Around the World Challenge

[Sophie]

I actually haven't read many Swiss authors, which is a shame! I remember suffering through a Dürrenmatt during one German class (Der Richter und sein Henker), but mostly because my teacher was terrible.

I recently discovered a good mystery writer, Nicolas Feuz, but I'm not sure his books are translated yet.

[Michelle]

I think I'm going to start fresh at this one in 2018 and make it a very (very) ongoing challenge. :)

[Sophie]

Start fresh as not counting any books you've read this far? 😱

[Michelle]

Yeah. It is going to take me years to complete it so it seems more of a hassle to go back and try and recall any/all books I read for any of the countries. Fresh challenge, clean slate! :D

[Katie]

I started fresh when I started mine a year ago. I've been neglecting mine the past few months and need to focus on it again. I have a scratch off map to track this challenge hanging on my cubicle wall at work, and one of my coworkers asked me about my reading today. I should've prioritized different countries when I planned for ATY.

[Michelle]

Ooh! I've seen those scratch off maps! I thought they were really neat but couldn't imagine ever going enough places to make purchasing one really useful. I never thought about using it for reading journeys! That's a great idea, Katie!

Pop Chart Lab has a scratch off list of 100 Essential Novels if you're into that.

[Pam]

I am thinking about tracking but not actively working on it, as a challenge, only because I have so many challenges going on this year! But, trying to read books set in more diverse countries is certainly a goal of mine. I like Katie's scratch map idea. A visual, other than a list, would be helpful. I'm going to see what I can come up with. You gals are so creative! Thanks for all of your ideas.

[Michelle]

That's pretty much how I'm doing it, Pam. I'm just going to track whatever I read that happens to fit. Maybe next year I'll be more aggressive about finding books for each country. For now, I'm going to keep it casual. :)

[Laura, Celestial Sphere Mod]

What is this scratch off map you speak of?? My office at work is very tiny and is in desperate need of a reno. So I've been slowly adding my own flair and it's been really helping my mood at work. I may just have to add some reading challenge flair.

I started mine fresh from when I started the actual around the year challenge. So I didn't go back and check stuff. I have forgotten to note the location a few times and lost the book for my list since I couldn't find the location later.

[Michelle]

You can find all kinds of those scratch off maps on Amazon, Laura. Here's one example.

[Katie]

My sister have me the map for Christmas last year specifically to map my challenge. She's the best gift giver.

Those covers look amazing. I have a book of artsy classics covers that are perforated to be pulled out of the book for wall hanging. I should hang some of those in my cubicle. Out make it a challenge, like I only get to hang it once I've read it.

[Michelle]

I love those covers too. The gold is the scratchy off bit and the silver/gray is what it looks like after it's scratched. It's like a whole big poster kind of like your map. I have thought about getting it. :)

I love that idea (about the perforated artsy covers). You're like on fire today with great ideas, haha.

[Sophie]

I have one of those scratchy maps to keep track of my travels, but it would be so fun to have another one for my reading!

When I decided to start the Around the World challenge, I tried to recall if I read books for some countries, and added about 20.

[EllenZReads]

This sounds like an interesting challenge! Following.

[Clare]

I've added my list here
I'm eager to look at all of your lists and possibly getting some suggestions from you.

[Cheri]

Clare wrote: "I've added my list here
I'm looking forward to looking at all of your lists and getting some suggestions from you."

What a great list! Thanks for sharing.

[Cheri]

I love this! I'm always looking for fun ways to push myself to read more widely, and this will do it! I've done a sort-of version of this using books in translation, which is tough. I think I'll switch over to this and give myself credit for books read during the last couple of years of challenges. Thanks for the great ideas! I'll post a link to my lists when I get it organized and up.

[Katie]

I just posted my list as well. I set a timeframe for myself & it ends next May, so I need to start prioritizing reading new countries.

I'll look forward to your list, Cheri.

[Jill]

You have all convinced me. I am going to do this challenge! It looks like fun!

