2020 - Where in the World Have You Been? (Book Read and Review Linked)

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

It's #ReadCaribbean month so I pulled all my unread books that are set in the Caribbean. I ended up starting with the debut novel - These Ghosts Are Family by Maisy Card. It starts in the middle of a family saga and goes forward and then back, which is an interesting way of telling a story. I learned a lot about Jamaican history too, but it's never in an infodump way.

My review is here.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Earlier this month I was eating my way around France in Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris. Not only was it a great foodie book to add to my list for this year, it gave me the added bonus of a vicarious expat adventure which I enjoyed just as much.

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

[Kim]

I've been listening to Stasi and anti-stasi people in the old East Germany with Anna Funder in Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall on audiobook.

[Shomeret]

I've been traveling through books set in my own country and I don't consider those "Around the World", so I haven't posted here.

I recently read a mystery that was also a thriller with significant espionage content which primarily took place in the U.S., but I also traveled to Mexico where the female protagonist was looking for an Iraqi child. In addition, I traveled to Iraq through the memories of the protagonist who served in the Iraq War. The book is Ambush by Barbara Nickless. I thought it was very good.

See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "It's #ReadCaribbean month so I pulled all my unread books that are set in the Caribbean. I ended up starting with the debut novel - These Ghosts Are Family by Maisy Card. It starts ..."

Sounds like a good one, Jenny. I happen to be reading The Spice Necklace: A Food-Lover's Caribbean Adventure fits with the #ReadCaribbean month - a nice coincidence.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Lilisa wrote: "Sounds like a good one, Jenny. I happen to be reading The Spice Necklace: A Food-Lover's Caribbean Adventure fits with the #ReadCaribbean month - a nice coincidence. "

That sounds like a fun one!

I'm in Japan (again) with The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann, translated from.. the German? It's a bizarre experience because you have this German narrator and it changes how I perceive the story - is he speaking in German to the Japanese man he's traveling with? Does the man understand him or is he making that assumption? A little bizarre. It was on the shortlist for the Booker International Prize last year.

I'm also in Georgia-the-Country, also Russia and also USSR depending on which era - in The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischwili, also translated from... the German! This was on the Booker International LONG but not shortlist this year; I'm finding it to be a delight.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Well, that was a very quick trip to Norway (although I probably could have been anywhere with snowy winters) with Babette's Feast. Although it didn't really give me the location OR the food, it was still a worthwhile, short read.

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

[Karen]

I'm still in Nigeria, but made a quick side stop in the Gambia with a fine children's picture book: One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Hannah]

I've finished my trips to Trinidad: Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and Egypt: Woman at Point Zero by Nawal El Saadawi https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and really enjoyed them both.
I'm moving on to Ghana next with Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi

[Lilisa]

Hannah wrote: "I've finished my trips to Trinidad: Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and Egypt: Woman at Point Zero ..."

Sounds like some great reads, Hannah. 'Til the Well Runs Dry is set in Trinidad - you may want to check it out.

[Lilisa]

I was on a food tour with Flavors First: An Indian Chef's Culinary Journey - bit more about Vikas Khanna - amazing chef, author, humanitarian and filmmaker here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxokT.... It’s a bit long but so interesting.

Finished a couple of other great reads - in France with Code Name Hélène and in the Dominican Republic/U.S. with Clap When You Land.

[Hannah]

Thanks for the recommendations lilisa!

[Shomeret]

I've just been to Florence, Italy with The Giant: A Novel of Michelangelo's David by Laura Morelli

Laura Morelli writes a great deal about travel in Italy as it relates to art. She is an art historian. Her novel about Michelangelo's David was fascinating.

Here is my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Karen]

I've just left Monaco. I've been reading the Mary Russell/ Sherlock Holmes series for years and though I've skipped the ones since their foray into Japan, Dreaming Spies, was able to pick right up with this adventure in Monaco. Riviera Gold by Laurie R. King.

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

[Shomeret]

I've just been to Poland, Russia, Germany, Austria and Israel during and after WWII with Of Bitter Herbs and Sweet Confections by Susan Shalev.

