Play Book Tag discussion
2016-19 Activities & Challenges
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Invitation to join Nicole R's 2018 Challenge
I'm in, because it is right up my alley and I probably do it every year. I wonder if it even qualifies as a challenge then, but it certainly will be entertaining to see what everyone reads and what we gain from it..
Booknblues wrote: "I'm in, because it is right up my alley and I probably do it every year. I wonder if it even qualifies as a challenge then, but it certainly will be entertaining to see what everyone reads and what..."Yay! I am just planning to track it in my personal challenge thread, but if enough people jump in then we could have a thread for it.
To be clear, no extra Participation Points, no tag on the PBT shelf, or anything like that, just the personal satisfaction of learning something new :)
I do this every year so I’ll join. We actually host a challenge on Litsy to visit a new country every month. We are reading Singapore this month. We read, post food photos for the country or other related photos
The Reluctant Fundamentalist is really good. I also really liked In the Shadow of the Banyan, about Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge. It’s a novel, written by a former refugee.
I have these on my shelf that I’m hoping to get to soon:
Guapa
The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf And
Lakota Woman, just to name a few.
Jen wrote: "I do this every year so I’ll join. We actually host a challenge on Litsy to visit a new country every month. We are reading Singapore this month. We read, post food photos for the country or other ..."I actually should throw out that all credit goes to you for this idea! You are the one who made me think of it.
Okay, what is Litsy? You talk about it a lot and this challenge is tempting me to join. Do you host the challenge on Litsy? If so, then I would totally be tempted to join in as you run excellent groups.
Do people post suggestions on Litsy too?
Tracy wrote: "The Reluctant Fundamentalist is really good. I also really liked In the Shadow of the Banyan, about Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge. It’s a novel, written by a former ..."
Oooo...In the Shadow of the Banyan often crosses my path. That might be the first one to officially make my list!
I will check out the others as well. Thanks for the recommendations!
No credit needed. You and I talk about this all the time. Litsy is an App for Android/IOS. Combo of Instagram and goodreads. I’m obsessed. It’s probably my favorite online book community (although I love this group).
This is right up my alley as well. Need to have a look at the stack to do some recommendations.
Nicole R wrote: "So, I admit that I am not very good at challenges and typically do not even do the official PBT ones (EEK! A horrible confession for an admin) though, I did do the Stairs Challenge this year and en..."Lol, I thought for sure I do this already just by virtue of interest, but I looked back at my books for the year, and um, no. Think I have read three that clearly qualify.
So while I'm not officially joining in, I very much look forward to seeing the recommendations!
Will try to return with a few ideas . . .
Five star reads (for me) that fit most of your criteria:Beasts of No Nation
Half of a Yellow Sun
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
A Fine Balance (an all time fave)
The Covenant
That's all I have in the five star category!
Oh dang. Now I see the person must live in the culture. Need to research that, but the Michener is out for sure.
UPDATE: After researching, I think only Half of the Yellow Sun qualifies. Sigh. I may need to do this challenge, lol! Look forward to see what recommendations come from others.
I too try to read diversely and read almost 20 books either set in Asia, Or Africa or where the main character or author was a POC.I’m not sure if you was books with a current setting, but here are a couple set in the Middle East: The Map of Love,
Byzantium and The Blood of Flowers.
I also enjoyed Rebel Queen which is set in India.
For Africa, Wilbur Smith is very prolific. He wrote River God which I loved, but it didn’t stand up well to a re-read. He has a series about the Courtney family set in Southern Africa. I have really enjoyed several of these — I think my favorite were The Burning Shore and Power of the Sword. He’s African and weaves in a lot of culture. He also writes thrillers so you have to sift through his work.
Anita wrote: "Oh dang. Now I see the person must live in the culture. Need to research that, but the Michener is out for sure."Yeah, that criteria limits it! But, for me, it is worth it and fits more closely with what I hope to get from the challenge.
Thanks for the recommendations, they all look great! Half a Yellow Sun is a must, I feel, and I didn't realize that Beasts of No Nation was a book! It also makes me think of A Long Way Gone (I think that is the name, GR is super slow right now).
JoLene wrote: "I too try to read diversely and read almost 20 books either set in Asia, Or Africa or where the main character or author was a POC."These are great recommendations too! The Map of Love looks really great. I also read Rebel Queen and really enjoyed it.
I am quickly realizing that I could easily fill up my whole year of reading with this challenge....
I'm in. Are you adding a contemporary requirement? I tend to read historical books, but I find that's important to understanding current issues.Also, I have an arc of In the Shadow of the Banyan if you'd like it send me a PM.
