Alexandra´s around the world list 2014

[Alexandra]

As it does not look as if I will "travel" to all the countries I intended to in 2013, here comes the 2014 list, sorted by setting.
While I´m on my way I will probably exchange, cross or add books but it´s a start...

✔ = finished
# = currently reading

1. Afghanistan
✔ 26/01/14 The Kite Runner
✔ 08/02/14 And the Mountains Echoed
✔ 10/03/14 A Thousand Splendid Suns

2. Australia
✔ 18/02/14 The Rosie Project
and/or I Am the Messenger

3. Austria
✔ 22/03/14 Herr Mozart wacht auf

4. Botswana
Tears of the Giraffe
and Morality for Beautiful Girls

5. Brazil
Eleven Minutes
and/or The Sound Of Butterflies

6. Cambodia
✔ 21/02/14 The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine

7. Canada
Life of Pi
and/or A Fatal Grace

8. China
Beijing Doll
and/or Shanghai Baby
and/or Lost on Planet China: The Strange and True Story of One Man's Attempt to Understand the World's Most Mystifying Nation, or How He Became Comfortable Eating Live Squid

9. Czech Republic
✔ 26/02/14 The Prague Cemetery

10. England (UK)
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

11. Ecuador
✔ 30/05/14 The Queen of Water

12. Fiji
Fiji: A Novel

13. France
Mes amis Mes amours
and/or Bal masqué

14. French Polynesia
The Bungalow

15. Germany
Eine unbeliebte Frau
and/or Tschick
and/or Die hellen Tage

16. Guyana
The Water Rat of Wanchai

17. Guernsey (UK)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

18. Haiti
✔ 02/03/14 Island Beneath the Sea

19. Hong Kong (China)
Tai-Pan

20. Hungary
Valeria's Last Stand

21. Iceland
✔ 15/01/14 Burial Rites

22. India
The Toss of a Lemon
and/or The Space Between Us
and/or Sea of Poppies

23. Iran
Not Without My Daughter

24. Israel
Lineup
and/or Exodus

25. Italy
✔ 14/04/14 The Shape of Water
✔ 18/05/14 Ocean Sea
and/or Perlmann's Silence
and/or The Reincarnationist


26. Jamaica
The Book of Night Women
and/or The Nine Lives of Charlotte Taylor

27. Japan
✔ 29/01/14 The Housekeeper and the Professor
✔ 09/04/14 Die Pilgerjahre des farblosen Herrn Tazaki

28. Laos
The Coroner's Lunch

29. Mexico
Like Water for Chocolate

30. Morocco
✔ 19/02/14 Hideous Kinky
and/or The Caliph's House: A Year in Casablanca

31. Myanmar (Burma)
The Glass Palace
and/or The Art of Hearing Heartbeats

32. Namibia
✔ 13/01/14 Hummeldumm

33. Nepal
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

34. Netherlands
The Dinner

35. New Zealand
Tamar

36. Nigeria
Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away

37. Norway
The Redbreast
and/or ✔ 04/06/14 The Snowman

38. Pakistan
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time
and/ or I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban

39. Palestine
The Almond Tree

40. Poland
✔ 13/01/14 The Beautiful Mrs. Seidenman

41. Russia
White Nights
and/or Midnight in St Petersburg
and/or The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great
and/or Child 44

42. Samoa
Der Papaya-Palast

43. Scotland (UK)
The Firebird
and/or Knots and Crosses

44. Singapore
The Red Thread: A Chinese tale of love and fate in 1830s Singapore
and/or Aunty Lee's Delights:
and/or The Deceived

45. Somalia
Keeping Hope Alive: One Woman: 90,000 Lives Changed

46. Spain
The Club Dumas

47. Sri Lanka
Wave

48. Sweden
The Illiterate Who Could Count

49. Syriah
Der Lilith Code: Thriller
and/or The Golem and the Jinni

50. Thailand
✔ 11/05/14The Orchid House

51. Turkey
✔ 17/02/14 The Physician

52. Uganda
First Comes Love, then Comes Malaria: How a Peace Corps Poster Boy Won My Heart and A Third World Adventure Changed My Life
and/or Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda's Children

53. USA
✔ 12/01/14 The Passage
and/or Strands of Bronze and Gold
and/or The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
and/or Wonder

54. Virgin Islands (Great Britain/USA)
✔ 04/04/14 Twenty Seven Bones

55. Wales (UK)
Fear in the Sunlight

56. Yemen
The Last Refuge: Yemen, al-Qaeda, and America's War in Arabia

57. Zimbabwe
The Hairdresser of Harare

[Alexandra]

Thanks, Judy! It´s a start and I will keep on adding books. This challenge is way too much fun not to continue in 2014 :-). Are you planning on continuing in 2014 as well?

[Sara]

I really like your your book list. I've read some of them, but I will copy some from your list to read in 2014.

[Alexandra]

Thanks, Sara! You´re more than welcome to copy any books!

[Alexandra]

Judy wrote: "Alexandra wrote: "Thanks, Judy! It´s a start and I will keep on adding books. This challenge is way too much fun not to continue in 2014 :-). Are you planning on continuing in 2014 as well?"