A Polish Jewish family was sent to Siberia by the Russian army which saved their lives even though didn't exactly like Siberia. They tried to leave Siberia and get to Palestine. The POV is a girl who comes of age during the course of the novel.

See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rita]

In France, with Wild Lavender by Belinda Alexandra - a wonderful saga set in the twenties to end of WW11. Simone leaves the lavender farm on which she was born and becomes a famous singer, ultimately helping the Resistance as Germany invades her country. Great love story and tale of perseverance and determination.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I enjoyed my time in diamond-rush era South Africa with The Diamond Hunter.

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

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

The Safe Place was a good debut from former actress Anna Downes, and although it gave me a nice dose of French country estate life, it didn't really deliver the thrills I was hoping for. Although marketed as modern gothic, I have to disagree - it takes more than just a fabulous house and a mystery.

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

[Claire]

I've been immersing myself in the Harlem Renaissance era after earlier in the year reading The Book of Harlan by Bernice McFadden, set in America, Paris and a concentration camp in Germany.

My review of The Book Harlan


I've recently finished the poet Langston Hughes debut (and semi-autobiographical novel) Not Without Laughter and Nelly Larsen's (also considered her most autobiographical novel) Quicksand set in the US and Denmark (the author was the daughter of immigrants from Denmark and the West Indies) and I'm now reading her second novella Passing.

My review of Not Without Laughter
My review of Quicksand

[Carol]

Claire wrote: "I've been immersing myself in the Harlem Renaissance era after earlier in the year reading The Book of Harlan by Bernice McFadden, set in America, Paris and a concentration camp in ..."

You’re on a great roll. Plus if you liked Quicjsand, you’ll love a Passing. Both are faves.

[Carol]

I finished The Missing American by Kwei Quartey. It takes place in Ghana. Quartey is American, of Ghanaian descent. I had wanted to read one of his novels for some time, and since this is the first in a new series, It seemed like a good time to dive in. I’m a bit conflicted. I enjoyed it well enough but it seemed bloated and the mystery was largely revealed early in. Probably a 3.5, net.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I finished The Eighth Life by Nino Harataschwili over the weekend, about the country of Georgia in the "Soviet century" and it was so good! My review is here.

[Lilisa]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I finished The Eighth Life by Nino Harataschwili over the weekend, about the country of Georgia in the "Soviet century" and it was so good! My review is here."

I have my eye on this one - now definitely have to read it!

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I was briefly in South Korea last week with Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982. While I was really keen to read this (I posted about it in our 'anticipated reads' thread), I thought it failed to meet its potential. While the subject matter is important, and certainly provoked an emotional response, I just couldn't get past the stylistic shortcomings. Luckily it was very short - faster readers than me may finish it in one sitting.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I was also in Pakistan with To Lahore With Love, which I read as an audiobook. It definitely transported me to Lahore, and there was lots of food (the MC is a chef who has written a personal cookbook/journal based on her Pakistani grandmother's recipes, which features heavily) but I wasn't able to focus on the detail that I wanted in this format. I have the text version on reserve at the library so I'll wait to have a speedread of that before I rate and review. Maybe 3-3.5 stars, but we'll see.

[Lilisa]

I was in India with Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line. The book centers around three young kids playing detectives trying to solve the disappearance of kids from their bustis (slums). We get to see life in this teeming community with its social, cultural, religious, and political norms - all hangs well together with the voices of the many colorful characters. Not sure why this book didn’t get more press - it is well done.

[Lilisa]

I was in Cuba with The Price of Paradise, translated from Spanish. The author was the screenwriter for the popular series The Time in Between, which was based on the book The Time in Between (great book) by María Dueñas. It was an enjoyable lighter read depicting the life and times in Cuba with interesting characters too.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I haven't been to China for a while but I've just finished Snake Fang Salad: Culinary Travails in China from my 2020 food list, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

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

[Shomeret]

I traveled to London, Azerbaijan, Rostov in Russia and China with Sinister Sisterhood by Jane Badrock

I was inspired to research Azerbaijan by this book. Wikipedia says that the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established in 1918 was "the first parliamentary republic in the Muslim world"

See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I had an experience I'm still trying to unpack. I read The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov, from Moldova. Another reader in Instagram went to look at the book and immediately started dismissing it as trash, claiming the author isn't Moldovan, etc. I looked him up and he was born in Chisinau and lives there now... and I'm trying to understand. I really know very little about the region. I have learned that at various points in history Romania and Moldova were one country, that there is another region in Romania known as Moldova and they refer to Moldova as Bessarabia. Part of her issue also seemed to be that it was written in Russian originally and she felt you can't write in that alphabet about Moldova.