[Cheri]

Jill wrote: "You have all convinced me. I am going to do this challenge! It looks like fun!"

Great! It's really fun figuring out what fits where, and then starting to read...

[Lynn Renee]

I started this last year and quickly forgot about it. Remembered it at the end of the year after hitting my reading goal. A little late though, no way that i can remember where all the books were located. So I will just start adding to what I have and if I can jog my memory about any from 2017 I'll add those in.

[Claire]

Around the World Challenge (multi-year challenge - start date 1/1/2018)
1/209

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba (part of the Netherlands)
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas, Thel
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda (part of the U.K.)
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chechnya
Child
China Geling Yan read:27/1/2018 3 stars
Colombia
Comoros
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Costa Rica
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Reoublic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor (part of Portugal)
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Faroe Islands (part of Denmark)
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Greenland (part of Denmark)
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan Haruki Murakami read:20/1/2018 4 stars
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
North Korea
Northern Ireland (part of U.K.)
Norwsy
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papuan New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland: Schindler's List
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Scotland (part of U.K.)
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Tatarstan (part of Russia)
Thailand
Tibet
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom Jane Austen read: 22/1/2018 4 stars
United Statesbook:The Plot Against America|703]Philip Roth
read: 23/1/2018 4 stars
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wales (part of U.K.)
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

[Sophie]

Quick tip Claire, it's going to be much easier for you to track your reading if you create a plan in the 'Infinity and Beyond' folder rather than leaving it here, as your message is going to be buried with discussion messages ;)

[Claire]

Sophie wrote: "Quick tip Claire, it's going to be much easier for you to track your reading if you create a plan in the 'Infinity and Beyond' folder rather than leaving it here, as your message is going to be bur..."

Thanks for the tip!

[Sue]

I notice that in the list of countries people are using, East Timor is listed as part of Portugal. It hasn't been part of Portugal since 1975, then was part of Indonesia until 2002. It has been an independent nation since then.

[Sophie]

Oooh that's true! Sorry it's my fault, I was the one who copied the list (probably from Wikipedia).

[Rachelnyc]

You all have inspired me to start this challenge! Since this is the first year I'm doing any challenge other than just number of books, this is going to take a back seat to the others I'm currently doing but I'm still excited to get started.

I found this site which lists iconic books from 150 countries for anyone looking for ideas https://geediting.com/most-iconic-boo...

[Claire]

Rachelnyc wrote: "You all have inspired me to start this challenge! Since this is the first year I'm doing any challenge other than just number of books, this is going to take a back seat to the others I'm currently..."

Thank you for the link!

[Katie]

Wow, that link is amazing! Thanks for sharing Rachel, and weddings to the challenge!

[Cheri]

Rachelnyc wrote: "You all have inspired me to start this challenge! Since this is the first year I'm doing any challenge other than just number of books, this is going to take a back seat to the others I'm currently..."

Wonderful list, thanks!!

[Kathy]

Thanks Rachel! Nice list.

[Sophie]

Wooow this link is amazing, thanks Rachel!

[Rachelnyc]

My pleasure. I've gotten so much inspiration since joining this group a couple of weeks ago so I'm happy to give back! ;)

[Lizzy]

The mystery series that the list recommends for Laos is terrific. I had meant to recommend it to you round the world readers, but kept forgetting.

[Sophie]

Great to know Lizzy, thank you!

[Cheri]

Lizzy wrote: "The mystery series that the list recommends for Laos is terrific. I had meant to recommend it to you round the world readers, but kept forgetting."

Thank you! The first book in the series is on my TBR, but I had forgotten it's set in Laos. I'm currently reading the Zoe Ferraris mysteries that take place in Saudi Arabia (the first book in the series is Finding Nouf) and learned that mysteries reach far into a place and culture. They're great for a trip around the world.

[Lizzy]

Cheri wrote: "Lizzy wrote: "The mystery series that the list recommends for Laos is terrific. I had meant to recommend it to you round the world readers, but kept forgetting."

