian army officer,Yasimina Khadra (pseudonym for Mohammed Moulessehoul)- The Swallows of Kabul. Please use this thread for discussions about the book.

I just got Swallows of Kabul and started it so I am only a few pages in with the holidays and all. I am open to reading a Time of Gifts, but it won't be for a while. It sounds very interesting and I am open to it being our next book if Mar is interested after the Swallows or any other suggestions.