Yes, ..."

I totally understand. I´ve owned Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell for about four years now and did not manage to read it. I don´t know what it is but I keep on buying books even though I know that my shelf at home could take me through at least three hard winters...
Did you like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell ?

[Bonnie]

Great list. The Rosie Project was my book of the year, and the Guernsey one was when I read it too I think.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I have started Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell twice now. The first time I thought NO WAY, the second time I actually liked it but wasn't in the right mood. So kudos for that!

[Alexandra]

Thanks, Bonnie and Jenny. I am quite curious about the books. The moment I put the list together, I wanted to start reading all of them at once...

[Cherie]

Hi Alexandra! It looks like we may cross paths more than once with our books around the world. I still need to address my list, but I have several of the same chunksters. I do not think I will get to JS & MN this year though. I did love your Hong Kong book. I read it many years ago. I read a lot of James Clavell's books in my younger days. Maybe we can meet in the Czech Republic.

[Alexandra]

Hi Cherie *wave*! I´m looking forward to crossing paths again :-). I already got The Prague Cemetery from the library and Iam excited to start reading it. I liked The Name of the Rose a lot so this will be my second book from Umberto Eco.
I am also curious about Tai-Pan. I´ve read Noble House while I´ve actually been to Hong Kong and liked it a lot (both, the book and the city) so this one seems to be the first book.

[Cherie]

I added your two Australia books to my list. Seems like everyone is talking about them both.

[Amanda]

Great list!

[Alexandra]

Cherie wrote: "I added your two Australia books to my list. Seems like everyone is talking about them both."

I thought somehow you have read The Rosie Project already. I´m planning on reading it for the Australia Challenge this month. I´ll let you know if I liked it if you want me to.

[Alexandra]

Amanda wrote: "Great list!"

Thanks, Amanda!

[Cherie]

Alexandra wrote: "Cherie wrote: "I added your two Australia books to my list. Seems like everyone is talking about them both."

I thought somehow you have read The Rosie Project already. I´m plannin..."

I have seen some postings, but not seriously thought about reading it until now. I will be interested to see what you think about it. :)

My list is growing by leaps. Everywhere I look I see another book set in Australia that I want to add. I may have to use the fruit maching to make my choices if I am going to keep it down to 10 for the year. I need to make a dent in my chunkster challenge for the books I already own and Australia was just going to be a vacation for when I needed a diversion. Right....

[Alexandra]

I´ve finished Burial Rites. Now I will be traveling from cold Iceland to Afghanistan.

[Sarah]

Which book have you chosen for Afghanistan out of the three? I've read The Kite Runner but not the other two yet - I have them on my kindle though.

[Peggy]

I don't know if this is useful information for you, but The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is currently only $ 1.99 for Kindle and Kobo (and maybe even more e-readers).

[Alexandra]

Sarah wrote: "Which book have you chosen for Afghanistan out of the three? I've read The Kite Runner but not the other two yet - I have them on my kindle though."

I´ve started reading The Kite Runner as it´s the first book. I am just a few pages into it but I love the writing already... Did you like it, Sarah?

[Alexandra]

Peggy wrote: "I don't know if this is useful information for you, but The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is currently only $ 1.99 for Kindle and Kobo (and maybe even more e-readers)."

Thanks, Peggy, this is more than useful, I will immediatley check it out. I had actually borrowed what I thought was the audio book from the library, only to discover that it is some MP3 version that my CD player won´t recognize it.

[Rusalka]

Oh I read The Kite Runner for K last year. I loved the writing.

I'd heard it was amazing but for me it was a slow burner. As in I put down the book then realised I was still thinking through it all after a few hours, then a few days. I would realise I was just sitting there thinking about the book, not doing whatever I was meant to be doing. Slightly overhyped but I still gave it 4.5 stars.

[Rusalka]

P.S. I have A Thousand Splendid Suns on my pile of possibles for this year.

[Alexandra]

Peggy wrote: "I don't know if this is useful information for you, but The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is currently only $ 1.99 for Kindle and Kobo (and maybe even more e-readers)."

Unfortunately I could not find it on Amazon, maybe it´s only for you guys in the Netherlands? BUT Soy Sauce for Beginners was on offer for 1,99 Euros so I got this one as it´s also on my TBR. So thanks a lot, Peggy!!!

[Peggy]

I have not yet read any book by Khaled Hosseini. I don't know why. They are very popular and well-received, but somehow I don't feel attracted to them, even though the topic and the setting would be something I like. I have put them on my list of around-the-world-books to choose from this year, so I might give on of them a try.

[Alexandra]

Rusalka wrote: "Oh I read The Kite Runner for K last year. I loved the writing.

I'd heard it was amazing but for me it was a slow burner. As in I put down the book then realised I was still thinking..."

That´s what I am worried about. There is a certain "pressure" to like the book as everybody loved it - I actually got two copies for Christmas so I need to tackle it now :-).
I´m planning on reading the other two books as well then.

[Alexandra]

Peggy wrote: "I have not yet read any book by Khaled Hosseini. I don't know why. They are very popular and well-received, but somehow I don't feel attracted to them, even though the topic and the se..."

