2014 Where in the world have you been? (Book finished and review linked!)

[Suzanne]

I just finished Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, which was excellent. My review is here: http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/03... I'm going to stay in India through another book - I'm reading Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India next!

[Val]

I have now finished A Watermelon, a Fish and a Bible for Cyprus.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[MiA]

Lisa (Harmonybites) wrote: "I've been in Dickens' England via his David Copperfield and greatly enjoyed myself--full review linked below:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Lisa, I've been meaning to read this book for ages now and it's just sitting there on my shelf waiting for me to pick it up but other books always get in the way.



I've read ساق البامبو or "The Bamboo Stick" by Saud AlSanousi for Kuwait and here's my REVIEW.

[Bonnie]

I finished The Lowland and gave it 4 stars. I didn't write a review but it was an interesting and touching family drama. It was sad, and showed a lot of viewpoints of the same tragedy, but ultimately the main character I liked did OK, so I didn't find it overly sad.

[Suzanne]

Two more countries, two more great books! I just left India (for my second trip there) with Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India. My review is here: http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/03...
I discovered another terrific work of historical fiction in the Soviet Union with City of Thieves. My review is here: http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/03...

[Bonnie]

Suzanne wrote: "Two more countries, two more great books! I just left India (for my second trip there) with Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India. My review is here: http://col..."

I also really enjoyed The City of Thieves.

[Lilisa]

Just came from Afghanistan with A Fort of Nine Towers: An Afghan Family Story. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I read Americanah by Adichie in two days because I have book club tomorrow! It is set partially in the USA but also in Nigeria, and is very much about the Nigerian experience in America and in moving back home again. My review discusses why race doesn't need to be wrapped in a pretty bow for us to consider some of the issues.

[Val]

Good review Jenny.

[Lilisa]

Jenny - Adichi just won another award http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment... And here's her Ted Talk: http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_a...

[Lilisa]

Needed a very light read after some intense reading so traveled to Ireland with Dark Witch but it was way too light - don't go there! My review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Suzanne]

I just left Hungary with The Invisible Bridge - long book - good, but not as good as I'd hoped. My review is here: http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/03...
Also, I just finished a trip to several islands in Latin America, including Puerto Rico with Saving the World. My review is here: http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/03...

[Lilisa]

Suzanne wrote: "I just left Hungary with The Invisible Bridge - long book - good, but not as good as I'd hoped. My review is here: http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/03......"

Suzanne - Glad you somewhat enjoyed The Invisible Bridge. It was a bit hefty for sure.

[Lisa (Harmonybites)]

I was in Czarist Russia through Dostoyevky's Brothers Karamazov. It has this intimidating (and deserved) reputation of one of the greatest of novels, and one with philosophical heft, but I actually found it an absorbing read. Full review linked below:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Friederike]

I was in Kenya, reading Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor's Dust.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Was in Alaska's Aleutian Islands with The Wind Is Not a River. Somehow I quite enjoyed this book. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Suzanne]

I just left Dutch New Guinea with Lost in Shangri-la: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II. I enjoyed it, but thought the author padded it to make it long enough for an actual book. My review is here: http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/03...

[Cherie]

It is not really relevant to my challenge in this group, but I was thinking about all of the places that have been mentioned in the Aubrey/Maturin Series of books that I have been reading for fun. It never occured to me to think about all of the countries they dock at vs the time that they spend at sea until I was reading through this thread. I was thinking that I need to look them up and make a list of where they all are. I also never thought about how they zigged and zagged from one side of the ocean to the other to catch the wind and currents in those old sailing ships. The link above about Dutch New Guinea made me think about the Dutch East Indies. Do they still call them that?

[Lilisa]

Was in Egypt with City of the Sun. A three-star entertaining fast read historical novel. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Val]

Cherie wrote: "The link above about Dutch New Guinea made me think about the Dutch East Indies. Do they still call them that? "
They are both Indonesia now. Back in the days of sailing ships they were very important for the spice trade.

[Cherie]

Val wrote: "They are both Indonesia now. Back in the days of sailing ships they were very important for the spice trade..."

Thank you, Val. I did look up the history and a couple of maps of the area. I am still trying to comprehend the names of the ports and islands that the ships stop at. Not easy to do when I only have the books on audio(for now). Funny - I knew where Indonesia was, but could not quite figure it out when the area is referred to as the Dutch East Indies in the books.

[Sara]

Judy wrote: "Sara wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "My trip to Cambodia was very moving with In the Shadow of the Banyan. My review is here: http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/02......"

This must be one of the most exquisitely written books I've read in a long time. It's based on the authors own experience during the regime of Cambodia's Khymer Rouge. The most memorable writing was the author's note in her own voice and dedication of this book to her late father.

[Sara]

I've finished "Wild Swans" Three daughters of China about Mao and effects of the Cultural Revolution. I learned a lot about Communist China. Highly recommended!

[Sara]

Currently reading "Daniel" by H. Mankell about an African boy who travels to Lund, Sweeden but long for his home in the Desert.

[Suzanne]

Sara wrote: "I've finished "Wild Swans" Three daughters of China about Mao and effects of the Cultural Revolution. I learned a lot about Communist China. Highly recommended!"