Half a Yellow Sun definitely is a must. here are some others I've enjoyed:The Complete Persepolis - Iran
The Summer Book - Finland
Black Box - Israel
Broken April - Albania
A Fine Balance - India
The Master and Margarita
Jen wrote: "Half a Yellow Sun definitely is a must. here are some others I've enjoyed:The Complete Persepolis - Iran
The Summer Book - Finland
Black Box - Israel
[bo..."
Ugh, I knew you would add a bunch of books to the list. Especially interested in the Israel book.
Jgrace wrote: "I'm in. Are you adding a contemporary requirement? I tend to read historical books, but I find that's important to understanding current issues.Also, I have an arc of [book:In the Shadow of the B..."
I personally am adding a contemporary element, simply because I want to know more about current political events/issues, but not everyone has to go with that.
I may throw in a history/historical fiction book if I think it really helps explain why certain politics/cultural issues are the way they are today.
Jgrace wrote: "Also, I have an arc of [book:In the Shadow of the B..."Ooo...I may do that! Let me see if my library has it first and what the wait looks like. But if I don't have library access to it then I will certainly PM you! Thank you for the offer.
One a month would be a healthy dose. Like Fran, I love to dwell with different cultures in mysteries set in among places and peoples of Tibet, Laos, Saudi Arabia, etc. Travel books such as those Story likes also intersect many cultures. This year I found myself delving deep into Irish and Russian lit. I ended with a history of Istanbul and two novels from Turkish writers. I would like to continue that theme next year, starting with a classic on Kurds Memed, My Hawk. I also aim for a deep dive on Polish, Latin American, and Far Eastern (China, Japan) lit.
You had me at "challenge"! I have no idea what I will read, but I am so in.
Michael wrote: "One a month would be a healthy dose. Like Fran, I love to dwell with different cultures in mysteries set in among places and peoples of Tibet, Laos, Saudi Arabia, etc. Travel books such as those St..."This sounds like a good plan, Michael!
I am not sure if I will participate or not, but here are some recommendations.Smaller and Smaller Circles - F.H. Batacan (Philippines)
The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga (India)
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People - Farahad Zama (India) (Might be a good lighter choice to break up some harder reads)
The Attack - Yasmina Khadra (middle east - book takes place in Israel, but author is Algerian)
The Cairo Trilogy: Palace Walk / Palace of Desire / Sugar Street - Naguib Mahfouz (Egypt - takes place in early 1900s so might not be current enough for you)
Cora wrote: "I am not sure if I will participate or not, but here are some recommendations.Smaller and Smaller Circles - F.H. Batacan (Philippines)
[book:The White Tiger|176860..."
I really enjoyed The White Tiger this year . . .
Cora wrote: "I am not sure if I will participate or not, but here are some recommendations.Smaller and Smaller Circles - F.H. Batacan (Philippines)
[book:The White Tiger|176860..."
Oh man, so many great options! The Marriage Bureau for Rich people had me as soon as the description said it has shades of Jane Austen...
I’m currently reading I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad, which is the memoir of a German journalist, daughter of a Turkish mother and a Moroccan father, who started investigating what drove men to join radical terrorist groups out of a need to understand this development.Earlier this year I read The Return: Fathers, Sons, and the Land in Between, which looks at recent developments in Libya from a personal perspective.
I very much liked This Blinding Absence of Light. Though the subject matter is terrible, there is a spirituality that shows a very different facet of Islam.
I was just going to suggest Smaller and Smaller Circles too, but I see Cora beat me to it! F.H. Batacan is female, so that ticks off 3 of your qualifications, alongside real reflection and contemporary issues.Here's another that I think might qualify: Cliff Diver by Carmen Amato. It's book 1 of a mystery series which I have really enjoyed, if you need a lighter read, but it does show the gritty side of Mexico and the corruption in the police system.
Since I love historical fiction, this one might happen without my even trying. I think I might say I'm in in a relaxed way. Like if it's sort of effortlessly happens - as it likely will. I got a triple minor that way. The third concentration minor was totally accidental- philosophy. Ok - I'll tell you the whole thing. Major: Psychology, (came in with a double major in psychology and theatre), minors: music, legal studies, and philosophy. In any case, I bet last year brought me six cultures. Pachinko, Tea Girl, Autumn, Do Not Say We Have Nothing. That's four off the top of my head.
I think I am in.....this is take a bit of planning on my part to figure out books that meet this criteria.
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the TalibanThis book will also work and it's been on my TBR forever.