Suffice to say I was not prepared for the pushback reading a silly novel about Moldova would cause and I really need some more cultural understanding but haven't been able to find it. Suggestions on books I could read or anything like that?

I'm willing to entertain the fact that there may be very literary authors who haven't been translated into English and that this book, more of a romp or satire, may not be up to those standards... but I am suspecting more of a political or possibly religious or ethnic division here?

I thought the book was fun... you can see my review here. It's after the fall of the USSR and the people in this small town think if they can get to Italy it will change their lives but they have no money and little education so they have a hard time making it happen.

[Rachel]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I had an experience I'm still trying to unpack. I read The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov, from Moldova. Another reader in Instagram went to look at the book and immedia..."

While I haven't read it personally, my public library has lots of books from the Cultures of the World series. There is one about Moldova by Patricia Sheehan (Moldova). I feel that its likely worth a look especially if you can find it at your own library, which, because its a more popular series you may be able to.

[Lilisa]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I had an experience I'm still trying to unpack. I read The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov, from Moldova. Another reader in Instagram went to look at the book and immedia..."

Good on you Jenny for reading a book set in Moldova. I haven’t read any, so unfortunately don’t have suggestions. However, our friends from Around the World in 80 books have this list: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... that you may want to check out. I take it the exchange was an interesting one - it would have been helpful if suggestions had been proffered on other books set in Moldova rather than dissing your reading. Irregardless, the fact that you made time to read a book set there says a lot about your willingness to learn more.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Lilisa wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I had an experience I'm still trying to unpack. I read The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov, from Moldova. Another reader in Instagram went to..."

Thanks for the list (but how will I know which ones are the "right" ones eh?) I think most of my reaction was surprise - I usually know when I'm headed into controversial territory, for instance Israeli fiction or South African writers.

[Lilisa]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Lilisa wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I had an experience I'm still trying to unpack. I read The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov, from Moldova. Another reader in In..."

Lol and social media...sigh...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I've been in Estonia with The Lace Weaver, learning about its place in WWII as well as the knitting!

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

[Hannah]

I've been to Germany with The Mussel Feast which I enjoyed and South Africa with Evening Primrose which I felt torn about
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I've been in Syria with The Stray Cats of Homs. After a false start and publishing delays, this one turned out to be a real gem - one I'll be thinking about for a long time to come. If any NetGalley members are interested, I think it's still available until August 6.

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

[Lilisa]

Was in the Philippines with the audiobook The Indomitable Florence Finch: The Untold Story of a War Widow Turned Resistance Fighter and Savior of American POWs. Not many have heard of Florence Finch, and neither had I. More should know about her and this is a great book to check out. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Was back in India with the historical mystery Murder in Old Bombay: A Mystery - a good one with more than just murder investigation - you get a good flavor for the life and times of the 1890s in colonial India. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rusalka]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I had an experience I'm still trying to unpack. I read The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov, from Moldova. Another reader in Instagram went to look at the book and immedia..."

A little late to the party on this one. But I think this is an area which those of us who haven't grown up in this area with all it's diversities and problems with the Soviet Union will try immensely and can't understand.

We have a have friend who is Ukrainian for example. Lovely, generous, open guy. Taught us a heap of things about his culture. I remember though when Russia was invading Ukraine though Lexx (my partner) said "cheers" in Ukrainian or so he thought. Mispronounced it and the response was "Why would you say that in Russian?" All was good, but an indication of how volatile and emotional it was, even on the other side of the world.

