NEW "Around the World in Books" Challenge - Preliminary discussion

[NancyJ]

Top 100 Works in World Literature. I found this list and I think it might help as a starting point. People might start by selecting from a list of great books, look up the country, then decide on a path that includes some of them. The first book is from Nigeria. The discussion section below the list is helpful too.

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

[NancyJ]

I'm following the Horizons Challenge this year, so this one doesn't make any sense for me. But if it did, I would start with China.

For those who want to prepare for the future, I would recommend learning more about the people and culture of China. I heard from a former MBA student who thanked me for that advice, because an unexpected change in his company created the need to work with people from China.

While it might be more interesting to immerse yourself in China, there are also many good books coming out about North Korea and South Korea (some stories cross all these borders) if you want a path to follow. Honestly, it's more important that you read about other cultures than to worry whether they're connected.

India has a lot of great literature, so if you're reading this month's book from Afghanistan, you'll have many options for a path.

[Marcos]

NancyJ wrote: "Top 100 Works in World Literature. I found this list and I think it might help as a starting point. People might start by selecting from a list of great books, look up the country, then decide on a..."

Thanks for the suggestion, NancyJ!

One of the books in the list is also a nomination for our March BOTM: Blindness by José Saramago

[Marcos]

NancyJ wrote: For those who want to prepare for the future, I would recommend learning more about the people and culture of China."

Good recommendation, NancyJ! China is on its way to being the dominant superpower. Some say that's already inevitable. They've just landed a spacecraft on the dark side of the moon, by the way.

Anyway, commerce, jobs and everything else will see a growing Chinese presence.

[Marcos]

Guys, I had expected to start the "Around the World" challenge on Jan 10th, but I wasn't able to finish organizing last details.

So, I'm postponing the start for about one week.

Anyway, my attempts to find a solution to keep the "80 books" name didn't succeed. So, I'm changing it, just by taking the "80" out.

[Kyra]

Are we able to go ahead and post our route into the "Around the World" challenge thread yet?

[Marcos]

No, Kyra, not yet, because I want to finish other related discussions first. That's why I postponed starting the challenge.

[Marcos]

By the way...

Hello, all!!

We're launching the final discussions for the 2019 reading challenges.

As you know, we have already improved significantly some of them based on your feedback and ideas.

I've just started a new discussion thread, specifically for this theme:

Fair counting of books with different numbers of pages

Please have a look there, it is one of the points we need to discuss before we start. Suggestions, ideas, contributions from Jan 14 to January 20.

[Satrina]

Marcos wrote: "One of the books in the list is also a nomination for our March BOTM: Blindness by José Saramago "

Oh, I haven't read Saramago in a while and I wasn't considering him for this challenge but now I think I'll add him or something by José Luís Peixoto because several friends recommended him :D

[Rowen]

I'm really looking forward to starting this challenge and have my travel route all ready. I was just wondering when and where to post it so I can join in?

[Monique]

Earth to Marcos! When are we getting started? :)

[Satrina]

One more question: Could I start reading my books for this challenge or should I wait until it starts?

[NancyJ]

Satrina wrote: "Marcos wrote: "One of the books in the list is also a nomination for our March BOTM: Blindness by José Saramago "

Oh, I haven't read Saramago in a while and I wasn't considering him for this chall..."

Satrina, I'm looking for a book from or about Portugal for my Play Book Tag challenge. Does Peixote have books translated to English? Do you have any other recommendations?

[Satrina]

NancyJ wrote: "Satrina, I'm looking for a book from or about Portugal for my Play Book Tag challenge. Does Peixote have books translated to English? Do you have any other recommendations? "

From what I could find while doing a search on his profile I only found these two books with English editions

* The Piano Cemetery - The Piano Cemetery
* Antidote

Some friends have also recommended Fernando Pessoa but I haven't read anything by him yet.

There's also this list: Best Literature in Portuguese

And I'm sure we could get great recommendations from our friends around here :)

[Kerri]

I don’t know about anyone else but I have already started reading books for this challenge. I’m just waiting for the fun of updating and seeing everyone else’s trips!

[Satrina]

I started my first one last week and then stopped because I was in doubt

[Kyra]

I have also started mine but I have went back to Little Women since we haven't started yet. I was afraid my book wouldn't count once we start.

[Kerri]

Kyra wrote: "I have also started mine but I have went back to Little Women since we haven't started yet. I was afraid my book wouldn't count once we start."

I didn't think of that. I am kind of impulsive sometimes and don't think things through. And impatient. I have been on a kick of other books for the moment, but if I need to reread a book for this challenge, ah well, I will do it. Or change my route/difficulty if I am feeling lazy ;)

[Joanna Loves Reading]

I have been going under the assumption that any books in 2019 count.

[Satrina]

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I have been going under the assumption that any books in 2019 count."

Yay! Then I can finish that book.

[Barbara]

i am already finding this challenge fascinating. I have not been really changing the way I choose books, just noting the cultural originals of the authors. It's been interesting, especially in the genres I have been favoring lately, to see the differences.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Hello participants!