Ah, I wanted to recommend one that will make my favourites list this year, but after checking, the author is not from there! :-( I could probably recommend others, but it would take a bit of researching. The one just came right into my mind....
Great idea, Nicole. I try and do some of this anyways- but creating a challenge for it might bring some accontibility for it.Some that pop out for me would be
-A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee's Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival (obviously about refugees, on my TBR for next year, especially if I do a challenge like this). Non-fiction
-Pachinko- been discussed quite a bit on here, on my TBR for next year. Also it has an audiobook, lol. Fiction
-In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom- about a North Korean female defector-now activist. Made my top 10 list of books last year. Nonfiction.
If anyone one's rec's on books about Korea, lol. I'm your girl.
Joi wrote: "In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom- about a North Korean female defector-now activist. Made my top 10 list of books last year. Nonfiction. ."This looks like a must read!
I'd like to do this one as it's right up my alley, although I may delve into a few historical ones since I think they can have a big impact.I may have suggestions, but none off the top of my head as I just found this.
Two that deal with Mexico and Mexican immigrants into the USAInto the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (Fiction)
and
Across a Hundred Mountains by Reyna Grande (nonfiction /memoir)
Oh ... just remember this gem ... originally published in 1937 (or 1936?) this story of star-crossed lovers still resonates today.Ali and Nino: A Love Story by Kurban Said
I read it back in 2007 ... so before I joined Goodreads. My review is therefore very brief:
This interesting look at love between a Muslim man and a Christian girl is downright prophetic. It is set in 1917-1918, was written in 1937, and it still rings true today. The clash of culture and religion was well laid out.
I'll read The Master and Margarita with you (bhahahahaha)How about Disgrace? South Africa
the start of my review:
When I decided to focus on World Literature, this is exactly the kind of book I had in mind. It is a snapshot of South Africa at a very specific time. I was not surprised to find this place harsh. I was not surprised to find that it dealt with racism. This wasn't 1960's in the South racism. This was a country still trying to come to grips (20 years ago) with race relations.
I would love to try and do this, but I am shaking up my challenges big time this year and not sure if I can work this in, but I'm going to try and figure it out..
One of the January options at 1001 Reading is Death and the Dervish. Though written by a man, this works for me as the first read in this challenge.
I love reading books of other cultures and did many this past year -surprising more than I thought. I would highly recommend The Power of One about South Africa. One caution, there is a YA edition that leaves out quite a bit from the end of the book so be sure you get the complete one if you decide to read it. I'm going to do a bit of research on how to fit this in but I many join you.
Cora wrote: "I am not sure if I will participate or not, but here are some recommendations.Smaller and Smaller Circles - F.H. Batacan (Philippines)
[book:The White Tiger|176860..."
I did enjoy The Marriage Bureau - lovely book, fun.
Sushicat wrote: "I’m currently reading I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad, which is the memoir of a German journalist, daughter of a Turkish mother and a Moroccan father,..."I very much liked This Blinding Absence of Light. Though the subject matter is terrible, there is a spirituality that shows a very different facet of Islam.
I'm in. 6 books sounds very doable. This Blinding Absence of Light is definitely on my list. I would recommed Horses of God by Mahi Binebine (young men who are recruited as suicide bombers.) He talked about This Blinding Absence of Light is his afterward. Binebine was friends with the brother of one of the prisoners.
I have several Russian novels that have a more historical background and may try to work one of them in. And Quiet Flows the Don is a leading contender.
In the Shadow of the Banyan made my top 10 in 2017. Music of the Ghosts a sequel to Shadow of the Banyan was published last April. I'd love to read it.
I might try thisThings on my TBR shelf that seem to qualify:
A Long Way Home - Saroo Brierley - India
The Leopard - Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa - Sicily
Daughters of the River Huong: Stories of a Vietnamese Royal Concubine and Her Descendants - Uyen Nicole Duong - Vietnam
Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free - Héctor Tobar - Chile
Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet - Xinran - China/Tibet
The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector's Story - Hyeonseo Lee - North Korea
Well, I have finally filtered through all of these excellent recommendations and compiled my list! There were 9 books that really stuck out top contenders. I originally said I was only going to try and read 6, but perhaps I will stretch myself and try to get to 9...Thank you EVERYONE for the excellent recommendations, even just the brainstorming was eye-opening as to how many wonderful books by non-American/English authors are out there that I did not even know about, let alone read.
Very Likely
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity (India)
In the Shadow of the Banyan (Cambodia)
Beasts of No Nation (West Africa)
Half of a Yellow Sun (Africa/country?)