Simple mispronunciation in a turbulent time leads to conflict. Imagine centuries of that. I don't think you or those you have read are in the wrong. People identify as they will, and people will always challenge that, in those environments or others (how many Aussie writers are still talked about as only from their country of origin for example). It's fraught, and you are good. You're trying to understand and engage which is better than 99% of us. So carry on.

[Kim]

I've been a few different places since I was last with Anna Funder in Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall.
Poland with The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner
Iran with The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar
Argentina, I think can never tell with Argentina author Samanta Schweblin and aMouthful of Birds
and back to France recently with Danish author Anne Cathrine Bomann and her book Agatha
All beautiful books and highly recommended.

[Karen]

I've been in Mexico with Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I did not like it as well her previous Gods of Jade and Shadow.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Rusalka wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I had an experience I'm still trying to unpack. I read The Good Life Elsewhere by Vladimir Lorchenkov, from Moldova. Another reader in Instagram went to..."

Thanks Rusalka. I bet there are a lot of layers to that particular onion.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I've been in Nigeria with The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi, and it was a 5★ journey for me.

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

[Shomeret]

I've been to 21st century Canada plus 18th century Scotland and Ireland with a time travel science fantasy novel which is the last book in a trilogy called Song for a Lost Kingdom: The Heart Beats in Time by Steve Moretti.

I liked the way Moretti dealt with the impact of time displacement on the two female protagonists.

See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Shomeret]

I've been to late 19th century India with The Spiritualist , a mystery novelette by Noah Alexander. It's a prequel to a series with a female detective. I liked it very much.

See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I can't help myself - I was back in France with The Mystery of Henri Pick, a solid 3★ read.

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

[Carol]

I am in Malaysia with 21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders by Rozlan Mohd Noor. It’s a bit sexist - think Robert Parker mid 80s - but nothing I can’t roll with. Food (meals) are mentioned every 3-5 pages or so. The MC is a bit of a whiner and a lame single dad. But if your taste runs to beach-read-noir, you might like it. I’m enjoying it for what it is.

[Claire]

So during August, for WIT Month, I've been to:

Palestine, Beirut, the Arab Emirates and Eygpt in The Woman from Tantoura by Radwa Ashour - review here (thought it was excellent, especially the latter half) - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Istanbul, Turkey in Berji Kristin: Tales from the Garbage Hills by Latife Tekin - extraordinary, original, a short, unforgettable read of the marginalised in a compelling narrative voice - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Argentina in The Wind That Lays Waste by Selva Armada - a novella of the intersection of two men and their 16 year olds they are raising alone, a travelling reverend and his daughter and the garage owner and his son - the storm approaches - very atmospheric - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

France to Russia on the Trans-Siberian express and then to Lake Baikal in The Red Sofa by Michèle Lesbre - both an inner journey and the recounting of an unorthodox friendship, another excellent novella, afternoon read - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Naples, Italy in Troubling Love by Elena Ferrante - her debut, troubling indeed, a daughter affected by the mystery of her mother's disappearance, another of Ferrante's wounds explored - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Spanish Sahara (now Morocco) in Stories of the Sahara by Sanmao - brilliant nonfiction narrative of a Taiwanese woman living in the Sahara with her Spanish lover, my favourite read of the summer - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Guadeloupe in Crossing the Mangrove by one of my all time favourite authors Marye Condé - absolutely brilliant, entertaining, 'noir-esque' look at island society through the catalyst of the death of an outsider. - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finland with the first two books in the Red Abbey Chronicles, Maresi and Naondel, a YA feminist fantasy set on an island inhabited only by women. NOt my usual genre, but enjoyed the journey and inspiration behind it.
Maresi review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Naondel - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Shomeret]

I was in contemporary Kenya with Fowl Murder by Victoria Tait. For me, this was primarily a character novel though I also learned about Kenyan culture and history.

See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Was in Paris with the inimitable Louise Penny's All the Devils Are Here - another mystery with the awesome Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. Yet again Penny doesn't disappoint! My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Also sampled the Fall 2020 Debut Fiction Sampler - quick thoughts here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...