I know what you mean, Peggy. It took me quite long as well to finally put these books on my TBR - I don´t know why exactly actually.

[Rusalka]

Ignore the pressure. I tried to and failed, which made me a little self conscious. But enjoy :)

[Alexandra]

Rusalka wrote: "Ignore the pressure. I tried to and failed, which made me a little self conscious. But enjoy :)"

I will. Thanks, Rusalka :-)

[Rusalka]

No worries ;)

[Lilisa]

I loved The Kite Runner and And the Mountains Echoed and enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns. The Kite Runner movie was also great - I was surprised how well it was done as I usually find movies don't do justice to books. Re: pressure to "like" a book - that was Beautiful Ruins for me - it got such rave reviews and I couldn't figure out why. I did not enjoy it at all - was definitely not for me.

[Sarah]

I did really like the writing style of The Kite Runner. I also enjoyed the setting in Afghanistan and getting a sense of what it must have been like living there. I was kind of torn between liking the main character and not - I thought he could be a bit selfish and arrogant at times. It is also pretty sad. I think in my review I said that I both hated and loved this book at various points. I still gave it 5 stars though. It's funny because even though I liked this one and I have bought his other books, I don't feel any enthusiasm to read the others at the moment.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Sarah wrote: "I did really like the writing style of The Kite Runner. I also enjoyed the setting in Afghanistan and getting a sense of what it must have been like living there. I was kind of torn be..."

You know, I've done the same thing with the kite Runner after loving A thousand Splendid Suns. The amazing thing about that one (suns) is how the author captures his female characters. Their voices, I mean.

[Alexandra]

Sarah wrote: "I did really like the writing style of The Kite Runner. I also enjoyed the setting in Afghanistan and getting a sense of what it must have been like living there. I was kind of torn be..."

That´s exactly how I am feeling about Amir. I am about 30% into the book by now and even though I really like the story, at some parts I wanted to put the book away because (view spoiler)[ I felt so sorry for Hassan and the way he had been treated by his friend. Then again Amir was only a small boy... (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Agree with your spoiler Alexandra and that same feeling of wanting to put the book down. It's not easy reading in places but it's definitely worth persevering with.

[Alexandra]

Sarah wrote: "Agree with your spoiler Alexandra and that same feeling of wanting to put the book down. It's not easy reading in places but it's definitely worth persevering with."

I think so, too. If I watched the movie instead of reading the story, those are the parts I would have just closed my eyes for a couple of minutes.

[Sarah]

Yes closing your eyes for sections of a book can make things confusing! ;-)

[Alexandra]

I`ve finished the book yesterday, it really got under my skin. I do understand what you meant with "slightly overhyped", though, Rusalka.

[Sarah]

I see you rated it 5 stars - glad you enjoyed it and even moved on to another of his books! I'll be interested to hear what you think of that one.

[Rusalka]

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much though.

[Alexandra]

I finished The Prague Cemetery, it was kind of weird and not my cup of tea...
Unfortunately I discovered that it does not take place in Prague... Oh well.

[Lilisa]

Alexandra wrote: "I finished The Prague Cemetery, it was kind of weird and not my cup of tea...
Unfortunately I discovered that it does not take place in Prague... Oh well."

Alexandra - if you're looking for a book set in Prague, check out The Lost Wife. I read it recently and enjoyed it.

[Sarah]

Another Prague book is Daughter of Smoke & Bone.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Sarah wrote: "Another Prague book is Daughter of Smoke & Bone."
Yes! And it is fantasy and YA, meaning it can be a nice break from the heavier novels making up a lot of world lit options. (Although the sequel to it is pretty heavy; I'm slogging through it right now, but it has some scenes in Uzbekistan and how many books are set there? *grin*)

[Sarah]

Yes the second in much heavier but I really liked it. I think it also has a stint in Morocco. Looking forward to the new one that comes out in a few months.

[Alexandra]

Judy wrote: "Any idea why it is titled that if it doesn't take place there? That is rather strange..."

I know, you wouldn´t expect that, right? They are talking about this place in the book but don´t travel there so it does make sense in a way... I´ll look for another book set in Czech Republic, I´m sure there are plenty.

[Alexandra]

I´ve read Daughter of Smoke & Bone last year for this challenge and I liked it, it was as you said a nice break. I did not start with the sequel though, but a setting in Uzbekistan makes it quite tempting ;-)

[Alexandra]

I just finished The Shape of Water and I simply loved it. This book really takes you right to Sicily.

[Rusalka]

I never knew the sequel was set in Uzbekistan. Thanks for the info.

I just added The Shape of Water the other day. Glad to hear that you loved it!

[Alexandra]

Rusalka wrote: "I never knew the sequel was set in Uzbekistan. Thanks for the info.

I just added The Shape of Water the other day. Glad to hear that you loved it!"

It´s one of those books that not just have a foreign setting but really make you feel like you´ve been traveling. Pretty nice.

[Sarah]

I'm pretty sure the sequel to Smoke & Bones isn't set in Uzbekistan - from what I recall it was set partly in Morocco and the majority in the land which the Chimaera live.