2020 - Where in the World Are You? (Currently Reading)

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I'm in Iran with a very recent memoir - Home Is a Stranger by Parnaz Foroutan.

[Lilisa]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm in Iran with a very recent memoir - Home Is a Stranger by Parnaz Foroutan."

Sounds interesting, Jenny.

[Carol]

I am in Russia with The Matchstick Girl by Canadian citizen and New Zealand resident, Suzanne Hocking.

[V.ya]

I'm simultaneously in South Africa (Devil's Peak) and Spain (The Shadow of the Wind).

[Lilisa]

I’m with Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World- I’ve already been to Mexico, Guatemala (passed through through El Salvador, Honduras) Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, and now in Israel. I have many more countries to travel to - I’m enjoying the adventure.

[Claire]

I'm in Japan, (began in Korea), reading Pachinko. Such a great, immersive read, across generations, a deep, insightful look into the complicated lives of Koreans living in Japan. The novel itself is a lifetime's dedicated pursuit.

[Claire]

I've been in Syria and then fleeing by boat to Europe ending up in Berlin with the non-fiction memoir of 17-year-old Olympian swimmer Yusra Mardini Butterfly: From Refugee to Olympian - My Story of Rescue, Hope, and Triumph

[Nadine in California]

Just left an unnamed West African city in Little Family by Ishmael Beah. I liked it very much at the start, but then it took a turn into a corny romance. My review.

[Lilisa]

Claire wrote: "I'm in Japan, (began in Korea), reading Pachinko. Such a great, immersive read, across generations, a deep, insightful look into the complicated lives of Koreans living in Japan. Th..."

What do you think of Pachinko so far, Claire?

[Diane]

I am in Spain with A Heart So White by Javier Marías.

[Claire]

Lilisa wrote: "Claire wrote: "I'm in Japan, (began in Korea), reading Pachinko. Such a great, immersive read, across generations, a deep, insightful look into the complicated lives of Koreans livi..."

I loved it, especially the focus on the survival behaviours of the women, doing everything to take care of their families.

[Lilisa]

Claire wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Claire wrote: "I'm in Japan, (began in Korea), reading Pachinko. Such a great, immersive read, across generations, a deep, insightful look into the complicated lives ..."

Oh good, so glad you did - I enjoyed it immensely too.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m back in Ireland with another from my food list, Pomegranate Soup, where the food is Persian. This one has been on my TBR for the longest time, so I’m happy to be settling into it.

[Karen]

Andrea wrote: "I’m back in Ireland with another from my food list, Pomegranate Soup

Oh, this sounds so interesting. Adding to my TBR list. I am also in Ireland attempting to slay one of the literary dragons of my youth - A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce - and hope to finish Ulysses before my 60th birthday in June. (Coronavirus has given me new ambition.)

[Carol]

I'm in Bangkok with A Nail Through the Heart by Timothy Hallinan, the first in his Poke Rafferty series. I read the fourth or fifth novel in the series a few years ago and am happy to be going back to the first. It's really a treat for me, and comfort reading which I need right now.

[Lilisa]

I'm in France with The Alice Network and in Kamchatka, Russia with Disappearing Earth.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Just heading off to England with The Silent Companions from my gothic list. I’ve been wanting to read something by this author for a while now, as all 3 of her books to date have been well received by readers who enjoy this genre.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Now I'm back on my foodie journey, in France with Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris. I note it hasn't rated particularly well here on GR, but I'm a fan of Mah's writing so I'm keeping an open mind.

[Carol]

I’m in mid-Century England with Death in Fancy Dress by Anthony Gilbert (a pseudonym for a female author. The beginning wasn’t the strongest but it’s settled in nicely now.

[Karen]

I'm in the Hasidic community of Williamsburg in New York City with Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman. As always, it is the love of reading and knowing things that sets the heroine apart. I began reading it out of curiosity about some of my neighbors -- but am enjoying it because the writing is so good.

[Nadine in California]

Karen wrote: "I'm in the Hasidic community of Williamsburg in New York City with Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman. As always, it is the..."

I really liked the Netflix adaption of the book, but it made some changes - at least based on the book description.

[Karen]

Yes - the television program was true to the heart of the story, but the book gives much more insight into Deborah's childhood and to her formation through reading forbidden books. Deborah does not go to Berlin in the book as Esther does in the series. Both works were satisfying.

[Karen]

I'm in Lagos, Nigeria with The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré . Quite a page-turner, so far.

[Karen]

I'm going to remain in Nigeria with Girl by Edna O'Brien ( a bit of Ireland with that, as well) and Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi.

[Lilisa]

Karen wrote: "I'm going to remain in Nigeria with Girl by Edna O'Brien ( a bit of Ireland with that, as well) and Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi."
I’d be interested in your thoughts of Freshwater - it was interesting, different and fascinating. I did the audio.

[Lilisa]

Starting The Spice Necklace: My Adventures in Caribbean Cooking, Eating, and Island Life.

[Hannah]

I'm currently in Georgia - The Eighth Life, Trinidad - Love After Love, and Egypt- Woman at Point Zero and I'm really enjoying all three

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Hannah wrote: "I'm currently in Georgia - The Eighth Life, Trinidad - Love After Love, and Egypt- Woman at Point Zero and I'm really enjoying all three"

Ooh Hannah - we’ve been waiting for someone to tackle The Eighth Life! Glad to hear it’s going well. I’m also keen to get to Love After Love pretty soon.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m back in South Africa for the second time this year - this time digging for diamonds in the 19th century Little Karoo Desert in The Diamond Hunter. And if your’re wondering, it’s not Wilbur Smith, it’s Fiona McIntosh 😂 . I read a lot of Wilbur Smith’s novels in my teens and 20s, as my dad was a big fan, and he could afford to buy books whereas I couldn’t!!