A Fine Balance (India)
The Complete Persepolis (Iran)
Black Box (Israel)
I Was Told to Come Alone: My Journey Behind the Lines of Jihad (Iraq/Turkey)
In Order to Live: A North Korean Girl's Journey to Freedom (North Korea)
Maybe/If Time
Pachinko (Korea)
The Summer Book (Finland)
The Return: Fathers, Sons, and the Land in Between (Libya)
This Blinding Absence of Light (Morocco)
A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee's Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival (Syria/Egypt)
A Long Way Home (India)
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (Sierra Leone)
Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet (Tibet)
Not Likely but Intrigued
The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Pakistan/America)
Guapa (unnamed Arab country)
The Map of Love (Egypt)
Broken April (country?)
Smaller and Smaller Circles (Philippines)
The White Tiger (India)
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People (India)
The Attack (Israel)
The Cairo Trilogy: Palace Walk / Palace of Desire / Sugar Street (Egypt)
Cliff Diver (Mexico)
Ali and Nino: A Love Story (Austria)
Daughters of the River Huong (Vietnam)
Possibilities for me:India: A Fine Balance
or The Palace of Illusions
or Sister of My Heart
China: Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
Afghanistan: A Thousand Splendid Suns
or The Pearl That Broke Its Shell
Iran: Rooftops of Tehran
or Rosewater and Soda Bread
Africa: Tandia
orLittle Bee
Russia:A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian
Japan: Pachinko
orKafka on the Shore
Cambodia: In the Shadow of the Banyan
Barbara wrote: "or The Pearl That Broke Its Shell..."I was initially going to recommend that one. It will be on my top 10 list for this year. I believe the author is American, though, so I didn't mention it.
I think I may join you in this challenge Nicole. And one of the books that I read for the chsllenge will definitely be about Brexit. I was actually in Scotland when the Brexit vote happened, and it shocked most people as much as Trump winning the presidency did here -- esp in Scotkand.Also, Behind the Beautiful Forevers is a great choice. I recommend that book frequently.
Not sure where to post the results of this challebge so I thought I'd just put them here. I have pretty much mapped out what I'm going to read for the rest of the month, so this is as complete as I will get. I read 9 that fit the challenge.1- The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector's Story - Hyeonseo Lee with David John (5 stars) 1/27/18- North Korea
My review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2. Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet - Xinran (4 stars) 2/2/18 - Tibet
My review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
3. Daughters of the River Huong: Stories of a Vietnamese Royal Concubine and Her Descendants - Uyen Nicole Duong (3 stars) 2/28/18 - Vietnam
My review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
4. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry – Fredrick Backman (4 stars) 3/15/18 - Sweden
My review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5. Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, 7) – Alexander McCall Smith (4 stars) 4/3/18 - Botswana
My Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
6. The Leopard - Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa - Sicily
My Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
7. The 33: Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free - Héctor Tobar - Chile
My Review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
8. Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women - Geraldine Brooks - Middle East
My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
9. The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After– Clemantine Wamariya & Elizabeth Weil - Africa
My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Nice job! This wasn’t an official challenge, more of a personal one, and congrats on reading so many! I failed miserably.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
The Leopard (other topics)My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry (other topics)
The 33 (other topics)
The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After (other topics)
Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Geraldine Brooks (other topics)Héctor Tobar (other topics)
Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa (other topics)
Hyeonseo Lee (other topics)
Xinran (other topics)
More...
Instead, I kind of just make up my own challenges. I am not sharing all of them broadly, most of them are pretty boring and I would call them more goals than challenges, but there is one I want to share with y'all and invite others to consider doing it with me. This is NOT an official PBT Challenge, just an idea if you are looking for more challenges ;)
I will be challenging myself to read six books about other cultures.
—These must be written by someone who lives/has lived in that culture and provides insight into what life/society is like in a place other than in my own little bubble.
—Books can be fiction or nonfiction, but I want them to be a real reflection and not fantasy/dystopia (though I love those genres!).
—I would also like these to be about contemporary cultures/issues, but am open to more of a history if it provides context for contemporary situations.
—I am particularly interested in Middle Eastern issues, because I know very little about that region. I also wouldn't mind a good book on Brexit, because all of that is so far over my head it is crazy. But, I am really open to anything.
—Each of the books should focus on a different region/culture/religion/etc.
—I am open to one of the books being about a US subculture that I am less familiar with (e.g., muslims in America).
—I would like to prioritize books written by women, but that is not a hard and fast rule.
Having announced this, I have ZERO idea what I will read. So, even if you don't want to participate with me, I would love to hear your recommendations!