So glad you got a chance to read this one - what a fantastic memoir! I couldn't put it down, and since then I've picked up Jung's biography of Mao, which I hope to get to this year.

[Suzanne]

I was in Italy and England with Beautiful Ruins and La's Orchestra Saves the World. My reviews are here:

http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/04...
http://coldread.wordpress.com/2014/04...

For the month of April, I will be settling down in merry old England, trying to get through the many books I own that take place there. I did a China stay in January and really loved it. I'm looking forward to my book-vacation in England!

[Lilisa]

Was in Iraq/Israel/U.S. with My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jan]

I left Afghanistan: The Dressmaker of Khair Khana: Five Sisters, One Remarkable Family, and the Woman Who Risked Everything to Keep Them Safe

I've recently started a new job and my mind is fried so I didn't write a review. But here are some quick thoughts:

It was an interesting account of what it was like when the Taliban took over Khair Khana. Kamila was a courageous young woman who did what was necessary to take care of her family despite the dangers that she had to face as a result. It could have been a little better if it dug deeper into the characters. I think it spent a little too much time discussing the dressmaking and not enough time exploring the emotions felt during the struggle to survive. Gave it 3*

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I was just in Morocco with The Sand Child.



My review has a few quotes to get a feel of the beautiful translation, and I found the entire book thought-provoking. I can tell I'll continue to mull over it past when I return it to the library.

[Lilisa]

Just came from France having encountered An Officer and a Spy. Enjoyed it immensely. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Was in the U.S. with The Invention of Wings. Not for this challenge but here's my review in case anyone is interested in reading a book set in the U.S. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Just came from Lithuania with Between Shades of Gray. A very quick read. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Barbarac]

I'm not counting it because I already did Germany, but just finished reading City of Women. I really enjoyed it...well enjoy is a difficult book to describe Nazi Germany...I liked that the book was about every day Berlin life during the war. It's one of those books that makes you wonder what you would have done in the protagonist's place.

[Lilisa]

Finished The Almond Tree - did enjoy it, particularly the topic and setting - in Palestine. Gave it 4 stars. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Back to Iceland with Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, which is also currently in the running for the Bailey's Womens Prize for Fiction. Set in the early 1800s, it is the story of the last executed criminal in Iceland. Kent captures the landscape (and the smells) well and the story is interesting.
My review is here.

[Lilisa]

Jenny - glad you enjoyed it - I read it earlier this year and it was a 4-star one for me as well. it was a very different book but well-written and interesting book - Agnes had a certain dignity about her.

[Cherie]

My fifth book set in Australia was The Lieutenant, which was the 2nd book in Kate Grenville's Thornhill Trilogy.
Here is my review I gave it 5 stars, which may have been one too many, but it felt like 5 when I finished it. I really liked it, so let me say that the 5th star is for the actual person that this Historical Fiction story was based on.

[Lilisa]

Just came from Spain's Guernica. Every so often one comes across a book that is utterly satisfying - loved it. My review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Finished The Story of the Trapp Family Singers - that inspired one if my favorite movies - The Sound of Music. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Friederike]

I have been in Angola, discovering the writing of Ondjaki. My review of Good Morning Comrades
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Been in St. Lucia with Derek Walcott's collection of poems in White Egrets. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Jan]

Lilisa - you just blow me away with how fast you read and how many books you get finished!

[Lilisa]

:-) Jan. It helped that I was on vacation for about 10 days last month and it was a total lazy one in a rocking chair on the deck in the cloud forest and then laying in the sun soaking up those rays by the beach. I read four books and finished one I had started before. It was heaven!

[Jan]

Does sound like heaven, Lilisa!

[Lilisa]

It was Judy. But now I'm back to reality with a thud! :-)

[Shriya]

Just back from hunting A Suitable Boy in Post Independence India (1950s, to be precise).

Here's my review:

http://tometravelling.blogspot.in/201...

Also, was in the US with The Color Purple couple of days ago. Here's the review for that too:

http://tometravelling.blogspot.in/201...

[Friederike]

I was in some undefined place but in a country with a raging civil war. Jonathan Bennett, Canadian author with an Australian upbringing retells the story of Helena and Paris set in modern times...
My review is herehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Friederike wrote: "I was in some undefined place but in a country with a raging civil war. Jonathan Bennett, Canadian author with an Australian upbringing retells the story of Helena and Paris set in modern times... ..."

This sounds really interesting Friederike - I've added The Colonial Hotel to my TBR list. Nice review too!

[Lilisa]

Judy wrote: "Shriya wrote: "Just back from hunting A Suitable Boy in Post Independence India (1950s, to be precise).

Here's my review:

http://tometravelling.blogspot.in/201......"

Agree Judy. Glad you enjoyed it Shriya.

[Friederike]

Lilisa wrote: "Friederike wrote: "I was in some undefined place but in a country with a raging civil war. Jonathan Bennett, Canadian author with an Australian upbringing retells the story of Helena and Paris set ..."

Thanks Lilisa. The book was a surprise find. The good things that happen at Writersfestivals...