[Hannah]

Andrea wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I'm currently in Georgia - The Eighth Life, Trinidad - Love After Love, and Egypt- Woman at Point Zero and I'm really enjoying all three..."

My partner and I decided to read The Eighth Life aloud together when lockdown started - and with 944 pages it is taking a very long time indeed! I don't mind though because the characters are so real that I never want it to end

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Hannah wrote: "My partner and I decided to read The Eighth Life aloud together when lockdown started - and with 944 pages it is taking a very long time indeed! I don't mind though because the characters are so real that I never want it to end..."

Sounds wonderful 😊

[Lilisa]

Andrea wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I'm currently in Georgia - The Eighth Life, Trinidad - Love After Love, and Egypt- Woman at Point Zero and I'm really enjoying all three..."

Those both sound interesting too, Andrea. Thanks for surfacing them, Hannah - sounds like you’re enjoying them. I was hoping my library had The Eighth Life as an audio or e-book since it’s a chunkster, but they only have the print but put it on hold anyway :-)

[Lilisa]

Andrea wrote: "Hannah wrote: "My partner and I decided to read The Eighth Life aloud together when lockdown started - and with 944 pages it is taking a very long time indeed! I don't mind though because the chara..."

Lovely idea!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Hannah wrote: "I'm currently in Georgia - The Eighth Life, Trinidad - Love After Love, and Egypt- Woman at Point Zero and I'm really enjoying all three"

I just started this over the weekend too, and I'm loving it.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Just taking a quick little detour to Norway with Babette's Feast. I know the film is very well-known, but I honestly can’t recall whether I’ve seen it. The short story is not ringing any bells so far.

[Karen]

Spending my afternoon off in Monaco with Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes, and a mysterious lady with a past. Riviera Gold by Laurie R. King

[Rachel]

I'm off to Mecca with "sinner" and "infidel" Parvez Sharma, as he goes on his Hajj as is commanded in his faith by Allah. A Sinner in Mecca: A Gay Muslim's Hajj of Defiance

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m having a modern gothic adventure in France with The Safe Place and a foodie jaunt to Pakistan with To Lahore With Love

[Claire]

I am reading Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela, in the Scottish Highlands with three women on a trip to visit the burial place of the first Scottish muslim woman who made the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Salma thinks of what she left behind in Egypt with regret; Moni has dedicated her life to her disabled son and is ignoring her husband's request to join him in Saudi Arabia and Iman is pondering the curse of her beauty that has attracted the wrong men into her life three times now.

The Hoopoe has summoned them.
I'm really enjoying it, this is a wonderful example of the beauty and gift of cross cultural literature and reading. The first book by this author I have read, I know I will be reading more by her.

[Nadine in California]

I'm reading Measuring the World by Daniel Kehlmann, who also wrote a book I loved, Tyll. It's set in the 18th century, and so far has taken me to Germany and colonial South America - and will take me to wherever else Alexander von Humboldt went.

[RinTinTin]

Claire wrote: "I am reading Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela, in the Scottish Highlands with three women on a trip to visit the burial place of the first Scottish muslim woman who made the pilgrimag..."

I read and really enjoyed The Translator (by the same author) - would definitely recommend it! I'm adding this to my list.

[Lilisa]

I’m in India with A Burning and still sailing and eating in the Caribbean with The Spice Necklace: A Food-Lover's Caribbean Adventure.

[Claire]

Christin wrote: "Claire wrote: "I am reading Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela, in the Scottish Highlands with three women on a trip to visit the burial place of the first Scottish muslim woman who mad..."

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll add that one too. Bird Summons is excellent.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m in South Korea this week, with Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, which I’m buddy-reading with a friend. It’s quite short, so it will probably end up being just a discussion when we’ve both finished! At about 20%, I’m a little perplexed as to the bestseller status of this book... It’s interesting enough (for me, as an outsider to the culture), but I wonder what it is that captured the interest of so many Korean readers? My other observation is that the writing is very utilitarian - although it’s difficult to know whether that comes from the author or the translator.

[Karen]

Andrea wrote: "I’m in South Korea this week, with Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, which I’m buddy-reading with a friend. It’s quite short, so it will probably end up being just a discussion when we’ve bot..."

Interesting. I've just asked my library to get this and I was wondering at its popularity, as well.

[V.ya]

@Andrea I haven't read the book myself, but my guess is that it's the message (gender disparity) that resonates with the readers, especially (East) Asians, who are confronted with this reality on a daily basis.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Vya wrote: "@Andrea I haven't read the book myself, but my guess is that it's the message (gender disparity) that resonates with the readers, especially (East) Asians, who are confronted with this reality on a..."

Yes, I’m sure many women recognise their own story in it. I wonder if men are reading it too?

Anyway it’s a very short read, so I will be finished today and will collect my thoughts on it.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Now I'm in China with Snake Fang Salad: Culinary Travails in China, a foodie travel memoir. After having it sitting on my bookshelf for literally years, I was delighted to pick it up today and discover that the author's first trip to China (which the book is about) was around the same time, and followed a similar itinerary, to my own!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I'm in Ireland with Broken Harbor by Tana French, although not an Ireland I want to visit, in the recession with murders happening, hahaha.

I'm also in Jordan with Mother of All Pigs by Malu Halasa.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m in WWII era Estonia with The Lace Weaver.