Thank you! The first book in the s..."The company that published the mysteries set in Laos used to have a series with detectives in various countries. I will have to find my copy of the one I own to see if there are other countries that might be interesting.
Also, thanks for the Finding Nouf mention... I'll give it a try.

[Tracy]

I WANT TO TRY THIS !!!!!!😩

I think if I can complete all of my challenges this year I will add it on and see if I can chip away at it a little at a time.

[Cheri]

Tracy wrote: "I WANT TO TRY THIS !!!!!!😩

I think if I can complete all of my challenges this year I will add it on and see if I can chip away at it a little at a time."

It's fun! And I count books in the ATY challenge for the Around the World challenge, too. If you decide do that, you don't need to wait to start. It's amazing how many countries you can "visit" without even trying!

[Katie]

I second what Cheri said.

[Tracy]

Alrighty then....time to copy and paste, lol.

I guess better to start now and see what I can use to tick off some of those countries. I just love making check marks :-)
So satisfying.....

Thanks for the encouragement ladies. I love how this group has me reading like a crazed lunatic . Nothing better than a group of people who just "get" you :-)

[Rachelnyc]

Tracy wrote: "Alrighty then....time to copy and paste, lol.

I guess better to start now and see what I can use to tick off some of those countries. I just love making check marks :-)
So satisfying.....

Thanks ..."

I am with you Tracy! I just joined this group and the challenges have been exactly the extra push I need. I thought I did a good job of seeking out books from different places but realized my focus is much more narrow than I thought.

I am not going to stress about the ATW challenge this year but it is already inspiring me to make more diverse choices.

[Sophie]

That's what I love about the ATW challenge: if I don't know what to read next or want to read more diversely, I have this massive list of books to chose from!

[Cheri]

Here's an interesting list for this challenge -- 22 ambassadors recommend a book they think you should read before visiting their country: https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/22...

A few of the books look like straight-forward political histories, or well known classics, but some are new (to me) and look really interesting, like The Man Who Spoke Snakish for Estonia.

[Katie]

What a cool article!

[Pam]

Thanks Cheri for the Ambassadors list! I found one I’m interested in - Tschick (German). The English title is Why we Took the Car. I was looking for a translated YA book for a different challenge and this one fits the bill! There were others that looked good, too! So many lists...

[StefanieFrei]

Pam wrote: "Thanks Cheri for the Ambassadors list! I found one I’m interested in - Tschick (German). The English title is Why we Took the Car. I was looking for a translated YA book for a different challenge a..."

Cool! I am German and that book was very much hyped and even made into a movie! Director was the very same Fatih Akin who is at present "winning everything" along with Diane Kruger. Hope the translation is good - have fun!

[Cheri]

Stefanie's comment got me thinking -- it might be a fun project on ATY52 sometime to ask members to share their recommendation for one book set in their own country/state/province/region.

[StefanieFrei]

Cool idea!
My first idea was "The Reader" by SchlinkThe Reader (he also wrote a lot of other books, I started with a series of his, well, literary police procedurals, also on the question of guilt and resonsability. The Reader has been made into a movie, too. It is set after WWII and deals with questions about guilt and being responsible. Literary, but easy to read, rather short.

My 2nd bet would be a classic, Thomas Mann: BuddenbrooksBuddenbrooks: The Decline of a Family. Setting end of 19th century - lots of pages ;-) It tells a lot about how society was changing and he formed the characters along with his own family and personalities from his hometown Lübeck. Nobel prized.
Alternative, also WWII: Günther Grass The Tin Drum.
Both have been made into movies / TV series.

Contemporary, I reckon Tschick would be a good pick

[Rachelnyc]

I am struggling with when to add a book I've read to this challenge and when not to. If I don't feel like I've gotten a good sense of what the state or country is like or if it doesn't seem to be indicative of the location, I feel like I'm cheating by including it so I've been fairly selective. Does anyone else have this issue? Do you have guidelines as to whether to add a book or not?

Although this challenge is secondary right now to others I'm doing, I am so glad I've started it. It really has made me notice how I seem to be drawn to books set in the same places.