Just wanted to give a quick update, we will likely be launching this challenge tomorrow. I will update if for some reason that changes, and I plan to run it until Marcos is able to come back.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,
Joanna

[Zeljka]

I can't help thinking that it would be fair to wait a little bit more with this challenge, and give Marcos some time... the way we waited for Kasey to come back. All other challenges have already begun so it wouldn't hurt the group that much. He spent quite a lot time in planning this...
This is only my opinion, of course I am thankful for your and Marcos' effort in running this group and will respect your decision.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Zeljka wrote: "I can't help thinking that it would be fair to wait a little bit more with this challenge, and give Marcos some time... the way we waited for Kasey to come back. All other challenges have already b..."

Thank you for the feedback, Zeljka. This is the challenge that we had wanted to hold off on the most because it is truly Marcos’ idea. We’re just trying to balance the needs of the group with what is reasonable for Marcos. In that when we do post this challenge, if it is before he can come back, it will use the thread he started so he can manage when he comes back.

That being said we’re several weeks past the anticipated start and more than a week past Feb. 1, which was the latest date the challenges were supposed to start by. Tomorrow was determined because it’s the tail end of the weekend to see if anything changes during that time before posting. However, we can postpone if that’s what members prefer.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Would you all prefer to wait longer on this challenge? Maybe another week?

[Laura H L]

Hi Joanna and All. I am supportive of waiting another week. I am mindful that this was Marcos’ baby and I think waiting a bit is respectful. I hope he returns to oversee this challenge as he was very enthusiastic and he was helping us to discover international authors who deserve to be read. We have other challenges up and running and this challenge was more complicated and needs some planning anyways. When it does start I think books read in 2019 should count regardless of the actual start of the challenge.

[NancyJ]

Laura wrote: " When it does start I think books read in 2019 should count regardless of the actual start of the challenge. ."

I agree. You don't want to discourage the people who were the most enthusiastic about it to begin with. If someone already started, it should count.

Personally, I would love a lower level option that fits the beginner traveler. Many people don't have time to go to multiple countries on one long trip. They might fly to a popular country and then fly home. France, Russia, India, Mexico, Sweden and China are very popular literary destinations, and are more likely to have EHRTBM type books than their geographical neighbors.

[Tori]

NancyJ wrote: "Laura wrote: " When it does start I think books read in 2019 should count regardless of the actual start of the challenge. ."

I agree. You don't want to discourage the people who were the most ent..."

I also agree any book in 2019 should count. While it is ultimately up to Marcos to decide that, both Joanna and myself assume that any book read in 2019 will count for this challenge. :)

There is already an easy level for this challenge!

Level 3 – EASY

You can go from any country to any other one. Travelling by plane allowed, as well as by baloon, flying saucer, magic carpet, Star Trek teleportation etc. Any route, read at will.

The minimum amount of books (no matter what level you choose) is 2 books/countries.

[NancyJ]

Tori wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Laura wrote: " When it does start I think books read in 2019 should count regardless of the actual start of the challenge. ."

I agree. You don't want to discourage the people who we..."

Thanks! I missed that change. A magic carpet would be perfect for anyone who has not yet read The Arabian Nights.

So far this year I've been to Iraq, India, and Italy. I'm reading a book set in Medieval England now, with chapters in Spain and France. I also have books from Russia and Portugal on deck. Maybe by the end of the year, they'll all be connected.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

NancyJ wrote: "Tori wrote: "NancyJ wrote: "Laura wrote: " When it does start I think books read in 2019 should count regardless of the actual start of the challenge. ."

I agree. You don't want to discourage the ..."

Sounds like your books are taking you on fun travels. :) I plan to do the Easy level, because I am not very good at sticking to reading plans. Maybe I will up it if I find connectivity throughout the year.

[Megan]

I agree that we should wait to see if Marcos can start this off, as it’s really his baby and he was so excited about it.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Waiting another week will be good, I think. I will work on gathering links for suggestions this week. Please post any here that you think should be included.

[Satrina]

I agree with waiting for Marcos to return.

Anyway, I started already although I'm only on my second book for this challenge but it will be no problem to update once the challenge is open. Since I'm doing the easy level, I'm planning a much bigger journey than expected including Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Japan, New Zealand and Guatemala.

Also, thank you Tori and Joanna for taking good care of us.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Hello! Sorry for the delay in posting more on this. Just checking in to see what everyone’s thoughts on moving forward with this one is. Still wanting to wait or should we start this up officially in March (as in end of this week)?

[Satrina]

I think March sounds fine.

[Laura H L]

I agree with a March start. Thanks so much for all of your work.

[Kyra]

I think we should start in March as well.

[Betty]

Yes, let’s get started.

[NancyJ]

Absolutely.

I'm working on Korea now. There are a lot of interesting books on Korea (North and South) if anyone needs some ideas.

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Thanks for the feedback! I will get it up this weekend.

[Irene]

NancyJ, please share your suggestions for Korean books. I read a few books by Japanese authors last year around my trip to Japan, but never a Korean one I think.

[Zeljka]

Irene, last year I readThe Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story.
It was really interesting to read about life in North Korea written by someone who was born and lived there.
Maybe that can help you:-)

[Joanna Loves Reading]

Hi all! The challenge thread has been opened and moved to the challenge corner!

[Irene]

Zeljka wrote: "Irene, last year I readThe Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story.
It was really interesting to read about life in North Korea written by someone who was born and li..."
Thanks!